Preacher Episode Three Review

The Plot

Cassidy helps Jesse explore his newfound power; based on new information, Tulip tries to convince Jesse to seek revenge.

The Good

After last weeks slightly lacklustre episode, Preacher’s third episode, The Possibilities, picks itself up again and moves forward in its story at a leisurely but entertaining pace. With Jesse now fully aware of his newfound powers having tested them on Tracy Loach at the end of last weeks episode and promptly leaving her in bed still practically brain dead but now with her eyes open, his next test subject is Cassidy. In one of the episode’s funniest scenes, in which Jesse commands Cassidy to hop and sing him some Johnny Cash (that’s right, the Cash motif continues, though in a much more literal sense).

Meanwhile, Tulip is working towards exacting some revenge on a ‘rat-bastard money-stealing child-killing life-ruining son of a bitch’ Carlos, who, through the briefest of flashbacks, seems to have screwed over both Jesse and Tulip. How this plot line concludes remains to be seen, but the seeds are starting to be sewn. Perhaps Carlos will be the main antagonist for the show. What’s clear for now though, is that writer Chris Kelly manages to use this as a perfect way to grow Jesse’s character, providing a realistic internal battle of deciding whether to use his powers for good or evil.

We also get some more details of the mysterious duo hunting down Jesse as they have another run-in with Cassidy, still vainly believing they’re out to get him.

The Bad

What becomes clear in this episode is that, while Cassidy is more fun, the show needs Jesse to drive the story. His absence for the first fifteen minutes or so is extremely notable. Perhaps given more time he will start to become less needed, but for now at least, the titular character needs some more time to be properly filled out.

The choice to pick up some time after episode 2’s cliffhanger seems like the wrong one. What’s more irritating though, is that Tracy seems to be just left there with her eyes open. Here’s hoping Jesse returns to finish the job he started.

The Ugly Truth

Episode 3 picks up the pace that episode 2 had dropped. With two episodes left until we hit the halfway mark for season one, the plot threads are definitely starting to become stronger. If it keeps this up Preacher will be hard to limit to only 40 minutes a week…

Review by Johnny Ellis

Tony Awards 2016 Winners & Pictures

Last night at the 7oth annual theatre celebration for the Tony Awards 2016, Hip Hop musical Hamilton led the race with a record breaking 16 nominations, winning 11 awards, including best musical. The Humans, The Color Purple and A View From the Bridge also took home top honors.

James Corden making his debut as the award’s host opened with a poignant monologue addressing the tragic Orlando shooting, which took place earlier in the day.

“Our hearts go out to all of those affected by this atrocity. You’re not on your own. Your tragedy is our tragedy. Hate will never win. We have to make sure of that. Tonight’s show stands as a symbol of that principle.”

Full winners list and gallery of awards pictures below:

 

Disney Releases First Trailer for Moana

Disney studios have released the first look at their upcoming animation, Moana. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Moana tells the story of a young woman (Auli’i Cravalho) who uses her navigational talents to set sail for a fabled island with legendary demi-god Maui (Johnson).

Check out the trailer below and see the film in cinemas from December 2nd in the UK and November 23rd in the USA.

Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards Nominations 2016

The Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards will be held at the Eventim Apollo in London tonight, celebrating the very best in Metal and Rock music from the past 12 months. Big name nominees battling for honours this year include Lamb of God, Tribulation, Babymetal, Slayer, Cradle of Filt, The Prodigy, Bring Me The Horizon, Parkway Drive and Anthrax. The results announced later tonight during a star studded ceremony packed with exciting live performances will be the result of intense fan voting. Full list of nominees below, check back soon for winner details

‘Best New Band’:

Black Peaks
Cane Hill
Creeper
Heck
The Black Queen

‘Best Underground’:

Enslaved
Myrkur
Rotting Christ
Sunn O)))
Tribulation

‘Best UK Band’:

Architects
Asking Alexandria
Cradle Of Filth
TesseracT
The Prodigy

‘Best International Band’:

Amon Amarth
Babymetal
Ghost
Killswitch Engage
Slayer

‘Breakthrough’:

Avatar
Beartooth
Deafheaven
Northlane
We Came As Romans

‘Best Live Band’:

Anthrax
Bring Me The Horizon
Lamb Of God
Nightwish
Parkway Drive

‘Dimebag Darrell Shredder Award’:

Alpha (Ghost)
Graham “Pin” Pinney (SikTh)
Joe Duplantier (Gojira)
Kristan Dawson (Bury Tomorrow)
Lzzy Hale (Halestorm)

‘Best Independent Label’:

Basick Records
Holy Roar
Prosthetic Records
Season Of Mist
UNFD

‘Best Video’:

Anthrax – “Blood Eagle Wings”
Iron Maiden – “Speed Of Light”
New Years Day – “I’m About To Break You”
Parkway Drive – “Vice Grip”
Slayer – “Repentless”

‘Best Video Game’:

‘Destiny: The Taken King‘
‘Fallout 4‘
‘Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain‘
‘Star Wars: Battlefront‘
‘Until Dawn‘

Non fan-voted categories to be awarded include:

‘Best Album’
‘Riff Lord’
‘Inspiration’
‘Icon’
‘Global Metal Award’
‘Spirit Of Hammer’
‘The Golden God’

Mother’s Day Review

The Plot

Three generations come together in the week leading up to Mother’s Day in a series of neatly intertwined feelgood stories delivered by an all-star ensemble cast.

The Good

Though it’s out of season upon release here in the UK (Father’s Day is just round the corner!) director Garry Marshall gives this collection of sweet stories that surround mothers day the light and bright look it deserves. The four main stories tackle struggles with widowed fathers, divorced mothers, estranged daughters and a young couple who are just starting their lives together with their child.

To take us through the various plots, we get a typically all-star cast including Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Julia Roberts and Jason Sudekis to name a few. Those familiar with Marshall’s well established formula will no doubt know exactly what to expect with this third offering. Just like Marshall’s previous holiday themed rom-coms New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day, eventually the characters bump into one another in some way. Providing a predictably satisfying array of combined conclusions to each conveniently interwoven plot line.

The crucial benefit of having multiple stories and a vast cast of familiar faces is that there’s more chance of audiences finding something or someone they like, while there’s less risk they’ll notice any weaker elements or all the shameless genre cliches. In essence it’s a safety in numbers approach, pioneered by the genre redefining Love Actually and still proving a surprisingly effective trick for repackaging overly familiar saccharine material for holiday box office crowds.

The Bad

The main problem for Mother’s Day, apart from the mistimed international release, will be if audience expect anything more form this than Marshell’s past holiday-themed ensemble efforts. In truth this new film actually may struggle to even merely meet expectations of being of a similar caliber to its modestly appreciated predecessors.

Mother’s Day’s script doesn’t honestly offer much in terms of humour, even managing to make Jack Whitehall’s usually brilliant stand-up skills feel wooden and bland. This wouldn’t be as much of an obvious problem were it not for the fact that his character’s stand-up routine is used a key plot point. The only think that makes this squandering of comedy potential even more frustrating is that Jon Lovitz hosts the film’s poorly scripted stand up competition but never actually makes any jokes of his own.

The film might raise a smile or the occasional giggle from less demanding audiences and those with a particular taste for Marshall’s tame trademark comedy style. However even those who do enjoy Marshall’s ensemble holiday homages will probably find they preferred his more entertaining past efforts and would truthfully be happier re-watching Valentine’s Day or New Year’s Eve..

The Ugly Truth

If you’re a fan of the surprisingly persistent trend of holiday themed rom-com compilations, you’ll no doubt find something to keep you entertained. Just don’t expect anything of the same classic quality as Love Actually.

Review by Johnny Ellis