Celebrity Juice Cancelled!

After an incredible 26 series on ITV2, the multi award-winning Celebrity Juice is going out on a high! The outrageous, channel defining panel-show which has been hosted for 14 years by the one and only Keith Lemon, is to conclude later this year with two fantastic farewell specials celebrating all of Juice's maddest moments.

The BAFTA and National Television Award-winning programme, which has almost 300 episodes, has seen Keith playing the craziest games and sharing the biggest laughs on-camera with stars like Ed Sheeran, Pamela Anderson, and Will Mellor. Celebrity Juice was founded by Keith and the original team captains Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton back in 2008. In season 24, the amazing Emily Atack and Laura Whitmore assumed the role permanently, but Juice had a fantastic cast of team captains prior to that, including Gino D'Acampo, Mel B, Paddy McGuinness, and Kelly Brook.

Keith Lemon said:
"I remember doing the first episode thinking wow that was fun! In the V/O in opening titles I said it was the best telly show on telly. Whatever you thought of it, it was definitely the best fun making it. An amazing team, and amazing guests, but all good things must come to an end. I'll miss it, and everyone so much, but on to the next chapter and I look forward to going out in style on the specials! All t' best and good luck with ya business!"

REVIEW: Turbo Cola (2022) - Stars Samantha Oty, Luke Covert and Matthew Kiskis

Turbo Cola is set right before the millennium in 1999, a time I remember well. The film starts with a TV report talking about what the 21st Century will bring, and straight away for those old enough, you get a feeling of nostalgia and a hope that this film will take you back to forgotten time before Smart Phones and Social Media.

Austin, (played by Nicholas Stoesser) works at the Quality Mart gas station, he has decided he wants to rob the ATM there, and along with his friend Swearsky, (played by Jared Spears), they start to plan how they are going to do it. Austin talks about his dream of moving to New York for Mary Jane, (played by Jordyn Denning) who will start University there soon. Because they plan to rob the ATM on NYE of the Millenium, it means they are going to miss the party of a lifetime.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-turbo-cola-2022-stars-samantha.html

REVIEW: I Saw Black Clouds on PC (Steam)

I have reviewed a few FMV (Full-motion video) games in the past, and I am back once again with I Saw Black Clouds.

If you have never played a FMV game before, think of it more as an interactive movie, whereby you make decisions for the main character in the film, and that will result in different outcomes, meaning that once you have finished playing, you can start again, make different choices and not just see different scenes, but also a completely different ending.

I Saw Black Clouds is a story about Kristina who has just found out about the unexpected death of a close friend. She travels back to her home town to find answers, but as she does, she uncovers a string of dark secrets, and those secrets turn out to be way scarier than she could ever have imagined.

Part supernatural horror and part psychological thriller, the game plays a bit like one of those feature length dramas you get on ITV late at night. The difference of course being that you the viewer can help choose the path the main character takes.

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2022/06/review-i-saw-black-clouds-on-pc-steam.html

REVIEW: Crawlspace (2022) - Starring Henry Thomas, Bradley Stryker and C. Ernst Harth

I have had Crawlspace queued up for a while now, but didn't have chance to see it until now, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.

Crawlspace is a survival crime thriller, starring Henry Thomas as a plumber called Robert, in his day-to-day life, with his wife Carrie (Played by Olivia Taylor Dudley) and super cute young baby, he finds himself being taken advantage of by people, who use him, and don't pay him the money he is owed for work. He is your classic working-class underdog.

One day while working in the crawlspace under a house, he witnesses a murder by two men, Sterling (played by Bradley Stryker) and Dooley (C. Ernst Harth). They are a couple of criminals searching for a hidden stash of money at the house.

When Robert sees the murder, he needs to find a way to keep hidden, while also trying to escape the killers as they find themselves in something of a standoff.  

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-crawlspace-2022-starring-henry.html

REVIEW: Jurassic World Dominion (2022) - Starring T-Rex, Velociraptor and Allosaurus

We have another big Hollywood Blockbuster to review, this time it is Jurassic World Dominion, which is seemingly the third in the Jurassic World trilogy and 6th movie in the franchise altogether.

To be brutally honest, I was not a fan of the Jurassic World films, I think the franchise should have been left alone after the first two Jurassic Park films. After them, everything just seemed too obvious, and lacking in originality.

Jurassic World Dominion is set four years after the cataclysmic volcanic eruption on Isla Nublar and the Lockwood Estate incident. Now dinosaurs freely roam the world, and as you can imagine this is causing all manner of problems, causing ecological disasters, as well as native species being attacked and destroyed.

In the Dolomite Mountains in Italy, Biosyn Genetics has established a dinosaur sanctuary where they conduct genetic research on Dinosaurs, using that research for pharmacological and agronomic purposes. Think Pfizer and Bill Gates and you get the idea of the kind of evil you are dealing with.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-jurassic-world-dominion-2022.html

REVIEW: Hustle (2022) - Starring Adam Sandler, Queen Latifah, Ben Foster and Juancho Hernangómez

After a down-on-his-luck basketball scout discovers an extraordinary player abroad, he brings the phenom back without his team's approval.

I genuinely can't remember the last rags to riches sports film I have seen, so when I saw "Hustle" pop up, I thought I would give it a look, plus it stars Adam Sandler who I happen to think is great.

Now I am not a big basketball fan, and other than a few very big names, (Shaq, Lebron and Magic Johnson) I couldn't really tell you who was who, and which team was the best. So I come to this film purely as a casual viewer, and not a fan of the sport.

Adam Sandler stars as NBA scout Stanley Sugerman, who scouts for the Philadelphia 76ers, his life mainly consists of him being on the road constantly looking for the stars of tomorrow. While the owner of Philadelphia 76ers Rex Merrick (Robert Duvall) likes him, Merrick's son and co-owner Vincent (Ben Foster) seems to clash with Stanley on a philosophical level when it comes to the game.

Due to the toll that the travel is having on his home life, Rex promotes Stanley to assistant coach, which means he can spend more time at home with his wife Teresa (Queen Latifah) and his daughter Alex (Jordan Hull), but just as he does that Rex passes away and his son is left in charge. Three months later and Vincent demotes Stanley back to the scout position, and sends him overseas to find a new star for the team.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-hustle-2022-starring-adam.html

NEWS: Crucible of the Vampire gets a 2022 Directors Cut Release!

Ghost Dog Films, the British independent film and video game company has released a new version of their award nominated retro-style gothic thriller Crucible of the Vampire.

The 2022 Director's Cut features new footage and a remastered soundtrack of the imaginative British gothic chiller which has strong echoes of Tigon, Hammer and M R James ghost stories. With the launch of a new trailer to support the 2022 Director's Cut, it can now be viewed on Amazon Prime and AVOD Streaming channels including Tubi, Plex and Google TV.

Theatrically released in the UK through Showcase cinemas in early 2019, Crucible of the Vampire was then released via UK Home Entertainment and nominated for Best Thriller at the National UK Film Awards 2020.

More details at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/news-crucible-of-vampire-gets-2022.html

REVIEW: The Spy Who Never Dies (2022) - Starring Paul O’Brien, Georgia Walters, Kristy Wordsworth, Teressa Liane, Hafedh Dakhlaoui and Cassandra Magrath

We are back once again, and this time we have an action/rom-com/spy/thriller for you. The Spy Who Never Dies is directed by Corey Pearson and stars Paul O'Brien in the lead role as Brad an international spy who falls in love with a veterinarian, while the world around him is falling apart..

Clearly this film is a bit of a spoof on James Bond, and from pretty much the first moment, you will realise that it does not take itself at all too seriously.

The film starts with Brad meeting with his boss, he is sick of the spy life, he is starting to feel like he is no more than just a run of the mill assassin, so he wants out, he wants to lead a normal life, with no guns, no bad guys, no saving the world.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-spy-who-never-dies-2022-starring.html

REVIEW: White Elephant (2022) - Starring Michael Rooker, Bruce Willis, Olga Kurylenko and John Malkovich

Is this my 5th or 6th Bruce Willis film review this year? The last few times I was certain it would be the last ever new Bruce Willis release due to his recent health diagnosis, but here we are again.

This time we have something of a star-studded cast for White Elephant.

Michael Rooker (a regular in Bruce Willis films this year) plays Gabriel Tancredi, and he is the lead character in the film, as you know by now Bruce Willis in maybe his last 10 films has played more of a cameo type of role.

Tancredi is an enforcer for mob boss Arnold Solomon, (played by Bruce Willis), he has Carlos Garcia (Vadhir Derbez) deal with a rival of Solomon. As he blows him up, it just so happens that a couple of cops Vanessa Flynn (Olga Kurylenko) and Walter Koschek (Michael Rose) are tailing him and witness the explosion. Garcia escapes, but realising that the cops saw him, Solomon gives him 48 hours to take them out. Koschek is easy enough but Flynn quickly becomes a problem.

At this point you would think that the film would centre on Vanessa Flynn, a cop formerly in the military and suffering with PTSD from her deployment in Afghanistan, but instead it centres on Tancredi, as he takes care of another rival, and does the bidding of Solomon, eventually Tancredi's conscience catches up with him, mainly due to the death of his wife, he turns on Solomon and sort of partners with Flynn.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-white-elephant-2022-starring.html

Interview with Chris Sivertson, director of Monstrous

Ahead of the UK digital release of his feature film MONSTROUS, writer / director Chris Sivertson talks about the joy of working with Christina Ricci, monstrous inspirations and why horror films are our modern-day fairy tales.

What drew you to take the helm on MONSTROUS, given that you usually direct films you've either written or co-written?

Christina Ricci was already attached to the script when it came to me so that was a huge draw. I've loved her as an actress for decades and have always admired the interesting choices she makes in material. Then I got even more excited when I read the script. I just thought it was a beautiful and emotional story and it clicked perfectly with my sensibilities. I saw pretty clearly what I could bring to it as a filmmaker.

You drew a magnificent performance from Christina Ricci. What was it like directing her?

I had a fantastic time working with Christina. She has extensive experience and is such a great talent. Her instincts about the character were deeply intuitive. It's an intense role because the material is pretty heavy. And on a practical level it was very demanding because she is essentially in every scene of the movie. It's a true character study and the character is put through an emotional rollercoaster. Christina is able to delve into deep and dark emotions very quickly and then she's able to let go of those feelings just as quickly - at least that's how it seemed from my perspective. That ability of hers made for a very enjoyable working experience. Even when we were dealing with some pretty depressing stuff, her professionalism and wicked sense of humour kept things fun on set. That was important because we had so many logistical challenges in making a pretty ambitious low budget movie during the height of the pandemic. The crew loved her.

Full Interview at

http://www.mastersofhorror.co.uk/2022/06/interview-with-chris-sivertson-director.html

REVIEW: IP Man The Awakening (2022)

In what seems like an endless series of TV shows and Films to feature IP Man, we are once again back with Ip Man, most famously portrayed by legendary actor Donnie Yen in the first 4 films, and then Dennis To in Ip Man: Kung Fu Master, we have a new actor taking on the role, this time it is Tse Miu, or is that Miu Tse, Mo Tse, Tze Miu, Xia Miao, Xie Miao. Look, his name in Chinese is 謝苗, and he seems to have multiple names when translated into English. Anyway, despite being only a few years younger than Dennis To, Tse Miu is seemingly playing a much younger version of Ip Man.

Set in the 1930s, Ip Man finds himself visiting Hong Kong for the first time, and this is a British run Hong Kong, so the Brits are firmly portrayed as the bad guys here. Brits are rounding up young Chinese women as part of a giant human trafficking ring. They have paid off the Hong Kong police and the locals don't seem to care too much as they are getting in on the action too.

One day Ip Man intervenes when he sees a kidnapping attempt, and by doing so inserts himself right in the middle of trouble and a head on collision with those evil Brits. The bad guys kidnap a friend of his, and now he has to challenge the top guy in a brutal fight, and see whose Kung Fu is best!

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-ip-man-awakening-2022.html

REVIEW: Memory (2022) - Starring Liam Neeson, Guy Pearce and Monica Bellucci

Directed by Martin Campbell, Memory is the latest film to feature Liam Neeson as a man with a very particular set of skills.

Liam Neeson stars as an aging hitman with early onset dementia who must go on the run after declining a contract on a young girl.

No one has been typecast in their career more than Liam Neeson I think it is fair to say. But despite being 70, he manages to still seem credible in such parts.

The film starts with Alex Lewis (played by Neeson) living in Mexico, he is a contract killer, but he is suffering from early onset Dementia. Alex also has a brother who is a resident at a nursing home in El Paso due to his dementia

Alex works for Davana Sealman (Monica Bellucci). He is given the job of taking out Ellis Van Camp, an El Paso man who is a builder for the Texas Central Processing Facility.

Full review at 

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-memory-2022-starring-liam-neeson.html

REVIEW: Interceptor (2022) - Starring Elsa Pataky and Luke Bracey

I had heard a bit about Interceptor, and how it was the worst film ever released on Netflix, the critics all hated it, and it had been panned everywhere.

So of course, I had to watch it, and I am glad I did. I loved the film.

The basic premise of the film is that terrorists attack a remote offshore missile interceptor platform that could stop their missiles, an officer (Elsa Pataky) defends the facility and tries to stop the end of the world.

In an age where strong, female leads either don't exist, or are pushed in a super woke way that just puts off the audience, Interceptor succeeds with a simple kick ass lead in Elsa Pataky as Captain J.J. Collins.

The United States apparently has two "Interceptor" sites, that exist for the sole purpose of shooting down any nuclear missile attacks on the US. Fort Greely in Alaska and remote platform in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-interceptor-2022-starring-elsa.html

REVIEW: Blast Brigade vs. Evil Legion of Dr. Cread on Nintendo Switch

Blast Brigade vs. Evil Legion of Dr. Cread comes from Allods Team Arcade and published by MY.GAMES.

The game is a classic style 2D side scrolling platform game in the style of Metal Slug, for any of you old school gamers.

Inspired by 1980's action films, you find yourself trying to save the world, using an array of weapons and bombs to help you along the way.

The game has its tongue set very firmly in its cheek, and this sets the stage for what is a very fun and action packed game.

You start off watching a cinematic of a plane being blown up, the Pilot and a Scientist grab a parachute and jump, while Jeff is asleep in the back of the plane, Jeff wakes up, grabs his gun and plummets to the island below.

As you explore the island, you will collect coins that will help you upgrade your weapons and abilities, as well as collect grenades, and eventually assemble a team that will help you as you fight the weird and wonderful enemies that the island is full of.

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2022/06/review-blast-brigade-vs-evil-legion-of.html

REVIEW: Seize the Night (2022) - Starring Nina Bergman, Pasha Gerard and Jonathan Erickson Eisley

Originally known as Carpe Noctem, Seize the Night is the latest film to star Nina Bergman, who in recent years has been making quite the impact.

Over the course of one night, a whirlwind romance between a drug dealer and a mysterious singer takes them on a collision course with a dangerous mind-control drug.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-seize-night-2022-starring-nina.html

REVIEW: Torn Hearts (2022) - Stars Katey Sagal, Abby Quinn and Alexxis Lemire

One complaint I often get is that I don't review enough Country and Western Horror films! Well today I will do just that with Torn Hearts made and released by Blumhouse Television and EPIX

Torn Hearts is something of a cautionary tale, about why you should perhaps not meet your heroes. Set in the world-famous Nashville Country Music scene, two young women are trying to make it big. Jordan (Abby Quinn) and Leigh (Alexxis Lemire), perform as a duo under the name Torn Hearts. After performing on stage, they catch the eye of a "bigwig" in the industry and they are introduced by their manager.

Growing up the women were big fans of a Country act known as The Dutchess Sisters, so when they have the chance to record with the remaining living member of that duo, Harper Dutch (Katey Sagal), they jump at the chance.

Dutch lives alone, and hasn't released any new music in many years. When the women arrive at her house, things immediately seem a bit off, Harper Dutch does seem keen to record with them though, but not before she makes them jump through some hoops.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-torn-hearts-2022.html

REVIEW: Dual (2022) - Starring Karen Gillan, Beulah Koale, Theo James and Aaron Paul

I've liked Karen Gillan since she played Amy Pond in Doctor Who and then more recently in the Guardians of the Galaxy films. So, when I heard about Dual, a sci-fi film about clones, I jumped at the chance to see it.

The film opens with a scene in a sports field, with two men fighting each other to the death, with an audience and a cameraman watching. One of the men stabs the other and as we pan out, we realise that the man on the floor looks identical to the man who just killed him. We quickly learn that the "double" (clone) won the fight, and the original is dead.

Set in what I assume is the near future, Sarah (played by Karen Gillan) is in a dull relationship with her boyfriend Peter (Beulah Koale), she is depressed and is drinking too much.  One day after a bad dream, she wakes up to blood all over her pillow and bed. She goes to the hospital and after vomiting more blood, she gets seen by a Doctor. After initial tests she is informed that she is ill and should go home and rest. Over Zoom, Peter informs her that she mistakenly gave his details to the Doctor, and that he has been told that she has a terminal disease. After going back to the Doctor and having it confirmed to her that she has 0% chance of survival, she arranges to have a clone of herself created, so that when she dies her clone can replace her, and then her loved ones wouldn't have to deal with the pain of losing her.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-dual-2022-starring-karen-gillan.html

REVIEW: Disney Speedstorm PC - Beta Test

I was invited to try the new Disney Speedstorm Closed Beta Test on PC. I kind of wish I wasn't now.

Speedstorm is made by Gameloft, and runs pretty similar in style to other Gameloft games like Asphalt 8 and so on. The basic model of the game is free, but there are lots of micro transactions. But as with the other Gameloft games, you can still play it without paying, but you might be limited to how many times before your energy runs out etc.

At first look you may think this is a Mario Kart style game, but for PC, well get that out of your head. Even though you might drive "Karts", this is very much a Mobile style game.

You play the game on circuits inspired by Disney and Pixar worlds, and you can play with a collection of characters from those franchises. The biggest name of which is Mickey Mouse. And yes, you have to put up with his god-awful voice too.

Some of the levels include the docks from Pirates of the Caribbean's Pirates Island and the wilds of The Jungle Book's Jungle Ruins map.

The game will run in "Seasons" with new content and challenges dropping with each new season release.

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2022/06/review-disney-speedstorm-pc-beta-test.html

REVIEW: Black Site (2022) - Starring Michelle Monaghan, Jason Clarke & Jai Courtney

The last time I can recall seeing Michelle Monaghan in anything, was TV show Messiah, which sadly was cancelled after one season, well she is back now and leading the cast in new thriller Black Site.

Michelle Monaghan plays Abigail "Abby" Trent, she works as a CIA analyst. She recently lost her family to a terrorist attack in Istanbul, Turkey, and is still coming to terms with such a loss. Despite this she decides she needs to get back to work, so she can find out who was behind the attack.

Abby soon finds herself stationed at a secret underground black site facility that imprisons the worst criminals and the highest risk terrorists. Just before her new assignment is to begin, a special ops group bring in "Hatchet Meyers", played by Jason Clarke. He is notorious for the way he tortures and brutally murders his enemies, and Abby soon realises he is the one behind the attack that killed her husband and daughter.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-black-site-2022-starring.html

REVIEW: Black Crab a.k.a. Svart krabba (2022) Starring Noomi Rapace, Aliette Opheim and Dar Salim

What better viewing than a Swedish action thriller on a Thursday afternoon! Noomi Rapace leads in Svart krabba, or Black Crap for you non-Swedish speakers.

"In a post-apocalyptic world, six soldiers on a covert mission must transport a mysterious package across a frozen archipelago."

Always in a post-apocalyptic world! Oh well.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-black-crab-aka-svart-krabba-2022.html

REVIEW: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022) - Starring Nicolas Cage & Pedro Pascal

Nicolas Cage stars as...Nicolas Cage in the action-comedy, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent… Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, the fictionalized version of Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous superfan (Pedro Pascal).

Things take a wildly unexpected turn when Cage is recruited by a CIA operative (#TiffanyHaddish) and forced to live up to his own legend, channelling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters in order to save himself and his loved ones.

With a career built for this very moment, the seminal award-winning actor must take on the role of a lifetime: Nicolas Cage.

Read Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-unbearable-weight-of-massive.html

REVIEW: Lord of the Streets - Starring Anthony 'Treach' Criss, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson and Khalil Rountree Jr.

Jason Dyson (Anthony 'Treach' Criss) is a former MMA fighter, he quit after killing his opponent in the ring, and now he has a gambling and drinking problem, his wife and kid want nothing to do with him, so his life has pretty much hit rock bottom.

When he refuses to make his prized fighter throw an MMA match, notorious gangster Kane (Quinton Jackson) decides to collects his debt by killing the fighter and kidnapping Jason's daughter Stacy (Chanda Am). To get his daughter back he has to train a prisoner to win five fights in a row in an underground MMA cage.

The film comes across as a run of the mill, paint by numbers type of film, you have the former fighter whose life has hit rock bottom, a family who want nothing to do with him, but he still loves, and the big gangster wanting payment for a debt. It is all standard stuff

Full Review

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-lord-of-streets-starring-anthony.html

REVIEW: Vesper: Zero Light Edition on Nintendo Switch

Vesper: Zero Light Edition is a side scrolling 2D platformer, first thought really was that it reminded me of Abe's Oddysee.

You play as an android called Seven, (Not quite Borg, but they could have used a different name perhaps). Seven is lost on a weird planet and you start with no powers, weapons, or really any way to defeat enemies, so at first you will need to use stealth to get past your enemies, luckily you will eventually get hold of the "Drive Gun", a weapon that can absorb light, create darkness and control minds, so at least now you have a chance. You use the gun in a few different ways, you can absorb light which then creates a dark spot which you can hide in, to avoid enemies. Then you can use that absorbed light and transfer it into machines which will allow you to open doors/portals, or activate traps etc.

The levels themselves act as a puzzle to solve, which when you get the drive gun, the game turns from stealth to action, and then that is the main way to solve said puzzles.

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2022/06/review-vesper-zero-light-edition-on.html

REVIEW: What Is a Woman? - A Documentary by Matt Walsh

So, I heard that critics are refusing to watch What Is a Woman, A Documentary by Matt Walsh, the reasoning they claim is that Matt is transphobic and that the Documentary is cruel and offensive. I suspect the reality is that these "film critics" fear the "woke mob" and extremist Trans activists might call them naughty words, so are staying well away.

However, I have been taking on the very worst in society for over 20 years, so I am always willing to give anyone a chance, and deal with the consequences that come with it.

The question of "What Is a Woman?" would have seemed silly to ask just 5 or 10 years ago, the answer of course being a simple one, a woman is an adult human female. If you wanted to get more scientific, I read the following online which seemed pretty clear.

"Typically, women have two X chromosomes and are capable of pregnancy and giving birth from puberty until menopause. Female anatomy is distinguished from male anatomy by the female reproductive system, which includes the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and vulva. The adult female pelvis is wider, the hips broader, and the breasts larger than that of adult males. Women have significantly less facial and other body hair, have a higher body fat composition, and are on average shorter and less muscular than men."

Unfortunately, in the modern era, the whole discussion of what is a woman, has become political nightmare. In part due to the fact that people don't want to be accused of being a bigot, and also the fear of being attacked by an increasingly violent and extremist activist group.

Full Review

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-what-is-woman-documentary-by.html

REVIEW: Souldiers on PS5

Souldiers is a 2D side scrolling adventure platform game.

The game starts off with a nice cartoon intro, and once you start the game proper you choose a class for your hero.

"Unleash the fury of your sword with the Scout, summon the wrath of elements with the Caster, or rain down arrows on your foes with the Archer."

The game will instantly remind you of some of the classic SNES games, both in looks and sounds.

The story is as follows

"While out fighting for the glory of their kingdom, you and your fellow soldiers are whisked away to Terragaya, a mystical land on the fringes of the afterlife. Your task is to locate the Guardian and move on to the next world. The hitch? You and your compatriots never actually died."

The complete your goals you will need to "slash, parry and dodge" through enemy after enemy, explore, and talk to other characters, and as you go you will be able to upgrade your skills and improve your equipment. You can dodge with rolls, and block your enemy, as well as jump out of the way too. All pretty standard combat stuff.

The fighting itself is decent, and the learning curve is just on the right side of tough.

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2022/06/review-souldiers-on-ps5.html

REVIEW: Ambulance (2022) - Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Eiza González

Ambulance is one of those films that comes out of nowhere, I saw no promotion for this film, no PR team got in contact with me, I had no idea it existed, and when I saw it Prime video, I thought I would give it a look. I thought it would be another low budget film. However, this film had a moderate budget of about $40m, is directed by Michael Bay who is known for outstanding action scenes, and has big name actor Jake Gyllenhaal in it.

Ambulance is based on a 2005 Danish film of the same name by Laurits Munch-Petersen and Lars Andreas Pedersen. The basic story sees two adoptive siblings turned bank robbers who hijack an ambulance and take two first responders' hostage.

War Vet Will Sharp, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is in need of $230k for his wife's surgery, he reaches out to his adoptive brother Danny Sharp, played by Jake Gyllenhaal for help. Danny convinces Will to help with a $32m bank heist, although reluctant at first Will realises that this would help solve all his problems and agrees.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/06/review-ambulance-2022-starring-jake.html

REVIEW: Remote Life on Nintendo Switch

Remote Life is a side scrolling, 2D shooter, now as someone who grew up on R-Type, I have played countless shooters over the years, so how does Remote Life match up? Let's find out.

You find yourself taking on bio-mechanical type creatures which do in fact look quite similar to some of the aliens in R-Type, you play in a space setting as Pilot John Leone, your job is to save humanity, apparently single handedly, which doesn't seem very fair, but that is where we are.

You will have to complete 16 missions, and to do that you will need skill, guile and a nice collection of weapons (over 18 apparently).

The first big difference you will notice between this game and others of the genre is the twin stick control method. At first this will feel strange as classically in side scrolling shooters, you pretty much fire straight ahead, or straight behind, depending on the weapon you have. But in Remote Life you have directional control over where you fire. This can help you take out the enemy from all angles.

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2022/05/review-remote-life-on-nintendo-switch.html

REVIEW: Top Gun: Maverick (2022) - Starring Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris & Val Kilmer

It may have taken 36 years, but we finally have a sequel to legendary film Top Gun. And with Tom Cruise about a month away from turning 60, I was interested to see if he still "had it".

The film's basic premise follows Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell's return to the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program (also known as "Top Gun"), where he must confront his past as he trains a group of younger fighter pilots, among them the son of Maverick's deceased best friend Nick "Goose" Bradshaw.

The film starts off with Maverick (Tom Cruise) serving as a US Navy Test Pilot. We have the classic story of someone avoiding promotion so they can keep doing the job they love; I am thinking Captain Kirk straight away!

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2022/05/review-top-gun-maverick-2022-starring.html

REVIEW: Pretty Girls Escape on PC (Steam)

Followers of the site will know that I have reviewed a fair few of the "Pretty Girls" franchise releases, and I am glad to say I have another release to talk about today. This is the 16th Pretty Girls title. And as with all of the Pretty Girls releases the format is a simple one, take a classic game, give it a fresh coat of paint, a few new gameplay options, and add Japanese anime style girls to the product. It is a simple format that seems to work almost every time. And I always seem to find myself scoring these games quite highly, so will Pretty Girls Escape keep a strong run of good games going? Read on to find out.

The game itself is a simple block falling puzzle game. The aim is to eliminate blocks of the same colour, (you can click on 2 or more blocks to make them disappear) and as you eliminate the blocks, a larger character block will drop. Get the character block to the bottom of the playable area, and to an exit.

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2022/05/review-pretty-girls-escape-on-pc-steam.html

REVIEW: Red Wings: American Aces on Nintendo Switch

Red Wings: American Aces is set in World War 1, and from the moment you start the game you can tell a lot of care has been put into making the game look rather special.

The game itself is centred around 3D dogfighting, you control a WW1 aircraft, and in pure arcade style you need to take out the enemy.

There are 3 main modes, Online, Local and Campaign.

Online mode will have you fighting against others (maximum of 9) in pure dogfighting action, Last Man Standing, Score Battle, or Time Battle. You can even pick teams and battle against other teams online.

Local mode has you doing the same as Online mode, but against one other opponent, that being against another human player, or a CPU controlled opponent.

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2022/05/review-red-wings-american-aces-on.html