Tuesday, 16 November 2021

REVIEW: BitMaster on Nintendo Switch

BitMaster seems like it should be a game made for Nintendo Switch, it is a twin stick shooter, you shoot at enemies while skating around on a hoverboard.

The game is described as being inspired by such classics as Geometry Wars, Crimson Land and Satellite Reign, but does it measure up?

There are 100 waves of enemies to face (20 different kinds of enemy), after 20 waves you will face a boss, and then another 20 waves and so on.

You can collect new guns and unlock new characters to play with, the environment changes colours, and different areas will benefit or harm your character.
For example, in one area your shield will regenerate faster, in another, your weapon may fire slower rounds.

Read Full Review at

REVIEW: Too Many Humans on PC (Steam)

Too Many Humans is a Real Time Strategy game, but instead of controlling the army, or a private security force as is often the case in such games, this time you are controlling zombies! Sounds good right!

Let's take a quick look at the official story.

"You are Phthisis, the God of pestilence, decay and death. Humanity has degraded too far into greed and is causing irreversible damage to Gaia; your dear sister, and their planet. Something has to be done. But like every god, you have rules (omnipotence gets boring otherwise): you are not allowed to directly kill humans. But you *can* raise them back from the dead. And if the living ones die because of this... Eh *shrug*.

Rise, mutate and unleash your Zombies into frantic battles against the treacherous humans. Fight every battle to break one by one the chains of avarice humanity has binded itself with."

Read Full Review

REVIEW: Faraday Protocol on Nintendo Switch

Faraday Protocol is a first-person perspective puzzle game and walking simulator. I am playing this on a Nintendo Switch Lite.

Let's take a look at the official story of the game.

"You are Raug Zeekon: interstellar archeologist from planet Cunor. You have been sent by your company to investigate the source of a mysterious signal coming from an unexplored star.

The Bia Tool, an ancient relic of an alien civilization, is the first mystery you uncover when arriving in OPIS. Unsure of its true purpose you start wielding it to solve the challenges on your path. With its ability to absorb energy and the option to redistribute it to different machinery, you start digging deeper and deeper into the temples, encountering even harder puzzles that will test your savvy and abilities in problem solving. Are you smart enough to solve every challenge thrown at you?"

Read Full Review at

Friday, 12 November 2021

La! It’s A Sin cast reunite for a festive special of The Great British Bake Off

The cast of Channel 4's award-winning hit show It's A Sin will be reuniting this Christmas for a seasonal special of The Great British Bake Off.

Swapping the Pink Palace for an equally iconic erection, Olly Alexander; Lydia West; Nathaniel Curtis; and Shaun Dooley will enter the Bake Off tent to try their hand at some festive themed bakes.

Judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood and hosts Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas will preside over the hotly contested competition to see who on the cast knows their sieves from their spatulas in the first of two festive episodes airing on Channel 4 over the holiday period.

Celebrating the new year with another special episode is The Great Festive Bake Off. Four former bakers will return to the tent to go head to head in three seasonal challenges. Series nine bakers Kim-Joy and Jon and series 11's Hermine and Rowan will face three favourite festive challenges and find out who tops the tree as Star Baker.

The Great Christmas Bake Off and The Great Festive Bake Off will be on Channel 4 during the festive season (dates and times to be confirmed).


Wednesday, 10 November 2021

REVIEW: Observer: System Redux on PC (Steam)

"The year is 2084. The future has turned out much darker than anyone could imagine. First, there was the Nanophage. A digital plague that killed thousands upon thousands of those who chose to augment their minds and bodies.

Then came the War, leaving both the West and the East decimated and shattered. With no one left to seize power, corporations took over and forged their own crooked empires.

You are a tool of corporate oppression. Feared and despised, you hack into the darkest corners of your suspects' minds. You creep into their dreams, expose their fears, and extract whatever your investigation may require."

Full Review at

Tuesday, 9 November 2021

REVIEW: Destructivator SE on Nintendo Switch

Destructivator SE is a 1990s style arcade run and gun shooter. Playing this brings me back to playing similar games like Contra on the original NES.

Let's look at the story.

"The year is 2145. Earth still burns. Zallagor and his army have been vanquished, but at great cost: the once great cities of Earth lie in ruin, its population hungry for revenge.

Zallagor's home planet of Zerkl has been located. Zallagor has gone, but somebody will rise to replace him. Maybe they already have. The Destructivator is ready – it is time to strike!

Take on the role of a tiny super-solider decked out in lime green spandex! Blast and melee your way through hordes of alien soldiers, robots, spaceships, traps, bosses – and more! Fight on foot or commandeer an enemy ship to take out Zerkl's defenses and ensure that the alien menace won't threaten Earth ever again."

Sounds fun right!?

Read Full Review at

Deck the Halls for LIVE Joe Lycett: Mummy’s Big Christmas Do!

Joe Lycett is hosting a big queer Christmas house party - live from his Birmingham hometown. The 90-minute festive spectacular will see the comedian and consumer warrior celebrate the return of Christmas as only Joe knows how.

LIVE Joe Lycett: Mummy's Big Christmas Do! will get the yuletide party started in sparkling style complete with a large dose of Joe's trademark wit and a side order of tinsel. Packed to the rafters with special guests, musical performances and stand-up comedy, the live show will celebrate all things queer. The specially invited audience will be the real stars of the show – made up of LGBTQ+ icons, allies of the LGBTQ+ community, and local heroes in addition to some people who may well be in for some devilish surprises from Joe.

The action won't just stay indoors however as we'll have fun games, twists and turns and will feature Birmingham as you've never seen it before. Will Joe find out who's been naughty and who's been nice? Expect presents, snow, a veritable feast of shimmering seasonal goodies and lots of laughs as Joe becomes the angel atop Channel 4's Christmas Tree.

Joe Lycett said, "This show combines three of my favourite things - LGBTQ+ culture, Birmingham and chaotic live television. Queer creativity outside of London is the most exciting it has been in years and I can't wait to introduce Channel 4 viewers to our colourful and anarchic world, with some silliness and a few laughs thrown in."

Monday, 8 November 2021

Strictly the Real Full Monty: Line-up revealed

Strictly the Real Full Monty: Line-up revealed

The Real Full Monty is back with a bang this Christmas. Ashley Banjo will be leading a brand-new line-up of brave celebrities, ready to take the famous Full Monty strip to a whole new level. The nervous new recruits will be baring all to raise awareness of life-saving cancer checks, whilst bringing old school glitz and glamour to the all-new supersized strip. This is a Monty dance extravaganza.

The class of 2021 hitting the dance floor this year will be EastEnders actress Laila Morse, professional dancers and husband and wife James and Ola Jordan, Blue singer Duncan James, model Christine McGuiness, Olympian Colin Jackson, musical theatre and Loose Women star Brenda Edwards, TV presenter Martin Roberts and Love Island favourites Teddy Soares and Demi Jones. They all have stories to tell about how cancer has touched the lives of themselves or those closest to them.

Presenter, choreographer and mentor Ashley Banjo will support the anxious celebrities as they take on a completely new twist in front of a guaranteed-to-be-screaming audience in Blackpool, determined to remind viewers that getting private areas checked can save their lives.

Ashley Banjo said:

"I'm so excited to be working with a new brilliant, bold and brave line-up of celebrities for Strictly the Real Full Monty. It's going to be our biggest musical dance extravaganza yet and we are determined to get the message out there that early cancer checks in intimate areas save lives. So don't forget to check your bits and baubles this Christmas!"

Memoria - Poster and Trailer - Starring Tilda Swinton

MEMORIA - Jan 14 in UK cinemas.

Winner of the Jury Prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival, and nominated for the Palme d'Or, Oscar-winner Tilda Swinton (The French Dispatch, The Souvenir) stars in Apichatpong Weerasethakul's meditative exploration of memory and the human condition. The Guardian describes the film as "slow cinema that decelerates your heartbeat", saying the actress and director make a "dream team".

It's a film that starts with a literal bang, as Swinton embarks on a lyrical and profound journey into the senses that Indiewire describes as "a transfixing deep-dive into the profound challenges of relating to people and places". The journey leads to an unexpected and extraordinary revelation where, as the actress herself explains, "all the wisdom in the world is being revealed to this person at this moment".

Synopsis: Visiting her sister in Bogota, Jessica (Tilda Swinton) is awoken by a loud bang, audible only to her. Restless and disoriented, she roams the city in search of an explanation for the mysterious sound, becoming immersed in the aural richness around her – whispers in a hospital room, sound effects playing in an editing studio, indiscreet noises from a city square. Despite being present throughout, Jessica's motives remain opaque and her encounters enigmatic. Soon she begins to confront the unsettling sights and sounds that call her identity into question.

Watch Trailer

REVIEW: Lone McLonegan: A Western Adventure on Nintendo Switch

I was given a copy of Lone McLonegan on Nintendo Switch by the excellent PR team at Flynn's Arcade, and I do like me a 'point and click' adventure game, so I happily decided to check this one out. Now I have played plenty of these types of games over the decades, mainly on PC, and the odd one on Xbox, but I thought that I would see how such a game would work on Nintendo Switch, and a Switch Lite specifically.

Let's start out with the storyline.

"Lone McLonegan used to be "The Most Wanted Outlaw In The Wild West" but now he's a little rusty and out of shape. Bragg Badass, his arch nemesis, is now number one on the most wanted list and the new idol of the West.

When Lone learns of Badass' latest exploit, he finishes his mojito, jumps off his couch and decides to reclaim his spot back by robbing the Bank of Oldewell, which holds the most secure safe in the county. That will no doubt put the highest price on his head again and he will once again outdo Badass at last!

Halfway through the journey the stagecoach in which Lone is traveling is attacked by Badass' hitmen and Lone must walk to Oldewell to make history again."

Read Full Review at

Thursday, 4 November 2021

Hannah Waddingham joins leads Solly McLeod and Sophie Wilde in Masterpiece and ITV’s literary classic adaptation, Tom Jones

Hannah Waddingham joins leads Solly McLeod and Sophie Wilde in Masterpiece and ITV's literary classic adaptation, Tom Jones, written by Gwyneth Hughes and produced by leading independent production company, Mammoth Screen

Emmy® award-winner Hannah Waddingham has been cast as the seductive and vengeful Lady Bellaston in Tom Jones, a Masterpiece, ITV and Mammoth Screen (Victoria, Poldark) miniseries currently filming in Northern Ireland.

Waddingham won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso at this year's Emmys®.

This follows the announcement that Solly McLeod (The Rising) is playing the hero Tom, alongside Sophie Wilde (You Don't Know Me) as the heroine Sophia Western and Pearl Mackie (Doctor Who) as Sophia's trusted maid, Honour, in this adaptation of The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling based on Henry Fielding's classic novel.

A rollercoaster story of the title character's complicated journey to find real love, Tom Jones has delighted and scandalised readers since it was originally published in 1749.

Also starring are James Fleet (Bridgerton) as Squire Allworthy, Tom's warm-hearted adoptive father; Alun Armstrong (Breeders) as Squire Western, Sophia's hard drinking, but loving grandfather, and Olivier-winner Shirley Henderson (Happy Valley) as Sophia's Aunt Western.

Tamzin Merchant (Carnival Row) is Sophia's Aunt Harriet, with Julian Rhind-Tutt (Britannia) as her bellicose husband Fitzpatrick. Susannah Fielding (This Time With Alan Partridge) is Mrs. Waters.

BAFTA-winner Daniel Rigby (Black Mirror) is the disgraced schoolteacher Partridge, who befriends Tom on his journey; James Wilbraham (In My Skin) is Tom's bitter cousin Blifil; Felicity Montagu (The Durrells) plays Blifil's mother Bridget Allworthy, a devoted aunt to Tom, and Janine Duvitski (Benidorm) is Mrs. Wilkins, Allworthy's testy housekeeper.

Dean Lennox Kelly (Jamestown) is poacher-turned-gamekeeper Black George and NTA winner Lucy Fallon (Coronation Street) is his daughter Molly, who charms young Tom.

Bertie Carvel is 'Dalgliesh' in must-watch new detective drama based on P.D. James’ bestselling novels - starts tonight Channel 5

Bertie Carvel takes the titular lead in Dalgliesh, a brand-new, must-watch period crime drama which is set to delight on its DVD and digital release this December courtesy of Acorn Media International, following its UK premiere on Channel 5.

Based on renowned author P.D. James' bestselling novels Adam Dalgliesh Mysteries, this gripping new drama follows the enigmatic detective and poet (Carvel – Doctor Foster, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, The Tragedy of Macbeth), as he takes on extraordinary murder cases, and reveals long-buried secrets.

Watch Trailer at

REVIEW: Ghosts and Apples on Nintendo Switch

Ghosts and Apples is an "action-puzzle" game that will test your reaction times as well as memory.
Over 150 levels of hand drawn action. Are you hooked yet?

You find yourself in a house of magic, there are ghosts looking through windows, an octopus acting as a coat hanger, ravens, evil potions, a vampire, and so on. It is all very fantastical looking and as mentioned all hand drawn.
You play as a Puppet called Jack; your soul is trapped within him. You will soon find yourself looking up at paintings, which when you click will suck you into them, and that is how you access a level.

The main point of the game is to catch ghosts and turn them into apples, yes makes no sense to me either, but neither did the octopus as a coat hanger.

Read full review at

Monday, 1 November 2021

REVIEW: Gravewood High (Early Access) - PC (Steam)

Before I start, as always with Early Access games, you must keep in mind that this is not the finished product. Game developers often will listen to feedback, update and change the game before a proper release, so any comments I give here are not on the finished game.

Gravewood High is a stealth horror game, set in a high school. Seemingly set in the 1980s/1990s.

The story goes that some students have gone missing at Gravewood High, but none of the teachers or parents have noticed. You are stuck within the school, and you need to escape, the problem is that the school is very much a maze that is constantly changing, and there is an evil teacher (Mr Hyde) looking for you.

Read more at

Puppet Killer - Trailer and Poster - Starring Aleks Paunovic, Lee Majdoub & Lisa Durupt

Listen out for slay-bells as Puppet Killer is coming to town. Central City Media have today confirmed that the yuletide horror comedy will be released on Digital Download this November. Pulling the strings of Puppet Killer is director Lisa Ovies and stars Aleks Paunovic (Numb, War For The Planet of the Apes), Lee Majdoub (Sonic The Hedgehog, Dirk Gently) & Lisa Durupt (Love Guaranteed). Guaranteed to knock the stuffing out of you, Puppet Killer will be available on all major digital platforms from 29th November in all it's puppety glory.

It's the classic 'cabin in the woods' tale of teenagers (who are 100% teenage actors despite what IMDb may tell you) being assailed by a menacing pink and fluffy plush toy - that old chesnut.

For seven-year-old Jamie, watching horror movies with his loving parents and his fuzzy pink puppet, Simon, is a beloved Christmas tradition. Unfortunately, that all ends when his mother dies of cancer and his father marries a new woman who isn't nearly as supportive of Jamie's horror obsession, or his unhealthy friendship with Simon. After she mysteriously disappears from the family vacation home, Jamie starts to believe that Simon may have killed her.

Ten years later, Jamie brings five of his high school friends to the family's cabin for Christmas Break. All seems well until Simon is discovered in the cellar, resurrecting Jamie's old fears, causing him and his friends to question his mental well-being. 

As the weekend unfolds, Jamie's friends are slaughtered one by one in ways that would make Freddy, Jason, and Michael proud. Jamie must confront his childhood best friend in a bloody showdown that will push him to the brink of madness... if he isn't already there.

This Christmas - You better watch out, you better not die.

Puppet Killer will be available on Digital Download from 29th November-

Watch Trailer at

Friday, 29 October 2021

REVIEW: Green Hell - PS4

Green Hell is an open world survival game from developers Creepy Jar.

Played from a first-person perspective, you play as a researcher called Jake Higgins, you find yourself in the jungle in the amazon, your partner Mia left to visit a tribe in the jungle, she is a linguist and decided to make first contact with a tribe known as the Yabahuca. Now she is gone, you are alone, and you need to not only find her, but you need to survive.

And this is the main idea of the game, survival. You will start off by learning how to do simple things, like building and starting a camp fire. You will need to learn how to craft items by collecting the raw materials, and combining them. But of course, things are a bit more complicated than that, you need to keep an eye on your health, not just physical but mental. As the environment around you changes, so will your need to build camps, find places to sleep. Everything you do matters. Find yourself thirsty and you decide to drink some water from a river, great if the water is clean, not so great if it is dirty. You will only make yourself more ill.

Full review at

REVIEW: The Black Heart on PC (Steam)

The Black Heart is a gothic horror 1 vs 1 fighting game, think original Streetfighter 2 but with aesthetics from Mortal Kombat and you get the idea.

Originally released on the "M.U.G.E.N engine" which was a freeware 2D fighting game engine, whereby "authors" would port characters from other fighting games into the engine, Andrés Borghi took a different route, by creating totally original characters and stages for his game The Black Heart

Although moving on from that engine, it still plays in a similar way. And now gets an all-new official release on Steam with updated HD graphics and soundtrack.
 
The controls are as you would expect, directional control over your character and 4 buttons for punching and kicking.

Read full review at

Blonde. Purple - Poster and Trailer - Starring Julian Moore-Cook, Elle Bindman, Adam J Bernard and Jennifer Lee Moon.

Purple will be heading to Digital Download from 30th November.

Directed by Marcus Flemmings (Palindrome, Six Rounds), the film stars Julian Moore-Cook, Elle Bindman, Adam J Bernard and Jennifer Lee Moon.

An out of his depth criminal is stuck in a bank after a heist goes wrong. With only a gun and a 16 year old girl as a hostage, how will he get out?

His life prior to this incident forces him to face truths about himself that he has been avoiding all his life.

BLONDE. Purple's writer and director, Marcus Flemmings, was thrilled to confirm the release. He said "Being a British filmmaker I am extremely elated to have the film been so warmly received by US distributors. After a thrilling bidding war it was my absolute pleasure to sign with 1091 Pictures - they are an incredibly forward thinking and diverse brand who have, over the years, been behind some wonderful releases. The incredible cast and crew who helped me get my vision out there by filming during the lockdown in the UK were simply incredible and deserve maximum credit."

BLONDE. Purple will be available on Digital Download from 30th November

Watch Trailer at

REVIEW: Ragtag Racing on PC (Steam)

Ragtag Racing is a cheap, small file size, racing game on Steam, it is a super simple 3D Motorsport type game.

You can play in two separate views, in the driver's seat, or from above/behind. I have never liked playing games from the driver's perspective, so straight away I chose the above/behind viewpoint.

Race on a track, try to get from the back of the pack to the front and progress to the next track. Sounds simple! Well, it is and it isn't. The most important part of the game is your fuel level. Run out of fuel and you are done.

Full review at

REVIEW: RAYZE on PC (Steam)

RAYZE is one of the first games I am familiar with that comes under the "Aim Racer" genre. Put simply an Aim Racer game is a simplified game when by you select points on the screen with your left mouse button, and upon clicking on a target point you will move towards that point, as you move towards that point you will need to click on another target to move towards that, the ultimate aim to reach an end point of the level.

In RAYZE things are complicated by the fact that a successful hit of a target accelerates you, and a miss slows you down, hit a wall due to you not clicking on a target quick enough, and you die, level over, you have to start again. Find yourself going too fast and you can right click the mouse button and that also slows you down. Look for yellow areas to left click on to accelerate. (First speed you will reach is 120, and adds 60 for each new target you click on) Right button to slow down, and pressing the scroll wheel will restart the level. You can also adjust the sensitivity of the mouse too, which you will need to do, to find a speed of movement you are comfortable with.

More at

Father of Flies - Poster and Trailer - Starring Camilla Rutherford & Sandra Andreis

Psychological horror Father of Flies, will have its UK Physical Premiere at Raindance Film Festival on 6th November.

Shot in Suffern - upstate New York, the film stars Camilla Rutherford (Gosford Park, Phantom Thread), Sandra Andreis (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Davi Santos (Tell Me a Story), Page Ruth (Shameless), and Nicholas Tucci, the star of cult horror film 'You're Next' who unfortunately has since passed away. This was one of the final films Nicholas had completed on.

The film is written and directed by Ben Charles Edwards who The British Film Institute said 'has crafted distinctive, admirable work that seems to have emerged from the unseen margins of British cinema.' He was also recently nominated for 'The Discovery Award' 'Outstanding Achievement in Craft' and 'Newcomer Discovery Award' at the British Independent Film Awards.

Co-written by Edwards' writing partner Nadia Doherty, the film is based on a story Edwards had written as a child, a haunting tale of family life. A vulnerable young boy finds his mother pushed out of the family home by a strange new woman, and he must confront the terrifying supernatural forces that seem to move in with her.

Father of Flies will have Physical Premiere at Raindance Film Festival with a general UK release in 2022

Watch Trailer

Friday, 22 October 2021

Bella Thorne stars in new thriller HABIT Coming to Digital Download 22nd November

Habit, will be coming to all major digital download platforms from 22nd November.

Habit, the directorial debut for Janell Shirtcliff, showcases an incredible cast throughout the film. It features performances from model and actress Bella Thorne (Midnight Sun, Shake It Up!), as well as Michael Jackson's daughter and American Horror Story star Paris Jackson and Bush's lead singer Gavin Rossdale.

When a drug deal goes wrong, street smart party girl Mads (Bella Thorne) and her best friends find a possible way out by masquerading as nuns...

Watch Trailer at

REVIEW: Energy Cycle Edge on Nintendo Switch

Some years ago, a simple puzzle game was released called Energy Cycle, well Energy Cycle Edge is a sequel to that game, if you played the original, then this new version will feel instantly familiar. The concept is the same as the original. You have different coloured "cells", when you activate one it changes colour, along with all adjacent cells in the same line as the one you activated. The aim is to make all cells on the screen the same colour, sounds easy right? WRONG. Think of how you would solve a Rubiks Cube, now instead of just having 9 blocks on one side to worry about, you have many more. Just when you think you have Energy Cycle Edge mastered, you will face a more complicated puzzle.

Not only will you have a number of cells to activate on one side, things go fully three dimensional in Energy Cycle Edge, and you can change to a different side. Again, think of a Rubiks Cube and you get the idea.

Read Full Review at

Tuesday, 19 October 2021

REVIEW: Dune 2021 - Starring Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem

Dune is the kind of film that you will enjoy more on a second watching. I say that because the film itself is quite disjointed, and the characters in general are quite unlikeable, and the two characters you will take an interest in, those being Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban, and Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho, aren't in the film that much. I don't understand why you would have such big name actors, and then not really use them.

If you are unaware of the Dune story, Timothée Chalamet plays Paul Atreides, the heir of House Atreides. A brilliant and gifted young man, destined for great things. He has to travel to a dangerous desert planet called Arrakis, also known as Dune. This planet has a substance on it called "Melange", also known as "Spice". This is a drug that can give humans longer life spans, and increase brain capacity.

The drug is collected by huge machines that scrape the planets surface, of course life isn't so easy and there are giant sand worms that are a constant threat, as well as deadly storms.

After a betrayal Paul and Lady Jessica, played by the gorgeous Rebecca Ferguson cross the desert to find the Fremen, natives of the planet Arrakis who they hope will help them.

Read full review at

Monday, 18 October 2021

REVIEW: Halloween Kills

Review by Jon Donnis
Michael Myers is back! Sadly he is back in a paint by numbers, generic cash in of the Halloween franchise.

Nothing is added to the story of Michael. The kills are nothing special. It's not very scary.

You'll watch it once and forget about it.

Poor 5/10

Synopsis
Minutes after Laurie Strode (Curtis), her daughter Karen (Judy Greer) and granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) left masked monster Michael Myers caged and burning in Laurie's basement, Laurie is rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, believing she finally killed her lifelong tormentor.

But when Michael manages to free himself from Laurie's trap, his ritual bloodbath resumes. As Laurie fights her pain and prepares to defend herself against him, she inspires all of Haddonfield to rise up against their unstoppable monster.

The Strode women join a group of other survivors of Michael's first rampage who decide to take matters into their own hands, forming a vigilante mob that sets out to hunt Michael down, once and for all.

Evil dies tonight

Michael Caine will receive this year’s Raindance Icon Award

Academy Award, BAFTA and BIFA winning actor Michael Caine will receive this year's Raindance Icon Award as part of the 29th Raindance Film Festival. It's a double cause for celebration, as the festival is set to open 27 October with the gala UK theatrical premiere of Michael Caine's latest film, BEST SELLERS (dir: Lina Roessler, Canada), in which he stars alongside Aubrey Plaza as a cranky retired author who reluctantly embarks on a final book tour to help out a young publisher. Best Sellers will have a Raindance gala screening at Curzon Mayfair, followed by a party at The Dorchester.

Born in Rotherhithe, south-east London in 1933, Michael Caine is a bona fide film legend. He's one of just a handful of actors nominated for an Academy Award for acting in five consecutive decades, winning Oscars for Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2000 Birthday Honours List in recognition for his contributions to the cinema.

Full Details at

REVIEW: Happenlance on PC (Steam)

Happenlance is a pole-vaulting, jousting, climbing, fighting game.

When you first start to play Happenlance, your first thought will be that this is just another climbing game, using your jousting lance to pole vault yourself and get as high as possible, and yes that is a major part of the game, but as you complete levels you will realise that there is much more to the game than just reaching as high as possible.

As well as climbing mountains, and buildings, you will also face traps that need to be avoided, seemingly impossible climbs that will need you to pick up or throw objects like boxes or balls, which you can then use as a base to fling yourself up high. You will also come across enemies trying to shoot arrows at you, a nice firm stab with your pole will take care of them. You can even defend yourself from the flying arrows by using your pole to knock them out of the air.

Read More at

REVIEW: Journey - PS4

Journey is a hard to describe game, but "Indie-Adventure" seems to be the common description used. Co-developed by Thatgamecompany and Santa Monica Studio, it was originally released on PS3 back in March 2012, and then re-released in July 2015 for the PS4. It has since been ported to Windows and iOS in 2019.

You play as a mysterious robed figure, you find yourself in a huge desert, the only thing you know to do is head towards a mountain in the distance. You will see other players also on their own journey, but you can't communicate with them. As you play you will soon figure out that you need to "activate" seemingly dull pieces of cloth, into vibrant colourful ones. You will collect things that will allow you to jump, and almost fly for short periods, you will run along desert landscapes, and then find yourself almost surfing down the other side of a hill. When I say it is hard to describe, it really is.

Read More at

Doctor Who series 13 guest actors and monsters revealed

The trail for the show's thirteenth series, entitled Doctor Who: Flux, has revealed a first look at the guest actors and monsters that will feature across the six-episode serial.

Joining cast members Jodie Whittaker, Mandip Gill, John Bishop and Jacob Anderson are:

Robert Bathurst (Cold Feet, Toast Of London, Downton Abbey), Thaddea Graham (The Irregulars, Us), Blake Harrison (The Inbetweeners, A Very English Scandal, World On Fire), Kevin McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean, Designated Survivor, Downton Abbey), Craig Parkinson (Line of Duty, Intergalactic, The English Game), Sara Powell (Unforgotten, Damned), Annabel Scholey (The Split, Britannia), Gerald Kyd (Cold Feet, Britannia) and Penelope Ann McGhie (The Crown, Harry Potter).

The trail also offered a preview of returning monsters - Sontarans, Weeping Angels, Cybermen, and the Ood, as well as a range of new monsters, one of whom is named Karvanista.

Matt Strevens, Executive Producer, says: "I can't wait for the audience to come on the Flux ride with us. It's our biggest adventure yet with so many brilliant new characters to fall in love with. We had a blast making it."

Robert Bathurst says: "People say Doctor Who is science fiction. Fiction? No it's all real, and it's as scary to do as it looks. Great to be part of it."

Thaddea Graham says: "The whole cast/ crew welcomed me with open arms into the iconic Doctor Who family of which it is an absolute privilege to be part of. It's a real honour to share the magic of this universe with them and, of course, our wonderful audience this October!"

Blake Harrison says: "It's a pleasure to be a part of this huge show that has such a passionate fan base! I hope all the Doctor Who fans enjoy the new series and my role in it."

Kevin McNally says: "I am thrilled to be helping the Doctor put the universe to rights in the latest season of Doctor Who."

Craig Parkinson says: ''I feel tremendously lucky to have joined the Doctor Who family this season. Chris' scripts are witty, intelligent and full of light and shade, making my job as an actor extremely enjoyable! My son loves the show and as long as he gives me his seal of approval I'll know I've done it justice!"

Sara Powell says: "A role in Doctor Who is top of any actors wish list. To say I leapt at the chance is something of an understatement. Working with Jodie Whittaker - an iconic Doctor and actor - was also on my list. She was a legend. As were the cast and crew: indoors, outdoors, in winter, in Wales in the rain and mud, everyone wearing masks and being tested every 5 minutes: I loved stepping onto their ship and riding with them for a while."

Annabel Scholey says: "I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of the 13th series of Doctor Who. It was a lot of fun to film and I enjoyed every minute I spent with the amazing cast and crew...Halloween will be that little bit more spooky this year!"

Gerald Kyd says: "I absolutely adored being a part of such an iconic show. There's nothing like it. The history, the stories, the utter devotion of the fanbase. I am honoured to now count Doctor Who as a credit. Oh, and the highlight amongst highlights was working with the wonderful, hilarious and irrepressible Jodie Whittaker."

Penelope McGhie says: "Doctor Who was a total joy to work on. Everyone was so welcoming and generous that I really felt part of the team. Having watched the show from behind the sofa over fifty years ago, and then again with our daughter when the series was revived, I can't believe how lucky I am to be part of the adventure!"

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Monday, 11 October 2021

REVIEW: World CHAMPIONS: Decathlon

Back in 1983 we were introduced to a game called Track and Field. Fast forward to 2021 and we have World CHAMPIONS: Decathlon. A true homage to not only Track and Field, but all of the Olympic type sports arcade games of the 80s.

The graphics are full retro style, and the sounds are as if you were stood in an arcade in the 80s.
We are back to button bashing greatness.

There are ten events to choose from, which you can take part in one at a time, as well as all ten in succession in the Decathlon mode.

You have...100 metres, Long jump, Shot put, High jump, 400 metres, 110 metres hurdles, Discus throw, Pole vault, Javelin throw and 1500 metres.

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REVIEW: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024 Film) - Starring Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey and Keanu Reeves

"Sonic the Hedgehog 3" delivers an action-packed and entertaining experience, successfully building on the strengths of its pred...