Next month we welcome back (not that he went anywhere) Hollywood legend Nicolas Cage as he stars as… Nick Cage in the action-comedy The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.

Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous superfan. Things take a wildly unexpected turn when Cage is recruited by a CIA operative and forced to live up to his own legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters to save himself and his loved ones.

A non-stop adventure with talented support cast; Pedro Pascal, Tiffany Haddish, Neil Patrick Harris, Sharon Horgan and Ike Barinholtz.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, arrives in cinemas 21st April 2022.

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The late and super iconic Aretha Franklin comes to the big screen.

A doco of sorts released by StudioCanal is a candidly raw album recording session of her Gospel Album; Amazing Grace, released by Warner Music in June 1972. The recorded footage takes the journey of the live album that was produced January 13th to the 14th, 1972.

Live at the small New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles – the privileged congregation are treated to Aretha’s vocal talents as technicians work furiously in the background catching and recording the audiences’ reaction mixed with breathtakingly sung tracks by an at times visibly exhausted Aretha.

Flanked by the Pastor of the Church, you almost feel a part of the community as he  whips out a joke or two and gushes over the legendary music artist.

This rare footage has been painstakingly and lovingly remastered from the original recordings and features a rare appearance by Aretha’s father who joins in to the recording sessions.

Amazing Grace is not just a slice of music history, it’s an extremely insightful treat for those that have an appreciation of the roots of music and of course Aretha fans.

Decades in the making this is a must see, must experience.

The post Amazing Grace (StudioCanal – 2019) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The potion that gives the upper hand against the invasion

There is only one who knows the secret ingredients and after falling from a tree he realises he is getting frail and needs to pass on his wisdom.

Asterix and Obelix – the timeless Druids adapted from comic are most definitely back in an adventurous animated film; The Secret of the Magic Potion.

In their endless battle against the Roman invasion and Caesar’s maniacal takeover plans it is their village’s secret weapon against the Empire, a potion that gives super-human strength.

The community’s old and wise Getafix requests that Asterix and Obelix take him on a quest throughout the lands to seek a replacement, the one who can take on the knowledge of the Secret Potion and keep the village safe.

But there is one wizard, a darker one, who had been ridiculed by his peers over one spell that had no purpose. He tricks and coerces a young up and coming magic Druid in to using his powers to gain the secret for the potion.

The biggest battle is about to ensue as the Druid village that Getafix, Asterix and Obelix call home fight for their own survival with their current supply of Magic Potion depleting fast.

But towards the end – the village has an unlikely ally against a common enemy…

StudioCanal and Icon Films’ The Secret of the Magic Potion is a timeless tale, as timeless as the franchise itself.

There are many laugh out loud moments and for me was reminiscent ride through my childhood, reading my older brother’s Asterix comics and playing Asterix 8BIT video games on the Sega Master System II.

Beautifully animated is definitely one to take the kids to see, if for any other reason to watch the film for yourself.

Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion is a film for everyone.

The post Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion (Icon Films – 2019) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

NOW CLOSED – Asterix and Obelix are back in 3D cinematic rendered animation thanks to StudioCanal.

On the 60th anniversary of the much-adored comic book series, Asterix and Obelix embark on a quest across Gaul looking for a young druid worthy of learning the secret of the magic potion – a formula which has long helped to keep the Gaulish village safe against Julius Cesar and his invading army. However, once Asterix and Obelix begin their quest, all hell breaks loose at home as the Romans start attacking the village, and an evil wizard named Demonix does everything he can to steal the potion’s secret recipe.

Thanks to our good mates at StudioCanal New Zealand, STG has THREE Family Passes (x2 Adults & x2 Children) to Giveaway to see the family film; Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion, which opens at cinema’s across New Zealand on the 30th of May 2019.

To Enter our Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion Family Pass Giveaway you will need to answer this Question correctly:

Over the 60 years, Asterix and Obelix have had one consistent foe. Who are they?

A: The Hunns

B: The Spartans

C: The Romans

You can give us your Answer by placing a Comment below, hitting us up on Facebook, Tweet to us, or Email Us.

* Winner(s) will be randomly selected from those that Comment below / Facebook Comment / Email in accordance to the above Question.Winner(s) will receive a Family Pass for film Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion. Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion has a G Age rating. Competition ends on the 30th of May 2019. Winners must adhere to the conditions on the Family Pass ticket. New Zealand only entries will be accepted.

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John Wick has served. Now he is a wanted man.

Directly continuing from John Wick 2, the impossible to kill assassin is given a head start to leave town before the multi-million dollar contract to take him down begins.

But he has no intention of leaving, instead he wants to avenge the trouble he has found himself in, fueled by the death of his wife, the destruction of his house… and car, John goes against the House in this action filled third chapter.

Graphic and grisly fight scenes play out, which in some cases appear to be time fillers as they draw out a bit too long.

Trying to find allies is slim on the ground as those he used to trust, those who are even fans of his, are all trying to get a piece of him. The House sends out an agent to punish those that have previously helped John through. All of them must pay a price…

From the dark grungy New York through to unforgiving deserts, John will not make friends along the way, infact old alliances will be called upon and severely tested. Of course the never-can-die legend that is John Wick will mow down anyone that gets in his way in order to survive and get revenge.

A dark film and a wrap up to the two predecessors, John Wick 3: Parabellum is an action fans must see.

Those who have seen the other films – this is definite watch.

For me, the film did drag a bit, almost as though the Director had time to fill. Other than a few moments where this occurred, John Wick 3: Parabellum is a good film – but you really need to see the two prequels first to fully understand what is going on.

The post John Wick 3: Parabellum (StudioCanal – 2019) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

NOW CLOSED – The Legend You Know. The Story You Don’t.

Robin of Loxley (Taron Egerton) a war-hardened Crusader and his Moorish commander (Jamie Foxx) mount an audacious revolt against the corrupt English crown in a thrilling action-adventure packed with gritty battlefield exploits, mind-blowing fight choreography, and a timeless romance.

Thanks to our mates at Sony Home Entertainment, STG has FIVE Robin Hood (2018) Bluray movies to Giveaway.

To Enter our Robin Hood (2018) Bluray Giveaway you will need to answer this Question correctly.

What is the name of Robin Hood’s best friend and ‘sidekick’?

A: Little John

B: Tonto

C: Garth Algar

You can give us your Answer by placing a Comment below, hitting us up on Facebook, Tweet to us, or Email Us.

* Winner(s) will be randomly selected from those that Comment below / Facebook Comment / Email in accordance to the above Question.Winner(s) will receive a Bluray copy of Robin Hood (2018). Robin Hood has a M15+ (Mature) Age rating. You will need to be over the Age of 15 years to enter this promotion. STG may ask for proof of age. Competition ends on the  7th of April 2019.

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Cold Pursuit looks to take the tried and true formula of Liam Neeson losing something and getting mad at whatever took that something from him… violently. The movie also aims to add in the flavour of dark humour here and there which would set it apart from the popular Taken series. The trailers let you know that the perfect revenge is all in the execution (heh) and I would also say the same thing for Cold Pursuit as a film. 

If you’ve seen any other Liam Neeson film, then you won’t be surprised by his character and the level of his performance which, as usual, gets the job done smoothly. While it’s certainly not overly original or unique, it fits the story well as the protagonist. The (only) other standout performance has to go to Tom Bateman who puts on a real fun take on a drug lord villain with plenty of laughter and smiles while still being rather terrifying, unhinged and unpredictable. Sadly the rest of the cast performed well enough but not anything to write home about at all. 

The pacing of Cold Pursuit felt really jumpy.

Once the revenge story begins it starts quite quick, draws you right in to the edge of your seat and then it slows right down. Now of course it can’t be all action and there does need to be some character development but certain segments just felt like they stretched a little too long, especially after the quick first third of the film. 

Something that does set the movie apart was the variety of characters that are introduced all throughout Cold Pursuit. Sadly though what lets it down is the execution because it’s fun having all the different stories to mix in but they lack a lot of depth and some just don’t go anywhere and feel like they add nothing much at all. I did really enjoy the little transitions for each death with their name and religious symbol and there were moments it was implemented in entertaining ways.

Cold Pursuit just tried to do two things that had the potential to work really well together with action and dark humour combined but most of the time it instead felt like the movie swapped genres instead. It’s a fun movie though and would go well on a free afternoon with nothing else planned (bonus points if it’s snowing).

The post Cold Pursuit (StudioCanal – 2019) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The tale of Robin Hood is an absolute classic that everyone knows or can at least summarise with a single sentence – steal from the rich and give to the poor!

As long as you have that essence of the story then you have Robin Hood. There’s a lot you can do with this idea, my favourite being the cartoon version with all the characters as animals. Robin Hood (2018) seems to promise a more realistic take on the charming vigilante. 

The movie is quite slow to get to the actual Robin Hood part and the origin tale isn’t all that exciting or fun. Once you’re finally into the swing of things and experiencing some justice against the rich, none of the heists bring anything new to the cinematic world. 

A huge issue I found was that I could easily predict what was going to happen and I didn’t even feel clever when I was right. This was especially true during any of the “tense” action scenes which honestly just used tropes you’ve seen before so many times. It’s really disappointing because a lot of cool things can be done with a swift archer guy compared to the standard sword and board, yet time again Robin Hood shoots another guard with an arrow point blank.

Some of the character portrayals were definitely trying to keep this movie afloat. Tim Minchin as Friar Tuck and Ben Mendelsohn as the Sheriff of Nottingham both stood out as doing their characters justice. I’m not sure if Friar Tuck is meant to be a funny character but I didn’t care because I enjoyed it anyway. I want to praise Jaime Foxx too and I’m sure he did his best but the writing felt like a handicap that no actor could overcome to make John a compelling character.

Look, I really wanted to enjoy a new Robin Hood movie, I really did, however what I ended up seeing instead felt like a rushed and forgettable action movie. It truly felt like I was back in 2005 watching the Wednesday featured film after dinner with my family, except a little prettier I guess. I felt robbed and not the exciting “give to the poor” kind.

The post Robin Hood (StudioCanal – 2018) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

NOW CLOSED – Taron Eggerton (Kingsmem films) is Robin Hood in this remake of a classic story coming to cinemas on the 22nd of November 2018.

Also starring Jamie Foxx, Robin Hood (2018) sees a war-hardened Crusader and his Moorish commander mount an audacious revolt against the corrupt English crown in a thrilling action-adventure packed with gritty battlefield exploits, mind-blowing fight choreography, and a timeless romance.

Thanks to our mates at StudioCanal STG has TWO Double Passes to Giveaway to see the film.

To Enter our StudioCanal Robin Hood Double Pass Giveaway you will need to answer this Question correctly:

Robin Hood has a sidekick and close confidante. Who is he?

A: Ernie

B: Little John

C: Gir

You can give us your Answer by placing a Comment below, hitting us up on Facebook, Tweet to us, or Email Us.

* Winner(s) will be randomly selected from those that Comment below / Facebook Comment / Email in accordance to the above Question.Winner(s) will receive a Double Pass to the film Robin Hood. The Double Pass must be redeemed at participating theaters and conditions on the complimentary pass will need to be adhered to. Tickets are not transferable. Robin Hood has an M (Mature Age rating in New Zealand). Competition ends on the  18th of November 2018. New Zealand only entries will be accepted.

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Rowan Atkinson, for me is always going be a mash up of Black Adder and Mr. Bean, despite any other role we see him in.

And it is in the sequel to 2003’s Johnny English film, a comedic take on the Bond like genre, where a bumbling British MI5 Agent manages to fumble his way through an investigation and some how solve it, mostly due to the actions of others and just plain luck.

Johnny English Strikes Again sees Rowan Atkinson reprise his role as Johnny English, but as 15 years has passed he has now retired and teaches in a private school. however, you can’t keep a good agent down.

Asides from the schools curriculum he has the students partaking in Secret Agent training unbeknownst to the school’s Headmaster.

Meanwhile the MI5 database gets hacked and all known Secret Agent’s real identities are exposed.

The British Prime Minister (Emma Thompson) now needs MI5 to investigate this and a series of further cyber attacks on the cobbled together British infrastructure.

With all of the current Agents on the books now openly exposed to the hackers, who are they going to call?

Still in the mind-set of the early 2000’s the old skool Johnny English is called upon to save the nation once again. However things have changed with technological advancements.

Despite the new gadgets and smartphones, Johnny prefers to do things his way, the old way.

He enlists the aide of his former sidekick Angus Bough (Ben Miller) who now has a desk job at the MI5 and together, the two of them set about on an adventure to expose the cyber crooks.

Not having alot of faith in English the Prime Minister gains the assistance from a Silicon Valley Billionaire Entrepreneur, Jason (Jake Lacey). But is Jason really there to help? Who is this mysterious Russian beauty called Ophelia (Olga Kurylenko) who catches Johnny’s eye.

There are many moments in Johnny English Strikes Again that fans off the timeless Mr. Bean TV Series will recognise, as the film ‘borrows’ well known moments.

Still there is a tonne of originality in the film aswell and enough laugh out loud British comedy moments to keep you watching. I also liked the overtone that saw the British not taking themselves seriously as a technologically advanced nation.

An enjoyable film, Johnny English Strikes Again breaks the mold that sequels are never as good as the first film.

Johnny English Strikes Again is actually better than its 2003 predecessor.

The post Johnny English Strikes Again (Universal Pictures – 2018) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.