Star Wars: The Last Jedi Review

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Synopsis:

Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to battle with the First Order.

The second instalment into the third trilogy of the Star Wars franchise, The Last Jedi steps away from the traditional setting (it is the most unique one yet), looking like Star Wars but feeling like something else. As you know, it is always about how everyone still has a choice regardless of Destiny's role in the Star Wars universe.

Rian Johnson finally gave us a proper look into the conflict of conscience Kylo Ren experiences (arguably better that what the prequel movies could have offered in showing the origins of Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker). At times Kylo seemed like he was on his way back and then he's back on the dark side again, a broken man devoid of reason as he allows his rage and impulses to drive him and ultimately cloud his judgement. We get to see Rey, curious and inquisitive as ever, searching for answers, even if she will have to go to the dark side to get them, relentlessly seeking a mentor to help her "find her place" in the galaxy and get answers to questions about whatever has been awoken inside of her. Other great sights involve Luke showing his mastery of the force, Leia using the force, Finn and newcomer, Rose enjoy moments of brilliance.

The Last Jedi

There's much that the movie had to offer, however, certain arcs were missing. For example, we didn't get to see enough of Captain Phasma or even her backstory, the identity of Rey's parents hasn't still been revealed even if speculation suggests Iden Versio of Inferno Squad is her mother (entirely accurate if you check the timeline), what would happen to Leia (Carrie Fisher, Rest Her Soul) in the next movie. I'm guessing we will have to wait for answers in the next movie.

Easily a good watch for both old and newcomers to the franchise, even though there'd be a little head scratching to get around some of the events on screen - 8/10

Miscellaneous

New tech, new planets and new creatures e.g. Porgs

Showed what "light-speed" looked like in slow-motion

The Punisher Review

The Punisher.

Synopsis:

After exacting revenge on the people responsible for the deaths of his wife and children, Frank Castle uncovers a conspiracy that runs deeper than New York's criminal underworld. Now known as the Punisher, he must dig deep into the conspiracy to discover the truth about injustices that affect more than just him and his family. Assisting the vigilante in his quest to fight criminals are best friend Billy Russo, who runs private military corporation Anvil, and former NSA analyst Micro, who shares common enemies with Castle and helps him as part of a so-called marriage of convenience.

We continue Frank Castles story as he intends to live a normal life and then he is pulled back into a world of chaos he'd so desperately tried to leave behind, discovering that there was more to the killing of his family and the people behind it. The Punisher shines brighter, even more so than the  supposedly bigger street level superheroes in the Netflix shows (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist and Luke Cage). Jon Bernthals's performance is top-notch. Some beautifully executed events were the fight scene with the Jazz song in the background and the growing relationship between Frank Castle and David Lieberman. The show didn't make me feel like proper retribution took place, I mean The Punisher's mantra is "No Trials, No Bullshit." It  left so many questions, which would hopefully be answered if it were ever renewed for a second season 

Bottom line, it is so good that it's doing better than it should be, it was a decent telling of Frank Castle's story the previous movies never did well. 8/10

Games Coming this December

Osiris, Destiny

Apart from remasters and VR remakes, the most anticipated title of December is Bungie's dive into the unknown story of the legendary guardian, Osiris, although a DLC, it is thought to be as good and an entire new game.

Friday, December 1
Doom VFR (PSVR, Vive)
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Nintendo Switch)

Tuesday, December 5
Dead Rising 4: Frank's Bug Package (PS4)
Destiny 2: Curse of Osiris (PS4, XBox One, PC)
Steep - Road to Olympics (PS4, XBox One, PC)

Wednesday, December 6
Bravo Team (PSVR)

OKAMI

Friday, December 8
Hello Neighbor (XBox One, PC)

Saturday, December 9
Loco Roco Remastered (PS4)

Tuesday, December 12
The End is Nigh (Nintendo Switch)
Fallout 4 VR (Vive)
Okami HD (PS4, XBox One, PC)
Resident Evil 7: Gold Edition (PS4, XBox One, PC)

Thursday, December 21
Tiny Metal (PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch)

Source: Gamespot

Movies Coming this December

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

The highlights of December are Rian Johnson's tone-shifting Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water, Dwayne Johnson's Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Anna Kendrick bringing the team back in Pitch Perfect 3.

Friday, December 1
Wonder Wheel
The Disaster Artist
Alien Invasion
24 Hours to live
Psychopaths
Brotherhood of the Blades II: The Infernal Battle
Padmavati
The Tribes of Palos Verdes
The Swindlers
Love Beats Rhymes

Wednesday, December 6
Dust 2 Glory

Friday, December 8
The Shape of Water
Just Getting Started
Bullet Head
The Pirates of Somalia
November Criminals
I, Tonya

Wednesday, December 13
Miss Kiet's Children

The Shape of Water

Friday, December 15
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Ferdinand
Gotti
Hedgehogs
The Ballad of Lefty Brown
Permanent
The Thousand Faces of Dunjia

Wednesday, December 20
Jumanji: welcome to the Jungle
The Greatest Showman

Friday, December 22
Pitch Perfect 3
Downsizing
Father Figures
The Post
Bright
Hostiles
Along With The Gods
All the Money in the world
Happy End

Monday, December 25
Molly's Game
Phantom Thread

Wednesday, December 27
In The Fade

Friday, December 29
Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool

Pitch Perfect 3

Source: Movie Insider

Fire in Fredricton

Fire in Fredricton

Official reports have confirmed that there was a ferocious fire following an explosion in Fredricton area of New Brunswick, Canada last weekend on November 26, 2017. Locals confirmed that first-responders were quick to put out the fire, but it had already claimed a third of the buildings on the block due to its immense intensity. This is one of the largest fires Fredricton has ever faced.

According to police investigation reports, the fire had started at around 2:40 am in the morning after the local rapper by the name of JTK had left his his Mixtape playing overnight in his home studio. The rapper has since been charged for third degree murder, and is currently facing trial in Fredericton's court of Queen's bench.

A few unidentified passerbys had claimed that they had heard a song being played from the building. The song has since been identified by police as "Takeover", which you can listen to here. 

"Such carelessness has resulted in one of the largest fires Fredricton has ever faced, and we cannot allow this repeat itself. We have intel that there are more mixtapes in production by other local rappers and must make sure terminate them all. Projects like this must licensed and done out of town in controlled environments" -- Detective James Doe Anon, New Brunswick Police, Fredericton Division. 

Like many young adults today, JTK is active on social media, and it appears that he had given some hints about his endeavours on November 18, 2017, when he posted a meme about his single "Takeover."

Maybe we should start paying more to what young people post on Social Media today? 

For further information and updates on entertainment news, stick closely to Courier NG.

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Thor Ragnarok Review

Thor Ragnarok

Synopsis:

Imprisoned on the other side of the universe, the mighty Thor finds himself in a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against the Hulk, his former ally and fellow Avenger. Thor's quest for survival leads him in a race against time to prevent the all-powerful Hela from destroying his home world and the Asgardian civilization.

Thor finds himself in a bind, now returning to Asgard after the events of Avengers 2: Age of Ultron, he comes home to find Asgard and the other realms in imbalance. He takes it upon himself to solve the issues and is surprised find how many secrets have been buried by the Odinson family.

Another addition to the MCU, blending in to the existing universe seamlessly, this time it took Thor, a not-so-interesting member of the Avengers, Earths mightiest heroes and finally made a movie worthy of him; his name wasn't on the title of the movie, he took centre-stage. Full of laughs and inside jokes (some you'd only understand if you've been along for the ride since the first Iron Man). Then again, Thor and The Hulk finally get to throw down! Let that sink in!

There wasn't a lot of Hela to get on with, the big baddie in the movie seemed to just appear even if her backstory was made known. It never described how Hulk came to Sakaar from Earth, and neither did they show The Enchantress, whom with Skurge have a very strong comic book relationship.

Ant-Man is supposedly the funniest guy in the MCU but Thor does a home run in this movie with quips and puns - 8/10

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Review

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

In the 28th century, special operatives Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline work together to maintain order throughout the human territories. Under assignment from the minister of defense, the duo embarks on a mission to Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis where diverse species gather to share knowledge and culture. When a dark force threatens the peaceful city, Valerian and Laureline must race against time to identify the menace that also jeopardizes the future of the universe. The film is based on the French science fiction series Valérian and Laureline, written by Pierre Christin and illustrated by Jean-Claude Mézières, first published in 1967 in the Pilote magazine.

Valerian and Laureline

Visually captivating with beautifully done CGI, Luc Besson fleshes out the buried story of Valerian in a very unique way, with intricate detail and masterful art directory. Unfortunately, Valerian seems to be lacking something to set it apart from other Sci-Fi franchises despite making way for franchises like Star Trek and Star Wars. It doesn't learn the lesson that John Carter did, which is trying not so much to look or sound like the other franchises. However, the problem stems from the fact that it may look like a copy of already existing franchises, when in fact was one of the pioneers of the as Sci-Fi genre. 

The movie seemed rushed; it didn't give us, the watchers, enough to time to learn more about the main characters and even fall in with them, sometimes it was a bit dry with a lot of forced comedy and a cliché ending.It is a good watch either alone or with friends on a movie night - 6/10