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

Kelsey Egan's "The Fix" is an ambitious science fiction thriller set in a dystopian future dominated by corporate greed and environmental collapse. It tells a fast-paced, gripping tale of survival, centring on Ella McPhee, whose physical and emotional transformation becomes pivotal to humanity's salvation. Grace Van Dien's nuanced performance, coupled with commendable makeup effects, brings depth to a character grappling with profound change. The strong performances of the international cast, particularly Daniel Sharman as the chilling Eric O'Connors and Nicole Fortuin as the enigmatic Lazarus, add richness to this tightly woven narrative. Egan maximises the film's modest budget, creating immersive world-building and action sequences that highlight her creativity.

While the story occasionally feels constrained by budgetary limitations, its themes resonate powerfully in today's socio-political climate. The narrative critiques the ethical failures of profit-driven science and positions independent rebels as humanity's moral centre. Although some broader sci-fi elements remain underexplored, the film compensates with its sharp focus and adrenaline-fuelled pacing. The Fix is a testament to how passion and creativity can overcome resource constraints, delivering an engaging thriller that balances visceral action with thought-provoking ideas.

Full Review at

https://www.beentothemovies.com/2024/11/review-fix-2024-sci-fi-thriller-film.html

REVIEW: Wall Town Wonders - Quest 3 VR

Wall Town Wonders is a delightful mixed-reality game that transforms your living room into a bustling miniature town. Its innovative use of VR allows players to interact with their surroundings as they build and customise their town, completing quests and unlocking mini-games. The vibrant visuals, whimsical characters, and dynamic integration of the physical and digital worlds create an engaging and relaxing experience. Seasonal updates and extensive customisation options ensure the game stays fresh and inviting. However, the hand-tracking, while ambitious, can sometimes feel imprecise, making controllers a more reliable option for interaction.

While the gameplay is charming and creative, some players might find its depth lacking, as it focuses more on casual, relaxing fun rather than complex mechanics or challenges. Despite this, the game's endearing mini-games, detailed design, and immersive concept make it a standout title in mixed reality. Reviews widely praise its charm and the sense of connection it fosters between the player and the virtual town. It's a strong showcase of how VR can transform home spaces into imaginative playgrounds.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2024/11/review-wall-town-wonders-meta-quest-3-vr.html

REVIEW: Starship Troopers: Continuum (2024 VR Game) - Meta Quest 3

Starship Troopers: Continuum is a thrilling and immersive VR game that captures the essence of the Starship Troopers franchise, with players taking on the role of a PsyCommander, someone with psychic powers who can control troopers on the battlefield. The gameplay mixes fast-paced, arcade-style shooting with a strategic layer, as you manage and rank up both yourself and your troopers. With over 20 weapons to unlock and use, you'll face waves of Arachnids and powerful bosses, all while completing objectives and progressing through the campaign. The game features a satisfying progression system, allowing you to promote troopers and unlock various perks, but also adds an element of risk, as each trooper only has one life before being replaced with a new one.

The game is at its best in co-op mode, where teamwork is key, but solo players can still enjoy the action. Its graphics are impressive for VR, and the humour from the films shines through, offering a fun, satirical tone. While the game can feel repetitive at times, particularly in solo play, it's packed with intense combat and strategic depth, especially when playing with friends. There are a few minor issues, like occasional audio glitches, but they don't detract from the overall experience. For fans of the Starship Troopers universe, the game offers a solid, enjoyable VR shooter with plenty of action, humour, and replayability.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2024/11/review-starship-troopers-continuum-2024.html

REVIEW: Red One (2024 Christmas Movie) - Starring Dwayne Johnson

Red One is a festive thrill ride that combines Christmas magic with explosive action, offering a refreshing twist on holiday films. Directed by Jake Kasdan, the film follows Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans as unlikely allies racing to rescue Santa Claus from a sinister foe. Packed with holiday cheer, imaginative lore, and larger-than-life adventure, it delivers plenty of laughs and heartfelt moments. Johnson and Evans shine in their roles, bringing both humour and emotional depth, while J. K. Simmons' Santa is a delightful mix of warmth and gravitas. With a rich cast that includes Kiernan Shipka's chilling Grýla and Kristofer Hivju's layered Krampus, the story embraces its mythological roots, creating a festive yet international feel.

Despite its fun premise, the film does falter in places. At two hours, it feels a bit too long, and a tighter edit could have improved its pacing. The script occasionally stumbles under its own ambition, and the reliance on CGI and gimmicks can be distracting at times. Still, Red One has undeniable heart, celebrating the spirit of Christmas with themes of family, redemption, and wonder. It is an action-packed, family-friendly film that leaves you smiling and in the festive mood. While not perfect, it's an entertaining addition to the holiday film canon

Full Review and Trailer at

https://www.beentothemovies.com/2024/11/review-red-one-2024-christmas-film.html

REVIEW: Am I Racist? (2024 Documentary Film) - Starring Matt Walsh

Am I Racist? is a satirical dive into the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) industry, with Matt Walsh playing a self-proclaimed DEI "expert" who awkwardly navigates anti-racism workshops and consultations. Directed by Justin Folk, the film is half-documentary, half-mockumentary, as Walsh uses his bumbling persona to expose the excesses and contradictions within the DEI world. With scenes like convincing strangers to sign a petition to rename the Washington Monument the "George Floyd Monument" and sharing a mock "confession" about a relative's outdated joke, Walsh highlights the industry's more extreme aspects. His deadpan approach leaves interviewees tripping over their own statements, with the editing further amplifying the humour.

Though there's a clear conservative slant, Am I Racist? doesn't shy away from its target, inviting viewers to question how much of the DEI movement is rooted in genuine change versus performance or profit. Walsh's knack for asking simple, seemingly naïve questions draws out uncomfortable truths without feeling forced. The film touches on serious themes but keeps a playful tone, and while some critics have ignored it, the film is likely to resonate with audiences frustrated with the increasingly performative side of DEI. It's less hard-hitting than What is a Woman? but delivers the same brand of provocative, eye-opening satire.

Full Review

https://www.beentothemovies.com/2024/11/review-am-i-racist-2024-documentary.html

REVIEW: Songs of Conquest on PC (Steam)

Songs of Conquest is a nostalgic yet refined turn-based strategy game inspired by Heroes of Might and Magic III, combining kingdom management and tactical combat with a modern flair. Set within a vivid fantasy world, players can command powerful Wielders who lead unique factions, each meticulously crafted to offer distinct strategies and abilities. Lavapotion uses a stunning blend of pixel art with 3D environments, creating an enchanting aesthetic that feels both old-school and fresh. Each turn demands strategic thinking, from resource management to the careful positioning of units, resulting in an experience that feels as challenging as it is rewarding. The captivating visuals, atmospheric lighting, and compelling soundtrack add depth, immersing players in a world that celebrates the genre's heritage.

The gameplay's depth and replayability shine, with an essence-based magic system that encourages varied approaches to combat, and the ability to craft Wielders' powers in ways unique to each faction. Community support is a notable strength, offering extensive custom map-making and modding options that promise long-term engagement. Although some may find it a close homage to its inspirations, Songs of Conquest succeeds in revitalising the genre while respecting its roots, making it a compelling choice for fans of 90s-style strategy games and a testament to the enduring appeal of this type of fantasy adventure.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2024/11/review-songs-of-conquest-on-pc-steam.html

The Blocky Beginnings and Evolution of Minecraft

Minecraft began in 2009 as a simple indie game created by Markus Persson, also known as "Notch." The game's open-world sandbox design, featuring blocky graphics and endless possibilities for exploration and building, quickly captured the attention of players around the world. Minecraft grew from a quirky idea into a massive global phenomenon, offering players a chance to create, survive, and thrive in randomly generated worlds. Survival Mode challenges players to gather resources, craft tools, and fend off mobs, while Hardcore Mode adds an extra layer of difficulty with permanent death. On the other hand, Anarchy servers, provide a chaotic, rule-free environment where griefing, raiding, and survival are the core activities.

The Minecraft community has played a major role in keeping the game fresh and relevant. Through multiplayer servers, mods, and custom worlds, the game offers endless variety, allowing players to shape their own experiences. Mods can add anything from new items to entire new dimensions, while the official Minecraft Marketplace offers approved mods for different platforms. The community is active across YouTube, Twitch, and events like MineCon, where fans gather to celebrate the game and discuss updates. With frequent updates from Mojang, Minecraft continues to evolve, offering new challenges, biomes, and mobs. The game remains a testament to creativity and community, staying popular for over a decade and still capturing the imagination of players worldwide.

Full Article at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2024/11/the-blocky-beginnings-and-evolution-of.html

REVIEW: Planet Coaster 2 (2024 Video Game) on PS5

Planet Coaster 2 is an exciting upgrade for fans of theme park simulators, offering a wealth of new features and improvements that enhance the building and management experience. The game refines the original's solid mechanics with more freedom to design larger parks and greater creative possibilities. Key upgrades include a revamped pathing system that simplifies the creation of complex layouts, as well as new tools to scale, mirror, and customize objects for a more personalized park design. The visuals have also been improved significantly, making parks feel more dynamic with realistic lighting and immersive details.

Sandbox mode remains the heart of the game, allowing players to build freely without limitations, while the campaign mode adds structure with specific goals and challenges. Multiplayer is another exciting feature, enabling cooperative park-building across platforms. While the game shines in creativity and design, the management systems, particularly research and financial elements, feel a bit passive and could use more depth. Despite these minor drawbacks, Planet Coaster 2 builds on its predecessor with better visuals, more customization options, and a more engaging gameplay experience. It's a must-play for anyone who loves theme park simulations.

Full Review at

https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2024/11/review-planet-coaster-2-2024-video-game.html

REVIEW: Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) - Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga

"Joker: Folie à Deux" takes Arthur Fleck's troubled story in a new direction by turning it into a jukebox musical, but the result is uneven. Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga give strong performances, adding intensity to their characters and some intriguing chemistry, but the storyline feels unfocused and overly ambitious. Attempting to blend courtroom drama, psychological exploration, and musical sequences, the film struggles to capture the tension and mystery of the original. The musical numbers are a mixed bag; some enhance Arthur's mental fragmentation, while others feel like filler. Combined with slow pacing and a lack of fresh insight into Arthur's character, the film drags rather than delves.

Ultimately, "Joker: Folie à Deux" seems more like a cash grab than a meaningful continuation, missing the original's gritty intelligence. While Lady Gaga's Lee brings some charisma, her character lacks the chaotic energy seen in past portrayals of Harley Quinn, and her connection with Arthur fails to add real depth. The film's attempt to reinvent the Joker's journey as a musical leaves it feeling repetitive and hollow, with an ending that underwhelms rather than provokes. Although technically well-made, the movie feels like an extended epilogue, leaving Joker's story more muddled than ever.

Full Review at

https://www.beentothemovies.com/2024/11/review-joker-folie-deux-2024-starring.html

REVIEW: Sofie: The Echoes (2024 Video Game) - On PC (Steam)

Sofie: The Echoes is an ambitious story-driven game that brings players into the life of Sofie, a mother and professor, as she searches for her missing husband and son. With beautifully crafted cutscenes and a powerful narrative, the game does well at setting a haunting atmosphere where Sofie confronts twisted landscapes, memories, and physical foes. Sofie's emotional journey is compelling, and her character brings a refreshing depth to the action-adventure genre. However, the gameplay mechanics themselves are somewhat basic, with combat and exploration often falling into predictable, repetitive patterns that detract from the immersion the story builds.

Despite its potential, Sofie: The Echoes is held back by technical issues and inconsistent quality. The game was launched with numerous bugs, performance problems, and questionable design choices, like unnecessary attention to Sofie's skirt physics. These issues, combined with poor enemy AI and a significant drop in graphical quality between cutscenes and gameplay, make the experience feel unpolished. Although regular updates are addressing these problems, the game currently feels unrefined, making it hard to recommend despite its strong narrative. 

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2024/11/review-sofie-echoes-2024-video-game-on.html

REVIEW: Juror No. 2 (2024 Film) - Starring Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, J. K. Simmons, and Kiefer Sutherland

Juror #2, directed by Clint Eastwood, follows young journalist Justin Kemp, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult, as he grapples with a moral crisis while serving on the jury for a murder trial. The case seems straightforward until Justin suspects he might know more than he initially realised about the night of the crime, casting doubt on the accused man's guilt. This realisation throws Justin into a dilemma, forcing him to choose between protecting his own life and family or revealing the truth to prevent a potentially wrongful conviction. The tension in the jury room, especially with Toni Collette as the hard-nosed prosecutor and Kiefer Sutherland as an old homicide inspector on the jury, turns the courtroom scenes into a psychological and moral battlefield.

Eastwood directs the film with a steady, focused hand, allowing the actors and story to take centre stage without unnecessary theatrics. The film balances classic courtroom drama with modern themes of justice, duty, and personal sacrifice, making it more than just a thriller. Hoult and Collette deliver powerful performances, with Hoult's portrayal of Justin's inner turmoil giving the film an emotional core that keeps the audience invested. Overall, Juror #2 is a suspenseful, intelligent drama that brings thought-provoking questions about guilt and morality to the forefront, leaving viewers with a lasting impression.

Full Review and Trailer at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2024/11/review-juror-no-2-2024-film-starring.html