Geek of Oz

Pendleton Ward's charming animated series 'Adventure Time' has very quickly become a mainstay of Cartoon Network's scheduling and it's easy to see why. Memorable characters, a unique fantasy setting packed full nods to old school role playing and of course a great sense of humor all make for series that resonates with kids and adults alike.

Before we start, the PS4 is apparently all sold out until next year but don’t dismay. I was actually fortunate enough to walk into an electronics store and buy one off the shelf on launch day. Make a few phone calls and don’t forget to ask at every stockist that you walk by, you just might walk out with a brand new console! Sony  have  made no secret of the fact that their  next gen powerhouse is specifically focused on gaming especially with their #4THEPLAYERS marketing campaign. This in itself is a dangerous position to be in when challenged by a console that pretty much promises to yet again be an all-in-one entertainment machine. The PS4’s saving grace, however, is that it’s actually very impressive gaming machine. Having previously owned a PS3 and  three Xbox 360 ’s (a pox on you, red ring of death!) I can safely say that I’ve always been more impressed with the overall features and build quality of Sony’s products, excluding the Dualshock3 controlle...

In a move set to shock no one, in his latest film Delivery Man , Vince Vaughn plays a schlubby, middle-aged slacker who is forced to face up to his responsibilities … blah blah … conflict … blah blah … resolution. Forgive my abrupt dismissal of it, but when a film is so overly formulaic as this manages to be, it’s nigh on impossible for it to work for me.

Clearly, judging from its marketing campaign,  One Chance  wants to be this season’s ‘ Billy Elliot’. It’s the story of a man chasing his artistic dream despite the brutish roots of his hometown holding him back. The one differentiating feature however is,  One Chance  is based upon the true life and struggles of lovable Welshman Paul Potts, who rose to international stardom when he won the first series of the television show Britain’s Got Talent . Whilst the film has solid performances and genuinely touching moments, unfortunately it’s hamstrung by a screenplay littered with saccharine self-aware typical biopic dialogue. 

Seven issues in and Winter City continues to impress with its high production values and dedication to storytelling. Although this latest installment represents a rather significant change of pace for the series, and indeed the absence of action was certainly a risk , it doesn't prevent it from being my favorite issue to date. This more emotionally focused story hits all of its marks and proved without a shadow of a doubt that Carl and Patrick Purcell have an impressive writing range. After the action packed climax of issue six, Winter City #7 acts as a refreshing character piece. As with the previous issues it switches between both the past and present, opening with a young Sam Winters going to church.  Sam, who is aged 12, is understandably nervous about going for the first time but what he finds is a sense of comfort in the Preacher's zealous sermon.

Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a fantastic sequel to 2012s box-office-colossal The Hunger Games . This film builds perfectly upon its predecessor and will leave fans salivating for what’s to come. I proclaimed my adoration for the franchise last year when I reviewed  The Hunger Games and I’m so excited about how this story seems to be shaking down. 

Drugs, booze and kinky sex are the order of the day in Jon S. Baird’s latest film,  Filth.  James McAvoy stars as Bruce Robertson, Scotland’s most debauched detective, whose personal and professional life is teetering on the brink of annihilation. Awkwardly-paced and overtly-misogynistic, unfortunately Filth never really settles into its rhythm. The film has its moments but unfortunately it left me feeling a tad meh.