Disney+ has revealed details on the upcoming Original limited series “Welcome to Chippendales,” coming soon to Disney+ under the Star banner.

A sprawling true-crime saga, “Welcome to Chippendales” tells the outrageous story of Somen “Steve” Banerjee, an Indian immigrant who became the unlikely founder of the world’s greatest male-stripping empire, and let nothing stand in his way in the process.

“Welcome to Chippendales” star-studded cast includes Kumail Nanjiani (“The Big Sick,”) Murray Bartlett (“The White Lotus,”) Juliette Lewis (“Yellowjackets,”) Annaleigh Ashford (“American Crime Story,”) Quentin Plair (“The Good Lord Bird”) and Robin de Jesús (“tick, tick… BOOM!”).

Robert Siegel and Nanjiani executive produce alongside Dylan Sellers, Jenni Konner, Matt Shakman, Emily V. Gordon, Nora Silver and Rajiv Joseph, who will write on the series along with Mehar Sethi. Siegel and Konner serve as co-showrunners and Shakman will direct. Jacqui Rivera is co-executive producer and Annie Wyman is co-producer.

The post WELCOME TO CHIPPENDALES appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Amazon Prime Video released today the official trailer for the upcoming Brazilian Amazon Original series Dom, a crime drama inspired by the true story of a father and son on opposite sides of the war on drugs in Rio de Janeiro.
Featuring eight one hour-long episodes, Dom is produced by Conspiração, with Breno Silveira as showrunner and will premiere on June 4th, 2021 in more than 240 countries and territories exclusively on Prime Video.

The show follows Victor, a young diver who, by a twist of fate, becomes a military intelligence agent and embraces the war on drugs as his life mission.

Over the years, he comes to face the disillusionment of an endless war, and watches his own son, Pedro, succumb to the enemy he tirelessly fought against: cocaine. Pedro turns into an addict as well as one of the most wanted criminals in Rio de Janeiro: Pedro Dom.

Starring alongside Gabriel Leone (Pedro) and Flavio Tolezani (Victor) are Filipe Bragança, Raquel Villar, Isabella Santoni, Ramon Francisco, Digão Ribeiro, Fabio Lago, Julia Konrad and André Mattos, among others. Dom is directed by Vicente Kubrusly and Breno Silveira, who also leads the writing team, which includes Fabio Mendes, Higia Ikeda, Carolina Neves and Marcelo Vindicatto.

The series is produced by Renata Brandão e Ramona Bakker from Conspiração. Antonio Pinto composed the original soundtrack.

The post AMAZON PRIME VIDEO RELEASES TRAILER FOR BRAZILIAN AMAZON ORIGINAL SERIES ‘DOM’ appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

An abusive father, caught stealing food a young boy called Danny is removed from his large family in 1950’s New Zealand.

A time where rebellious kids were removed from their home and placed in borstals – where brutality, mistreatment and abuse occurred.

Not having the best start the young Danny finds one friend, his room mate at the children’s home – Moses.

Released on to the streets at the age of 18 with little to no prospects they duo end up begging throughout the city.

Now mid 1960’s it is while hustling for small change from strangers that they see a group of gang members and the fear that they evoke on the public.

The two young men decide this is where their paths lie – and the gang Savages is born and Danny becomes known as Damage, a lethal enforcer.

Savage is a raw, emotional and violent film adapted from stories of 30 years of gang life in New Zealand. Majority of the story plays out during the 1980s.

While the visceral violence is in your face, Savage is also a film about redemption.

There’s no sugar coating of anything and there are times where you feel resentment against Danny, and others where you pour out empathy.

A fictional film that portrays the hidden side of New Zealand and could easily be a work of fact.

Savage is an absolute kick in the emotions film you need to watch.

The post Savage (Madman) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Everyone in one way or another has heard of the name Charlie Manson and the notorious murders associated with him and his ‘family’. Charlie Says is your typical straight to DVD drama but certainly has its own gripping take on the infamous family.

Without going too much into details as I want to respect the true story and the results of it as much as possible, I’ll just focus on the story elements the film Charlie Says presented to me.

The juxtaposed film cut between the past and the present, allowing viewers insight into why these people were so heavily influenced by Manson. By the end though, we still didn’t truly understand why they did what they did. On a movie scale, this lack of clear motivation made it hard for me to understand the overall arc and linear path. Things almost felt quite sudden when things started to change and suddenly Manson had his ‘family’ committing murders for the sake of their own personal religion.

Matt Smith as the role of Manson was a tad odd in the beginning based on his previous roles and status as an actor, meaning it was almost as if he was too big of a star to play the role or too good-looking in some people’s eyes. Saying this, perhaps that made him perfect for the role and helped the audience understand the attraction to this evil man.

From a storytelling point of view, I did enjoy seeing the perspective of the three ‘sisters’ and seeing the aftermath of living a life lead by Manson, even if it was for a short amount of time. As time went on, some of the women start to realize what they have done and help the audience understand how strong Manson’s influence was. It was also fascinating to try and piece together the big question of why they left their previous lives to be with Charlie, something Merritt Weaver’s character at the Women’s Correction Facility tried to discover.

Charlie Says is very much your straight to DVD or C grade film. Despite this, many will enjoy a brief exploration into the lives of the Manson family and maybe want to look further into the real-life crime stories behind the infamous family.

The post Charlie Says (IFC Films – 2019) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Thames, a small coastal town in New Zealand.

So small infact that there is only room for one criminal syndicate, albeit a rag tag bunch of locals headed by a kingpin – of sorts.

So when the Chinese Triad moves in and sets up shop, literally, they need to be taken down and chased out of town.

The local syndicate is headed by a guy called Shelton (Jonathan Brugh) and one his main lieutenants is John (Anton Tennet).

John has his so-called best mate at his side and when tasked with stealing money from the Triad, the two hatch a plan to take the cash for themselves.

Staging a very bungled armed robbery, the two burst into the Chinese Antique Store to take the cash, but John also spies a bracelet with a Chinese amulet on it.

Warned by the Chinese elder that it had dark powers, John takes a liking to it anyway and takes it with him.

When Shelton finds out that John took the Triad cash for himself he places a local hit out on him.

The only thing that can save John now ends up being that dark magic in the bracelet.

And what better way to overcome your enemies is to have an army of one… your own gang, quite literally.

Mega Time Squad is distinctively kiwi flavoured.

While some of the extra’s acting left me cringing, Johnathan Brugh and Anton Tennet make the SciFi / Comedy / Crime film what it is and do a superb job in this amusing and at times laugh out loud New Zealand cinematic adventure.

Worthy of a watch, for sure.

The post Mega Time Squad (Madman Films – 2018) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

A recently released New Zealand made film called Broken is a story about forgiveness in the hardest of suituations and amongst the hardest gang life.

Wayne Hapi, a reknowned New Zealand actor who has starred in Waru (2017) and his award nominated performance on Dark Horse (2014) takes on the role of ‘Cruz’ a conflicted person, torn between wrong and right, being a leader of a notorious Bikie Gang.

Wayne sat down with Shane from STG for a chat about his acting career to date and his role on Broken.

Wayne Hapi

Shane: Kia Ora Wayne. Thanks for speaking to us here at STG (shanethegamer.com). Please tell us a little bit about your background and how you got in to the NZ Film Industry?

Wayne: I got into the film industry quite by accident. While attending a computer course a few years back I was scrolling through the Work and Income website looking for job when I came across an ad looking for Maori men 35-45 to act in a feature film… tattoos criminal records welcome. It was so left field for me I thought why not give it a go. I booked an audition and they were quite taken by the fact I hadn’t acted before but was able to connect with the role… got a callback and landed the part. That was The Dark Horse for which I got a Tui nomination in 2014.

Shane: Recently you have starred in the New Zealand film ‘Broken’ as the character Cruz. A story about redemption and forgiveness. How did you find playing the character of Cruz?

Wayne: Playing the character of Cruz was challenging. He is a very conflicted soul. On the one hand he is the leader of his bikie gang so he must maintain his staunch persona. He does care about the welfare of his members but he also longs to reconnect with his mother which lends him a vulnerability at odds with his Prez of a gang role.

Shane: ‘Broken’ is currently sweeping up at cinemas throughout New Zealand. What message do you hope Kiwi’s gain from the film?

Wayne: ‘Broken’ is basically a story of forgiveness. It holds up the premise that no matter what conflict occurs in our lives forgiveness can be a viable option… which in today’s society is more hellbent on revenge so forgiveness is often forgotten.

Shane: Yourself having been in many notable New Zealand films; The Darkhorse, WARU, what advice would you give to young Maori who aspire to act in film, either locally or abroad?

Wayne: My best advice to aspiring young actors is to give everything you have in auditions. Do away with any vanity that you may have and be prepared to open yourself completely to your character. When you do the honesty and authenticity of your performance it will shine through like a beacon.

Shane: Production has of course wrapped up on the film ‘Broken’. What is next in line for yourself?

Wayne: I have just completed filming on a telemovie where I play a guy who is accused of rape and murder by a younger guy eager to get a dollar reward. Based on a true story. I’m also working on writing a script about domestic violence in NZ and still auditioning for various roles.

Shane: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us at STG. Broken is still currently playing at cinemas around the country (New Zealand).

The post Interview w. Wayne Hapi from ‘Broken’ appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Rockstar Games are known for two things.

Pushing the boundaries of graphic yet epic gameplay and indepth narrative within a game.

L.A. Noire first released by their Australian studio way back in 2011. And while it was met with some controversy from the developers at the time, it was a title that used facial motion capture (MotionScan) to the extreme detail.

L.A. Noire is similar to an old crime mystery film where you take the part of a rookie cop (to begin with), called Cole Phelps who is tasked with exploring a 1947 Los Angeles for clues and to unravel a murder and catch the killer. It runs at a slower pace, as was actual life back then.

Of course as the game progresses Cole’s career does too. He gets promoted to the rank of Detective and it’s not long before you are embroiled in the seedy drug laden side of L.A. with the intention of taking down those responsible.

Gameplay relies on the players decisions, for example at specific intervals you will have the opportunity to interrogate witnesses. With the press of a button you decide whether you believe the witness or suspect or not.

Depending on the decisions that you make will depend on how the game plays out and also the longevity of it aswell. There is high replayability, especially if you are a in-game collector. Golden Film reels are there for the taking and there is the option to replay past crimes.

L.A. Noire, although starkly different to Rockstar’s world famous franchise GTA, it also has similarities. It is an open world game, what you see you can get to. Vehicles can be driven around the city and you can play at your own pace by dropping in and out of the main story.

Now Rockstar have re-released L.A. Noire, not only in 4K on PlayStation 4, but also on Nintendo’s play anywhere console, the Switch.

Re-playing L.A. Noire on the Switch was a walk down memory lane. I loved the game when it first released and played it until finished. Now I get to do the same all over again, but this time on the go.

Rockstar have tweaked the game to make use of the Switch’s touch and controller features. You can apply in-game actions with the usual buttons, however, you are prompted to touch the screen to perform story specific functions. The motion controller (dare I say nunchucks?) are also utilised for home based play or when the Switch is not being held in hand.

L.A. Noire feels right at home on the Switch and while it is a game that requires some time to fully get through you can whip through some of the tasks that are set real quick.

It’s still as excellent as the day it released six years ago and has not aged both in gameplay and visuals.

For Switch gamers, this needs to be on their Christmas wish list.

The post L.A. Noire (Switch) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Based on a true lie.

The tag line for Universal Pictures’ film starring Tom Cruise as Barry Seal couldn’t be more accurate.

Based on a true story and adapted from book to film, American Made follows the life of Seals, a TWA Pilot in the late 1970’s.

With more relaxed airport security back then pilots were able to smuggle in contraband in their carry on luggage. Seals had a small enterprise on the side of his TWA job, bringing in cigars from across the South American border and selling them to contacts in the States.

It’s not too long before the CIA knows of his side business and instead of busting him, offers him a job. A job that would change his life, a path that would lead to his ultimate demise.

With a deny all knowledge policy, the CIA tasks Seals with taking aerial photo’s of rebel strongholds in the wider South america regions. With a civil war going on, Seals flies the CIA supplied private jet across South America, supplying the Government organisation with visual Intel. The photography then leads in to CIA sanctioned gun running, supplying guns to the rebels – as war can be profitable for some.

However, he also garners the attention of drug lords and cartels, who enlist him to transport cocaine across the border into the U.S.

On both sides of the fence, Seals continues with his CIA operatives and cocaine smuggling all at the same time. The CIA turns a blind eye to his smuggling operation and eventually utilises it to get to the drug cartels, meaning Seals ends up becoming a triple agent of sorts.

Making more money with both gigs than he knows what to do with, he begins money laundering as best as he can, while burying suitcases and duffel bags of cash in his backyard, piling up in his cupboards – eventually needing his very own vault at the town Bank, where, purportedly the CIA set up a home and air base for him.

Being in a small town, it is not long before his actions and wealth become noticed and he is placed under suspicion. His wife’s brother, J.B. comes to stay with the family. A wild adolescent, he discovers the stacks of cash and all goes wrong for Seals when J.B. walks in to a local cafe with a stolen suitcase of cash and gets pinned by the local Sheriff.

Soon after this Seals is on the run from law enforcement agencies who are all clambering over themselves to get him and the drug cartels he once worked for. But the good life does catch up with him…

American Made was a fascinating and surprising film. Retro-esque in it’s presentation and light hearted portrayal even though the actual story of Barry Seals is deadly serious and the topic of the Iran-Contra scandal is still controversial to this day.

A Government that hires a rogue but denies all knowledge of having worked with him and fails to protect him and his family when he needed it the most.

A superb watch and one that I would definitely watch again.

The post American Made (Universal Pictures – 2017) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Just one more job and that was it.

Dating the girlfriend of a Mob Boss and the son of a law man, Joe Coughlin (Ben Affleck) feels as though he has seen and done enough killing, enough crime and has plans for escaping the criminal life and taking Emma Gould (Sienna Miller), the mistress of well known Irish Gangster Albert White (Robert Glenister).

But that one last job never goes to plan, and this is definitely true for Joe as a Bank Heist doesn’t go to plan.

Set in 1920’s Boston, Live by Night (based on the novel of the same name) is a story of mob related crime, life in the roaring ’20s America and what it means to fall in with the wrong crowd and the wrong but seems-so right girl.

Betrayed and pursued by the Boston Police, headed by his own father, it is his father’s status and influences that sees Joe receive the lightest of punishments.

But while incarcerated, he is not there for his Dad when he was needed, so once released from prison Joe fuels his hatred for Albert White to live his life to the fullest, as though each and every day was his last. Taking on mob jobs to get his revenge, any day maybe Joe’s last.

Mutually beneficial agreements are formed and while the earlier stages of The Depression were looming, illicit alcohol is flowing. What started as a path to revenge becomes a path of destiny.

Live by Night does a superb task of setting the atmosphere, tone and feel for the 1920’s period.

Both a prosperous and tumultuous time for America, where rival mobs warred with eachother on the streets and back alleys, where differing cultures from Ireland, England and Europe had settled in the new country but not settled with eachother. On top of this there are the Italians, the Cubans, Mexicans all fighting for their own interests. Add to this prohibition and racial tension.

Live by Night’s cinematography is like a window back in time. A beautifully depicted film about a period where life could be less than beautiful.

If films like The Godfather or Scarface are usually apart of your repertoire then Live by Night is film for you.

Everyone that works on StG is a volunteer. Keep StG Independent and (mostly) Advertising Free with a Donation