Evil Aliens

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Checking out images of movie and console game alien warrriors following an online conversation with a well respected manufacturer yesterday, I stumbled upon this photo from EVIL ALIENS a British low budget B-Movie starring our own rude girl and Geek Princess, Emily Booth (NWS link):

I thought this was a cool picture, and the aliens in the photo have potential in 15mm. Unfortunately Google-Fu uncovered that they were very old style Dr Who aliens, just guys in rubber and fibre-glass head extensions - potential is there nevertheless.

I came across this photo of Jodie Shaw ass-whooping the 'Evil Aliens' - a  woman with 12 bore attitude - and a great character portrait.

Cheers

Mark

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The Crazies, Apocalypse Z and Bevo Modern Combat

Apocalypse Z arrived in the post on Saturday. Bought in Mongoose's current garage sale. Not bad, not bad at all. As a result, I couldn't help picking up a copy of The Crazies (2010) when we went down to Tesco in Forfar for the weekly shop later in the morning.

I had procrastinated watching this remake, despite the presence of Radha Mitchell, because the original 1973 movie remains burned into my mind as one of the seminal movies of my life. In this 2010 remake, Breck Esiner has made a scary mainstream modern horror movie, but it's no real comparison to the original.

My only real niggle with the movie, is that a whole portion of the onscreen story seemed to be missing from the moment Timothy Olyphant, who plays the town sherrif, works out the source of the problem, before the authorities suddenly step in with force to contain the viral menace.

Nevertheless, very watchable and an enjoyable movie, with great perfromances from the main cast as they struggle to  understand what's going on and then escape from the 'crazies', virus, feral rednecks and the military. Which together make for a lot of potential gaming fodder.

Having bought Battlefield Evolution: Modern Combat earlier in the month, Apocalypse Z was purchased on the back of a recommendation and I was happy to give it a go albeit at a knockdown price. You'll find a  review (click here) that gives the low-down on Apocalypse Z better than I could.

Got to say that Bevo: ModCombat has tripped something within Matt and myself. As a result, we are now scrabbling to collect 20mm Modern Russian ultra-nationalist forces a la Ghost Recon and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Even used it, admittedly fast and loose, to play a sci fi game mid week with Khurasan's new Ti Mohnid - I just couldn't wait whilst I got round to painting them up and wanted to get the miniatures into action asap.

It's time to shake things up a little.....

Cheers

Mark

Inception

Inception, Inception, Inception. Touted as the biggest blockbuster of 2010......... who knows,or cares, Inception is the sort of twisted mind F@k of a movie I enjoy.

The premise reminded me of some of the Sci Fi anthologies I read as a teenager. It was beautifully shot and more than once had my heart racing as the action intensified. Not what I expected as a movie but that's a good thing. Glad I never saw it at the cinema - it really does take more than one viewing - first to take on the concepts and pce of the movie - second viewing to sit back and enjoy the ride.

I can take or leave Leonardo Di Caprio, but the real character and star of the movie is the team he puts together as a whole. These are the companions you want to have in classic Traveller. Here they are travelling the subconscious but by Crom you'd want them at your side as you took on the universe, any universe.

The film builds up with the first half trying to convince you that the premise of the movie is possible. The second half is rip-roaring action and does have a genuine dreamlike quality of the real and surreal happening side by side. It builds up into an assault on a snow fortress which has all the feel and energy of a Call of Duty: Black Ops mission.

Must admit that I would have preferred Jennifer Connolly in the lead female role. She was excellent opposite Di Caprio in Blood Diamond. That aside - don't sweat the possibilities or reality behind the movie and even just for the last half which is Matrix meets Call of Duty: Black Ops - worth watching.

Cheers

Mark

Skyline Movie Trailer

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SKYLINE, opening in cinemas on 12th November, makes the new series of V look rather lame.....

Cheers

Mark

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The Apocalypse is.......well, depressing really

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Heather 'gets' my love of Zombie movies - especially when the 'Dyce' and 'Laurencekirk' trains arrive at Aberdeen at the same time, one platform apart and close to 500 commuters turn into a seething horde as they shuffle through 5 ticket gates.

She doesn't share my interest in post nuclear apocalypse and after watching THE ROAD (2009),  probably THE most depressing movie ever seen, I don't blame her.

Yup, great for mood, some terrain ideas, but makes THE POSTMAN (1997) or JERICO (TV) as grungy and apocalyptic as PRETTY IN PINK (1986).

Think I'll have to watch THE SHINING now for some light relief!

Cheers

Mark

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Battle: Los Angeles

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Hitting the cinema screens in March 2011 is a Michael Rodriguez, Bridget Moynahan sci fi blockbuster billed as "very intense, like Black Hawk Down but with aliens in it".

 "Drive-by: Los Angeles style"

Battle: Los Angeles: Coming 2011

This pic made me thinkof GZG's AV-7 VTOL 'Fan Vans'

Inspired by footage of soldiers in Iraq, the movie focuses on one particular marine battalion fighting right in the thick of an alien invasion of Los Angeles.

The team behind the movie wanted to present a 'realistic' a picture as possible of an alien invasion, and worked hard to ensure the aliens, their machinery, how they arrive all had a purpose. The aliens have tactics. How they work together and everything they do was designed to feel functional and very real.

Looking forward to it!

Cheers

Mark

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