Channel 4’s exciting new presenters for Formula 1 2016 coverage

Channel 4 F1

Terrestrial television armchair Formula 1 fans are in for a treat with Channel 4 announcing a host of sporting and broadcasting stars to front the upcoming season.

Ex-Formula 1 driver Mark Webber, four-time world champion Alain Prost and commentator legend Murray Walker have joined a twelve-strong on-screen Channel 4 presenting team.

The channel is taking over the free-to-air television rights in a three-year deal from 2016 after the BBC ended its agreement early due to budget issues.

Channel 4’s first recruit, David Coulthard will be joined in the commentary box by Ben Edwards, continuing their partnership following a four-year stint at the Beeb.

Webber and former Williams development driver Susie Wolff will be analysts alongside Coulthard, with ex-BBC commentator Walker and Lewis Hamilton’s brother Nicolas also part of the line-up.

C4F1 Susie

Wolff said: “I’m very proud to be part of the Channel 4 team this season.

“The start of the Formula 1 season is not far away and we’re all raring to go.”

Prost will be part of the team at selected races, as will ex-BBC analyst Eddie Jordan, who will combine the role with his Top Gear duties.

Ex-HRT driver Karun Chandhok and Lee McKenzie will be the pitlane reporters while former Williams driver Bruno Senna will attend selected races as a guest pundit.

As for the main presenter, former T4 and X Factor USA host Steve Jones will anchor the coverage, with Coulthard the chief analyst alongside his commentary duties.

“I’m beyond excited to be part of Channel 4’s coverage,” said Jones. “I’m honoured to be working with such a line-up of names.”

It is thought Channel 4 will tweak the typical presentation model by rotating its talent team across the season.

Channel 4 will screen ten Grands Prix live and without advertising breaks per season, with the remainder to be shown as highlights.

So a big group of presenters to front the show. All big motorsport names. Plus the classic Fleetwood Mac ‘The Chain’ will be the signature tune. Bring on Channel 4 presents Formula 1.

Murray Walker C4F1

Real-time thriller 24 returns but without Jack Bauer

Jack Bauer 24

Kiefer Sutherland’s days of stress and drama in 24 are officially over. American television network Fox has ordered a pilot for 24: Legacy without Jack Bauer.

Featuring a brand new-cast with the show’s producers currently seeking an African-American actor to take over the role from Sutherland’s Jack Bauer.

The real-time storytelling and split-screen action will continue, like the original television series. Each episode still representing one hour of an eventual day.

Regarding the plot to 24: Legacy. Variety’s reports:

24: Legacy will revolve around a military hero’s return to the US and the trouble that follows him back – compelling him to ask CTU for help in saving his life, and stopping what potentially could be one of the largest-scale terror attacks on American soil.

It’s going to be surreal without Jack Bauer in the new revival. Kiefer Sutherland made the original show so thrilling for viewers. Sure, the various attempts from the bad guys were ridiculous but the appeal of 24 was the drama in how the CTU agent saves America from destruction.

After eight seasons and a made-for-TV movie, Jack Bauer returned once again – and suffered through yet another hectic day – with 2014’s 24: Live Another Day.

Though he won’t appear on screen, Sutherland will serve as executive producer along with longtime 24 runners Howard Gordon, Manny Coto, Evan Katz and Brian Grazer.

Star Wars: The Force is back

The Force Awakens poster

Thirty years has passed since the original trilogy concluded with Return of the Jedi. The epic struggle between the light and dark side of the Force has now been expanded thanks to the vision of the Mickey Mouse corporation.

When the news that Lucasfilm has been sold to Walt Disney Studios, the initial reaction was very mixed feelings to the die-hard fans.

What will become to the beloved series when the Disney ‘machine’ grinds out millions of dollars to promote the sequels in the future? The original episodes were perfect they said. Casting aside the dismal prequels as if it did not exist…

And yet, to everyone’s relief, Episode VII has restored faith. Thanks to the enthusiasm and attention to detail from J.J. Abrams.

Sure, the prequels by George Lucas left a bitter taste in the mouth to many with the somewhat average reception to Revenge of the Sith, considered to be ‘good’. But with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Disney have awaken the passion and fun behind this popular film franchise.

This film review will not be a spoiler but want I would like to express is my pure delight in the spectacle that is The Force Awakens. The thrilling X-Wing versus TIE fighter battles, the witty banter between the old crew and the new players, not forgetting the amazing lightsaber fights.

It was all very emotional to take in and yet, so exhilarating to experience. Director J.J. Abrams, producer Kathleen Kennedy and the co-writer of the original trilogy Lawrence Kasdan have produced a masterpiece with Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Rey and Solo

Seeing the old stars back once again with the likes of Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher was touching. Even nostalgic. Yet, the weary faces shows how much their have aged since Return of the Jedi… At least Han Solo was up for the fight in the latest Star Wars.

The new players, in the shape of Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Issac, were a Force to be reckoned with, pardon the pun. The trio were fun, energetic and bring a fresh take on the Star Wars universe of likable characters.

BB8

But my absolute favourite is BB-8. This little droid had the best moves. Rolling around and making beeping noises! Got a sense of humour too. BB-8 makes R2-D2 look like an antique. Sorry, C-3PO. Your buddy cannot match the wonder ball droid.

As for the villains, the stand out performances is definitely Adam Driver as Kylo Ren. A dangerous and troubled warrior with one of the most over-the-top lightsaber this galaxy has ever seen.

So does Star Wars: The Force Awakens live up to the massive hype? Yes. Definitely. J.J. Abrams has delivered the goods and I am so grateful it is great. Full of warmth, humour and terrific set-pieces.

The Force is strong with this one.

Whiplash – Review

My music tastes are pretty eclectic. I like a bit of everything but a bit more of metal. Jazz however is low on the list and big band jazz even less.

So remind me again why am I going to see Whiplash?! Well, it’s down to two things. One is that it is drum based and drums fascinate me. I can’t play them for toffee, but love seeing people who can. Secondly, it’s been tagged Full Metal Jacket meets drums. So now I’m interested.

The story follows a young musician and a maniacal teacher with the most outrageous teaching methods at a high-end music college.

We first see Andrew (Miles Teller) practicing drums alone in the Shaffer Conservatory of Music. Hearing a sound he stops, looks up and we get to see the infamous teacher himself. Terrance Fletcher, (J.K. Simmons) then asks him why did he stop. This prompts Andrew to continue playing, which is met by our first insight to Fletcher’s mindset when he retorts with “I asked you why you stopped and then proceeded to play like a wind up monkey.”

We see Fletcher use much nicer words later in the film in a couple of scenes (yeah that’s about it), but it’s a gentle subtle introduction to the grand master teacher, as later you get to see him in full bore Full Metal Jacket insult mode.

Fletcher’s belief is fear and intimidation is key to getting the most out of his band members. Shouting and chairs flung at his band when they make a mistake is par for the course. However, playing in Fletcher’s class comes a pathway to greatness such is his influence in the music industry.

Our real introduction to Fetcher comes when we hear the band play for the first time and someone’s instrument is out of tune. Your really not prepared for what follows as we see the enraged teacher work his way through band increasing his anger as no-one owns up. Utterly enraged, full bore shouting; nose-to-nose with each student has you flabbergasted. This really is like the lineout in Full Metal Jacket and Sgt Hartman introducing himself to Private Pyle.

After he finds the culprit and sends them packing (after a great Mars Bar joke), your left open jawed at the expletives Fetcher has just unloaded on his own students. Wow.

Having been handpicked, we assume Andrew on his first day might be excused from such behavior. No. Not even slightly. Crying it seems creates even more abuse. Each time Andrew plays, Fletcher comes forth with “Not quite my tempo” and the tension increases each and every time those words are uttered. From now on, I will forever try and work that saying in whenever the need arises!

As a viewer you are as shocked and stunned silent as much as the other band members looking on and just like them, relieved you’re not the target.

While the film doesn’t quite fully advocate Fletchers’ teaching methods, you get to see how much it drives Andrew to play out of his skin, quite literally until it bleeds as he tries to emulate some of his (real life) drum idols, one of which being Buddy Rich.

As the film progresses we follow Andrew as he practices all hours and Fletcher doing whatever it takes to get the best out of his core drummer. This culminates is a simply incredible last scene. Instead of your jaw dropping from the abuse, it’s dropped with awe as Andrew drums for his life. I damn near jumped up punching the air.

What’s more incredible is that Miles Teller is a self taught drummer and all the drumming is for real. However, he played as a rock drummer and as he found out, jazz drumming is a whole new ball game which involved weeks and weeks of teaching and practising.

It’s a fascinating film, loosing based director’s Damien Chalelle music school experience, isn’t perfect. Beyond the shouting there isn’t a much else to the film apart from a great “family meal” which has football playing sons taking centre stage, with drumming being seen as rather laughable by the football son’s parents. You only wish is to put them in front of Fletcher for some abuse.

But you are drawn into Fletchers’ performance and of course Andrew’s drumming skills. J.K. Simmons is just fantastic and given the outrageous abuse he gives face to face with his students must take a lot more skill than it looks. It feels so real, not at all just put on for show. He is very consistent in his role and while you might not think it is the right way of teacher, you totally believe he does not think there is any other way.

Reviews:
IMDB
Rotten Tomatoes
Empire Magazine

Interviews:
J.K. Simmons
Miles Teller and on-screen girlfriend
Cast and Director

Buddy Rich drum solo’s:
Buddy a few days before his death
Nine minute solo 

Reviewed by invisiblekid

Jack is back! In 24: Live Another Day

24 Live Another Day

It has been four years since the real-time television series 24 was last broadcasted and after several attempts to turn the popular drama into a film, the temptation to continue the Jack Bauer story was hard to resist for the producers and network.

Kiefer Sutherland returns as Jack Bauer, an ex-CTU agent whom after saving America countless times in the past eight seasons of 24, has gone into hiding in the final episode of ‘Day 8’ to avoid detection from Russian and American agents out looking for him.

So what’s in store for Jack Bauer in 24: Live Another Day? Well, the new ‘limited event television series’ will still feature that famous ticking clock and split-screens, but events in time will jump forward in between certain episodes. There will be just twelve episodes compared to the usual twenty-four.

As for the premise, four years after dishing out his own brand of justice and evading capture, Jack Bauer finds himself on the run in London (once again), he attempts to thwart a global disaster. Meanwhile, Jack’s closest confidante Chloe O’Brian has been aiding and abetting the federal fugitive.

Yes, fans favourite Chloe O’Brian played by Mary Lynn Rajskub is back, along with several characters from the show including Kim Raver as Audrey Raines (Jack’s love interest in season 6) and William Devane as President James Heller.

Joining the cast in 24: Live Another Day are Michael Wincott, Gbenga Akinnagebe (The Wire), Yvonne Stahovski, Benjamin Bratt, Tate Donovan, Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones) and the excellent Stephen Fry.

The new setting of London is a masterstroke and it’s going to be fascinating how the producers will showcase the city in a new light against the backdrop of conspiracies, WikiLeaks and threats.

It’s refreshing to hear from 24 executive producer Howard Gordon, saying how much we miss the ex-CTU agent:

Jack Bauer has always been an exciting, thrilling character, and I confess that I’ve missed him. I think the audience has too. The character has evolved through the years, and this new and exciting event series format is perfect to tell the next chapter of his story and continue to reflect how the world is changing. Fans can rest assured that the Jack they know and love will be back.

As for Kiefer Sutherland, the actor added it was an honour to replay the character once again:

The response to 24 is unlike anything I have ever experienced as an actor before. To have the chance to reunite with the character, Jack Bauer, is like finding a lost friend. The story ideas from Howard Gordon are exciting and fresh, and will not disappoint. Great thanks to 20th Century Fox Television, Imagine Television and the FOX network for this opportunity. Make no mistake, my goal is to knock your socks off. See you soon.

I am really looking forward to 24: Live Another Day and after watching the trailer, you can never underestimate how truly awful your day has been when compared to Jack Bauer!

Rush film review

RUSH movie

Based on the true events of the 1976 Formula 1 season, Rush is set against the sexy and glamorous golden age of motor racing. Focusing on two of the greatest sporting icons battling over the ultimate prize, the world championship.

Directed by Ron Howard and with the screenplay written by Peter Morgan, this film is a story on a great rivalry between handsome English playboy James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth), and his methodical, brilliant opponent, Austrian driver Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl).

The story follows their distinctly different personalities on and off the track, their loves and the astonishing 1976 season in which both were willing to risk everything to become world champion in a sport with no margin for error.

As the season progresses both men enjoy a number of successes but also suffer a series of setbacks, both personally and professionally.

Hunt’s marriage to feisty model Suzy Miller (Olivia Wilde) hits the rocks and his eccentric supporter Lord Hesketh (Christian McKay) runs out of money, while Lauda survives a horrific crash at the German Grand Prix, requiring him to need extensive surgery.

Incredibly, Lauda recovers and makes a heroic comeback – inspired in large part by his rivalry with Hunt – before the ultimate showdown between the two at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The attention to detail in Rush is just a revelation. The sound and sights of 1970s racing is just perfect and the camerawork from cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle, puts you right in the heat of the battle on track.

As for the two leading stars, both Hemsworth and Brühl deliver exceptional and complex performances that really showcase their desire and dedication to win.

In addition, it was really fascinating to see their mutual respect and admiration to one another despite their obsession to outrace and go for glory.

And yet, in my honest opinion Brühl’s role in Rush edges ahead of Hemsworth. His Austrian accent was spot on and even though he was playing a methodical and calculated character, which was a complete contrast to the wild and spectacular James Hunt, the German-speaking actor nails the personality of Niki Lauda perfectly.

Ron Howard’s direction is good and assured throughout the film, with the drama and excitement in the racing sequences the major highlight. With the cars screaming away off the grid, frantic gear-changes and overtaking moves really created the sense of exhilaration and thrills from an actual Grand Prix race.

In equal measures were the scenes involving the recovery of Lauda following his horrific Nürburgring crash, especially the surgery procedures. That was genuinely shocking.

As for the decision to include the real-life video footage of Hunt and Lauda in the final moments of Rush, this was inspired and it reveals the very significant moments that affected these two sporting heroes after the highs of winning the world championship.

So in conclusion, Rush is a truly excellent film. Beautifully directed by Ron Howard with a great script penned by the talented Peter Morgan, who also written the complex relationship between David Frost and Richard Nixon in the classic Frost/Nixon.

The film also showcases Formula 1 as more appealing to the non-petrolhead with fascinating characters, emotional scenes and thrilling races. Just like the actual sport itself!

The World’s End review

The World's End

It’s the end of the world but not as we know it. The conclusion to the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy from Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost is a highly entertaining and amusing take on the science fiction genre involving huge amount of alcohol.

Following the success of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, the third instalment from the Spaced team focuses on a group of friends reattempting an epic pub crawl in their hometown, before unearthing an alien/robot invasion.

Simon Pegg stars as never-grown-up man-child Gary King, who’s become obsessed with his epic pub crawl (the Golden Mile of twelve pubs) that he failed to complete with his best friends Andy, Ollie, Pete and Steve (Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Eddie Marsan and Paddy Considine respectively) in their hometown of Newton Haven, twenty years ago.

After reuniting his four friends – all of whom, unlike Gary, have grown up and now have families and responsible jobs – Gary persuades them all to join him in recreating their epic twelve pubs, twelve pints pub crawl in Newton Haven.

However, after a few drinks, they discover that the locals are all behaving rather differently and soon their evening takes a bizarre turn and ‘The Five Musketeers’ end up fighting for their lives.

Co-written by Wright and Pegg, The World’s End feels darker with a sinister tone compared to the previous films in the so-called Blood and Ice Cream trilogy. The pop-culture references are not as frequently mentioned in the television series Spaced but it’s still manages to be hilarious thanks to some witty dialogue and visual gags.

The fast-cut video style from Wright brings a sense of excitement and energy into The World’s End and the bar-room brawls in particular are beautifully directed, done in a similar way to the fighting sequences in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Pegg is just excellent in The World’s End. Pushing the limits from his usually likeable screen persona by playing Gary as a significantly more obnoxious character than we’re used to seeing.

Equally good is Frost as his best mate Andy. The on-screen chemistry with Pegg is a given thanks to their friendship off-camera.

The supporting cast is just fantastic with Martin Freeman, Eddie Marsan and Paddy Considine playing Pegg’s old school mates. You can really sense the bonding between the old mates from these talented actors, reminiscing the fun and free lives before moving on and having responsibilities.

Rosamund Pike plays the love interest for both Pegg and Considine. Her part is just minor in the film and yet in that cliché sci-fi style, Pike comes to the rescue before the end of the world.

There’s also cameos from the likes of Pierce Bronson (who reunites his former Die Another Day co-star Rosamund Pike), Nicholas Burns and the old cast from the Spaced television series (Mark Heap, Michael SmileyReece Shearsmith and Julia Deakin).

The use of music is inspired and the flashback sequences to the men as teenagers recapture that free spirit of doing what ever their feel like perfectly.

Wright and Pegg’s witty script is packed full of quotable lines and is frequently laugh-out-loud funny, but it’s also dead-on and surprisingly emotional in its depiction of male friendships.

It even manages to say some interesting points about both the gradual homogenisation of British society, in particular the gag involving chain pubs, as well as commenting on both the appeal and the inherent dangers of nostalgia.

So in summary, The World’s End is a fitting finale to the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy with a bangin’ soundtrack, fantastic cast and entertaining script. I raise my glass in approval to Wright, Pegg and Frost in providing so much fun and laughter over the years.

Trance (2013)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So here we go with Danny Boyle‘s… let’s call it “his film”. Filmed during a break for his preparation of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, it’s clear he wanted to let loose. Not as free and loose as say Trainspotting, but definitely a film with little input from Hollywood executives saying what he can and cannot do.

I won’t spoil it by saying too much since towards the end of the film you have no idea what the hell is going on, but the last scene changes everything and you don’t get it until the final take. Even then, you will still be questioning what you have just watched.

In the beginning, we see an auction house (think Sotheby’s) selling a very rare painting. We are introduced to Simon (James McAvoy) who works there and subsequently is involved with the stealing of said painting. However, he suffers a blow to the head and forgets where he has hidden the painting.

The crew he worked for, lead by Frank (Vincent Cassel), hires Elizabeth (Rosario Dawson) a hypnotist to see if she can unlock his memory and to see if he can remember what happened and where Simon has hidden the painting.

It’s not a spoiler to say she gets to know what he is looking for, but from now on, that’s all I’m going to say. However, what follows is a film you need to concentrate 100% for. It bounces back and forth the the extent that actually, paying too much attention almost makes it harder to follow.

It’s strange but if you watch it, you’ll get what I mean. You manage to keep up until near then end when wham! You have no idea what is going on.

If this were a film from any other director, you’d have no faith in it. But knowing who is behind it, which in my opinion is second only to Chris Nolan’s Inception or Memento for mindf**ks, you have faith. That faith I think is restored and rewarded. BUT, I’m not quite sure.

Make no mistake, this is a very good film, which is filmed impeccably with great angles that remind you without doubt, this is made by the same bloke who made Slumdog Millionaire which if nothing else, looked blooming gorgeous.

But an hour after watching, I’m not sure if it is brilliantly written, or in the films world, brilliantly convenient. The trouble is, one makes for a great film, the other makes for a not great film. Again, you need to watch this to get what I mean. Then you’ll know exactly where I’m coming from.

All the acting is great though. Sure the characters sometimes act strangely, but this is purely down to the role they are playing. We are treated to some torture scenes which have you holding onto your fingers with savage pressure and a very painful (for the boys) gunshot wound.

There is also some full frontal female nudity, which at the time grates and seems way out of place, but again, this becomes apparent at the end and you see why Danny was showing you it.

Whatever your you think of my ramblings, you HAVE to see this film. You may love it, but while I doubt you’ll hate it. You may certainly think it’s jumped the shark a bit. But you have to sit down, relax and think about it after it’s over to see if you like it or not. If there ever was a film to watch with a friend or loved one and partake in the act of discussing it over a slice of pie after, this is one of them.

Like I said, you may think in the end it’s stupid, but step back and even if you didn’t like it, you cannot deny right up to the end, you were hooked.

Reviewed by Invisiblekid

The Evil Dead (2013)

EvilDead2013Poster

Let me start by saying horror films are hard to make nowadays. Kids are not scared by the same things as they were years ago. But yet, so many modern horror films do the same things as found back in the 1970s and 80s.

The choice of going alone in the forest, going downstairs to investigate a noise. All done back then and for the last few years, joked about by today’s modern teenager.

So in recent years, that meaning and scare tactics has waned. So now we have just a competition as to how graphic we can be before the censors jump in and things that make you jump as the tactics to scare you.

This is not horror. Making you jump is not horror. Making you jump is not the same as making you scared to look out of your window or walk down a path in the dark.

Nah, now it’s all about how much blood can we produce and how we can make CGI look real and how much torture we can get away with.

That’s why I’ve not watched or cared about a horror film for years. On hearing the news the The Evil Dead was going to be remade had me crying into my hands and a continued hatred for modern horror.

But also hearing about the involvement of Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell (the original creators of The Evil Dead) certainly made me think again. Seeing the trailer also brought me forward into thinking, this could be rather good. I was excited about a horror films for this first time in years. The words of the pair saying have faith rang in my head. They made me have faith.

Oh and by the way. This IS a remake. Most on the set have said this isn’t so. This is a new version that should be thought of as it’s own and want it to stand on it’s own two legs. Huh, well the very fact that it copies 99% of the original shows that this is so a remake and they are all liars.

I then saw the red band trailer. Oh the pain. Oh the anger, oh the lies…

This appeared to be nothing more than Evil Dead meets Saw. Gone was the true scares only to be replaced by blood and one frame cuts hoping to make you jump. This had me running for the hills. In one fell swoop had me doubting everything I was told, and in no way had me wanting to race to the cinema to see this.

So here we are with the Blu-ray release. Being such a huge fan of the original, almost a bigger fan of the sequel and liking the third instalment, no matter the reviews, I would sit down and watch this alone, in the dark, on the floor – the snoring black Labrador was taking my place on the leather sofa.

I was hoping to be proved wrong and that this was finally a remaking work remaking. To improve on the original and restore my faith in the horror genre. It didn’t.

The premise of how they get to the cabin is rubbish. To be fair, I don’t know how you could get a bunch of teenagers into a cabin in the woods without it being shit, but this was weak.

A girl hooked on cocaine was going to go cold turkey with the help of her friends, and so this cabin seemed the only only place to do it. I guess Betty Ford was too expensive.

So the group roll up and make themselves comfortable in the cabin. But there is a smell coming from the basement. They investigate and find a load of dead animals and a book wrapped in plastic and barbed wire.

Of course this is an open invitation for it to be opened and the famous words of resurrection of the dead are recited. This I am not bothered about as how else would you raise the dead? By reading a Mr Men book?!

We soon get to the smack addict being left alone outside in the pouring rain who is “taken” by the woods. In the original, the first victim is also attacked by the woods and is bound, tied by it’s branches.

What follows I’m sure you can guess if you don’t know already the infamous scene. A scene that lead to it being cut for the UK video release (as well as other cuts). Later, the original director said he was not a fan and that he wished he cut it out completely. But in true fashion,  the remake tried to improve it and in true fashion failed… Hugely.

I was surprised it was not more graphic, in fact I’d say less so than the original despite the censors allowing much more realistic and explicit footage to be shown nowadays. It has ZERO scares and just reminded you of how much better it was done 32 years ago!

To cut a long story short, the whole film carried on in this manner. To be fair to the film, it was impossible to remake it and for it not to be compared to the sublime original.

There were takes of the 1981 film that took you back, but within seconds we are back to blood and gore and despite the involvement of Sam and Bruce, simply no idea how to make a horror film. At least a good one in the 21st century.

The 1981 version had some great funny moments that this version was sorely lacking. The original didn’t take itself seriously and yet this version has nothing but. It was “Hey look at me, I’m trying be be a great horror film, please come and watch me” all the way through. It tried to be scary, but it just wasn’t. At all and that’s it’s big problem.

I was so bored I found myself drinking yet more Polish 96% Vodka just to get through the film!

The acting was awful and had me wanting everyone in it to be killed ASAP.

The good stuff just reminded you of why you’re not watching the original where it was done better.

It reminds of the remake of Psycho which literally copied the entire film shot for shot but was somehow turned it to utter crap. The ONLY redeeming thing is the fact that with this Evil Dead, God bless ’em, there is very little CGI and what CGI there is, is done very well.

This was a terrible idea and at no point did anyone involved stopped to think the same thing. I urge you, to never go anywhere near this steaming pile of excrement (tho massively better than Eden Lake) and just go out and buy the original Blu-ray and watch how it’s done.

Not scary, not funny, not funny scary, so what was the point?

Further reading on The Evil Dead:

Mark Kermode’s thoughts
IMDB
Rotten Tomatoes
Empire Magazine
AVForums

Jack Bauer lives for a brand new day

Jack Bauer 24 rooftop

Kiefer Sutherland will return to the role as a counter-terrorism superhero following the news that Fox has revival the real-time thriller show 24 in a new 12-episode format.

The new series, entitled ‘24: Live Another Day‘ will adopt the same 24 ‘hourly’ episodes from the past eight seasons, but will be condensed to just twelve episodes.

It’s been three years since the popular Fox drama was axed, following a run of 192 episodes between the year of 2001 and 2010.

Following the exploits of CTU agent Jack Bauer, played by the Emmy Award-winning actor Sutherland, the drama was widely thought to have run out of steam by the end of its final season.

Plans for a 24 spin-off movie never materialised while Sutherland’s other Fox drama, Touch, was cancelled after a two-year run.

Fox Entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly said 24 show runner Howard Gordon, whose credits also include Homeland, was “really energised” by the idea of a rebooted 24.

“They always had this idea of someday doing a feature film. I think they all agreed that ‘24‘ compressed into two hours is not 24,” said Reilly.

“What they’ll be able to do is go in chronological order of the day, but skip hours… Now we’ll get the best part.”

Sutherland said: “The response to 24 is unlike anything I have ever experienced as an actor before.

“To have the chance to reunite with the character, Jack Bauer, is like finding a lost friend. The story ideas from Howard Gordon are exciting and fresh, and will not disappoint.”

Gordon, whose other credits include Homeland, the US adaptation of hit Israeli drama Prisoners of War, said: “Jack Bauer has always been an exciting, thrilling character, and I confess that I’ve missed him.

“I think the audience has too. The character has evolved through the years, and this new and exciting event series format is perfect to tell the next chapter of his story and continue to reflect how the world is changing. Fans can rest assured that the Jack they know and love will be back.”

Such fantastic news that Jack Bauer is back. 24 is one of my favourite television shows and I look forward to hearing Kiefer shouting “Dammit!” once again.