Monday, 2 December 2024

COMPETITION: Win Monster on Blu-ray



Second Sight Films has announced that the Oscar®-winning Monster starring Charlize Theron is set for a Standard Edition Blu-ray release on 9 December 2024.

And to celebrate, we have a great competition for you and a chance to win a copy on Blu-ray

Synopsis:
Charlize Theron gives a tour-de-force performance as America’s first female serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster (2003)from director Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman), which earned her accolades galore, including the prestigious Best Actress Oscar® in 2004. Now more than 20 years on from its original, lauded theatrical release, the film is set for a Standard Edition release on 9 December 2024 from Second Sight Films.

Reviews:
‘It’s got the energy of shocksploitation trash, the insights of shrewd psychological drama and, most importantly, it’s got a barnstorming performance from Charlize Theron’

★★★★ The Guardian

‘Immaculate performances combine with confident… direction… a thought-provoking drama laced with humour and pathos… a great soundtrack, too’

★★★★ Empire

Order from Amazon - https://amzn.to/4idojqx

Enter now for a chance to win.

What is the name of the character played by Charlize Theron in Monster?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 16-12-24
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

PREVIEW: I Saw Black Clouds (2024 Film) Starring Nicole O’Neill

I Saw Black Clouds

By Jon Donnis

Ghost Dog Films, a British independent studio, has brought its award-winning 2021 live-action video game I Saw Black Clouds to life as a feature film. (We reviewed the game over on our sister site at https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2022/06/review-i-saw-black-clouds-on-pc-steam.html) Now streaming, this 79-minute psychological thriller dives deep into grief, guilt, and buried trauma, combining mystery, horror, and drama into a chilling story.


Written and directed by Iain Ross-McNamee, the film takes place in a small English town that feels like a character in its own right. The setting, dark and shrouded in secrets, draws heavily from Scandi-noir influences. Against this eerie backdrop, the story follows Kristina, played by Nicole O'Neill, as she returns home to unravel the truth behind her friend Emily's sudden death.

Emily's death is officially ruled a suicide, but Kristina struggles to accept this explanation. Her search for answers leads her into a tangled web of strange events, supernatural encounters, and hidden truths. Ghostly apparitions and unsettling visions blur the line between reality and nightmare, forcing Kristina to face not only the dark forces surrounding her but also the pain and guilt she has carried for years.


The story grows darker when another friend, Charlotte, disappears. As Kristina gets closer to the truth, she discovers connections to the town's tragic past and a sinister presence that refuses to stay buried. Her quest for answers becomes a fight for survival, pushing her to confront both external dangers and her own haunted memories.

Nicole O'Neill delivers a gripping performance as Kristina, supported by Larry Rew as Alexander and Rachel Jackson as Charlotte. The visuals and sound design heighten the film's uneasy atmosphere, drawing viewers into its unsettling world.

Adapting the interactive narrative of the original video game into a linear film was no small task. Director Iain Ross-McNamee has described the process as rewarding, allowing the team to reach a new audience while maintaining the suspense and psychological depth that made the game so compelling.


Ghost Dog Films has a track record of blending cinematic storytelling with interactive experiences. Their original game received critical acclaim, winning awards for its storytelling and cinematography. Now, this feature film offers a fresh way to experience the haunting tale of I Saw Black Clouds.

For anyone drawn to psychological horror or stories that linger long after the credits roll, this film invites you to explore the darkness that lies just beneath the surface.

Out Now on Prime Video - https://amzn.to/4icCA6X

Saturday, 30 November 2024

REVIEW: The Fix (2024 Sci-Fi Thriller Film) Starring Grace Van Dien, Daniel Sharman and Keenan Arrison

The Fix

Review by Jon Donnis

"The Fix" is a gripping and ambitious science fiction thriller that punches above its weight, delivering an engaging tale of survival, corporate greed, and the ethical dilemmas of human evolution. Written and directed by Kelsey Egan, the film tackles a frighteningly plausible future where Earth's toxic atmosphere forces humanity to rely on a life-saving drug controlled by the ruthless pharmaceutical giant, Aethera. The film's lean 90-ish minute runtime ensures it moves at a brisk pace, keeping the viewer invested from start to finish.


At the heart of the story is Ella McPhee, played with impressive nuance by Grace Van Dien. Her transformation, both physical and emotional, drives the narrative as she navigates her mutation and the moral complexities of her role in humanity's potential salvation. The makeup and effects work on Ella's mutation is particularly commendable, managing to evoke both horror and awe despite the film's modest budget. The international cast, including Daniel Sharman as the chillingly pragmatic Eric O'Connors and Nicole Fortuin as the enigmatic Lazarus, delivers strong performances that add depth to the film's characters.

The world-building is immersive yet feels slightly constrained by budget limitations. The story focuses on a small cast of characters and a limited number of locations, which keeps the plot intimate but leaves some of the broader sci-fi elements underexplored. Despite this, Egan's direction ensures the stakes feel real and immediate, using every dollar to maximum effect. The soundtrack complements the action well, heightening tension and lending the film a polished atmosphere.


"The Fix" excels in its themes, offering a sharp critique of corporate monopolies and the ethical failings of profit-driven science. The narrative aligns the audience firmly with the underdogs, independent scientists and rebels, while portraying big pharma as chillingly manipulative. This moral dichotomy, while not groundbreaking, feels timely and resonates strongly in today's socio-political climate.

On the downside, the low budget occasionally becomes apparent in the film's inability to fully explore its more ambitious concepts. Some of the broader implications of the atmospheric toxicity and the mutagenic drug are touched on but not delved into as deeply as they could have been. However, the tight pacing and focused narrative prevent these shortcomings from detracting significantly from the overall experience.


Ultimately, "The Fix" is a testament to what can be achieved with limited resources when passion and creativity are at the forefront. It's a tightly woven sci-fi thriller that delivers both adrenaline-fuelled action and thought-provoking ideas. While it leaves you wishing for a big-budget adaptation to fully realise its potential, it stands strong as an independent production. A solid 8 out of 10, "The Fix" is an engaging and memorable ride for fans of dystopian cinema.

Out Now on Prime Video - https://amzn.to/4fNZr7f
And on Apple TV - https://apple.co/4i9erOC

Friday, 29 November 2024

The Biggest Gambling Bets Made in Movies: When Risk Meets Cinema

By Jon Donnis
Gambling has long been a favourite theme in cinema, offering the perfect setting for high-stakes drama, intense suspense, and the thrill of taking risks. Over the years, directors have used poker tables, roulette wheels, and casino floors to create iconic moments where characters push everything they have into the pot. These scenes are about more than money; they explore human ambition, desperation, and the allure of chance. Below, we look at some of the most unforgettable gambling bets in movies and the films that made them legendary.
Casino Royale (2006)
Casino Royale (2006): Bond's Poker Masterclass
James Bond has always been associated with glamour, danger, and games of chance. In Casino Royale, the 2006 reboot of the franchise, Daniel Craig's Bond takes on Le Chiffre, a villainous financier, in a high-stakes poker game that becomes one of the film's defining moments.
The game takes place at Montenegro's Casino Royale, where each player buys in for ten million dollars, with an option for an additional five million if needed. For Bond, this is no ordinary poker match. It is a battle of wits and nerves, where failure means losing not just the money, but potentially his life.
The tension reaches its peak when Bond goes all in with a straight flush, one of the rarest hands in poker. His calm exterior contrasts with the immense pressure of the moment, embodying his fearless nature. The scene is a masterful blend of strategy, psychological warfare, and sheer nerve, perfectly capturing Bond's willingness to stake everything for a win.
Uncut Gems (2019): A Parlay of Chaos
Few films capture the chaotic intensity of gambling like Uncut Gems. Adam Sandler delivers a career-best performance as Howard Ratner, a jeweller and compulsive gambler who is constantly chasing his next big win.
The film's climax centres on Howard placing an outrageous parlay bet on a basketball game. This bet combines multiple outcomes into a single wager, multiplying both the potential payout and the risk. Howard's entire existence hangs on this game, his business, his debts, and his life itself.
As the game unfolds, the tension becomes almost unbearable. Howard's jubilation at each favourable turn is offset by the audience's awareness of how much is at stake. Unlike traditional gambling films where the protagonist's gamble might lead to redemption, Uncut Gems is unflinching in its portrayal of addiction and its devastating consequences.
The Sting (1973): The Art of the Con
In the classic film The Sting, Paul Newman and Robert Redford star as con men who pull off an elaborate scam against a ruthless mob boss, Doyle Lonnegan. One of the standout scenes takes place during a poker game aboard a train, where Newman's character, Henry Gondorff, uses deception to outplay Lonnegan.
Gondorff, pretending to be an unrefined drunk, cheats his way through the game, pushing the stakes higher and higher. Lonnegan believes he has the upper hand until the final moments when Gondorff reveals he has outmanoeuvred him entirely.
This scene is a brilliant blend of humour, tension, and cunning. It is not just about the money on the table but the power struggle between the characters. The Sting uses gambling as a metaphor for larger cons, where the greatest risk is being outsmarted by someone sharper than you.
Rounders (1998): A Final Showdown
For poker enthusiasts, Rounders is often considered the definitive gambling film. The movie stars Matt Damon as Mike McDermott, a talented poker player who finds himself drawn back into the underground gambling world to help a friend pay off a dangerous debt.
The film's climax features a nail-biting poker game between Mike and the menacing Teddy KGB, played by John Malkovich. With everything on the line, his freedom, financial future, and self-respect, Mike risks it all in a high-stakes showdown.
The final hand is a masterpiece of strategy and psychological warfare. Mike's ability to read his opponent and make the right moves at the right time underscores the skill required in poker, elevating it beyond mere luck. This moment has become iconic, cementing Rounders as a must-watch for anyone fascinated by the dynamics of gambling.
If you are going to place a bet online, please make sure to do it responsibly, and only use respected sites such as GGBet
Ocean's Eleven (2001): A Heist Worth the Gamble
While not a traditional gambling movie, Ocean's Eleven uses the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas as the setting for one of the most ambitious heists in film history. George Clooney's Danny Ocean assembles a crew of experts to rob three casinos simultaneously, a plan as risky as it is brilliant.
The heist itself is a monumental gamble, relying on precise timing, clever misdirection, and extraordinary confidence. One standout moment occurs when Brad Pitt's Rusty teaches Matt Damon's Linus how to act convincingly at the casino tables to pull off their deception.
The film balances tension with humour, capturing the high-stakes world of gambling while delivering a stylish and entertaining caper. The risk of failure looms over every moment, but the team's cool-headed execution ensures the audience remains on edge until the very end.
The Cincinnati Kid (1965): The Ultimate Stud Poker Duel
One of the most iconic gambling films of its era, The Cincinnati Kid tells the story of Eric Stoner, a young poker player determined to prove himself against the legendary Lancey "The Man" Howard.
The film builds to a climactic showdown between the two in a game of five-card stud. With every card dealt, the tension rises, and the stakes grow higher. The game becomes a battle of skill, endurance, and willpower, reflecting the characters' contrasting approaches to life and competition.
The final hand is a devastating twist, showing that even the best players can lose when the cards do not fall their way. This moment underscores the harsh reality of gambling, where even perfect strategy cannot guarantee success.
Why Gambling Scenes Captivate Audiences
Gambling in movies captures something deeply human, the thrill of risk, the hope for a life-changing win, and the crushing weight of loss. Whether it is James Bond betting millions on a poker game or a desperate jeweller risking it all on a basketball parlay, these moments resonate because they represent the universal desire to beat the odds.
Films that depict gambling tap into the raw emotions of their characters, creating unforgettable moments of tension and triumph. The biggest bets in cinema are not just about money; they are about ambition, courage, and the willingness to risk it all. That is why these scenes continue to captivate audiences, reminding us that fortune favours the bold, or, sometimes, the lucky.

COMPETITION: Win The Wild Robot framed concept art and a digital copy of the film



DreamWorks Animation’s THE WILD ROBOT is exclusively on digital platforms to buy or rent, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. We loved The Wild Robot as you can tell from our exclusive review.

So to celebrate, we have a great competition for you and a chance to win a piece of framed concept art, signed by director Chris Sanders, as well as a digital code for you to own the film.

Synopsis:
An adaptation of Peter Brown’s award-winning, #1 New York Times bestseller,THE WILD ROBOT is an epic adventure starring Academy Award® winner Lupita Nyong’o (Us, theBlack Panther franchise) as Roz, a robot that is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island and must adapt to the harsh surroundings. 

Gradually Roz starts building relationships with the animals on the island, including a clever fox voiced by Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us, The Mandalorian), and becomes the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling named Brightbill voiced by Kit Connor (Ready Player One,Heartstopper).THE WILD ROBOT is a powerful story about self-discovery, a thrilling examination of the bridge between technology and nature, and a moving exploration of what it means to be alive and connected to all living things.

Order from Amazon - https://amzn.to/3V9zQgQ

Enter now for a chance to win.

Who directs The Wild Robot?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 09-12-24
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.