Top 10 Movies of 2013

As 2013 draws to a close, I've decided to take a look back on all of the great movies we have been brought throughout these eventful 12 months. There have been some particularly low moments *cough* Scary Movie V *cough*, but this list of ten films stood out as both enjoyable and engrossing. I'm not rating them in order of what rating I originally gave them, as I have recently stopped giving numerical ratings altogether, and instead simply on how memorable they are, with the top few still being firmly planted in my mind: 

10) Star Trek: Into Darkness
The second instalment in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek series featured beloved British actor Benedict Cumberbatch to play its central villain Khan, and I think that was one of the best decisions made this year. Cumberbatch brought menace and intimidation to the notorious character, and brought the film considerably higher than it would have been without him. With skilful casting and a well-realised world, Star Trek: Into Darkness managed to impress me far more than I had imagined.

Khan (Benedict Cumberbatch)

9) This Is The End

With a cast as funny as James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Jay Baruchel & Michael Cera (just to name a few), it isn't hard to see why This Is The End was my favourite comedy of the year. The fact every actor in the movie simply played an exaggerated version of themselves added to the hilarity, and the plot itself was humorous enough to keep the jokes flowing at a more than consistent pace. There may have been more jokes about penises than needed, but that doesn't detract from how funny This Is The End really was. 

James Franco (As himself)

8) Wreck-It Ralph

A small loophole in this list, Wreck-It Ralph was technically released to American audiences well before the end of 2012, but over here in England we didn't get to experience this amazing Disney animation until February of this year. Wreck-It Ralph celebrated video games with its constant nods to iconic heroes and villains from countless beloved genres, and appealed to all audiences regardless of age. I'd go as far to say that it's not only one of my top movies this year, but one of my favourite animated movies I have seen. 

Wreck-It Ralph (John C. Riley)

7) Evil Dead

Evil Dead is a phenomenally gory film. I don't remember the last time I cringed so much that I almost had to cover my ears just to block out the incredibly realistic sounds featured in Fede Alvarez's re-telling of this classic horror story. I think this is the first example I've experienced a horror movie re-make which is not only as entertaining as the original, but surpasses it on almost every level. The only thing that this updated version was lacking was iconic actor Bruce Campbell, but even that is fixed in a very brief post-credits scene. It's definitely not for everyone, but Evil Dead is a gruesomely enjoyable film. 

Mia (Jane Levy)

6) Elysium

Following his 2009 sci-fi success District 9, director Neill Blomkamp delivered yet again with his bleak vision of a future where the rich live on an orbiting space-station called Elysium, whilst everybody else resides on the dirty slums of Earth. Matt Damon is at the helm as Max, but the show is definitely stolen by Sharlto Copley who featured in Blomkamp's other movie, this time as a violent killer named Kruger. Elysium featured some of the best CGI I have seen, and had action scenes which were exciting and eventful. The story wasn't always as engaging as it could have been, but it was easily my second favourite sci-fi movie of the year. 

Kruger (Sharlto Copley)

5) Gravity

Many hailed Gravity as one of the best films so far this decade, and although I don't agree with that, it was definitely one of the most engaging movies due to the phenomenal musical score and breath-taking cinematography. Although Sandra Bullock was the leading role as engineer Ryan Stone, George Clooney stands out due to the fact he seems a lot like you'd imagine an astronaut would. The real star of the show however is space itself; as it sucks you in and doesn't let go until the final few minutes of the movie. 

Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock)

4) The Conjuring

2013 was certainly the year of James Wan when it came to horror, and The Conjuring was the movie which stuck with me for days after leaving the cinema. It created tension unlike anything else in recent memory, usually to an unbearable level. The plot wasn't hugely original, but being based on real-life paranormal researchers Ed & Lorraine Warren was a nice touch, especially as the couple were presented very realistically by Patrick Wilson & Vera Farmiga, respectively. James Wan's clever camera-trickery and terrifying imagery meant that The Conjuring didn't need to use any violence or gore in order to earn itself a '15' rating, which is based solely upon how scary it is, making it my favourite horror film this year. 

Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson)

3) Prisoners

Prisoners was a real surprise this year. It certainly wasn't an easy watch, and was incredibly dark at times, but leading man Hugh Jackman managed to convey the emotions a father who has lost his daughter would go through so successfully that the violence and torture was almost justifiable. Jackman is definitely not the only talented actor in the film however, with Jake Gyllenhaal and Paul Dano being just as much of an on-screen presence. With a twist I personally didn't see coming at all, Prisoners is a movie which is ridiculously engrossing and interesting, if a little edgy at times. 

Alex Jones & Detective Loki (Paul Dano & Jake Gyllenhaal)

2) Django Unchained

Another loophole, Django Unchained was released in the UK January of this year, so it qualifies to be on this list. Tarantino more than delivered with his post-civil war movie which focused on freed slave Django (Jamie Foxx) and his quest to find and save his wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) from despicable plantation owner Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). The music is perfect, the action is perfect and the acting is more than perfect. Django Unchained and the #1 spot are fairly interchangeable, as both are excellent movies which should be seen by everybody. 

Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio)

1) Captain Phillips

Easily the most tense, nail-biting movie I have ever seen, Captain Phillips is terrifying from start to finish. Based on a real-life ship Captain by the same name, the movie focuses on the boarding of his ship by Somalian pirates and the eventual hostage situation which ensues. Legendary actor Tom Hanks portrays the Captain to such a believable degree that my heart was beating out of my chest towards the closing scenes of the movie. I will be incredibly surprised if Hanks doesn't earn several Oscars for his performance in Captain Phillips as it is effortlessly the best piece of acting I have seen all year. 

Captain Phillips (Tom Hanks)

And so there are my favourite movies I have seen this year. It's certainly a mixed-bag when it comes to genres, but each and every film on this list stuck with me for a long time after watching. I'd like to thank everybody who has supported me by reading the many posts I have written this year, as it really does mean a lot to know I have an audience for the countless reviews I've put out. Lets hope that 2014 has many more movie-going experiences which surpass the amazing things released this year! 

 

 

 

Silver Linings Playbook: Review

Silver Linings Playbook doesn't exactly give away much about the plot within its title. After an ex-teacher named Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) is released from a mental institution after being in there for 8 months, he immediately sets about rekindling his marriage with his estranged 'wife' Nikki (Brea Bee), who played a part in his initial admission to the institution. Meanwhile, Pat's father Pat Sr. (Robert De Niro) is obsessed with American football and the Philadelphia Eagles, to the point where OCD is heavily implied. Whilst trying to contact his wife who has taken out a restraining order, Pat enlists the help of neighbourhood friend Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) in an attempt at getting through to Nikki. 

Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence)

The reason I came to hear about Silver Linings Playbook was due to the hype around Jennifer Lawrence's character and the fact she was awarded numerous awards such as an Oscar and Golden Globe, and rightfully so. Both of the leading roles are performed so successfully that the plot of the film could be almost anything and it would still remain engaging and emotionally driven. Usually I'm not drawn to films which seem to be largely or at least partly romantic, but Silver Linings Playbook features many other aspects which drive it forwards and make it far more interesting than many other mediocre movies, such as the consistent presence of mental illness. The main character Pat is defined as having bipolar, but as previously mentioned, several other illnesses and symptoms are attributed to many other characters, which makes the film strangely relate-able. 

Another thing which really surprised me was how accurate the soundtrack to the film was. I couldn't name any of the tracks featured, but they always accompanied the mood which was conveyed incredibly well and really helped get the desired tones across. This combined with the remarkably good cinematography brought by David O. Russel, and Silver Linings Playbook was a lot better than I thought it would be.

Unfortunately, the film is littered with clichés which feature in countless romantic films. A scene between Pat and his father in which his Pat Sr. comments on how he "didn't spend enough time with him when he was younger" was touching, but eye-rolling due to it's incredibly expected nature. The ending is also very apparent to anybody who has seen a film in their life, but this doesn't detract at all from the amazing performances brought by a superb cast of actors, specifically Jennifer Lawrence & Bradley Cooper. 

Pat (Bradley Cooper)

Verdict
Silver Linings Playbook was a really pleasant surprise. Not only was it entertaining, but certain scenes were genuinely emotional, if a little clichéd. There were also several moments which made me laugh more than many comedies have this year. It would be nowhere near as good without its extremely talented cast who bring the average plot above and beyond, and it is definitely a feel-good movie which I could happily recommend to anybody.  

"Nikki's waiting for me to get in shape and get my life

back together. Then we're going to be together."

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Review

Before going in to The Desolation of Smaug, I had been given the impression it was quite simply one of the best films this year. Apparently improving over the original in every single way and being just as entertaining as Peter Jackson's previous trilogy, it seemed almost a little too good to be true. Unfortunately, it was. 

The film begins almost exactly where An Unexpected Journey left off, with Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and the group of 13 accompanying dwarves heading towards the Lonely Mountain to reclaim it from the terrifying dragon Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch). The ring Bilbo finds in the first movie however, is having a clear impact on his mental well-being, which is comparable to that of Frodo's in The Two Towers. The group soon make their way through the insidious Mirkwood Forest, unaccompanied by the great Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen), and eventually seek brief refuge in Lake-Town before heading to the mountain itself to confront Smaug. 

Strangely, the first third of the movie is noticeably slow, which is odd because it would be expected all of the build-up would take place in the first movie. Yes, there are some action sequences early on, but they weren't as engaging as they probably should have been. That's not to say they were boring, but when compared to the expansive fights in The Lord of the Rings, they weren't really anything special. Also, certain scenes seemed to lack very much musical score, which may have been an issue with the cinema I went to but it detracted hugely from the on-screen events. Returning characters such as Bilbo and Gandalf were just as enjoyable to watch as in the first movie, it's just a shame that they weren't in The Desolation of Smaug quite as much as I would have liked. 

Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman)

Before it sounds like I hated the movie though, I want to make a point of saying when things went well, they went very, very well. Despite the lacklustre action at parts, there were specific scenes (such as one involving white-water barrel rafting) which were not only exciting, but they redeemed many of the slower moments of the film. Couple this with the inclusion of characters such as Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and a genuinely intimidating dragon towards the closing scenes of the movie, and it's easy to see how there were several things which worked in The Desolation of Smaug's favour, it's just a shame that the negatives often overshadowed the positives. 

Smaug himself was easily the highlight of the film for me. Although he is shown briefly in the trailers, you haven't seen him properly until you watch the movie for yourself. If Peter Jackson does one thing correctly, it's scale. The combination of the vast environments with clever camera-work and exceptional CGI meant that Smaug appeared incredibly sinister throughout all of the scenes he appeared in, and the choice of Benedict Cumberbatch to voice him could not have been made better. If there was a single reason to see the film that I could think of, it would be for this infamous dragon. 

Verdict
The Desolation of Smaug definitely isn't a let-down, it's just not quite as good as I had hoped it would be. The CGI was consistently breath-taking and the majority of the film was entertaining, but that doesn't save some segments from being boring and drawn-out. Also, it ends on a cliff-hanger which has scale rivalling The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Fans of Tolkien and Peter Jackson will definitely love this second Hobbit instalment, but it's difficult to recommend it to an average movie fan. 

"If this is to end in fire, then we shall all burn together!"

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Review

Following my semi-marathon of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, all I had left to watch in preparation for The Desolation of Smaug was Peter Jackson's first delivery in the prequel trilogy to the Lord of the Rings: The Hobbit. And with likeable actor Martin Freeman at the helm, I was excited to say the least. 

Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) 

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey begins similar to how Fellowship of the Ring began, with an old Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm) recalling his youth as he writes a book for his relative Frodo (Elijah Wood). It was nice to have the film begin like this, as it's instantly familiar to fan's of Jackson's other series. A transition soon occurs however, which transports the viewer 60 years into the past, where a much younger Bilbo is played by the aforementioned Martin Freeman, who meets a reasonably younger Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) for the first time. Gandalf proposes an adventure to Bilbo, who is quick to decline his offer. It was nice to see how different Bilbo is to Frodo, as Frodo's anticipation and sense of duty is replaced by apprehension and the want to remain safe. Bilbo Baggins eventually (after persuasion and time to think) agrees to go on a journey to the Lonely Mountain accompanied by a group of Dwarves and Gandalf himself in order to reclaim it from a dangerous dragon by the name of Smaug. 

Very early on, An Unexpected Journey separates itself from Lord of the Rings by being considerably more child-friendly. This is expected, as the original book was intended for children, it's just slightly jarring to go from watching the decapitation of orcs and vast battle scenes, to a group of trolls arguing over how to cook Dwarves. Not to say that this film lacks entertaining fight sequences, and indeed the Lord of the Rings was occasionally humourous, but the first Hobbit movie lacked the epic sense of awe featured in it's predecessor's / sequel's (depending upon how you look at it) trilogy. A wizard named Radagast the Brown (Sylvester McCoy) for example, seemed mostly as if he were included solely to appeal to younger audiences, which isn't really a huge issue considering the original intended audience, but it makes it difficult to engage with the film to the same extent as previously. 

An Unexpected Journey did have many things working in its favour however. As mentioned, Martin Freeman is the perfect choice for the character of Bilbo. The rest of the cast of Dwarves all play their roles to an entertaining standard, especially the leader of the group Thorin (Richard Armitage), who has been personally wronged by the dragon Smaug. Sir Ian McKellen does not falter once as the wise wizard Gandalf and is just as enjoyable to watch as in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and there are other numerous appearances from familiar characters such as the leader of the elves, Elron (Hugo Weaving). The stand-out for me is definitely Gollum (Andy Serkis), who looks even better than he did in Return of the King thanks to 10 years of development in CGI. The scene shared between Gollum and Bilbo playing riddles in a cave is easily one of my favourites in the whole movie. There are numerous references to things that are present in Lord of the Rings as well, such as Bilbo being given the sword that Frodo carries in Fellowship of the Ring. The consistent nods to future plot points which are littered throughout the movie appeal hugely to anybody who has seen the original trilogy. 

Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen)

Verdict
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey lacks the same scale as the Lord of the Rings, but it successfully sucks the viewer back into the world created by J.R.R Tolkien and sets the story for the next two movies in Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy. Despite it's few flaws, it is still a hugely entertaining film which has been created to appeal to a large audience, and has made me very excited to watch The Desolation of Smaug very soon. 

"I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure." 

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: Review

Finally, after months and months of putting it off, I have managed to watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy from start to end, including all the extra scenes removed from the regular version. Surprisingly, despite each film being strikingly long in run-time, I enjoyed almost every moment of all three, with this final instalment standing out personally as my favourite. 

The Return of the King concludes the story of Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Samwise (Sean Astin) as they trek almost endlessly towards Mount Doom to deposit the One Ring. The opening scene of the movie shows a flashback of how Smeagol (Andy Serkis) had a fight with a close friend of his which resulted in murder, all due to the influence of the One Ring which casts a dark shadow over the entire movie, as it foreshadows what could quite easily happen if Frodo allowed the Ring to overwhelm him. Whilst Sam and Frodo continue their journey through perilous caves and spider-infested tunnels, the rest of the Fellowship make their way across Middle-Earth to fend off Sauron's armies which wage their final war against all of the other races. 

Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin)

From the offset, Return of the King sets a moody, atmospheric tone which doesn't let up until the final scene. Although I doubted it were even possible, it is by far the darkest of the films and this is shown through the constant deaths and directions certain characters take. Almost the entire second half of the movie features the on-going war between the armies of Sauron and the rest of Middle-Earth, meaning that this is by far the most action-packed chapter of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The locations of these fights vary throughout however, so they never become stale or boring. 

This tone created is due to the expert blend of cinematography and musical score, which is present in all three of the Lord of the Rings movies, but pivitol in Return of the King. The harsh lands of Mordor are bleak and dangerous, with all whom enter (including Frodo) being taken in by it's devilish aura. Even Gandalf the White (Ian McKellen) himself looks slightly more tattered and war-torn this time around. The music is often different renditions of familiar tracks, which works incredibly well as it makes certain scenes seem comparable to previous ones yet far more foreboding. 

Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood)

As with the previous two movies, Return of the King contains a lot of plot and character development, but this is no bad thing, it should just be known that like it's predecessors, a large period of time should be set aside to fit it all in. This could partly be due to the extended edition featuring numerous scenes which flesh-out others, but the default film by itself runs for well over three hours. There are very few moments which grew boring in this final chapter however, and considerably less when compared to the previous two, which is commendable considering it is the longest of the three. 

Verdict
Not only is The Return of the King my favourite of the three Lord of the Rings films, it is one of the best movies I have seen in a very long time. No stone is left unturned, and every character reaches some form of resolution. The music is perfect, the acting is stellar and the special effects are rarely anything below phenomenal. If you are still apprehensive about watching this highly praised trilogy: don't be. I put it off for far too long, and I am incredibly glad that I have now seen it. 

"I didn't think it would end this way."

"End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path."

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: Review

The second instalment in Peter Jackson's epic trilogy, Two Towers continues the strenuous journey of Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) and Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) as they trek perilously in an attempt at destroying the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. Unlike it's predecessor however, Two Towers features multiple story-lines happening simultaneously. Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) are working towards fighting the rapidly growing armies of Saruman (Christopher Lee), who's presence has become even more noticeable due to the constant attacks on civilian encampments by his hand, all culminating to an incredibly entertaining and lengthy battle taking place at Helms Deep. Whilst all of this is taking place, Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd) escape into the dark forests of Middle Earth and stumble across the Ents; a group of trees that have been given life and now want vengeance for all the damage Saruman has exacted upon their kind. 

Although it sounds like far too many things are taking place for the story to remain cohesive and interesting, it's actually the complete opposite. The main focus still remains on Frodo's task, yet due to the phenomenally long run-time of Two Towers (almost four hours yet again due to the extended edition), all of the other plot-lines are developed to a commendable degree. Many new characters are also introduced and yet again, very few of them are anything less than memorable, which is something incredibly hard to pull off.

Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen)

And of these new introductions, the star of the show for me personally had to be Gollum (Andy Serkis). He featured briefly in Fellowship of the Ring, but in Two Towers Gollum plays a much more prominent role. He guides Frodo and Sam towards their destination, albeit being a little shifty in the process. Almost every single scene featuring Gollum stands out amongst the rest, which is in no way detrimental to the movie. His character is the embodiment of what the One RIng will do to Frodo if he fails to complete his journey, and the constant battle between Smeagol / Gollum is both entertaining and unnerving. 

Gollum (Andy Serkis)

I can't just solely praise the second part in the Lord of the Rings trilogy however. Despite the highs of the movie being incredibly high, such as the battle of Helms Deep, the scenes which are tedious and seem a little too lengthy are even more noticeable. Towards the middle of the film the pace dips far too much, and if it wasn't for the huge battles near the end, I don't know if I would have been able to make it all the way through. Because of these vast, epic fight-scenes however, Two Towers successfully stands side-by-side with it's predecessor, Fellowship of the Ring. 

Verdict
The Two Towers surpasses the first Lord of the Rings movie in both scale and entertainment, and the use of musical score to add depth to the already intense action is even more recognisable than in the first movie. Despite this sequel not personally having a scene as memorable as the Balrog in the first film, it is definitely worth watching, just as long as you set aside an entire day to fit it all in. 

"What are we holding onto, Sam?"

"That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo...and it's worth fighting for."

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Review

I have absolutely no idea why it has taken me so long to get around to watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy. For months, I have been putting off this incredibly beloved collection of movies due to their hugely intimidating time-length, but with the release of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug being tomorrow, I decided it was time I sat down and began the Tolkien trilogy. 

Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood)

The Fellowship of the Ring marks the first film in the trilogy, and begins the tale of Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), a young Hobbit from the Shire. Frodo's elderly relative Bilbo resides in a small house within the Shire, a province contained in Middle-Earth, where the Lord of the Rings is set. Hundreds of years prior, several rings were forged and given to the many races that inhabit Middle-Earth, but there was one created which held strength over all of the others and gave its wearer unimaginable power. The One Ring was adorned by the dark lord Sauron, until he was defeated and the ring was passed between several wearers, till it was discovered by the afore-mentioned Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm). When a wizard named Gandalf (Ian McKellen) comes to visit however, he soon realises that the corruption the One Ring holds is taking its toll on Bilbo, and so he intervenes by passing the ring onto Frodo. So begins Frodo's journey to destroy the ring in the flames of Mount Doom, accompanied by several warriors such as Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen); led by Gandalf the Grey himself. 

This is only a brief description of the film, as it runs for well over three hours (if you watch the extended edition like I did). What surprised me most about Fellowship of the Ring was how much actually takes place within it's run-time. Usually, the first part of a trilogy is simply to set the scene and introduce characters, but this first instalment contains several iconic moments and quoted lines which are instantly attributed to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, even by those whom are yet to watch it (which seems to be a very small minority now). Because of this, very little of the lengthy run-time feels unneeded, something which is truly commendable in such a long movie. 

Gandalf the Grey (Sir Ian McKellen)

Another rather astonishing feature of Fellowship of the Ring is how it doesn't contain any dislikeable characters. Considering the vast cast of heroes and villains featured, it would be expected that at least a handful would be acted poorly or become tiresome, but the focus rarely falls upon a single character long enough for them to grow boring. Even the ring itself is personified and envelops all around it, which asserts the dire need to destroy it. 

Despite The Fellowship of the Ring being made back in 2001, almost 13 years ago, it has aged considerably well. The expansive, panoramic shots of the New Zeland countryside (where the trilogy was filmed) are stunning and really show how lengthy the journey undertaken by the protagonists is. Some of the special effects and CGI moments are noticeably ageing, but for the most part it looks nothing short of spectacular. 

Verdict
I feel genuinely disappointed that it has taken me so long to begin the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Not only has this first instalment warmed me to the whole 'fantasy' genre, but it has got me very excited to continue the sequels (and prequels) all the way up till I am ready to watch The Desolation of Smaug sometime soon. If there is anybody who still hasn't watched The Fellowship of the Ring, I urge you to do so, because the lengthy run-time aside, it is definitely a phenomenal movie. 

"I made a promise, Mr. Frodo. A Promise."

Playstation 4: First Impressions

Let me start by saying this isn't a review. I'm not a very knowledgeable person when it comes to many features of hardware and technical details, but I am a consumer. So this will be my first impressions of Sony's brand-new console released in the UK as of last Friday, seeing as I have had the weekend to experience it. 

Straight out of the box, the PS4 is noticeably smaller than the Playstation 3. It comes packaged with a 'Dualshock 4' controller (more on that later) and all the necessary cables required to play games on a HD TV. It also comes with a small, uncomfortable microphone ear-piece which I have unfortunately been using due to the fact that my already-owned headset will not fit in the singular head-phone jack the PS4 controller comes fitted with. It's also displayed on the box that you get 14 days free of Playstation+, the service which is now required to use several of the online features available such as the ability to play multiplayer games. 

As the PS4 comes with a 500GB hard-drive, my initial goal was to double the size of the memory my console would be capable of storing. It seems that Sony is well-aware many people will want to do the same, as the process of removing the HDD has been made even simpler than the PS3. You simply slide off the panel on the top of the console and remove a handful of screws. Then, all that is left is to slide-out the current hard-drive and slide-in your new one. It should be made aware however, that all necessary updates must be downloaded onto a memory stick if you choose to instantly start replacing things.

Obviously the controller is the main thing you will be using when playing games on the PS4, so it's important that it is up to scratch with all of Sony's previous attempts. Thankfully, the Dualshock 4 Controller not only functions just as well as the PS3 controller, but it surpasses many of it's features. The analogue-sticks now curve inwards; allowing for a comfortable rest for your thumbs. The back-triggers have also been improved, now feeling not too dissimilar to the Xbox 360 in that they curve up; creating a place to rest your fingers. Gone are the consistent 'Start' and 'Select' buttons, which have now been replaced with 'Options' and more noticeably, 'Share.' The Options button functions exactly like the Start button, but the newly-introduced 'Share' button allows gameplay or images to be shared straight from your console to Facebook or Twitter. There is also the option to stream gameplay live straight from your PS4 to either Twitch or Ustream, which is a nice addition. There is also a touch-pad placed in the centre of the controller, but I am yet to play a game which utilises it in an innovative way. Other than these tweaks, the Dualshock 4 is recognisable as a Sony-branded controller, it just feels far more comfortable than previous iterations when playing games for long periods of time. 

When it comes to games, there aren't really many 'must-haves' currently released. The most praised game seems to be Assassins Creed: Black Flag, but as I don't own it I can't comment. I do however, own a copy of Battlefield 4, which personally amazed me with it's graphical presentation. The frame-rate is now double what it was on the PS3 thanks to the PS4's new, updated hardware, and it really is very apparent that this is a next-gen console. Colours are more vivid than ever, and everything runs far smoother than it did on the previous generation of consoles. I'm very excited to see what talented companies such as Naughty Dog and Rockstar can bring to the PS4, and there's already several titles which have been announced such as Thief or Infamous: Second Son which look promising. 

As Playstation+ is now required to play online, the PS4 is based around it more than ever before. The ability to put the PS4 into a 'stand-by' mode (shown by the orange light-strip down the centre of the console) allows for automatic updating of games and the console itself, which is a very welcome feature. The improved hardware also allows for improvements such as the ability to play certain segments of games whilst other parts download, which saves lots of time waiting around for things to load. It all accumulates into a much slicker, smoother experience. 

Overall, the PS4 is a very welcome addition to the Sony family, but one which still has a lot of room to develop and expand. Games will obviously improve over the coming years, but the current offerings are still fun to play, if a little lacking in the innovative department. Ideas yet to come such as the strong support for Indie games and the ability to purchase games from the entire Playstation back-catalogue are exciting to say the least...but that about sums up the Playstation 4 as it stands today: exciting. I personally bought a console on release day because I wanted to guarantee I had one before the rush for Christmas, but if you choose to wait until there are many more games available, that is understandable.  

Top 5 Playstation 3 Games

Back in 2006, Sony released the Playstation 3, and despite not initially being favoured by the masses due to its average launch line-up and seemingly extortionate price, it has gradually become one of the main staples of the video game industry. Since its launch, the PS3 has gone through several iterations, with the most recent being the "Playstation 3 super-slim". Now, almost 8 years later, the Playstation 4 has been released in Europe. With a much more positive greeting from public audiences, hopefully the PS4 will surpass the PS3 in every way possible. In order to mark this special occasion, I've put together a list of my personal favourite games available on the PS3 system:

5) Max Payne 3
Max Payne 3 was my first foray into Rockstar's Max Payne series, and it was certainly a game which captured my attention. Slick controls, fun combat and a superb storyline combined to create a game which is criminally unheard of when compared to bigger Rockstar titles such as Red Dead Redemption. It surprised me hugely with how consistently entertaining it was, and many aspects from the game were later used in the hugely successful GTA V. 

4) Dishonoured

Dishonoured was a game which showed how fun the stealth genre could be. Set in a steam-punk Victorian era, it allowed players to choose how a scenario played-out to such a degree that no two playthoughs would be the same, due to a vast array of weapons and abilities. Despite not being an incredibly long game, the necessity to experiment meant that you could replay all of the game's missions time and time again without them ever becoming tiresome, something which many current games certainly can't claim. 

3) Fallout 3

Some may argue that the more recent Skyrim is the best role-playing game released by talented company Bethesda, but for me, Fallout 3 had something special that set it apart from other games. Maybe it's the constant sense of adventure, or the immersive tone set by the 40s American music, but I couldn't get enough of it. I couldn't count the number of hours I've spent traversing the nuclear wasteland of Fallout 3, but there's no way I could say I regret any of them either. 

2) Bioshock: Infinite

Really, any of the Bioshock games could have made it on this list, but the most recent, Infinite, was something truly special. The unique art-style made it different to it's predecessors, but once you sat down and played it, it was definitely a Bioshock game. The entertainment gained by playing the game is matched only by the phenomenally well-written script and plot, and the ending is one which will stick with you for many days after completion. 

1) The Last of Us

The top-spot on my list was a difficult choice. It was between The Last of Us or Uncharted 2, but due to the incredible story-telling by the former, it came out on top. It's difficult to put into words just how amazing the plot is in The Last of Us. Every character you come across is unique and interesting, and the emotional journey you take throughout the game is almost unbearable with how much it throws at you. Combine this with a near-perfect combat-system, stunning graphics and solid multiplayer, and it's clear why The Last of Us is at the top of many people's lists. 

So there is my list of personal favourites from the previous generation of games. This list is far from conclusive, as there have been literally hundreds of enjoyable titles released on Sony's little black box, but these stuck out personally as games which have remained with me to this day. Hopefully we can expect many more experiences like this on the new Playstation 4 in the years to come. Feel free to leave a comment on what has stuck out for you in terms of the PS3! 

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: Review

Last year, The Hunger Games surprised me with how enjoyable it was. I hadn't read any of the books (and I am still yet to), but it engrossed me very quickly and made me leave the cinema wanting more of the unique story it had created. This made me begin eagerly awaiting Catching Fire in the hope that it would live up to the standard the first film had set...I did not expect, however, for it to surpass it. 

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire takes place almost a year after the first film and shows how Katniss' actions at the end of that movie caused civil unrest, plunging the already threatened civilians of the twelve Districts into a much darker world to live in. Rebellion is now something which simmers everywhere; angering the dictatorial leaders in the Capitol. Expecting to be brought back in to the Games as a coach for a new line of combatants, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) is shocked when it is revealed that many previous victors will be thrown back in to the arena in order to compete in the 75th annual Hunger Games: a plan brought about by the ruthless President Snow (Donald Sutherland) as a means of destroying the reputation Katniss has achieved, due to the fact she has become a figurehead of the rebellion. 

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence)

Catching Fire is definitely a far darker movie than it's predecessor, with many scenes in the first half taking place in the incredibly dreary District 12. This gloomy atmosphere is intensified by the frequent acts of violence committed against innocent civilians on behalf of the totalitarian government, and the change in mood from the first film is definitely a welcome feature. Public beatings, executions and attempts at stamping out anybody who fights back create a world which is clearly on the brink of it's own destruction. The focus in Catching Fire is less on the Games themselves and instead on the world which Katniss and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) created with their actions in the first movie. In fact, I found that the latter half of the movie which features the actual Hunger Games was my least favourite half, due to its incredibly rushed nature. There were 24 combatants in the games, and many were killed off without even having any screen time (with a cannon sounding the time of their death). Obviously the entirety of the Games could not be fit in to a feature-length movie, but I wouldn't mind a slightly longer film so it could be shown in more depth; especially as Catching Fire felt no longer than an hour. 

Jennifer Lawrence, whom since the first Hunger Games has become a film sensation, plays the central role of Katniss just as well as in the first movie...it's a shame then, that the same cannot be said for the rest of the cast. For the majority of the film, everybody acted to an above-average standard, but there were numerous occasions where a certain line or phrase was performed in such a bad manner that it completely took me out of the film. The main characters were all entertaining to watch, but many of the 'disposable' characters who take place in the Games were underwhelming to say the least. There were times during the film when the entire cinema laughed at how awkwardly somebody said their lines, but for the most part, it was bearable. 

Verdict

Despite it seeming like I have mostly complained about Catching Fire, for the majority of the time, I rather enjoyed it. The acting was occasionally jarring and the ending cliffhanger may not have been needed, but I'm still very excited to see the next instalment, Mockingjay, some time next year. Not having read the books, I cannot comment on whether or not it remains true to their storyline, but it should be known that I don't think you'll entirely understand the plot of Catching Fire if you have not seen or at least understood the plot of the previous movie. 

"There are no winners; only survivors." 

Gravity: Review

Never have I seen a film quite as stunning as Gravity. What's so surprising about this is how the sheer beauty of space in the movie is juxtaposed so well against the numbing fear of isolation in an endless, dark void. Not giving too much away, Gravity tells the story of a medical engineer by the name of Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) who is working on a space station when a large amount of debris from another station collides with hers, and she is launched into space with a very limited supply of oxygen. As this is all the trailers for Gravity revealed, I won't divulge any more, but it quickly becomes a very tense movie. 

From the off-set, the sound-design in Gravity is nothing short of perfection. Periods of silence are used to consistently emphasize a sense of loneliness and terror, and work immensely well. When sound is featured, it is projected exactly how you would expect. For example, if two characters in the film are speaking to one another, their voices will be muffled like it would be if heard through a space-helmet; small details which add hugely to the film. 

Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock)

Now, although Gravity is a very tense film, I feel that the heart-stopping tension it apparently featured was slightly over-hyped. This may be because I recently watched Captain Phillips which I found genuinely exhausting due to it's constant barrage of emotions, but for me, Gravity was only mildly worrying. That being said, some of the people I went to see it with were clasping their hands to their faces all throughout the movie, so perhaps it comes down to personal experiences. 

There were only a few problems I held with Gravity. Firstly, certain sequences were clichéd to the point where you knew precisely how a scene was going to play out. For example, one scene specifically was over-played on to the point where it became difficult to even be shocked once the true nature of it was revealed. Also, it was difficult to empathize with Sandra Bullock's character at times due to her surprisingly idiotic behaviour, and even more difficult to believe that she would have ever made it through the no doubt strenuous testing that somebody in her position would receive. 

Verdict

Gravity is definitely a film that should be experienced for the awe of it's beauty alone. The stunning shots of the Earth accompanied by a faint musical score were so mesmerizing that I occasionally forgot the peril that the characters were in. The plot may not be the most engaging I have ever seen, but it is certainly worth watching, regardless of the few qualms I had. 

"Houston, I have a bad feeling about the mission."

As a little side-note, I will no longer be featuring a numerical value after each review because I find it difficult to apply a number to what has been said, and I hope that the verdict should speak for itself. 

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa: Review

It's very difficult to imagine what anybody would expect going into a 'Jackass' movie aside from a constant stream of gross-out pranks and hoaxes aimed at unsuspecting members of the public. Although this formula used for the many previous Jackass films has proven successful, this time around the numerous pranks and jokes have been given direction in the way of a plot. Old man Irving Zisman (Johnny Knoxville) has been given the task of delivering his grandson Billy (Jackson Nicoll) to Billy's estranged Father across the country. Put simply: Bad Grandpa is a 'Jackass' take on the tried and tested 'road-trip' genre, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it.

Irving Zisman & Billy (Johnny Knoxville & Jackson Nicoll)

I don't think the film would have worked as well as it did if Johnny Knoxville wasn't at the helm. Countless scenes in the film were hilarious, and this was only possible because Knoxville has the confidence to pull them off. Yes, the humour is frequently crude and occasionally relies on fart-jokes in order to grasp a couple laughs, but I laughed consistently throughout Bad Grandpa, and surely that means it was successful in it's attempts at a more structured Jackass film.

Now, saying that, I wasn't always a huge fan of the forced storyline. On numerous occasions the scenes meant to bond the two main characters of Irving and Billy were cringe-worthy more than anything; not something I imagine the writers had intended. There were however a surprising number of moments which were genuinely heart-warming, but these were quickly shattered by yet another funny euphemism or comical use of nudity. 

The most surprising feature of Bad Grandpa was how talented the young actor who played Billy was at ad-libbing. On so many occasions I would not have managed to keep a straight face whilst Knoxville acted out a scenario, but Jackson Nicoll (who plays Billy) managed to act as if everything was completely normal, adding hugely to the comedy of the film. 

Verdict
Nobody expects films like this to ever win an Oscar or prestigious award, but for what it is, Bad Grandpa is a genuinely funny movie. Johnny Knoxville is yet again the funniest man in the film, but his supporting character Billy is just as entertaining. There are a few moments when you need to suspend your disbelief as to whether the 'public' are really not in on the jokes, but for the majority of the time Bad Grandpa is raw and realistic. My only major complaint is that the big finale of the film is shown in the trailer, but this is a fault many films carry nowadays, so it is almost excusable.   7.5/10

"You gonna' fix that Penguin, Bro!"

"...Nope."

House of Cards (Season One): Review

House of Cards was the pioneering of a new format for television. All thirteen of it's first seasons' episodes were launched at the same time on the streaming service 'Netflix', allowing viewers to chose how and when they watched them, and I must say, this decision is not only very innovative, it also paid off hugely, as it allowed the episodes to flow far more fluently into one another due to their instant availability. 


The programme centres around Congressman Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his initial fury at the fact he was passed up on the opportunity of being Secretary of the State, and then his plans to exact revenge on those who wronged him. The story delves far deeper than this however, bringing in several characters and their relationships formed with Francis such as an intelligent, cunning young reporter by the name of Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara), or Peter Russo (Corey Stoll); a man in his prime who is taken under Francis' wing. 

Peter Russo (Corey Stoll)

What House of Cards truly portrays however is how powerful tools such as intimidation and determination are. Frank Underwood is a man not to be reckoned with, and this is shown consistently throughout the lengthy 13-episode season. On numerous occasions, Kevin Spacey turns to the camera and begins monologuing on how he feels about events or his current thoughts on other characters. These scenes are particularly enjoyable and do a superb job in setting House of Cards apart from many other dramas currently available to watch. Also, there are a few occasions when Frank loses his incredibly sturdy poker-face, and the fact these are so rare really adds to the character as a whole; not relying on bursts of anger to develop to an already interesting gentleman. There is an episode around halfway through the series which focuses almost entirely on Frank, and is very intriguing as it gives vague glimpses into the weaknesses of an otherwise unbreakable man. 

Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey)

Now, although the prospect of a television series focusing entirely on political endeavours may not appeal to everybody (and I personally was initially put off by this fact), the spectacular writing featured in House of Cards is certainly something which should appeal to numerous individuals. Every single episode is littered with memorable lines and quotes which keep the quality of the show at a consistent high. Couple this with the fact that House of Cards is directed by renowned director David Fincher (responsible for such classics as 'Se7en' and 'Fight Club'), and this entertaining Netflix-exclusive series should begin to perk your interest. 

Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara)

Unfortunately, the setting of politics limits the lengths characters can go to in order to maintain a sense of believability, so don't expect high-octane scenes of violence or mind-blowing plot-twists, but House of Cards manages to keep the viewer interested by featuring many strings of manipulation and deceit; something I can't recall another series or movie as of late doing just as successfully. Each character featured is developed upon to a level where the viewer can empathize, and events which occur early on in the series which seem abandoned may get picked up again in a later episode. Very little is left unanswered, but anything that remains a mystery will no doubt be brought up in Season 2, expected to air early in 2014.

Verdict
House of Cards is not my favourite television series I have ever seen, but it is certainly worth your time. Kevin Spacey is definitely a stand-out performance as the ruthless Frank Underwood, but he is supported by countless talented actors and actresses. Despite the majority of the plot taking place in the final half of the season, I am certainly eager to find out the answers to many questions I have once Season 2 is released, and this must certainly mean that House of Cards has successfully done it's job in entertaining me. 8/10

"Everything is about sex, apart from sex.

Sex is about power."