REVIEW: Confidential Informant (2023) - Starring Mel Gibson, Kate Bosworth, Nick Stahl and Dominic Purcell

In this gripping crime thriller featuring Mel Gibson, the story revolves around two narcotics agents on a mission to apprehend a cop killer amid a crack epidemic. In their pursuit of leads, Moran (played by Dominic Purcell) and Thorton (portrayed by Nick Stahl) resort to bribing a junkie informant. To secure a future for his wife (Kate Bosworth) and son, Moran involves the informant in a dangerous plot.

One day, while playing catch with his son, Moran suddenly collapses in agony. His wife, Anna, urges him to seek medical attention. However, Moran has already consulted three doctors, all of whom have diagnosed him with stomach cancer and given him a limited time to live. Coincidentally, Frank (played by John Cassini), another police officer, mentions at a bar how much financial support the department provides to the family of an officer who dies in the line of duty.

Full Review

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/07/review-confidential-informant-2023.html

REVIEW: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

It has been 5 years since we had a Mission Impossible film, so we are probably due one, and this is number 7 in the series, and it is only a Part One so we have more on the way. Reading the synopsis, it looks like the plot is not at all original, an AI has become self-aware and the world is at threat. This plot point has been used countless times for decades, a super powerful computer program, and all-powerful AI, the only question now is if the Mission Impossible franchise has hit a brick wall and run out of ideas? or if the plot doesn't matter because the film is good enough regardless. Read on to find out.

We start the film with the experimental stealth capabilities of the Russian submarine Sevastopol being put to the test, suddenly its onboard instruments detect another submarine launching torpedoes at it. In response, the captain of the Sevastopol orders a retaliatory strike. However, to their surprise, the other submarine vanishes along with its torpedoes. In a strange turn of events, the Sevastopol's own torpedo inexplicably changes course and strikes the submarine itself, resulting in the tragic death of everyone on board.

Meanwhile, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), a skilled operative, receives a package containing crucial information about his next mission. He learns that he must travel to the Namib desert to retrieve half of a key from his ally, Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson). However, Ilsa is currently being hunted down with a substantial US$50 million bounty on her head. Ethan heads to Namibia, where he confronts a team of bounty hunters and manages to fend them off. During this encounter, he briefly reunites with Ilsa and advises her to lay low for the time being.

Full Review

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/07/review-mission-impossible-dead.html

REVIEW: The Out-Laws (2023) - Starring Adam DeVine, Nina Dobrev and Pierce Brosnan

The Out-Laws, directed by Tyler Spindel, is a thrilling action-comedy film just released on Netflix on July 7, 2023. The screenplay was written by Evan Turner and Ben Zazove, with Adam Sandler, Adam DeVine, and Allen Covert serving as producers. The main cast includes Adam DeVine, Nina Dobrev, Ellen Barkin, and Pierce Brosnan.

The story revolves around Owen Browning (Adam DeVine), a young bank manager eagerly preparing for his upcoming wedding to his fiancé Parker (Nina Dobrev).

However, his plans take an unexpected turn when his bank falls victim to a daring heist carried out by the notorious "Ghost Bandits." What makes matters even more intriguing is that Owen strongly suspects his future in-laws, Billy and Lilly McDermott (played by Pierce Brosnan and Ellen Barkin, who have recently arrived in town, might be the culprits behind the robbery. (Obviously they are, otherwise the film would be a bit naff)

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/07/review-out-laws-2023-starring-adam.html

NEWS: Testament: The Order of High Human - Releasing on July 13th on PC (Steam)

From Fairyship Games comes a new first-person single-player action-adventure called Testament: The Order of High Human.

Testament is an immersive action-adventure game that incorporates RPG and Metroidvania elements, taking place in the enchanting fantasy realm of Tessara. Following the treacherous actions of your brother Arva, madness has plagued the land. Assume the role of the immortal king of High Humans and embark on a perilous journey to ensure the survival of the realm.

Traverse through the captivating landscapes of an ancient civilization, where you'll encounter deranged followers of a mad dictator, devout worshippers of a blood god, and impending dangers. As you strive to reclaim your lost power, you'll face numerous challenges and unravel the truth behind the chaos, ultimately leading to a confrontation with your brother Arva.

Within Testament, you'll experience a groundbreaking form of swordplay presented through a first-person perspective. Discover innovative combo techniques that allow you to unleash devastating attacks on your adversaries. Additionally, unlock a wide array of magical spells capable of ensnaring, immobilizing, and immolating your enemies. Harness the power of your bow to exploit the weak points of your foes. Prepare to be captivated by the versatility and intricacy of Testament's combat mechanics.

Full Article and Trailer at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2023/07/news-testament-order-of-high-human.html

REVIEW: Knights of the Zodiac (2023) Starring Mackenyu, Famke Janssen, Madison Iseman, Diego Tinoco, Mark Dacascos, Nick Stahl, and Sean Bean.

Knights of the Zodiac, also known as Saint Seiya: The Beginning, is a 2023 fantasy action film directed by Tomek Bagiński. It is based on the popular Manga Saint Seiya by Masami Kurumada. The film features a talented cast including Mackenyu Maeda, Famke Janssen, Madison Iseman, Diego Tinoco, Mark Dacascos, Nick Stahl, and Sean Bean.

The story revolves around Seiya (Mackenyu), a young orphan determined to find his kidnapped sister, Patricia. During a fierce fight with Cassios (Nick Stahl) in an underground fighting arena, Seiya unleashes an extraordinary blue light, leaving everyone amazed.

After the battle, Seiya encounters Docrates (TJ Storm) and Alman Kido (Sean Bean), who reveal themselves as allies. Kido warns Seiya that his ex-wife, Vander Guraad (Famke Janssen), is actively searching for him. Realizing the danger they face, Docrates is captured by Guraad's warriors, and Seiya and Kido are relentlessly pursued. With the assistance of Mylock (Mark Dacascos), Kido's loyal assistant, they manage to escape after an exhilarating chase.

Confused and overwhelmed, Seiya demands answers from his newfound companions. However, before he can receive any explanation, Mylock unexpectedly knocks him unconscious. During his unconscious state, Seiya relives the memories of his sister's abduction.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/07/review-knights-of-zodiac-2023-starring.html

REVIEW: Tad The Lost Explorer - Craziest and Madness Edition on Nintendo Switch

Did you know that Tad is also known in some parts of the world as Tadeo Jones! In the UK and US, he is Tad Stones. And with that said, it should be a good indicator as to what kind of game this is, especially considering the release of a certain Hollywood film in recent weeks.

Let's check out the official blurb and see what how the game makers describe the game.

"Tad The Lost Explorer - Craziest and Madness Edition takes you on an exciting new global adventure to uncover the origins of a mysterious curse accidentally released by Tad. Join the lost explorer and his faithful companions as they travel through bustling cities on an epic journey solving intricate puzzles, facing off against crazy adversaries and reconstructing parts of the past to reveal the secrets of the Emerald Tablet.

Finally, players will be able to immerse themselves even deeper into the story of Tad's quest in the all-new 3D cinematics. Relive this thrilling adventure through both comic style and 3D cinematics and keep an eye out for hidden details and references."

Based on the Spanish cartoon film, and the game released last year on PC, Tad The Lost Explorer is a 2.5D platform game.

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2023/07/review-tad-lost-explorer-craziest-and.html

REVIEW: Extraction 2 - Starring Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani and Adam Bessa

For the life of me I don't recall seeing Extraction, yet it seemed to be well liked by people, so thought I would check out the sequel. Extraction 2 is an American action thriller film directed by Sam Hargrave and written by Joe Russo

After enduring a perilous ordeal during a previous mission in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tyler Rake (a former Australian SAS Operator turned black ops mercenary played by Chris Hemsworth) decides to retire from his mercenary profession and seek solace in a secluded cabin nestled in the Austrian countryside. It is there, amidst his efforts to recuperate, that Tyler's tranquillity is unexpectedly interrupted by the arrival of a stranger (Idris Elba). This individual implores Tyler for his assistance in a mission of utmost urgency, to rescue Ketevan (Tinatin Dalakishvili), the sister of his ex-wife Mia, and her two young children, Sandro (Andro Japaridze) and Nina (Marta Kovziashvili), from the clutches of danger in Georgia.

Ketevan's plight stems from her ill-fated marriage to Davit Radiani (Tornike Bziava), one of the co-founders of Georgia's most notorious crime syndicate. Davit's actions, including the heinous act of throwing a DEA agent off a bridge, have led to his imprisonment. The American authorities, determined to prevent any form of bribery, have placed immense pressure on the prison system. In a desperate bid to remain close to his family, Davit coerces Ketevan and her children to reside within the confines of the prison. However, the deplorable living conditions and Davit's abusive behaviour push Ketevan to reach out to Mia (Olga Kurylenko) for assistance.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/07/review-extraction-2-starring-chris.html

REVIEW: The Wandering Earth 2 - Starring Wu Jing and Andy Lau

Recently I saw the 2019 film The Wandering Earth, yes, I actually watched a film for fun, and not just to review it! Well, I loved that film, so thought I would check out The Wandering Earth 2, which is actually a prequel to the first film. The first film, set in the future tells the story of a group of astronauts and rescue workers who are guiding the Earth away from an expanding Sun, using 10,000 "earth engines", while also attempting to prevent a collision with Jupiter. The Wandering Earth 2 tells the story of how the Earth got to that point, and all the disasters that humanity had to overcome before they could even begin the journey. I will say this now, I would probably advise you to watch The Wandering Earth 2 before watching The Wandering Earth, and although it does "spoil" a few covert plot points, I think it is preferable to watch in that order.

In the face of the Sun's inevitable expansion into a red giant, posing a threat to Earth's survival within a century, the United Nations undergoes a transformation, rebranding as the United Earth Government (UEG). Determined to save humanity, the UEG initiates the ambitious Moving Mountain Project. This program aims to construct a multitude of massive ion engines capable of propelling Earth out of the Solar System towards a new habitable star system. Simultaneously, the UEG takes the controversial step of shutting down and outlawing the Digital Life Project (DLP), a radical faction advocating for digital immortality through mind uploading technology, basically what Elon Musk is planning. Despite public scepticism, increasingly violent protests ensue as the UEG stands firm on its decision.

The initial phase of the Moving Mountain Project focuses on building and testing an ion engine on the Moon. However, in 2044, a series of terrorist attacks orchestrated by well-armed supporters of the banned DLP target UEG facilities. These extremists hack into the space elevator system, unleashing a coordinated drone assault and infiltrating the elevator vehicles. Their ultimate goal is to destroy the Ark Space Station, a vital supply hub for the lunar operation. Although UEG trainee astronaut Liu Peiqiang (Wu Jing) and his comrades manage to thwart the hijackers, they are too late to prevent the detonation of one elevator. This destructive act, facilitated by counterfeit passes, causes irreparable damage to the top of the space elevator, leading to the catastrophic crash of both the elevator and the Ark Space Station back to Earth.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/07/review-wandering-earth-2-starring-wu.html

REVIEW: Curse of the Sea Rats on Xbox

Another day, another review, this time Curse of the Sea Rats on Xbox, which is described as a "ratoidvania", basically a platform game with anthropomorphized rats as the main characters.

Everything is hand drawn with 2.5D animation, and looks fantastic, you can tell that a lot of time and love as gone into the animation. Main characters are 2D, with the backgrounds being 3D.

"Embark on the epic journey of four prisoners of the British empire, transformed into rats by the notorious pirate witch, Flora Burn. To regain their human bodies, they will have to fight dangerous bosses, uncover the secrets of the vast Irish coast, and ultimately capture the witch who cursed them."

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2023/07/review-curse-of-sea-rats-on-xbox.html

REVIEW: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) - Starring Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones is back in his fifth and final film, nearly 15 years after Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, seems crazy to think it has been that long, and nearly as long as between Crystal Skull and The Last Crusade before that.

Now the main worry about this film is that this is a Disney film as opposed to a Paramount film, and the worry there comes from the fact that Disney has a very bad reputation in recent years for ruining great franchises by making everything woke. Well, I can happily say that this is not the case in Dial of Destiny, yes there are a few "Disney Moments", an attack on capitalism, which is hilarious when you consider how Disney make their money, the odd diversity hire here and there. Other than that, the film felt relatively straight forward like a normal Indy film. But that doesn't mean it is good, to find that out you will have to read on.

The film starts off during the Allied liberation of Europe in World War II in 1944, Indiana Jones (CGI Harrison Ford) and his fellow archaeologist Basil Shaw (Toby Jones) from Oxford find themselves in the clutches of Nazi captors. Their mission to retrieve the Lance of Longinus is interrupted by their capture. At the same time, astrophysicist Jürgen Voller (CGI Mads Mikkelsen) reports to his superiors that the Lance they possess is a counterfeit, but he has discovered a significant artifact: half of Archimedes' Dial. This remarkable device, invented by the Syracusan mathematician Archimedes, has the power to detect temporal fractures (wormholes through time).

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-indiana-jones-and-dial-of.html

REVIEW: Spin Rhythm XD on PC (Steam)

I have been an off / on fan of rhythm games for a while now, I enjoyed the Guitar Hero games of the past, and the most recent one I loved was AVICII Invector which I class as just about perfect. Well, Spin Rhythm XD has decided to join an already crowded rhythm market, but does it have what it takes to break it down with the best? Read on to find out.

This plays more as a DJ rhythm game at its base, I played with the basic mouse controls, but to get the most out of this you can play with a MIDI DJ turntable that you can connect to your computer.

Music in the game is of the electronic dance variety, and there are 60 licenced tracks, although to be brutally honest, I didn't recognise a single song.

Controls are pretty simple, spin the wheel at the bottom of the screen so that the colours match the colours and the beats on the track. You will also need to press a button to match certain beats, and even spin the wheel in one direction or another.

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2023/06/review-spin-rhythm-xd-on-pc-steam.html

REVIEW: Ride On (2023) - Starring Jackie Chan and Red Hare

Before we start, let it be known I am a huge Jackie Chan fan, I own pretty much all of his films, so keep in mind I might be a little biased, but I will do my best to be objective.

Ride On tells the story of an old-school Kung Fu Stuntman and his stunt horse, now there is quite a bit of blurring of reality and fiction in this film, although Jackie Chan is not playing a character called Jackie Chan in the film, there are clearly a lot of parallels between the character and the real life Jackie Chan, in fact throughout the film they show you clips from old Jackie Chan films, and there are a few easter eggs in there too, referencing old films.

Meet Lao Luo (Jackie Chan), an exceptional old-school stunt performer who has forged an extraordinary bond with his loyal companion, Red Hare, a horse born with physical abnormalities that he spared from being put down as a calf. However, Lao's life has been plagued by a series of misfortunes. Eight years ago, a severe injury led him to financial ruin, and he tragically lost custody of his daughter, Xiao Bao, due to his divorce from his now-deceased wife while she was still a child.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-ride-on-2023-starring-jackie.html

REVIEW: The Best Man (2023) - Starring Nicky Whelan, Dolph Lundgren and Luke Wilson

Somewhere, a director sat down and thought to himself, "I know what the industry needs. It needs a film about a group of villains breaking into a holiday resort and having to fend off the people present." Now, why he would think that when that exact film has literally been made hundreds of times is beyond me, but alas, here we are. One thing The Best Man has in its favor is a very strong cast. So, is the film any good? Read on to find out.

The Best Man opens with an intense rescue mission, where a team of skilled mercenaries embarks on a daring operation to save an American woman who has been kidnapped in Mexico. Despite their training, the mercenaries suffer losses, including Axel (played by Scott Martin), who sustains a critical gunshot wound to the head and is left for dead.

A year later, the once-kidnapped woman named Brook (portrayed by Nicky Whelan) is now preparing to marry Cal (played by Luke Wilson), one of the brave men who saved her. Cal's cousin Bradley (played by Brendan Fehr) is chosen as the best man for the wedding, and another member of the rescue team, Anders (played by Dolph Lundgren), is also set to attend the ceremony.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-best-man-2023-starring-nicky.html

REVIEW: Fear the Invisible Man (2023) - Starring Mike Beckingham and Mhairi Calvey

We have seen an almost endless stream of movies and TV shows about the H. G. Wells novel "The Invisible Man", so when I heard about yet another film telling the story, I was slightly apprehensive when it came to sitting down and watching, but was I right to be apprehensive, or was I surprised by a decent retelling of the classic story? First thing to note is that unlike other recent films, this one goes back to the Victorian era of the novel, which is a smart decision, last thing anyone needs or wants is a woke reimagining.

The film starts off with a brief scene in which a man is killed by an unseen force, we then get to see Griffin (played by Mike Beckingham) racing against time to finish his experiment. His landlord and a bailiff are pounding on the door, ready to evict him. Moments before they kick in the door, he injects himself with an experimental substance. Suddenly, his flesh and bone vanish, (this is a really cool scene, and without a doubt the highlight of the film, despite being a low budget film, this scene looked decent, if not quite Industrial and Light and Magic type decent) he then escapes, causing an explosion that kills them and destroys his lab.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-fear-invisible-man-2023-starring.html

REVIEW: Martian Panic on Nintendo Switch

I have not played an "on-rail shooter game" for ages, I was a big fan of the Virtua Cop and The House of the Dead games back in the late 90s which probably introduced me to the genre, well on-rail shooter games are back, (apparently), this time on Nintendo Switch. I played Martian Panic on a Switch Lite.

The Martians have invaded, and you have to stop them. Thats the story. No more, no less.

As mentioned, this is an on-rails shooter, for those unfamiliar that means that you are on a pre-determined route, and all you need to worry about is shooting the aliens, you don't need to worry about which way to go etc.

The main selling point of the game is the style, everything is done in a comic book style, with a retro 1950s feel.

There are 8 levels to beat, across various locations, movie theatre, the pyramids, a farm, outside a diner etc. There are 6 different weapons to collect and use, and 10 different types of enemies, there are also a number of powerups to collect. Other than the aliens, you can also shoot various objects that might drop a bonus. For example, shoot a scarecrow in the farm level and you might get a new weapon. Try to avoid killing the civilians who will undoubtably run right in front of you, get a high score, and try to get to the top of the leaderboards.

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2023/06/review-martian-panic-on-nintendo-switch.html

REVIEW: Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves - Starring Chris Pine & Michelle Rodriguez

In recent years there hasn't been any decent fantasy action comedy films that I can recall, so when I heard of Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves I thought this might be the first one in a while, now don't let the Dungeons & Dragons branding put you off, as I know it has put off a lot of people. This is not some nerdy board game, it just uses some of the lore of that game, locations etc, you do not need to have any knowledge of Dungeons & Dragons to watch this film.

Before being imprisoned, Edgin Darvis (Chris Pine), a talented bard, dedicated his life to the Harpers, a noble order of peacekeepers. Unfortunately, his world was shattered when disciples of a Red Wizard, whom he had successfully apprehended, mercilessly took the life of his beloved wife Zia (Georgia Landers). Determined to start afresh and protect his daughter Kira (Chloe Coleman), Edgin joined forces with the fierce barbarian Holga Kilgore (Michelle Rodriguez). They resort to a life of thievery, aided by the aspiring sorcerer Simon Aumar (Justice Smith) a half-elf wild magic sorcerer who is the descendant of Elminster Aumar, a notable wizard, the cunning rogue conman Forge Fitzwilliam (Hugh Grant), and a mysterious acquaintance of Forge named Sofina (Daisy Head). Together, they fight to survive in their newly chosen path.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-dungeons-dragons-honour-among.html

REVIEW: Fool's Paradise (2023) - Starring Charlie Day and Ken Jeong

Time for another review, this time we have Fool's Paradise, which co-stars Ray Liotta in one of his final roles before his death. With something of an all-star cast I was quite interested in seeing what this film had to offer.

In this tale, a man named John Doe (Charlie Day), who is both mute and possesses the mental capacity of a five-year-old, finds himself released from a mental hospital. Sadly, the state can no longer afford to provide him with the necessary treatment. Left to fend for himself, John Doe takes to the streets, relying on the guidance of anyone he encounters in his daily struggles.

Meanwhile, the Producer of a biographical film about the legendary outlaw Billy the Kid faces a frustrating predicament. Renowned method actor Sir Tom Bingsley, chosen to portray the iconic character, stubbornly refuses to emerge from his trailer. This unfortunate situation not only consumes valuable time but also drains the film's budget. In a desperate bid to salvage the production, the Producer decides to enlist a stand-in.

By a twist of fate, the Producer stumbles upon John Doe, who has taken to selling oranges on the street. Struck by the uncanny resemblance between John Doe and Bingsley, the Producer sees an opportunity and hires him as a stand-in for the elusive actor.

We also meet Lenny (Ken Jeong), an aspiring publicist struggling to keep clients since his move to Los Angeles. Determined to find fresh talent, Lenny resorts to underhanded means, bribing his way onto studio lots. In his pursuit, Lenny witnesses John Doe participating in the filming of the biopic and misinterprets his name as "Latte Pronto," owing to the Producer's persistent coffee demands.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-fools-paradise-2023-starring.html

REVIEW: SETTRIS on PC (Steam)

The very good people at Zoo Corporation send me their latest game to review, called SETTRIS, just from the name you can guess that this is going to be a puzzle game with blocks.

The game has a simple concept, you have an empty puzzle board, your job is to place the pieces available onto the board, making sure there are no spaces, and everything fits perfectly. Trust me it sounds easier than it is.

You can rotate the pieces as well as flip them to help you, as you progress through the levels, they will get harder, and the puzzle pieces more complicated and harder to fit. Luckily if you get stuck you can clear the board and start again. You will find yourself doing this often.

In the "Stage Mode" there is no time limit, so you can just play at your own pace, take your time, and hopefully solve the puzzle. Once you have completed a puzzle you move onto the next. There are plenty of levels to complete, so will keep you busy for a while.

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2023/06/review-settris-on-pc-steam.html

REVIEW: The Flash (2023) - Starring Michael Keaton and Sasha Calle

I found myself unsure if I should review The Flash due to the disgraceful crimes of its lead star, not to mention the fact that Warner Bros and DC seem incapable of making moral and ethical decisions regarding the actions of the star of its films. As such I will not mention the name of the Actor who plays The Flash during this review, and I will totally separate the actor who deserves to be in prison, from the beloved character, most famously played in the TV series by the excellent Grant Gustin, who really should have starred in this film. Anyway, with that out of the way, onto the film itself.

After aiding Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck), also known as Batman, and Diana Prince (Gal Gadot), also known as Wonder Woman, in foiling a botched bank robbery, Barry Allen, the speedster known as The Flash, decides to revisit his childhood home. There, he immerses himself in memories of his parents, Nora (Maribel Verdú) and Henry (Ron Livingston), whose lives were tragically disrupted when Henry was wrongly convicted for Nora's murder. Overwhelmed by his emotions, Barry unintentionally journeys back in time to earlier that day and shares this revelation with Bruce. Despite Bruce's cautionary words about the potential risks of time travel, Barry is determined to alter the past.

Returning to the present, Barry suddenly finds himself forcibly ejected from the Speed Force by another speedster and unexpectedly lands in an alternate version of 2013, where his mother is alive. Realizing that he has arrived on the very day he originally acquired his superhuman abilities, Barry locates his past self and comprehends the significance of this moment. Together, the two versions of Barry Allen proceed to the Central City Police Department, where Barry takes a bold step by ensuring that his 2013 counterpart is struck by lightning, granting him extraordinary powers at the cost of losing his own.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-flash-2023-starring-michael.html

REVIEW: Nefarious (2023) - Starring Jordan Belfi and Sean Patrick Flanery

Recently it seems that I have concentrated on reviewing a lot of the big budget Hollywood releases, so today I thought it was time for a change, and that I would look at a Christian independent horror film written and directed by Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon.

In a state penitentiary, Dr. James Martin (Jordan Belfi ), a social psychologist, arrives for an interrogation with Edward Wayne Brady (Sean Patrick Flanery), a notorious serial killer and death-row inmate. Dr. Martin has taken over the role from Dr. Stewart, who tragically died by suicide the previous night. Edward, who is scheduled to be executed by electrocution later that day, believes he has multiple personalities, a diagnosis supported by Dr. Stewart.

Warden Tom Moss (Tom Ohmer), informs Dr. Martin that Edward's fate hinges on his diagnosis: if Dr. Martin deems Edward sane, he will be executed, but if Dr. Martin declares him insane with multiple personality disorder, Edward will be spared.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-nefarious-2023-starring-jordan.html

REVIEW: Pile Up! on PC (Steam)

It has been a while since I have played a simple building game, so I was looking forward to checking out Pile Up! from developer Remoob.

Pile Up!" is a strategic building game set on a small piece of land, where your objective is to construct houses, keep the people happy, and manage risky buildings placed on a small area as you learn to build upwards instead of outwards. However, don't be deceived by the tranquil environment and the soothing music playing in the background, the game is designed in such a way that if you don't get the balance just right, everything will collapse, and you will have to start over.

Your primary aim is to increase the city's population by constructing risky buildings to their fullest extent. As the days pass, you will unlock new technologies and buildings. To utilize these new structures, you must construct factories. Each factory grants you access to a unique set of buildings, allowing you to expand your city even further. There are various types of factories, each will help you with different types of buildings as well as support.

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2023/06/review-pile-up-on-pc-steam.html

REVIEW: The Little Mermaid (2023) Starring Halle Bailey

In the latest attempt to upset people, Disney have released their woke remake of The little Mermaid, a live action remake that no one asked for, and no one really wanted. Will it go the way of all of the other woke remakes that come out to great fanfare, everyone hates, and they get quickly forgotten about or will this one change the fortunes of Disney and prove that you can make films that are woke as well as good? Read on to find out.

Ariel (Halle Bailey), the youngest daughter of King Triton (Javier Bardem), is a mermaid princess residing in Atlantica, the underwater realm ruled by her father. Despite being forbidden from exploring the human world after her mother's tragic demise at the hands of a human, Ariel's fascination with the surface dweller's realm only grows. She finds solace in collecting human artifacts, aided by her loyal companions, Flounder (Jacob Tremblay) a sergeant major fish, and Scuttle (Awkwafina) a Northern gannet seabird.

One day, Ariel fails to attend the important Coral Moon gathering with her sisters, resulting in a reprimand from Triton. Feeling disheartened, she gazes upon the night sky and witnesses a mesmerizing display of fireworks above the ocean's surface. Intrigued, she decides to venture upward for a closer look. As she emerges, a mighty storm strikes, causing a nearby ship, helmed by Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King), to crash against treacherous rocks. With swift action, Ariel saves Eric from a watery fate and brings him ashore. Utilizing her enchanting siren voice, she sings to him, aiding in his recovery. However, she quickly retreats before he regains full consciousness. Once Eric is back on his feet, his adoptive mother, Queen Selina (Noma Dumezweni), strictly forbids him from embarking on further sea voyages.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-little-mermaid-2023-starring.html

REVIEW: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023) - Starring Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback and Peter Cullen

I love Transformers, I grew up on the cartoon, and I have enjoyed all of the live action movies, even when it was unpopular to do so.

Rise of the Beasts is the seventh film in the franchise, it acts as a standalone sequel to Bumblebee (2018), and as a prequel to Transformers (2007). As long as you have a general understanding of what a Transformer is, you can watch this film, without ever having to see any of the other films.

The film starts on a jungle planet which long ago was colonized by Transformers, the Maximals, an advanced race of Cybertronians with beast modes, (instead of transforming into cars and planes, these guys transform into animal like robot creatures) find their home world under attack by Unicron, a malevolent deity who consumes entire planets. Leading the charge are Unicron's heralds, the Terrorcons, and an army of Predacon drones commanded by Scourge (Peter Dinklage). Their objective is to seize the Transwarp Key, the Maximals' most powerful piece of technology capable of opening portals through space and time. In a selfless act, Apelinq (David Sobolov), the leader of the Maximals, sacrifices himself, allowing his comrades to escape before Unicron devours their planet. Now under the leadership of Optimus Primal (Ron Perlman), the Maximals utilize the Transwarp Key to seek refuge on Earth.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-transformers-rise-of-beasts-2023.html

REVIEW: The Black Demon (2023) - Starring Josh Lucas, Fernanda Urrejola and Julio Cesar Cedillo

For decades and decades filmmakers have tried to recreate the greatness of Jaws with various shark related movies. In recent times the only way to get a shark bigger and badder than Jaws is to use the prehistoric megalodon as the shark in question. Ones that come to mind include "Shark Attack 3: Megalodon" (2002), "Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus" (2009), "Megalodon" (2018) and of course the most famous of the lot "The Meg" (2018). So how does The Black Demon compare? Read on to find out.

Paul Sturges (Josh Lucas), an inspector working for an oil company, receives an assignment to assess an offshore oil rig situated in a quaint Mexican town in Baja California. Seizing the opportunity for a family vacation, he decides to bring along his wife Ines (Fernanda Urrejola) and their two children, Audrey (Venus Ariel) and Tommy (Carlos Solórzano). However, upon their arrival, they are taken aback by the sight of a town in utter disarray and ruins.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-black-demon-2023-starring-josh.html

REVIEW: Away: The Survival Series on Xbox

I was asked to review Away The Survival Series for its Xbox release, although the game has been out on other systems for a while, the Xbox release should be the best version with all bugs ironed out, as well as the addition of being able to control cats being a selling point.

The game is separated into two modes, Story mode, and Exploration mode. Story mode plays a bit like you are watching a David Attenborough documentary, but you get to control the main animal character.

You play as a young sugar glider (a small, omnivorous, arboreal, and nocturnal gliding possum), there has been some kind of apocalypse on planet earth, and only the animals are left, somehow the sugar glider survived, and he is tasked with following his mother and younger sibling as they try to survive. All the time you are being narrated to like a documentary. The narrator will give you clues of what to do next to further tell the story, for example catch a lizard, kill spiders attacking your family, catch butterflies that will act as a cure to a spider bite, as well as traversing from one area to the next through beautiful and dangerous paths.

Full Details at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2023/06/review-away-survival-series-on-xbox.html

REVIEW: Hypnotic (2023) - Starring Ben Affleck & Alice Braga

A new Ben Affleck film is out, and apparently the studio releasing it forgot to do any marketing at all. Meaning that no one knew the film was coming and hardly anyone has bothered to go to the cinema and watch it, meaning it has bombed at the box office. But should you make the effort to watch it? Read on to find out.

In the therapist's office, Danny Rourke (Ben Affleck), a detective from the Austin Police Department, recounts the haunting memory of his seven-year-old daughter, Minnie (Ionie Olivia Nieves), being abducted, a tragic event that ultimately led to the dissolution of his marriage. Deeply affected by this traumatic experience, Danny seeks solace in therapy.

Shortly after his therapy session, Danny is joined by his partner, Nicks (J. D. Pardo), who shares an important development with him. They have received an anonymous tip-off call indicating that a safe deposit box at a local bank is going to be targeted by criminals. Determined to prevent the robbery, Danny and Nicks embark on a stakeout near the bank, keeping a close eye on any suspicious activities.

To their astonishment, they witness a mysterious man (William Fichtner) issuing unheard instructions to civilians, bank employees, and even their fellow policemen. Surprisingly, everyone seems to unquestioningly obey his commands, allowing him to effortlessly enter the bank. Intrigued and alarmed by this strange phenomenon, Danny's curiosity is piqued.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-hypnotic-2023-starring-ben.html

REVIEW: Crater (2023) - Starring Isaiah Russell-Bailey, Mckenna Grace, Billy Barratt, Orson Hong, Thomas Boyce, and Scott Mescudi

Disney has been having a terrible time recently, they have released a lot of box office flops due to their desperation to appease a violent minority, I found myself looking forward to Crate in the hope they would go back to what they do best and just make a nice kids/family film. Did they succeed? Read on to find out.

Set in the year 2257, humanity has exhausted the resources of the moon after their attempts to colonize it apparently failed. Miners were subjected to a gruelling 20-year service before being granted the opportunity to embark to a new planet called Omega for colonization. If a miner passed away before completing their 20 years, their next of kin would be responsible for fulfilling the remaining time, along with their own 20 years if they were above 18. I think we can all see the issue with this, as surely any decent parent would just kill themselves when the child is 17, as that would mean they would automatically get to go straight to Omega, and not have to fulfil any time left over from their parent, nor have to do the 20 years. I am guessing DIsney never quite thought this through as a concept.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-crater-2023-starring-isaiah.html