The Asgardian Avenger returns to action this October!
Marvel Studios have today released the first theatrical teaser trailer for superhero film sequel Thor: The Dark World. Set to play in cinemas before Iron Man 3, this new preview of the upcoming instalment in Phase Two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise teases a rather epic London-set opening to proceedings, before Thor (Chris Hemsworth) brings Jane (Natalie Portman) back to Asgard in the midst of an intergalactic crisis. It seems Malkeith's (Christopher Eccleston) plans could require Thor to make the ultimate sacrifice, but not before the war hero has to deal with the consequences of leaving his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) in chains. This is easily one of the most exciting trailers released this year so far, so you'll want to be giving it a watch with just two days' to go until Iron Man 3's release. Thor: The Dark World hammers into cinemas across the UK on October 30th.
Our verdict on last week's sensational third episode of Season Three.
Although the opening two instalments of Game Of Thrones Season Three were a little more low-key than many fans might have expected, the latest instalment, Walk Of Punishment, capitalised on the series' trademark action and romances in new and daring ways. With a variety of exciting character arc developments clearly present throughout the episode, it should be interesting to see how the show develops in the seven instalments remaining this season.
First and foremost, it was brilliant to have the action over in King's Landing placed at the centre of the viewer's attention once again. Peter Dinklage continues to dominate the screen with ease in any scene in which Tyrion Lannister features in, boasting equally impressive chemistry with Charles Dance's Tywin that should be fascinating to watch continue to develop in the near future. Better yet, those two characters' plans and dialogues should begin to interweave soon with those of Joffrey, Margery and Diana Rigg's Olanna, ensuing in meetings and verbal sparring which this reviewer cannot wait to see play out.
Another unexpected surprise hit was the role of Jaime Lannister and Brienne in the episode's storyline. The implied near-miss of a situation of rape was just as dark a moment for the show as a similar scene involving Sansa was handled in Season Two, made all the more tense and disturbing by the viewer being unable to see whether Brienne was actually still safe amongst Jaime hearing her screams. It appears that there's a fierce friendship breeding between those two past adversaries, again something which will bear intriguing investigation in the weeks ahead with Jaime needing more of an, ahem, hand in adventures to come.
Naturally, much of the appeal of this week's episode was the potential it raised for adventures to come. That inevitably did provide the sense that a standalone piece it wasn't quite the next full-on Game Of Thrones masterpiece fans are waiting for from Season Three's earlier episodes, but it's as close as the show's come to Blackwater's quality in some time. With this in mind, our excitement for the days ahead for Game Of Thrones can be enhanced considerably, especially if Walk Of Punishment provides even a hint of the kind of episode quality we can expect in the near future! 4.5/5
Journey to Gotham, Hogwarts and more in our latest Video Round-Up...
This week on our Video Corner feature, we've rounded together another collection of both hilarious and substantial videos for you to divulge. From Harry Potter to The Bling Ring, from The Great Gatsby to Batman: Arkham Origins, there's something for a whole host of entertainment fanbases here. Without further ado, then, head below and see what YouTube has to offer this time around... HARRY POTTER HONEST TRAILER- The Honest Trailers video series has always brought its fair share of laughs. This JK Rowling-themed edition is no different, compiling clips of the eight Harry Potter films in a hilarious manner with a honest yet insightful take into the defining films of the past decade.
BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS STORYLINE- Worried about whether Warner Bros can provide us with a fully fledged Batman: Arkham storyline sans Rocksteady and Paul Dini? This development video on Arkham Origins may well put your mind at rest, as it shows plenty of loyalty and reverence on the part of the Montreal branch making this entry in the franchise.
GREAT GATSBY: OVER THE LOVE- How do you squeeze Florence + The Machine into the daring soundtrack of Baz Luhrmman's The Great Gatsby film? Here's how- you provide the world with one of the most gripping tracks of 2013, intertwining some of the movie's greatest themes with a dazzling voice to carry all the lyrics with ease...
THE BLING RING TRAILER- For Emma Watson fans, we've got the first teaser trailer for the actress' new film The Bling Ring. It doesn't reveal much, but Emma's looking great there, which could well be enough for fans originating from the male gender of humanity!
Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill blast back into cinemas next year!
A sequel to the hit comedy 2012 film 21 Jump Street has been announced by Columbia Pictures this week. Starring Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, last year's original comedy movie was a heartwarming series of hilarities that placed the two lead stars back in their high school days as undercover cops. Given that the films are adaptations of the original TV show of the same name, the follow-up shouldn't be left wanting for new material to play with next year. 21 Jump Street 2 is set for release in cinemas worldwide in 2014.
EA's bestselling football video game franchise returns this Autumn!
EA Games have this week announced the development of FIFA 14 for release later this year. As always, this new title will come packaged with updated player rosters and stadium environmental possibilities, with new features this time around including enhanced AI, the most realistic ball physics engine yet and an innovative take on the classic Career mode. For those who have never quite seen the appeal of forking out £40 year in year out for the same game, myself included, there's nothing on offer to change our minds, but for fans of the series this will no doubt sate their appetites once again. FIFA 14 will retail for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo WiiU and PC (and no doubt next-generation consoles) this September.
Bethesda reveal their next surefire masterpiece...
Bethesda Game Studios have this week announced the development of The Evil Within for release in the future. Developed by an internal team of the studio featuring some of the creators of Resident Evil, this new project will feature a blend of horror and action and push both of its generations of consoles further than fans ever thought possible. I'm glad to see the studio aren't simply opting for another Elder Scrolls or Fallout instalment, just as they didn't with Dishonored last year, but don't be surprised if we get an announcement of that ike at E3 2013 either. The Evil Within will launch on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC and next-generation consoles in 2014.
Tony Stark returns in Iron Man 3 and the Doctor journeys to the centre of the TARDIS in the next seven days...
We're now heading into our final full week of new posts before the Summer Hiatus, which begins next Monday, April 29th. That's the bad news- but on the plus side, we're 'going out' with a helluva bang, with a good number of big releases coming our way in the next seven days. Rest assured, there'll be coverage of what's to come during and after the Hiatus very soon too, but for now, here's our guide to everything that's ahead between April 22nd and 28th: GAME OF THRONES: AND NOW HIS WATCH IS ENDED-The tension in Westeros ramps up a notch in the fourth episode of Game Of Thrones Season Three, as Varys finally meets a match, Danerys takes control of the slave situation in the East, and Arya meets the Brotherhood Without Banners' leader. Exciting times ahead! (Monday 22nd) DOCTOR WHO: THE ROOTS OF EVIL-Philip Reeve is bringing us a Doctor Who 50th Anniversary eBook to coincide with the Fourth Doctor month of April. Here, we see the Doctor and Leela tackle a deadly alien menace whose power lies within a mysterious forest that puts every time traveller under threat...(Tuesday 23rd) THOR: THE DARK WORLD TRAILER- Just ahead of Iron Man 3 kicking off Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Two in cinemas, Marvel Studios are debuting the exclusive first trailer for the next entry in their continuing franchise. Thor: The Dark World is looking like an incredible superhero film for the ages, and we're sure this first preview will more than do it justice. (Tuesday 23rd) IRON MAN 3- Does the man make the suit or the suit make the man? That's the question that Tony Stark and his superhero alter-ego Iron Man must answer for themselves in the epic superhero threequel Iron Man 3, where a cocky move on Stark's part with regards to his social and super lives places everyone he loves in danger, forcing him to rely on his wits and intelligence rather than other Avengers in order to stop the menace of the Mandarin. Could Iron Man 3 be a new Film Of The Year 2013 contender? We'll know for sure this Thursday...(Thursday 25th) DOCTOR WHO: JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE TARDIS- And finally, we fans are getting yet another Doctor Who 50th Anniversary blockbuster adventure. When the TARDIS is brought aboard an intergalactic salvage ship to be sold for scrap, things can't go well- but when the Doctor places it in self-destruct mode and gives the scrappers thirty minutes to help him find Clara in the depths of his ship, then the situation becomes of universal proportions. Prepare to see the TARDIS like you've never seen it before, as we journey to its very heart and learn its darkest secrets! (Saturday 26th) AND THERE'S MORE- Jack Reacher hits DVD and Blu-Ray retailers tomorrow, plus LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins lands on Nintendo 3DS, Star Trek provides a thrilling prelude to the events of the new film In Darkness on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Dead Island: Riptide bursts onto consoles everywhere and Injustice: Gods Among Us hits Nintendo WiiU. AND NEXT WEEK...Vastra, Jenny and Strax must rescue the Doctor and Clara from a deadly Victorian fate in Doctor Who: The Crimson Horror, Oliver Queen and Diggle face the return of Deadshot in Arrow: Home Invasion, a marraige holds devestating implications in Game Of Thrones: Kissed By Fire and Ubisoft unveil their full new downloadable shooter as FarCry 3: Blood Dragon hits Xbox Live and PlayStation Network! AND BEYOND...Obviously our Summer Hiatus begins on Monday April 29th, so after that date until June 19th this regular feature will culminate for a time. Nevertheless, we'll be doing an extended edition next week covering from April 29th-June 19th, including (but by no means limited to) The Great Gatsby, Star Trek Into Darkness, Doctor Who: Nightmare In Silver & The Name Of The Doctor, Game Of Thrones' final six episodes of Season Three, Arrow's final three episodes of Season One, The Hangover Part III, Fast & Furious 6, E3 2013, Man Of Steel and much, much more...
The Asgardian Avenger returns to action this October!
