Geek of Oz

I came out of Divergent looking at a nearby bridge thinking I might just be able to scale it. That speaks a little about the levels of adrenalin I reached watching the film. Divergent is a thoroughly enjoyable and thrilling addition to the adventure/sci-fi teen-targeted films, which along with entries like The Hunger Games, the genre is providing quality entertainment for teens and us older folk alike. The film is based on the first in an enormously popular series of books written by first-time author Veronica Roth, in which Divergent is followed by Insurgent and Allegiant. The world of Divergent is a compelling one, which is established quickly in the first few minutes. Set in a slightly ravaged-looking near future Chicago, with barren-looking fields surrounding the edges of the city, a giant fence closing it all in and wildness beyond. Society is split into 5 virtue-based factions designed to build harmony and balance after human nature is felt to have failed and ultimately ...

Photo by What a Big Camera Cosplay is such a wide and varied hobby that attracts people from all walks of life. One of my personal favourite things about it is the community aspect of the subculture. In my experience, cosplayers can be some of the most welcoming, supportive, and knowledgeable people you’ll ever meet. When I discuss the community of cosplay it’s hard for me not to think of Justin Acharacter . Justin is a Sydney based cosplayer, actor, and prop maker. Not only is he highly respected in the Australian cosplay scene for his dedication to craftsmanship and performance, but he's also a fantastic community role model thanks to his enthusiasm to teach others, his involvement in charity work and his good natured and welcoming approach to cosplay. Photo by E Photography My first memory of Justin is back in the very early days of my cosplay endeavours. I wasn’t as aware of it at the time as I am now, but my craftsmanship was not excellent. I wasn’t a confide...

Deceptively simple in its construction (pun thoroughly intended), The Lego Movie is an immensely entertaining film with cross-generational appeal. Armed to the teeth with pop culture references and presented in jaw-dropping animation, the film struck a chord with me, much like 2001’s Shrek, in that beneath the visual wizardry lies an important message - that it’s okay to be different. Based upon the popular toy franchise, the film weaves the story around a basic concept. The world within the film is divided into two broad categories: those who build their Lego explicitly following the instructions and the more free-spirited builders who channel their inner architect. Emmet Brickowski (Chris Pratt) is just a regular Lego man who lives a safe and normal life following the rules. Every day he watches the same television show, drinks the same overpriced coffee, listens to whatever the radio tells him to and works at a construction site. He lives in a world secretly controlled by the...

Thanks to our webheaded pals over at Sony Pictures, we've got 5 in-season double passes to see The Amazing Spider-Man Rise of Electro. Following on from the previous adventures of Peter Parker, everyone's favourite friendly neighbourhood super-guy is back and with him comes more than a hand full of big bad baddies. All you have to do is fill out the form below and you're in the running to win yourself an in-season double pass thanks to Sony Pictures. Don't forget, you can get youreself a bonus entry just by  following us on Twitter  or  liking us on Facebook! THIS COMPETITION HAS CLOSED E ntries close 11:59pm on Sunday 20th April 2014. Be sure to read the conditions on your ticket before redeeming. Your details will not be used in any way other than for the delivery of your prize. Geek of Oz and Sony Pictures do not take any responsibility for the loss, damage or delay of/to prizes sent to winners (blame Australia Post for that one). The judges decision ...

Before I start this review I need to be up front about something. I've been reading comics from a very young age, mostly Marvel, and I still read them now. I suppose you could call me a bit of a fanboy when it comes to the Marvel Universe and their diverse range of characters. Now that we've got that out of the way, I can honestly say that even if I wasn't a Marvel fanboy, I'd still love and enjoy Captain America: The Winter Soldier as much as I do. The ninth instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Captain America: The Winter Soldier, has Cap and Black Widow working for Nick Fury when S.H.I.E.L.D comes under attack from an unknown enemy. Without knowing who they can trust, they must uncover the enemy before it destroys them all. The script is very much akin to a 70’s political/spy thriller that delivers on all accounts, which has relevance even to this date about the true cost and meaning of freedom. Steve Rogers is a man out time, and that fee...

Much like Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne is the kind of series that starts off saccharine sweet before eventually expanding into and hinting at something darker and more angsty. While Lagrange doesn't quite reach the same depths of unbridled despair that PMMM does, it manages to still be deep enough to counteract its otherwise derivative veneer. This isn't just another mecha series. Madoka Kyono is a good kid. She is the sole member of her schools 'Jersey Club' and makes it her mission to help people in any way that she can. She goes so far as to wear her bathing suit under her clothes at all times, just in case. So when she's approached by a mysterious girl named Lan to pilot a giant robot in order to protect her home town of Kamogawa, how can she say no? The whole set up is rather cutesy with the focus aimed squarely at Madoka (that name seems to be popping up a lot lately). While she may be cutesy and kind hearted, we get a l...

Apparently director Gareth Evans hasn’t heard that sequels are meant to be a massive disappointment for fans of beloved films, because The Raid 2: Berandal kicks the living bejeezus out of that concept. 2011’s The Raid set a benchmark for bat-shit-crazy martial arts set pieces, the likes of which induced guttural reactions from audiences, mostly due to the high impact, savage fighting style on display. Whilst the action got the blood pumping, it was wrapped in a grounded, well crafted and character-based story which really resonated with me. The Raid 2 deftly expands upon the world created in the first film, showing us the true breadth and depth of the corruption and violence which plagues the city. The beauty of this series is the simplistic storytelling. The first film revolves around a SWAT team storming a baddie-infested apartment building in order to take down a criminal kingpin; that is until all hell breaks loose. This film is set two hours after the events of the first f...