Experience the story of The Hunger Games, 64 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute, and decades before Coriolanus Snow became the tyrannical President of Panem.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a postwar Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12. But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of Panem, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor. Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against time to survive and reveal if he will ultimately become a songbird or a snake.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is directed by Francis Lawrence and stars Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, Jason Schwartzman and Viola Davis and is coming to cinemas on November 16, 2023.

The post THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES TRAILER appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The storyline will have you intrigued for Good luck to you, Leo Grande.

Nancy Stokes (Emma Thompson) is a widow after 30+ years of marriage, who has never really had a positive sexual encounter, just very mundane and routine. Two years after her husband’s passing she decides it’s time to become “worldly”.

We first see Nancy fidgeting in a hotel room when Leo Grande (Daryl McCormack) knocks on her door and asks if he may kiss her on the cheek. We soon find out the reason behind her nervousness is due to her hiring sex worker Leo, to assist with knocking a few things off her to-do list of unfulfilled intimate activities. See, Nancy has only ever had sex with her husband and not only that, she also has never had an orgasm. Feeling unfulfilled, she longs to feel young and excited again and hopes this adventure will scratch that itch in just the right way.

Their initial meeting is fascinating to watch. Nancy, a former religious studies teacher, is a planner, list-maker, and steps-follower. She’s also filled with nervous energy and a bit embarrassed by the situation, clearly wanting to move forward, while trying to convince herself she doesn’t really want it.

On the other side of this would be tryst, Leo is the master of calm demeanour and smooth talk. He’s a professional who takes pride in the “service” he provides, and he recognises what to say and when, to try and put Nancy at ease. It’s clearly not his first rodeo.

In this initial meeting, Nancy and Leo literally dance around the sex, and instead focus on conversation. She wants to know all about him, while he just wants to do the job he was hired for.

Subsequent meetings between the two occur in the same hotel room and Nancy continues to poke the personal boundaries that Leo tries to uphold. As happens with human nature, barriers begin to break down. This intrusion changes the dynamics and causes quite the mood shift as personal lives and relationships open wounds that are probably best left to a situation where one hasn’t contracted for the sexual services of another.

The only part of this film that was “expected” was the ending where she has the first orgasm in her life, but the symbolic part is that she gave it to herself while looking at him.

This was almost like a coming of age movie, but not. There was something so seriously raw and real about it. It was very authentic as to how I imagine this sort of situation would go, nothing wrong with it following along the lines of reality.

The setting is simple, it was basically just the two actors and the hotel as their backdrop, which meant there was really nowhere to hide. That is what really shines through with the extraordinary performance from Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack complimenting beautifully to keep us interested in the characters.

‘Good Luck to You, Leo Grande’ is a surprisingly enlightening, lovely, amusing story about sex, pleasure, self-acceptance, and genuine human connections. It’s a fun film that peaks your curiosity, definitely a must see.

The post Good luck to you, Leo Grande (Roadshow – 2022) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Everything Everywhere All at Once follows the story about Evelyn, a laundromat owner in her mid-life dealing with where she came from and where she is going.

Never really committing herself to any of her dreams or interest, she goes about her day with a lack of enthusiasm.

The laundromat is failing and being audited, but yet she has dreams of expanding the business. All while her relationship is becoming strained with the rest of the family.

This seems like an ordinary start but when all hell breaks loose, the story becomes increasingly complex. It explains the world revolving around the main character, propelling the plot into motion.

The narrative manages to be exciting and outrageously wild but reasonable within its own multiverse contexts.

It is anything but dull, it keeps you entertained and the punch lines are delivered at just the right pace to really make you laugh out loud.

The different lines of Evelyn’s life are interesting and imaginative. She is both in admiration but also pity’s herself when she sees what her life could have been. She taps into the other universes to harness the skills she needs to help fight off the bad guys.

You’ll find that it’s just like it says in the title. It can be a lot to process but it is captivating and you just roll with it, eager to know what craziness is going to happen next.

It does slowly tie the ends together as there is a core meaning behind it all.

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once feels like you’re on an acid trip experience and there is no limit to what you can do and where you can go, that is what makes this such a fun film to watch.

The post Everything, Everywhere, All at Once (IAC Films – 2022) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Warner Bros. will make its new animated feature film “SCOOB!” available for both Premium Video On Demand (PVOD) and for premium digital ownership in Australia and New Zealand now, providing high-quality family entertainment in the home just in time for school holidays.

“We know ‘SCOOB!’ has been highly anticipated in Australia and New Zealand, so we’re pleased we can deliver this action-packed movie for families to experience at home during the school holidays,” said Joel Pearlman, CEO of Roadshow Films.

“SCOOB!” will be available to premiere at home for a 48-hour rental via Premium Video On Demand or premium digital ownership beginning on Wednesday, July 1 2020. The title will be available on participating digital platforms.

A fully animated, full-length Scooby-Doo action adventure for the whole family, “SCOOB!” reveals how lifelong friends Scooby and Shaggy first met and how they joined with young detectives Fred, Velma and Daphne to form the famous Mystery Inc. Now, with hundreds of cases solved and adventures shared, Scooby and the gang face their biggest, most challenging mystery ever: a plot to unleash the ghost dog Cerberus upon the world. As they race to stop this global “dogpocalypse,” the gang discovers that Scooby has a secret legacy and an epic destiny greater than anyone imagined.

“SCOOB!” features an all-star ensemble cast led by Will Forte, two-time Oscar nominee Mark Wahlberg, Jason Isaacs, Gina Rodriguez, Zac Efron, Amanda Seyfried, Kiersey Clemons, Ken Jeong, Tracy Morgan, Simon Cowell, and Frank Welker.

The film was directed by Warner Bros. animation stalwart Tony Cervone, an Annie Award nominee for the feature film “Space Jam,” two-time Emmy nominee for his work on “Duck Dodgers” and one of the creators of the popular Scooby-Doo series “Mystery Incorporated.” It was produced by Pam Coats and Allison Abbate.  Adam Sztykiel, Charles Roven, Richard Suckle, Jesse Ehrman, Dan Povenmire, and Chris Columbus served as executive producers. The “SCOOB!” screenplay was by Adam Sztykiel and Jack C. Donaldson & Derek Elliott and Matt Lieberman, story by Matt Lieberman and Eyal Podell & Jonathon E. Stewart, based on characters created by Hanna-Barbera Productions. Cervone’s creative team included editors Ryan Folsey and Vanara Taing, and composer Tom Holkenborg.

A presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Animation Group, “SCOOB!” is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and by Roadshow Films in Australia and New Zealand.

The post SCOOB! FILM TO PREMIERE IN HOMES NOW appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Richard Jewell is the true story of the reality and sadness in the American system related to crimes.

The event happens during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta when security guard Richard Jewell (Paul Walter Hauser) discovers a suspicious backpack under a bench in Centennial Park.

With little time to spare, he helps to evacuate the area until the incendiary device inside the bag explodes. He initially gets hailed as a hero who saved lives, but that soon changes in a matter of a day when the FBI names him the prime suspect in the bombing.

The film predominately focuses on the events after the bombing. We see how the media’s disregard to really investigate things instead of rushing to judgement because they liked the narrative.

It is sad and heartbreaking to see the effects something like this can spiral out of control and ruin a whole persons life. Not only affecting himself but also his mother (Kathy Bates) who he lives with. Watson (Sam Rockwell), his only friend and lawyer helps him in the media and FBI onslaught as they portray him as a lone bomber.

Richard is presented as a humble but overly devoted, naive security guard that considers himself a law enforcement officer. His wide eyed, boy scout demeanor becomes evident during the interrogation as the FBI uses this to their advantage in trying to create evidence by tricking him into a confession.

Even without any hard evidence they made his life a living hell.

Throughout the film you are rooting for him, but you understand that no matter what the outcome is, nothing will ever be the same again. ‘While the government can tell you that I am an innocent man, the government’s letter cannot give me back my good name or my reputation.’

Richard Jewell is a slow paced film that captures every tense moment, facial expression and manages to fill in more about the story he is telling.

Enjoyable and truly heartfelt journey it takes you on.

The post Richard Jewell (Warner Bros. – 2020) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

My Spy is the type of film both adults and children can enjoy.

Undercover CIA agent JJ (Dave Bausita), is assigned to keeping an eye on a mother and daughter who may be in danger if a global terrorist finds them. But JJ is above surveillance duties and lives for the action, which is exactly what landed him in this position as punishment after a weapons deal goes horribly wrong.

What he didn’t count on is being caught out by 9 year old Sophie (Chloe Coleman), the kid next door who he is supposed to be watching turns the tables around on him.

After being blackmailed by the clever Sophie, the two come to an arrangement that she won’t tell her mum if he promises to teach her the tricks of the trade in being a spy. This isn’t exactly a new story line where the kid begins to teach the adult, however Sophie doesn’t come off as a bratty, unlikable child which it could have easily become that way.

There’s a few laughs in there with other great characters who assist in the comedy aspect.

After seeing My Spy, I walked out pleasantly surprised at how a completely unoriginal film could be so enjoyable.

The two main characters working alongside beautifully with charm and wit is what carries this film above ‘just another comedy’.

The post My Spy (STX Films – 2020) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

You have a certain expectation to what type of film you are heading into with the title Hustlers… and you would have guessed right.

Inspired by the viral New York Magazine article, Hustlers follows a crew of savvy former strip club employees who who don’t agree with the work that Wall Street is doing, they take things into their own hands to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients, hustling their way through life by drugging and stealing their money.

Destiny’s (Constance Wu) life changes forever when she becomes friends with Ramona (Jennifer Lopez) the club’s top money earner. Completely in awe of Ramona, Destiny takes on the advice on how to manipulate her way around the wealthy Wall Street clientele who frequent the club. But when the 2008 economic collapse cuts into their profits, they struggle to make ends meet.

But getting a ‘regular’ job turns out not to be so easy for them, especially from the trade they have been in. After trying to find work and failing is what pushes them to go back to stripping and start planning a daring scheme to take their lives back.

There is a mixture of emotions with some heartbreaking situations but due to the shallow and unlikable characters you don’t connect with, you therefore feel nothing for them.

Prime example is they validate in their decisions to become con-artists, bragging proudly about robbing their own clients and how much money they have stolen. Only to spend their time drinking, partying and buying lavish material items.

As a film alone, it was okay and is somewhat enjoyable. It does become a bit of a repetitive cycle with not much movement to it, with no depth or complexity throughout.

Hustlers did have a handful of very amusing moments, but it was not enough to redeem it as a whole.

The post Hustlers (Roadshow – 2019) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

What makes a villain?

A traumatic childhood? Being bullied as a child and adult? A mental illness or brain injury?

What of one person experienced all of that from their earliest childhood memories through to present day? Unrelenting, everyday – all the while just trying to put on a happy face everyday.

The Joker sees Joaquin Phoenix as the mental illness inflicted Arthur Fleck, who has compassionate dreams of a better life for himself.

He lives in a small apartment in the quickly deteriorating socially troubled city of Gotham taking care of his ailing elderly mother – the only one he is able to relate with and the only one that he knows loves him unconditionally. Arthur’s only escape from his reality is within a television Variety Talk Show hosted by the sarcastically humoured Murray Franklin (Robert de Niro).

Fantasies of being on the talk show, being a successful stand up comedian, making people laugh, seeing them happy play out in his mind like an alternate existence.

Working as a Clown for hire – the face he wears for work is not the face he wears on the inside.

Seeing a counselor, taking meds, does not exactly help.

Having a condition where he will break out in to fits of obnoxious loud laughter when nervous or scared and knowing that no one is listening to him, no one is there to help him, knowing that everything that he tries to do to better himself, to make others laugh – feel the happiness that he cannot, always fails, Arthur begins to spiral in to a darker place.

Having an overwhelming fantasy driven obsession with his neighbour Sophie Dumond (Zazie Beets) combined with being fired from his job, hospitalisation of his mother – who lied to him throughout his entire life, a mis-directed attempt to find his true father and public ridicule from his idol Murray Franklin, Arthur snaps. The Joker is born.

The Joker is a visceral film that plays out a lot of ‘do not’s’ and social taboos for cinema in a nakedly raw and unforgiving icy cold slap in the audiences face. There is no political correctness, there are no apologies, and as a spectator you begin to feel a lot of empathy and a varied amount of confused emotions all in one instance.

While The Joker does take place in Gotham City and also encapsulates the DC Batman lore, this could easily be a standalone film in its own right.

Seeing the steady evolution of the Joker through Joaquin Phoenix’s intimately personal performance of Arthur Fleck epitomizes why the actor was chosen for the role. It’s a beautifully gaunt, endearing and psychological portrayal that will stay with you long after you leave the cinema.

For those that have seen other Batman / Joker films will most likely pick up a few Easter eggs throughout and for the more observant you should notice that almost every variant of The Joker from the 60’s to present day is either narratively or visually incorporated throughout the spiraling narrative.

The best film I have seen in the last couple of years and my absolute pick for THE film of 2019. Experience The Joker.

The post The Joker (Warner Bros. – 2019) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

There is more to the average toy factory than meets the eye.

A hidden world lies within, well, two actually.

The defective toys are banished to Uglyville to live out their existence while the perfect ones must train and prepare for the Big World at the Perfection Institute.

But one UglyDoll called Moxy (voiced by Kelly Clarkson) is not content with her existence and longs to be held and loved by her very own child.

Aided by her friends; Lucky Bat (voiced by Wang Leehom), Ugly Dog (voiced by Pitbull) and a wise cracking and overly cynical baker called Wage (voiced by Wanda Sykes) Moxy follows the tunnel where new UglyDolls are delivered from.

Thinking that this must lead to the Big World, the group continue through and find themselves amidst busy conveyers and newly processed toys, eventually being fired out in to the Perfection Institute.

A bootcamp like facility that prepares only perfect toys for the Big World, headed by the one ‘perfectly’ created doll, Lou (Nick Jonas) who aims to make the UglyDolls lives and training as hard as possible.

A musical animated kids movie UglyDoll’s does not have a lot for adults, but for the more younger kids in the family is both entertaining with catchy songs and a message on important morals and that you should always believe in yourself.

Recommended – for kids only.

The post UglyDolls (STX Entertainment – 2019) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The Loser’s Club reunites.

IT Chapter 2 takes us back to Derry. A small American town saturated in mysterious disappearances of children. Every 27 years.

Mike Hanlon, the only one who still remains in Derry hears of a recent killing he realises that IT is back.

Mike rallies the rest of the gang back to Derry on a promise they all made back in 1986, that if IT returned, so would they, and take the supernatural being down – hopefully for good.

All adults now, all with very different lives and with little memory of their childhood in Derry, each one of the Loser’s Club react differently to Mike’s call.

But a promise is a promise and all but one drop and head back to Derry; Bill, Ben, Beverly, Eddie.

As each of them revisits their hometown, they also begin to face the demons and torments of their youth.

It’s not too long before old memories, good and bad come flooding back to the group. When Mike reveals the reason they are all there, there is a mix of both dread and frustration.

IT Chapter 2 takes the audience through the now adult kids from the first film, and delves deeper in to the lore of IT and what the creature, who prefers to disguise itself as Pennywise the Dancing Clown with a penchant for red balloons, actually is.

An extremely long film at two plus hours, there are points where it does seem to unnecessarily drag out. It Chapter 2 is a lot more violent than the first Chapter aswell.

Staying as true as possible to the original 80’s version, there are a few pleasing and amusing surprises in store.

Based on the Stephen King novel ‘IT’ it was also a surprise to see Stephen King himself cameo in the film.

While the ending was a bit long, IT Chapter 2 was still an excellent wrap up and was done well, considering that the Directors had to bear in mind not just the original films but also appease fans of the novel aswell.

If you watched the first IT in 2017, you really must see this conclusion. If not – watch the first Chapter before going to see this sequel.

The post IT Chapter 2 (Warner Bros. – 2019) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.