House of Cards Season 4 Review

House of Cards

The fourth season of +Netflix US & Canada's political drama series House of Cards continuing its brilliance and strutting it around like a beautiful peacock in summer. continuous sublime performances by Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright et al. and even newcomer John Kinnaman.

Continuing from its strong ending in season three, the fourth season carries on that strength which is a tear between the Underwoods themselves, which could be a divorce, a separation and possibly the obliteration of whatsoever they've built for over thirty years amidst the election campaign for Frank's 2016 election aspiration, very distracting

The Underwoods get under each others skin, hatching and scheming, planning to decapitate one another despite being attacked by their collective foes (Presidential candidate rivals) during the election campaign, proving dire for their relationship and aspirations alike in every episode. Loyalties are tested, moralities are checked and people who have been wronged have not forgotten.

The Underwoods continue to seem unstoppable and any cracks in their armour continues to be refilled with some form of far-stretched superhero-like healing ability, they simply can't be touched. I understand that they're the protagonists but they get away with things to easily to often (not for long though, the build-up in this season was sick)

Verdict:

Deadpool Review

Deadpool

Deadpool, borne off the self destructive iteraion in the first installation of the Wolverine origin movies and has since transcended into a guideline for risk takers in the current superhero movie trend; Be Epic! Deadpool is a character that was coined from both +Marvel Entertainment 's Spider-Man and +DC Entertainment 's Deathstroke, mashed up together to give a hell; a mouthful and efficient assassin. Deadpool has undergone various iterations over the years, it's most definitive iteration is the one in the recent movie. It is true that Ryan Reynolds took a risk to put on this skin once more, he denounced himself playing any other superhero (After that awful outing as Green Lantern), and might I add, he did so eloquently. Firstly, they got rid of everything that didn't work with the first cinematic Deadpool and escalated what did, hence the origin story and leaving open wide a door in case +Marvel Entertainment / FOX intend to utilise his character again. Deadpool has shut critics up with it's success, doing well domestically and internationally and most especially dethroning "The Matrix Reloaded" as the highest R-rated movie in history with it's $745 Million Box Office success.

Deadpool is about an ex special forces agent, who after finding out he's ill with cancer, signs up to get treated by a special government division which specialize in aiding veterans in such conditions, promising them a new beginning.

As a result of +Marvel Entertainment 's complex deals on IP's with various studios, Deadpool exists in the same universe as the X-Men and its not surprising that there are characters shared across. Deadpool's jokes and puns are fun, easily understood and dirty. The flash back - forward sequences breathe life into a fragile story. However it is a breath of fresh air from the usual superhero shenanigans. Lots of easter eggs and references to Kevin Feige himself, Spider-Man, Green Lantern and even Wolverine.

Its resolve is quite weak with the cliche bad guy kidnap girlfriend/revenge storyline, the unclear depiction of fictional mutant genome (X-genes) and the power levels of the mutants. Sometimes it reared it's head like a low - medium budget movie as the CGI seemed conspicuous.

Verdict
it is unique and utterly refreshing, its a memorable movie 7/10

Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice Review

Batman V Supperman: Dawn of Justice

The second movie into the stretch of what would be a +DC Entertainment Comic Universe spanning about 10 movies ( one for each character and the Justice League Movie). Directed by Zack Snyder, a man who's mark is always left in destruction and chaos, referencing Man of Steel et al. He has been employed to guide the entire DCU in the right direction, although some may say he's not the man, but it might just be too early to judge him yet. The movie has done well in the Box Office so far despite having mixed reviews on release.

Following the chaos the Man of Steel; Superman, left Metropolis in, the world is shaken by the presence of a god-like figure, unsure of what he stands for, who he stands with and what his mission is on Earth. A world-torn Batman (one who isn't restricting himself from killing) is finding himself in more despair than ever before, taking it upon himself to stop what may become the force that might bring an end to the world. In the midst of all this, a vicious, unscrupulous and psychopathic entrepreneur seeks to use the confusion to his advantage and they all cross paths.

The continuity was evident, conjoining two movies together and maintaining one universe (giving hints to what may come in future DCU instalments), unlike +DC Entertainment's previous futile attempts to maintain one universe under the guise of trying to explore more stories and more continuities. The introduction of Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg and Aquaman were exciting and gave hope to what is coming. Certain themes and especially quotes from the Lex character were interesting.

Honestly it could have been better, the storyline was weak and forgettable, the action scenes were overly intense and could have been done with less mass destructive approach, not to mention the flashing lights which could give a normal person epilepsy. The casting picks may not have sat well all round with me as well as some poor acting performances. The movie was dry and bereft of humour, it seemed like we were in Bruce Wayne's head. The unnecessary death of Superman who is the centre of this iteration of the DCU, why would they even attempt to kill him off? Him, who would only come back again in one if not more of the next movies.

Verdict:
 Its is a cinema movie; has that bang in the cinema with all the action and special effects, but one you wouldn't necessarily be eager to see again, because it lacks palpable content. 5/10

Movies Coming April

The Jungle Book

Friday, April 1
Pandemic
Natural Born Pranksters
The Dark Horse
Darling
God's Not Dead 2
A Weekend with the Family
Sold

Friday, April 8
Hardcore Henry
The Boss
Before I Wake
Everybody Wants Some
The Invitation
Mr. Right
Demolition
Wedding Doll
Louder than Bombs

Friday April 15
The Jungle Book
Criminal
Barbershop: The Next Cut
Green Room
Hostile Border
Rio, I Love You
Paradox
The Adderall Diaries
My Big Night

The Huntsman: Winters War

Saturday, April 16
The Met: Roberto Devereux

Tuesday, April 19
Project Itoh - The Empire of Corpses

Friday April 22
The Huntsman: Winters War
Compardres
Tale of Tales
A Hologram for the King
Holidays
Precious Cargo
The Meddler

Wednesday, April 27
RWBY Volume 1

Ratchet & Clank

Friday, April 29
Keanu
Ratchet & Clank
Green Room
A Beautiful Planet
Special Correspondents

Source: Movie Insider

Games Coming April

Dark Souls III

Friday, April 1
Organic Panic (Xbox One)
Stickbold! A Dodgeball Adventure (PC)

Monday, April 4
Green Game: Timeswapper (PC)

Tuesday, April 5
1979 Revolution: Black Friday (PC, Mac)
Assassin's Creed Chronicles Trilogy Pack (Vita)
Dead Star (PS4, PC)
Dirt Rally (Xbox One, PS4)
Enter the Gungeon (PS4, PC)
Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum (PC)
Job Simulator (PC)
Lovely Planet (PS4, Wii U)
Quantum Break (Xbox One, PC)
Stickbold! A Dodgeball Adventure (PS4)

Wednesday, April 6
Kill to Collect

Ratchet & Clank

Friday, April 8
Letter Quest: Grimm's Journey (Xbox One)
Stickbold! A Dodgeball Adventure (Xbox One)

Tuesday, April 12
Dark Souls III (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
Ratchet & Clank (PS4)
Risk of Rain (PS4, PSVita)
Stories: The Path of Destinies (PS4, PC)

Thursday, April 14
Aurion: Legacy of the Kori Odan (PC)
Bravely Second: End Layer (3DS)

Monday, April 18
Gears of War 4 MP BETA (Xbox One)

Tuesday, April 19
Axiom Verge (PS Vita)
Invisible, Inc. (PS4)
Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code (PC)
Pang Adventures (PS4)

Wednesday, April 20
Masquerade: The Baubles of Doom (Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3, PC)
Megamagic (PC)
P.O.L.L.E.N. (PC, Oculus Rift)

Thursday, April 21
Battlefleet Gothic: Armada (PC)
Rogue Stormers (PC)

Friday, April 22
Star Fox Guard (Wii U)
Star Fox Zero (Wii U)

Monday, April 25
htoL#NiQ: The Firefly Diary (PC)

King's Quest Chapter 3: Once Upon a Climb

Tuesday, April 26
King's Quest - Chapter 3: Once Upon a Climb (Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3, PC)
MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies (PS Vita)
The Song of Tyrim (PC, Mac, Linux)
Stranger of Sword City (PS Vita)

Thursday, April 28
Lost Reavers (Wii U)
Mini Mario and Friends (Wii U, 3DS)

Source: Game Informer

Tom Clancy's The Division Review

Tom Clancy's The Division

The Division is finally here after a series of delays it is here and it is awesome. The Division retains whatever formula Tom Clancy's games have and it's evident in the top to bottom structure of the game.

Content

The Division is about the breakout of an enhanced small pox virus which has riddled New York, Manhattan to be exact, into chaos. Without hope to spare the task of saving New York is put in the hands of secret agents, hence the name The Division, these agents exist amongst us and are only called upon when such events occur, where the government power fails, they fill the vacuum before paramilitary or a gang boss steps in, because you know; everyone thinks they can take advantage of a power vacuum and step up to the mantle, I digress, anyway the job of these agents is to restore order by any means necessary, and you happen to be in control of one

Pros

Despite possessing a lot of characteristics that Destiny does, The Division is still it's own game on its own. The rendering of one of the most realistic depictions of New York and all in it (the fictitious brands and all the graffiti), the game rewards exploration, going into abandoned buildings and breaking into apartments to find loot, traversing the Dark Zone joining random people or betraying your teammates, matchmaking and playing with people online is much more efficient than in Destiny but that too needs a bit fixing.

Cons

The story is weak and easily forgettable, the graphics may look a little bit lower than what we have become accustomed to, but it is still capable of 1080p and 60fps runs, let's not even talk about the character creation in the beginning of the game - it was limited and uninventful, The Division sadly gets boring after sometime both because of the repetitiveness and or the nature of the game; it's basically just about shooting down enemies and there's less fun playing alone.

Verdict: 7/10

Daredevil Season 2 Review

Netflix's Daredevil Season 2

Marvel just did again! They've put another handful of sand in DC's food. Taking whatever worked in season 1 and spicing it up to produce a masterpiece. 

Content
Daredevil Season 2 continues the story of daytime lawyer, nighttime crime fighting Matt Murdock a.k.a. Daredevil, in his personal vendetta of relieving Hell's Kitchen, New York of crime. This time he goes down a road that questions his very resolve; keeps trying to do right and everything gets undone, questioning his morality; when he comes across The Punisher who's methods are more "effective" and also questioning where his heart truly is;?when he comes across Elektra Natchio, his longtime girlfriend from college. It's a whirlwind for Matthew in every episode trying to balance it all and find peace within himself as well, with his "Guilt."

Pros

To simply put it, it is awesome! Everything about it ticks, in addition, it revels in making references to Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and hints on Iron Fist (Danny Rand). It was an all round hoot from every main character, both old and new, with returning characters reinforcing their previous performances and new characters picking up from the new standard being set.

Cons

Firstly, I didn't see enough of The Punisher, it's a personal observation as I wanted to see more of Jon Bernthal continue in a beautiful performance of The Punisher,
 I tend to find the inconsistencies in Matt Murdock's blindness and the specific drop in pace of the opponents whenever they approached Stick

Verdict: It is absolute fun! 8/10