Scream Queens Season 2 review (NO SPOILERS)

Fox Season 2 of Ryan Murphy’s Scream Queens on the whole is a mixed (yet fun) bag. One thing it has going for it is that you won’t be bored. Ever. The writing is as sharp as ever. Laugh out loud shocking at times and at other times highlighting some social prejudice when it comes to those who may look slightly different. The move from a college campus to a hospital setting has allowed show creators Ryan Murphy & Brad Falchuk to focus on some outlandish medical cases and it is a credit to them in the way they bring the patients into the madness and treat them like what they are. Just people with medical complaints. You never get the impression the show is laughing at them and that was a tricky thing to get right because the show while known for it’s nasty characters, could have turned into a really nasty show that left a bad taste in the viewers mouth.

The Chanels, Hester, Zayday, Cathy Munsch and FBI Agent Denise Hemphill are as crazy and likeable as ever despite their serious social flaws! With the exception of Zayday, who this time around makes the jump from final girls best friend to full on lead and runs with it. Emma Roberts somehow maintains this odd likeability and it’s crazy because if I knew Chanel Oberlin in real life I’d despise her! Haha. She’s so horrid but I was rooting for her each time her life was in danger. The same goes for Chanel#3 (Billie Lourd) and Chanel#3 (Abigail Breslin), both of whom are given the chance to explore more aspects of their characters and take their own surprising journey! Jamie Lee Curtis is amaze, with the rest of the cast doing good work. The scene stealer for me out of them all is Niecy Nash as Denise. Haha. She is beyond funny. Quick shout out to the great Kirstie Alley as Nurse Ingrid Hoffel. I hadn’t seen Alley in much for a while now and it’s great to see her back on screen and looking great!

With the new hospital setting you can expect some over the top kills that go beyond the usual stalk and slash! The new look killer is as camp as the Red Devil was in the first season but the idea of a new killer makes sense and the costume looks cool. The motive(s?) behind the murders this time around is more streamlined but the ultimate pay off/face off left me wanting more but the way it plays out is good and surprising but I felt it focused on the wrong characters. Gotta be vague to avoid spoilers.

Season 2 has a massive 80’s vibe which goes right through from the music to the fashion and the look of some episodes. It’s a fun season and I loved some of the music cues. That said I could understand if some fans felt like the show went off the rails in Season 2 and maybe got a bit too crazy for it’s own good. Ratings, from what I’ve read online, have been dire so I’ll be surprised if Fox orders a third season. That’s a shame. Scream Queens is a fun show, sure it may not be scary, but honestly how many of those old campy 80’s slasher movies are? Scream Queens works more often than it doesn’t and I really want a  Scream Queens Season 3: Summer Camp! Come on FOX!!

 

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Lethal Weapon

1987 was the year Joel Silver introduced the world to Lethal Weapon. Directed by Richard Donner and written by Shane Black the film set the foundations for the buddy cop sub-genre. Mel Gibson stars as cop Martin Riggs who is a Vietnam vet coping with the loss of his wife, suicidal urges and the fact his peers see him as a loose canon and want nothing to do with him. On the flip Danny Glover is Roger Murtaugh. He’s a good cop who loves his family and is starting to weigh up the demands against the comfort of family life. As he reminds the audience throughout the film he is “getting too old for this shit”. The events of the film, a seemingly simple murder case, thrust these two opposite cops together and forces them to get past their differences and work together to take down the bad guys.

Richard Donner is good director who is able to give the action and the plot good consideration and pace. The star of Lethal Weapon is the films script by Shane Black. Black made his name in the 1980’s with hits such as Predator, Monster Squad and of course Lethal Weapon. Riggs and Murtaugh come across like real guys faults and all. Even the bad guys are given depth and odd characteristics that help them stand out. Of course the actors play a big part with Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey and Tom Atkins giving great performances.

One of the best parts of Lethal Weapon is the connection that ties Riggs, Murtaugh and the bad guys together. During the 1980’s Vietnam was considered a recent memory and in a way the film works as an examination of post war stress, particularly with Riggs, who we learn was a sniper/assassin during the war. You can see, without being told, that Riggs’s wife was his rock, the one thing that helped him to hold on, to get a career in the police force and realize he could have happiness. With her gone Riggs has next to nothing to live for, at least that he can see. When Murtaugh (and to a big extent his family) enters Riggs life (and this is the biggest credit to Shane’s script) he finds he has to rely more and more on his partnership with Riggs and begins to share his life with his partner and in doing so he’s giving Riggs a lifeline. Symbolic at first and literally by the films conclusion. This is why Lethal Weapon is THE buddy cop movie and it’s hard to beat, sure the story is good and the action is great but there’s more to the film than surface action fare.

Lethal Weapon absolutely warrants is reputation as an 80’s classic and it’s a great action movie. The sequels that followed would vary between very goo to okay but overall a great first chapter to a solid action franchise.

Rumoured to be in line for a reboot for years, plans quickly turned to TV and Lethal Weapon the series began it’s first season last year! I have not seen it and I don’t think I want to. I got nothing against them making a television show based on the name but for me it’s Glover and Gibson or no deal.

 

Tekken 7 Release date/Story trailer!

Tekken 7’s journey to home consoles has spanned literal years at this point. Not several mind but still more than one since we all first caught sight of it. Clearly good things come to those who wait if this new story heavy trailer is anything to go by. The footage highlights how the game’s story mode will seamlessly blend cut scenes with battles and the effect is stunning.

Exclusive content will be available to PS4 owners in the form of classic costumes for certain characters. PS4 owners will also be allowed to create custom playlists compiled from previous Tekken games via a new mode called Tekken Jukebox.

Pre-orders gain access to Tekken Revolution’s Eliza.

Tekken 7 hits PS4, X-Box One and PC June 2nd.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi!

Behold the title for Rian Johnson’s Star Wars Episode VIII! Who could this Last Jedi be I wonder? Hmm? Yep. It’s Luke Skywalker. Obvious Central paging! Haha. I love the title and the red font. Very cool. I reckon it will be a little while before we get a teaser trailer but I love this simple title poster. It’s boss. Christmas will be here sooner than y’all think.

GO! GO! Full Power Rangers theatrical trailer!!

Damn that first teaser trailer was TOO good because for me this full theatrical trailer isn’t as good. That sounds nuts I know. You get to see WAY more action, the Zords, Alpha, Zordon, Rita, GOLDAR! THE MEGAZORD!! – but something just seemed…off. I can not put my finger on it. Anyway it’s my issue and not the films because everything looks good to me on a base level. I was a bit worried how the Rangers would look and the Zords but the effects look decent enough so that’s a big plus and if the film is good well that’s the most important thing.

Actually I think I know what my issue is with the trailer. It’s the missing GO! GO! theme. If I’d have been cutting this trailer and in charge of marketing I’d have had ” GO! GO! POWER RANGERS!!” booming all the way through this trailer. Missed opportunity in my useless opinion!

Power Rangers opens up March 24th.

X-23(?)steals the brand new Logan trailer

The footage on show here is promising a different X-Men/Wolverine movie than what audiences are used to.  Logan looks to be a smaller scale affair compared to the world ending battles the X-Men usually face. However if the trailer is any indication the stakes will be just as high for Logan, Professor X and the mysterious girl they are protecting.

X-23 was created for the X-Men: Evolution animated series. The character proved to be so popular Marvel introduced her into the comic book canon. It is not confirmed yet if the girl in the trailer is X-23 but all signs point to “yes”.

Hugh Jackman posted the following official synopsis for Logan on Twitter earlier this week “In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hideout on the Mexican border. But Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.”

Logan is directed by James Mangold and will hit cinemas March 3rd.

 

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Nintendo Switch trailer

Look at this breath taking trailer for Breath of the Wild, which launches along with the console on March 3rd. The plot details are not forthcoming but the trailer hints at elements of time (I would be hesitant to say time-travel will play a part in the game) and a kingdom lost.

The footage gives us our first proper look at Princess Zelda herself. You can see her costume design looks similar to Link’s combat gear. Could Breath of the Wild offer a portion of the game that will see Zelda take a more active role? Early rumours on Breath of the Wild – stress rumours – suggested another playable character. Could it be Zelda herself?

What I assume are other key characters from the games story and locations are highlighted in the trailer as well as the world and it’s inhabitants. Breath of the Wild is no doubt an incredibly ambitious game and one that will certainly be known as a “system seller” for many people.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launches March 3rd on the Nintendo Switch and the Wii U.

Twin Peaks teases the return of Cooper

Here is the first look at Special Agent Dale Cooper in Showtime and David Lynch’s Twin Peaks season 3. The brand new 18 episode series is set to begin in May in the U.S. and will be shown on Sky Atlantic here in the U.K. Once we get a confirmed air date for Sky Atlantic I will be letting you know.

It’s great to see Cooper. It looks like hardly any time has passed let alone 25 years. Fans will be wondering just what kind of state Cooper will be in once the new season starts, considering how season 2 wrapped up. We don’t have long to find out!

 

Super Bomberman R Switch reveal trailer

Back in the 90’s Super Bomberman was a massive series on the Snes. I loved those games. I spent hours and hours with my friend with Super Bomberman 2 and especially Super Bomberman 3. It’s great to see the series not only return but return to Nintendo. I hope it’s a quality product and not just a quick cash grab on a classic brand!

Super Bomberman R will launch March 3rd 2017.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Switch reveal trailer

I missed the Wii U. I can not wait to get my hands on Mario Kart 8. The trailer gives a good look at the new modes (Battle Mode) and new characters.

Mario Kart 8:Deluxe launches April 28th.