Darkmatters Review: DanceStar Party

DanceStar Party (PS3 Exclusive)

Developed by London Studios

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

There are lots of dancing games on the market – every gaming platform has something designed to make you prance about in front of them.

But only once in a while one comes along that gets just about everything ‘right’ – the good news is that DanceStar Party for the PS3 is the new undisputed king of dance games…

I have to admit that my hopes were not high when the review copy landed at Darkmatters HQ. Rather than just play it solo we decided to stress test DanceStar Party with various age groups – from a load of kids (aged 8 -10) on a Sunday morning, with teens (who got creative when challenged to make up their own routines) and with old timers (30/40 yr olds).

So how did it fare?

DanceStar Party was LOVED by all ages.

The feedback was universally positive ranging from “Best dance game I’ve ever played” through to “I’ve never had so much fun playing a console game”… basically the kind of quotes you wouldn’t normally find outside of a Sony Fanboy convention led by Kevin Butler.

So it looks like with Christmas Season about to hit, DanceStar, a PS3 (plus Move controllers) are going to be the essential kit to get any party started.

What’s so good about DanceStar? OK well for once the choice of tracks that come on the disc is way better than most ‘party’ games e.g. I Like The Way by Bodyrockers, Pass Out by Tinie Tempah, Barbra Streisand by Duck Sauce and Ellie Goulding's Starry Eyed.

"Look - real video, real dancers!"

Each track has an energetic dance routine that's easily learned by mirroring the moves of the dancers on-screen – and has a handy ‘energy’ level rating as to how much of a sweat you’re likely to work up. Speaking of on screen displays – DanceStar packs the original videos for all the tracks and a ‘real’ dancer rather than some rubbish animated dancer. It is impressive stuff as the required moves scroll on from the right and snapshots / video of your own effort pop up. It looks and feels slick and the dancers are really attractive specimens which helps too!? So while you're giving the performance of your life and watching the original artists' videos, hitting the Triangle button on your motion controller switches to the camera feed and see what you look like in action.

There is also a great workout section, which could well mean that you don’t need to invest in any bespoke fitness games… No excuses now lard ass - dance yourself fit! Once you've finished your dancing, it’s fun to upload your videos and pictures to your gallery and share them with your friends - they'll be able to rate them, and give you feedback. If you’re into social media you can share your vids with other users via Facebook and Twitter – uploading is a fun part of the DanceStar Party experience.

"hotpants not included"

Downloading your pals efforts is fun too, as they can post not just them dancing but routines that they have created for you to test yourself against. If you think you’ve got moves then now the bragging rights are there to be taken online! New content is available to download from the Playstation Store – so it will take you a lifetime to master every track in DanceStar Party…

Sony’s London Studio has excelled with DanceStar Party – this is the dance game that could well convert those who don’t like dance games, get your gameface on and hit the floor!!

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööööö

(5 - The PS3 is now king of the dance genre!)...

 Check out the official site

UNCHARTED 3 presents ‘The Hero's Journey’

UNCHARTED 3 presents ‘The Hero's Journey’ A documentary short directed by Ed Zwick inspired by Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, exploring the Action Adventure genre

 To celebrate the launch of the action adventure blockbuster UNCHARTED 3: Drakes Deception, PlayStation®3 has commissioned celebrated filmmaker Ed Zwick to explore one of entertainment’s biggest genres: Action Adventure and pose the question ‘What does it mean to be a hero?’

UNCHARTED 3: Drakes Deception released on November 2nd is the latest in the UNCHARTED multi-million selling adventure. The franchise is known for blurring the entertainment boundaries, and delivering on a cinematic scale. The new instalment follows hero Nathan Drake’s search for the fabled ‘Atlantis of the Sands.’ Announcing the new content, Sony PlayStation Marketing Director, Alan Duncan, commented ‘The Hero's Journey’, continues PlayStation 3’s documentary exploration of the convergence of entertainment genres, which we started with last years short themed around emotion in entertainment.

PlayStation is about rich entertainment experiences and we are excited that a filmmaker of Ed Zwick’s calibre has joined us to explore such an important genre as Action Adventure. UNCHARTED 3 is the perfect title with which to explore the subject of heroism’. Commenting on the creation of ‘The Hero's Journey’, Ed Zwick states ‘I’d been unaware of the extraordinary advancement of games such as UNCHARTED 3.

The notion that one can have a more complex hero while still providing the obligatory action, opens a whole new range of possibilities.’ Uncharted Creative Director Amy Hennig comments ‘The Uncharted Franchise is an exploration of what heroism means in the Action Adventure genre and it was interesting for us to explore these themes that we share across entertainment genres - as entertainers we are all posed with similar questions as to how to bring heroism to the fore in such a blockbuster category.’ The documentary short was filmed in LA and features responses from a range of film and gaming respondents who were posed the following questions to explore ‘What does the idea of the Hero in Action Adventure evoke?’:

Questions posed:

 · What defines a true hero?
 · Do you think heroes are born and not made? If so, what makes them?
· As an actor is it easier to play a hero/heroine than a villain?
OR- As a director, is it important to make your hero sympathetic?
· Heroism consists of 'hanging on one minute longer'. Do you agree?
· Action movies used to mean adventure in the face of physical danger. Has that changed in today's CGI reliant Hollywood?
· What's changed in Hollywood's portrayal of what it means to be a hero?
· How do you feel about the evolution of the female action hero?
· Is the multi-layered, flawed anti-hero a more modern hero?
· Are the darker, more fallible heroes of today more realistic and psychologically rounded?
· How do you draw on strength, when the odds are against you?
· Does fantasy inform your reality
· Who are some of your personal heroes?

Respondents:
 · Ed Zwick – Director/Producer & Writer (Glory, Legends of the Fall, The Last Samurai, Traffic & Blood Diamond)
· Diane Kruger – Actress (Troy, Inglorious Basterds, National Treasure & Unknown)
· Amy Hennig – Video Game Director & Writer (Uncharted 3, Jak & Daxter & Legacy of Kain) · Djimon Hounsou – Actor (Gladiator, Lara Croft Tomb Raider, Eragon & Blood Diamond)
· Sam Rockwell – Actor (Cowboys & Aliens, Iron Man 2, Moon & Matchstick Men)
· Nolan North – Video Game Actor& Voice (Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception, Batman: Arkham City, Transformers: Dark of the Moon & SOCOM 4: YUS Navy Seals)
· Michelle Rodriguez – Actress (Avatar, The Fast and the Furious, Resident Evil & Lost)

 The documentary is available to download free from http://www.youtube.com/playstation3 

Darkmatters Review: The Three Musketeers

The Three Musketeers (12a) 

Dir. Paul WS Anderson

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

Born to be heroes, trained to be warriors, destined to fight evil…

Yes the swash-buckling Musketeers are back after more than 20 film versions of Alexandre Dumas’ novel – and as my wife pointed out - a ‘great’ cartoon version in Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds.

Les Trois Mousquetaires, is a well-worn tale but it’s never been imagined in quite the way that Director Paul WS ‘Resident Evil’ Anderson does here. Gone is any sort of historical accuracy and in its place come dazzling 3D battles, sci-fi steampunk airborne warships, heaving bodice-straining bosoms and a new 12 year old looking D’Artagnan (Logan ‘Percy Jackson’ Lerman).

Anderson doesn’t do subtle in his movies but he does inject decent amounts of kick ass fighting against evil in the forms of nasty Rochefort (Mads Mikkelson), evil Cardinal Richelieu (Christoph Waltz) and dastardly Duke of Buckingham (Orlando Bloom). It seems that the Cadinal seeks to engineer a war between England and France to discredit France’s young King Louis XIII (Freddie Fox), so all of France looks to the Musketeers to save the day.

"this wasn't in the book"

The female component are chiefly made up of the beautiful Milady de Winter (Milla Jovovich), the cute French Queen (Juno Temple) and her hot handmaiden Constance (Gabriella ‘Dr Who’ Wilde). 

Nothing feels very original but anyone who likes their swordplay action fast, furious and without having to think about how silly it is too much should be very happy here. Anderson throws in various bits from Assassin’s Creed videogames, Indiana Jones movies, references to some of his other films and pretty much anything else he can think of – including a blatant ‘please let me make a sequel’ ending.

It does however look very stylish, especially the action sequences, which benefit from some high end special effects. There is some comic relief from the OTT slapstick pratfalls of incompetent servant Planchet (James Corden) who at least is memorable.

Alas the Three Musketeers themselves are fairly interchangeable – Matthew Macfadyen is Athos, Luke Evans is Aramis and Ray Stevenson is Porthos. Everything builds up to a plot involving the Musketeers having to steal back a priceless necklace and maintain the Queen’s honour. D’Artagnan has to give the King some relationship advice along the way and manages to woo Constance while the other Musketeers look on a bit awkwardly with nothing to do but fight lots of guards.

The Three Musketeers is a loud, stupid blast, that is lots of fun while it lasts but also instantly forgettable.

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööö 

3 - handsome if lowbrow adaptation...

Awesomeness öööö – does rock in places

Laughs ööö – Corden makes funny

Horror öö – slightly grim in places

Babes öööö – lots of regal eye candy

Spiritual Enlightenment öö - viva la français

"Handmaiden Gabriella Wilde"

Darkmatters Review: Johnny English Reborn

Johnny English Reborn (PG)

Dir. Oliver Parker

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

When the world is in danger, and a ruthless group of unstoppable assassins threaten to take out the leader of China – MI7 answer the call by sending in their most ‘special’ agent…

Yes Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson) is back – and he’s not lost any of his killer touch (although to be fair he didn’t have that much to start with). In the absence of a new Bond film this year, here is definitely the next best thing.

After a disastrously cocked-up mission in Mozambique, English has sought refuge in a remote Tibetan monastery where he is taught to find himself via being kicked in the balls. It seems the true peace and acceptance of your mistakes can only be found by dragging rocks with your testicles!?

"smooth and subtle..."

But he’s soon drafted back into MI7 and sets about being crap over and above the call of duty. If you liked the first Johnny English film then you’ll be immediately at home with ‘Reborn’ as it follows the tried and tested formula of pratfalls, cringe-worthy social crimes and general utter ridiculousness. The slapstick stupidity on display takes in lots of people getting hurt by mistake as English bumbles his way through the fairly predictable plot.

There are a couple of really funny moments which will be what stay with you should you choose to accept the mission to see this good-natured sequel. Look out for the ‘mind control’ dancing scene in particular which had the entire audience screaming with laughter. Also laughing in the face of danger are quality supporting turns from Gillian Anderson as new boss of MI7 (now operating from Toshiba sponsored HQ) and Dominic West who plays pantomime baddie / double agent Simon Ambrose. 

Obligatory but unlikely love interest for the Brit super spy comes in the shapely form of Kate Sumner (ex Bond girl Rosamund Pike) who sizzles and straight faces admirably as Atkinson spazzes in fine style. Pick of the spy gadgets has to be the gorgeous voice activated Rolls Royce which is pretty much a character in its own right.

"love at first sight"

Johnny English Reborn is immature, lowbrow and still very amusing. I took my 10-year-old son and his mate to see this and they laughed loud and long throughout. So if looking for an all age crowd pleaser, the man for the job just might be agent English – as they say ‘a little intelligence goes a long way!’

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööö

(3 - secret agent stupidity is rife again)...

Awesomeness ööö – funny yeah

Laughs öööö – you. will. laugh!?

Horror ö – mild peril

Babes ööö – Pike... you so would

Spiritual Enlightenment öö - idiots can save the world

"Pike vs dress"

LONG LIVE PLAY

This is just the most awesome gaming advert in the history of the world!!

Matt Adcock gets excited...

You know - this makes me want to dress up like this (to play my PS3!):

Darkmatters Review: Red State

Red State (18) 

Dir. Kevin Smith

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

‘It’s going to get Biblical!’

What happens when you take the foul-mouthed comedy indie film director of Clerks and let him lose on his own wildly excessive religion gone nuts material? Red State is the result – a quasi horror blast that tells the unhappy tale of three horny U.S. teens who are tempted to meet an older woman they have met online for sex.

Before you can say ‘meh – I’ve seen too many of these stupid raunchy road trips’, viewers are thrown head first into the very heart of darkness as the teens are drugged and prepared to be executed by a hyper-fundamental Christian religious sect.

What happens to Travis (Michael Angarano), Jarod (Kyle Gallner) and Billy-Ray (Nicholas Braun) is the stuff of torture-em-up films like Hostel – and then just when you think you have the film pegged the tables are turned again when the authorities led by Joe Keenan (John Goodman) arrive and a full scale gun siege kicks off.

Red State turns out to be a really though provoking ‘what if’ that riffs on the dangerously crazed far right end of the Christian religious spectrum. This sinister fundamentalist group called the Five Points Trinity Church are led by charismatic but deluded pastor Abin Cooper (Michael Parks). The groups vitriolic hatred of homosexuals and anyone sexually promiscuous – plus Evangelical Christians for being too soft is just utterly disturbing!? Cooper preaches a malicious fire and brimstone damnation philosophy so extreme that even the neo-Nazi organisations have distanced themselves from them. 

"we come in peace"

Without wanting to give too much away, Smith manages to do a decent job with the inflammatory material and gives it a heavy duty twist once the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents try to storm the Church compound.

As a Christian myself I was fascinated by the moral stand off interplayed in the film and the depiction of the warped way in which Cooper and clan twist the Bible to suit their own hateable prejudices. I’d be gutted however if anyone watching dismissed Christianly purely on the strength of Red State.

For those who enjoy being challenged and have a high tolerance for violence and cussing the closing credits promise that “Almost this entire cast will return in HIT SOMEBODY coming over the boards in 2012.” Red State is a gut wrenching morality minefield - worth checking as there is absolutely nothing like it out there.

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööö1/2

(3.5 - the fear of God can lead to madness)...

Awesomeness öööö – packs some seriously cool moments

Laughs ööö – dark laughter to be had throughout

Horror öööö – gruesome in places

Babes ööö – Kaylee DeFer is cute

Spiritual Enlightenment öö - Just because a man carries a bible - doesn't make him a good guy alas

"Kaylee DeFer - innocent bystander?"

Darkmatters Review: Drive

Drive (18) 

Dir. Nicolas Winding Refn

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@Cleric20)

“If I drive for you, you give me a time and a place. I give you a five-minute window, anything happens in that five minutes and I'm yours no matter what. I don't sit in while you're running it down; I don't carry a gun... I drive.”

From the stunning opening scene of a crackling overhead neon LA cityscape, where a robbery is taking place – set to the compulsive dirty synth sounds of 'Nightcall' (Kavinsky Feat. Lovefoxxx)
– you just know that Drive is going to be a very cool film.

And you’d be right!

"Brrrrmmmm!"

Star of the piece is ‘Driver’ (Ryan ‘Half Nelson’ Gosling) a man with no name but an uncanny way with cars. Drive is a powerful, heartbreaking romance shot through with heavy-duty violence and awesome crime-drama-action.

Based on the novel by Jim Sallis, Drive has been adapted for the screen by Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn (who made the excellent brutal Viking-em-up ‘Valhalla Rising’). It is the tale what happens when the ice cool Driver falls for cute girl next door Irene (Carey ‘Never Let Me Go’ Mulligan). Could he find happiness with her and her young son, outside of his links to the criminals who he drives for?

In a word ‘no’ because Irene’s husband, Standard (Oscar Isaac) is released from prison and before you can say “it’ll end in tears” there are beatings, robberies, deaths and double-crosses following thick and fast. Key to the dangerous underbelly of Drive are low rent movie producer Bernie (Albert Brooks), and his unhinged partner Nino (Ron Perlman). Brooks gets one of the best lines in recent times about his hands being ‘a little dirty’.

"What could go wrong?"

Everything works really well, the cast are all on good form – especially Mulligan and Gosling who share looks that will melt the heart of anyone watching. The soundtrack to the movie is amazing too – adding a haunting vibe to the four-wheeled carnage and slow burning romance.

Be warned though that the violence cranks up to an eye-watering level as things go very pear shaped – akin to other cool crime thrillers such as True Romance or Pulp Fiction. But it is an intrinsic part of the plot as Driver ironically might never get to be with Irene because of the violent measures he takes to protect her.

There is action and violence but still at the core a wonderful love story - showcased by the awesome scene where Driver takes Irene and her son on an impromptu excursion to the sounds of ‘A Real Hero’ by College Featuring Electric Youth. The scene is unbelievable...

"Happy times but how long can they last?"

Drive is an immediate cult classic and definitely my film of 2011 – actually it has crashed straight into my top 5 films of all time!

Highly recommended!!

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööööö

 (5 - film of 2011 for sure!)...

Awesomeness ööööö – many jaw dropping moments

Laughs öö – not a laugh riot

Horror öööö – gets very gory in places

Spiritual Enlightenment ööö - everyone must make their own moral choices

WATCH the trailer and HEAR the main soundtrack song HERE

"Miss Mulligan is awesome"

Darkmatters Review: Drive

Drive (18) 

Dir. Nicolas Winding Refn

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@Cleric20)

“If I drive for you, you give me a time and a place. I give you a five-minute window, anything happens in that five minutes and I'm yours no matter what. I don't sit in while you're running it down; I don't carry a gun... I drive.”

From the stunning opening scene of a crackling overhead neon LA cityscape, where a robbery is taking place – set to the compulsive dirty synth sounds of 'Nightcall' (Kavinsky Feat. Lovefoxxx)
– you just know that Drive is going to be a very cool film.

And you’d be right!

"Brrrrmmmm!"

Star of the piece is ‘Driver’ (Ryan ‘Half Nelson’ Gosling) a man with no name but an uncanny way with cars. Drive is a powerful, heartbreaking romance shot through with heavy-duty violence and awesome crime-drama-action.

Based on the novel by Jim Sallis, Drive has been adapted for the screen by Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn (who made the excellent brutal Viking-em-up ‘Valhalla Rising’). It is the tale what happens when the ice cool Driver falls for cute girl next door Irene (Carey ‘Never Let Me Go’ Mulligan). Could he find happiness with her and her young son, outside of his links to the criminals who he drives for?

In a word ‘no’ because Irene’s husband, Standard (Oscar Isaac) is released from prison and before you can say “it’ll end in tears” there are beatings, robberies, deaths and double-crosses following thick and fast. Key to the dangerous underbelly of Drive are low rent movie producer Bernie (Albert Brooks), and his unhinged partner Nino (Ron Perlman). Brooks gets one of the best lines in recent times about his hands being ‘a little dirty’.

"What could go wrong?"

Everything works really well, the cast are all on good form – especially Mulligan and Gosling who share looks that will melt the heart of anyone watching. The soundtrack to the movie is amazing too – adding a haunting vibe to the four-wheeled carnage and slow burning romance.

Be warned though that the violence cranks up to an eye-watering level as things go very pear shaped – akin to other cool crime thrillers such as True Romance or Pulp Fiction. But it is an intrinsic part of the plot as Driver ironically might never get to be with Irene because of the violent measures he takes to protect her.

There is action and violence but still at the core a wonderful love story - showcased by the awesome scene where Driver takes Irene and her son on an impromptu excursion to the sounds of ‘A Real Hero’ by College Featuring Electric Youth. The scene is unbelievable...

"Happy times but how long can they last?"

Drive is an immediate cult classic and definitely my film of 2011 – actually it has crashed straight into my top 5 films of all time!

Highly recommended!!

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööööö

 (5 - film of 2011 for sure!)...

Awesomeness ööööö – many jaw dropping moments

Laughs öö – not a laugh riot

Horror öööö – gets very gory in places

Babes ööö – Carey Mulligan is gorgeous

Spiritual Enlightenment ööö - everyone must make their own moral choices

WATCH the trailer and HEAR the main soundtrack song HERE

"Miss Mulligan is highly desirable"

God of War Collection 2

God of War Collection: Volume 2 (PS3) 

Developed / Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

“I am Kratos - a former Captain of Sparta's Army, and once a servant to the God of War, Ares… 


Now I serve the other Olympian Gods and hope to be free of the nightmares that haunt me. 


All I know is death, combat and glory – in High Definition!”

 If you’re a gamer of any sort – you should already know and love the God of War games. Now you lucky people can play the awesome PSP games - God of War: Ghost of Sparta and God of War: Chains of Olympus on your big screen HD TVs via the lovely PS3. Both the games rocked high scores of 9+ out of 10 in their hand held guises – the good news is that the The God of War Collection: Vol 2 brings more than just gorgeous graphics and Dualshock controls to the party.

Kratos is one man slaughter-em-up machine whose anti-hero antics see him taking down the denizens of Olympus, The Underworld and pretty much anything with a heartbeat in between. God of War III was a gaming high point many but the God of War Collection: Volume 2 is a perfect companion that brings two entire games of god bothering carnage. Chains of Olympus is a kind of prequel to the Original GOW and Ghost of Sparta its inbetween God of War and God of War II.

"I'm so hard I laugh at my hand catching fire..."

Both of the games look fantastic in HD but you can certainly see the evolution from Chains to Sparta in just about every area. Graphics and gameplay have been polished so it’s really worth working through Chains before tackling Sparta – as you’ll appreciate the refinements made.

Controlling Kratos is like taking an adrenalin overdose – macho battling, goddess seducing, monster slaughtering… all in eye popping HD. The quality of the conversions from PSP to PS3 is amazing and bodes incredibly well for the new PS Vita which legend tells will be able to transfer your game from the HD home console to the HD handheld…

Some of the boss battles redefine the word ‘epic’ in ways that have no equal in any game out there – if you want a dead cert rush – choose God of War Collection: Volume 2 and feed your inner warrior. It’s a non stop thrill ride which demands to be played.

Action gaming really doesn’t get much better than this and I’m delighted that Sony are keep the quality control dialled up to max for their iconic God of War series. Here’s to whatever may come next!!

 Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööööö

(5 - Kratos deserves his upgrade to PS3)...

 Check out the official site

DRIVE - Darkmatters Film of 2011

DRIVE (18)

Matt Adcock's film of 2011...

Think I have a new Favourite Film!! Am stunned and completely blown away by DRIVE...

See it, love it, download the awesome soundtrack, see it again - this is without doubt my FILM OF 2011!! (Not for the faint of heart but totally compelling, exciting, heart-breaking and thrilling)!?

Watch the trailer here:

 

Films just don't come much more intense, brutal, exciting and expertly crafted - think 'TRUE ROMANCE' crossed with 'BULLIT' - Nicolas Winding Refn (who made Pusher and Valhalla Rising) is a director to rival any!!

You really need to listen to this track from the soundtrack to get a feel for the awesomeness that DRIVE delivers...



 The car chases set new benchmarks but are far from the stars of the show -Ryan Gosling has created a new cinematic icon with his role of Driver (stunt driver by day, wheelman by night) and Carey Mulligan is superb as the girl next door who steals his heart (but is married to a criminal)...

"DRIVE - a romance with real emotion"

Darkmatters Review: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (15)

Dir. Tomas Alfredson

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

This is a priority communication – clearance to read rated ‘TOP SECRET’ - message reads: “We have a rotten apple, at the very top of British intelligence”.

Trying to re-imagine John le Carré best selling novel into a single feature film is a tough ask, especially in the light of the classic 1979 TV adaptation in which Alec Guinness gave one of his best ever performances as the enigmatic hero ‘George Smiley’.

But Tomas ‘Let The Right One In’ Alfredson does a brilliant job – aided and abetted by a powerhouse performance from Gary Oldman in the lead role. The labyrinthine plot packs many twists, false leads and moments of danger as the British Secret Service codename ‘Circus’ tries to root out the traitor who has managed to infiltrate their upper echelons. ‘Control’ (John Hurt) has assigned codenames to the few select people who the mole could be including Tinker, Tailor and Soldier… But which of them is the ‘Spy’?

The 2011 film is a classy and fantastically acted high brow mystery which will please those looking for a thriller that requires you pay attention. The 1970’s are recreated beautifully in all their drab glory and credit must be given to the filmmakers for their attention to detail. And the cast which includes Colin Firth, Tom Hardy and Mark Strong sees them all deliver excellent performances which scream ‘Oscar nominations’!?

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is brutally hard hitting in places and certainly earns its 15 certificate with brains being blown out and one scene where a spy has been on the wrong end of some angry Russian interrogators – and ends up wrapped in his own entrails is enough to give anyone nightmares. But despite the moments of shocking violence the main tone is one of creeping dread and paranoia that is very effective. Oldman is amazing as George Smiley, letting his facial ticks and gestures convey masses and handling the lead role with admirable restraint.

It is certainly refreshing to see a big screen film that doesn’t spoon-feed the audience as if we’re a bunch of backward simpletons. Just be aware that you can’t afford to dose off as even the scenes where it is predominantly dialogue require watchers to take notice not just of what is said but how and in what context.

If you’ve never read the book or seen the sublime TV series then the film is a great introduction to the shady world of counter-espionage and a scary reminder of Cold War times.

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öööö

(4 - The enemy is within!)...

Awesomeness öööö – smiley kicks ass without trying

Laughs öö – a few 'smileys' to be had

Horror öööö – nasty in parts

Babes ööö – Amanda Fairbank-Hynes !


Spiritual Enlightenment ööö - trust no-one...

"Amanda Fairbank-Hynes would brighten up any office"

Are you 'MOVE -ING' yet?

"The PS3's Move Controller... Suitable for self defence!?"

80+ Games Using PS3 Move Control Option

Matt Adcock

There are currently 83 games available or being made for the PS3 that can be controlled with the funky 'MOVE' controllers... From shooters such as Killzone 3, Resistance 3 and the upcoming Bioshock Infinite through the sport sims of Tiger Woods, Sports Champions and Virtua Tennis 4 on to party / dance games like Singstar Dance, Start the Party and TV Superstars - there are lots to keep you leaping about in front of your TV - and that's without the cool 'unique' experiences such as Flight Control HD, Heavy Rain, LIttleBigPlanet 2 and Child of Eden. Seems that actress Christina Ricci is a fan too - check these shots of her playing some PS3 Move games below:

Darkmatters Review: Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre (PG)

Dir. Cary Fukunaga

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

 “A wanderer's repose or a sinner's reformation should never depend on a fellow-creature. Men and women die; philosophers falter in their wisdom, and Christians in goodness: if any one you know has suffered and erred, let him look higher than his equals for strength to amend, and solace to heal.”

 Jane Eyre, Chapter 20 

It seems that Hollywood just can’t stop remaking classics – with variable success – but this new rendition of Charlotte Brontë’s gothic tale of love and heartbreak is a cut above any of the 20+ versions that have gone before.

For those not blessed enough to have read the book, Jane Eyre is the story of 19-year-old Jane (Mia ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Wasikowska). Her ‘tale of woe’ is that of having been brought up an unloved orphan (young Jane is played by the excellent Amelia Clarkson) in a seriously severe boarding school where no child is spared the rod and not all survive. Upon release Jane finds what she thinks is happiness working as a Governess for a handsome and imposing aristocrat Edward Rochester (Michael ‘Fish Tank’ Fassbender), but he hides a terrible secret that could wreck both their lives.

"beware the woods at night..."

Is there any way in which the poor Miss Eyre can find love and acceptance in the arms of her employer or are they doomed to unrequited affection? The course of true love certainly doesn’t run smooth and along the way Jane must grapple with the unwanted amorous attentions of sappy young clergyman St John (Jamie Bell) who means to take her to India as his missionary bride. There are also mysterious noises in the night, sinister tales of a woman who walks the house after dark who passes through walls and many a windswept moor to be negotiated.

The cinematography of director Cary ‘Sin Nombre’ is excellent throughout – the film builds up delicious undercurrents of menace and makes effective use of the staples of the gothic novel: dark storms, large daunting houses, suspected peril and deep, smouldering looks passed between characters. In a cinema year that has been low on high-brow quality romances Jane Eyre is a welcome visual and emotional cinematic ravishing of the soul.

For those seeking altogether superior film viewing (and/ or a cracking thinking person’s date flick) then this should be witnessed on the big screen if at all possible.

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öööö1/2

 (4.5 - Out gothics Twilight for quality dark love story)...

Awesomeness ööö – smoulders nicely

Laughs öö – some wry wit in evidence

Horror öö – some jumps and menace

Babes ööö – Wasikowska plays plain Jane well

 Spiritual Enlightenment ööö - true love can cost you everything

"Wasikowska - not such a plain Jane perhaps"

Darkmatters Review: RESISTANCE 3

Resistance 3 (18) PS3 Exclusive

Developed by Insomniac Games

Reviewed by Matt Adcock


Ah August, 1957… I still remember that fateful time…. It was yesterday…

America was lost to the Chimeran scum, we humans had been toasted on the battlefield, enslaved and even converted into freakish monsters – monsters who existed to hunt and kill the last humans left alive.

Sentinel Joseph Capelli had given up fighting the alien fiends after his dishonorable discharge from the army but now when his wife and son are threatened he must draw together the remnants of humanity left in the aftermath of the brutal Chimeran invasion. And try to form a new Resistance…

Insomniac Games’ are pretty darn tasty when it comes to working on the PS3 – Resistance 3 is their fifth-generation engine and it really shows. The graphics sparkle, the controls are immediately second nature and the levels to fight through are living, breathing masterpieces of cunning design. Resistance 3 is so full of win that it beats the living daylights out of the first two games. Everything has been refined, improved and machine tooled to give you a hair-raising, spine tingling blast-em-up par excellence!?

You get to ‘be’ Capelli as he fights for survival, packing new (and returning but now upgradeable) weapons, each is a joy to wield from the meaty human staples of magnums, shotguns, machine guns, rifles and snipers through to the energy bolt firing, see and shoot through walls alien weaponry. And if you think it’s fun using the lovely spread of weaponry in single player campaign (which can be co-oped) – just wait till you go up against your mates in multiplayer deathmatch with them!!

So yes, Resistance 3 is undoubtedly the best in the series to date, and it redeems the slightly less fun Resistance 2 which failed to cement the games as classics – if you only ever play one Resistance game, 3 is the magic number! I’m not kidding when I say that Resistance 3 is up there with Killzone 3 and Gears of War 3… This is a good year for ‘3’ games with Uncharted 3 and Mass Effect 3 still to come!

It’s not like there is a shortage of first-person shooters out there either (and with Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3 arriving soon – more quality ‘3’ games) it looks like this is a golden era for making virtual warfare.

"Wow - what big teeth you have..."

I was lucky enough to face the Chrimera in person at the ‘And Darkness Descends’ live action prequel event in London – which was a great way to set up the plot of Resistance 3. But even if you’ve never played a Resistance game before and didn’t get to the ‘darkness’ event – R3 is so welcoming that you’ll feel like you’ve jumped straight into a brand franchise – and it will be one of your very favourites!!

And for those who like their shoot-em-up in 3D, Resistance 3 is an absolute beast in that it really gives Killzone 3 a run for it’s money in terms of how slick and immersive it feels. Yes it also packs the option to use the nifty PS3 Move Gun attachment too – so for those who like to pull a real trigger rather than a controller button – step right up!


Resistance 3 is an awesome game, anyone who likes to shoot stuff (especially sci-fi fans) will find hours of pleasure here. Don’t deny yourself a slice of superb fun – everything about Resistance 3 is pure class, the PS3 is kicking all sort of ass this year!!

"essential kit!"

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööööö

(5 - PS3 keeps the good times coming!!)...

Check out the official site

Darkmatters Review: Kill List

KILL LIST (18)

Dir. Ben Wheatley

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

“They are bad people – They should suffer.”

What if there are malign, crazed occult forces at work behinds the scenes of our society?
Wouldn’t it be unnerving if they employed hit-men to take out people they deemed worthy of death – on a ‘Kill List’?

Step into the world of ex-squaddie Jay (Neil Maskell) he’s suffering from some sort of post traumatic stress disorder and although he and his pal Gal (Michael Smiley) are assassins for hire, he hasn’t been able to kill anyone for at least 8 months.

The film start as Gal and his odd girlfriend Fiona (Emma ‘PhoneShop’ Fryer) have dinner with Jay and Swedish his ex-military Mrs Shel (MyAnna ‘The Descent’ Burning). Things are not good with Jay and Shel – the meal is so naturalistic and charged with ill feeling that is one of the most painful domestic scenes ever committed to film.

Anyway, Gal gets Jay to agree to take on a lucrative hit – to wipe out 3 people on a kill list for some sinister old geezer who writes his contracts in blood. The film works through escalating ‘hits’ buoyed by the believable and likeable buddy banter of the two leads. There is a classic scene where the two have an alteration with a group of guitar happy Christians in a hotel restaurant – which alludes to a spiritual battle taking place behind the scenes - and certainly adds an extra element to the film which many will probably gloss straight over.

As a Christian I'm always interested in depictions of spiritual powers and their effect on us - be that the delusion of cults, the supernatural power of evil or (and never normally very well captured) the majestic all powerful nature of God (see TREE OF LIFE for best recent reflection on this). Kill List might not be your first choice for a spiritual film but it definitely packs a loaded element of supernatural disturbance...

"goodbye..."

Before you write Kill List off as a oddball quirky Brit gangster flick, you should know that if you let it, it will get under your skin and eat its way out from the inside! There is the growing palpable sense of unease that I haven’t experienced as deeply since the excellent voodoo dread feel of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. And yes horror fans Kill List morphs into a full-blooded horror film at the end, which left the audience I saw this with - in shocked, stunned silence with a super grim sucker punch ending.

The occult elements of the film aren’t worked as satisfyingly as might have been – indeed one of the mates I saw this with was left cold by the whole low budget, exposition less natural feel. But for those willing to embrace shocking violence, forgive slightly lumpy plot transitions and seek enjoyment in a weird and darkly funny British horror – Kill List marks itself out as a heavyweight viewing experience.

Think The Wicker Man (original), mixed with House of the Devil and Dead Man’s Shoes, set in a recession era modern day Britain and you have something altogether more interesting than most sugar coated supposed horror recent efforts.

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

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(4 - Turbo charged and spewing black fumes)...

Awesomeness öööö – some very heavy duty scenes

Laughs öö – a few dark chuckles to be had

Horror ööööö – some of this is beyond grim

Babes ööö – MyAnna Burning gives good blonde

Spiritual Enlightenment ööö - brutal and stark warped spirituality

"Oi son, your misses is a nutter..."

Resistance 3 comes to life - And Darkness Descends

"Dare you enter?"

And Darkness Descended... 

- A live action adventure experience based on the new PS3 game Resistance 3!? 

Experienced by Matt Adcock

"that's the smile of a survivor!"

Sony are pretty cool when it comes to game launches and so for the third in the Resistance Franchise, PlayStation 3 have commissioned immersive theatre specialists, Punchdrunk to create a unique survival experiment fusing theatre and gaming.

So you get to 'be' one of the last humans alive, stumbling through a mutant creature infested film set that is designed to freak even the hardiest gamer out... It's one thing when facing alien creatures and mutated humans on a screen (with a virtual gun to keep them at bay) - it's another thing entirely when you have to try and sneak through a hellish medical lab filled with wailing wounded, in the dark, stalked by alien creatures, with no weaponry of any sort.

I had to quote Frost from Aliens: "What the hell are we supposed to use man? Harsh language?" but even harsh language (or screaming very loudly which seemed to be the tactic employed by the females in our group) didn't work on our flesh hungry foes...

We weren't allowed to take pictures 'in' the adventure either but I did manage to do a quick sketch (below):

"imagine this but darker..."

The Waterloo Station Arches, are where the 'And Darkness Descended..." experience is hosted and  Playstation / Punchdrunk have done a great job in putting you actually into the prequel to the Resistance 3 game. 

Our plucky group's mission was to get a code to some US survivors - the rules were simple, if you get touched by an enemy - you're out of the game (which sounds fine until you see a friendly marine being dragged off into the darkness by one of the enemy creatures)... 

"Playing the game with a nice glass of red wine was for those who made it out..."

Things went a little nuts after we somehow managed to unlock an abandoned computer terminal and send our code message. We'd already 'lost' some of our group and so when a nearby door was broken open silhouetted in the red light was a freak-show alien - we few survivors ran for out lives - see below (where a helpful Sony PR guy took our photo):

"the men made it out - led by the fastest / most cowardly green cardigan man, the women... 

ah well, they're probably tastier for the aliens to snack on anyway!?"

If you're brave enough to want to try this experience, you can - find out if there are any placed left for Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September by emailing accesslive@scee.net stating your preferred date...

Times: 19.00-23.00 3rd and from 14.00-19.00 on Sunday 4th September 2011

Venue: Waterloo Station Arches, Leake Street, SE1 7NN 

18 years, ID may be required. Trainers or running shoes are highly recommended.

MORE INFO: 

www.facebook.com/playstationaccess

"They're everywhere - this pic taken on the Northern Line"

FULL DARKMATTERS REVIEW OF RESISTANCE 3 COMING SOON!