The post How To Train Your Dragon (Universal Pictures – 2025) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Illumination and Nintendo has just announced that they are producing a new animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros.

This new animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros. is planned to be released on April 3, 2026 in the US and many additional markets globally with select territories releasing throughout the month of April.

The film will be produced by Chris Meledandri, Founder and CEO of Illumination and Shigeru Miyamoto, Representative Director, Fellow of Nintendo, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, and written by Matthew Fogel. The film will be co-financed by Universal Pictures and Nintendo and distributed theatrically worldwide by Universal Pictures.

By getting deeply involved in the movie production with the aim to put smiles on everyone’s faces through entertainment, Nintendo will continue its efforts to produce unique entertainment and deliver it to as many people as possible.

Illumination is excited to continue its partnership with Nintendo, bringing its signature mix of joy and discovery to worldwide audiences of all ages, allowing them to connect with the beloved characters and stories from one of the world’s most popular franchises.

The post Illumination & Nintendo Announce New Animated Film appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Wish is the latest film to release for Disney, in celebration of their 100^th anniversary.

Set in the Kingdom of Rosas, founded by King Magnifico and his wife Queen Amaya on an island in the Mediterranean Sea.

Magnifico studied magic and gained the ability to grant the wishes of his subjects. When each resident turns 18, a ceremony is held where they give their wish to Magnifico, who keeps them “safe” in his observatory.

Every month, Magnifico selects one of the residents’ and grants them their wish.

Young girl Asha, full of hopes and dreams, applies to be Magnifico’s apprentice. A highly sought after job as everybody loves and respects the King. In the process, she is disappointed to find out that most of these wishes will never be granted.

This begins her crusade to fight for what she thinks is right and out of frustration she wishes upon a star.

I appreciate that the story isn’t based on a sequel, remake or something that already exists and Disney tries to introduce new characters and settings.

You’ve got all the key character types, a cute star, quirky animal sidekick… I did pick up on the reference to classic Disney characters but didn’t feel like it added much to the film.

There were cute moments but it lacked a charm of the good old Disney princess movies which makes it pretty difficult to fully engage with emotionally or to care for. The villain came across as sudden and forced, like it was only for the purpose of having a villain.

As a 100th anniversary celebration, I don’t think it met the expectations. It’s still a decent family movie, but not something you would reach out to watch over and over.

Disney has set a pretty high standard with its past films and as much as I wanted to love this one, it just wasn’t memorable.

The post Wish (Disney – 2023) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Bad news at Christmas and handcrafted outdoors Christmas decorations that just won’t cut it sets the tone for a festive family comedy film from Amazon, Candy Cane Lane.

Eddie Murphy plays the role of family man Chris Carver, who is not only struggling to deal with an unexpected job loss right on the doorstep of their last family Christmas together, but also starts a war with his neighbours over who has the best Christmas decorations in the street.

As the competition heats up, Chris ‘buys’ what he thinks is a deal with a magical Christmas Elf called Pepper to win the local home Christmas decoration competition, the Candy Cane Lane Spectacular, which has a large prize money reward.

But Pepper’s intentions are a little darker and she unleashes the 12 Days of Christmas to life.

Chaos throughout the town and within Chris’s life ensues.

Candy Cane Lane is a feel good family film for the holiday season, with laugh out loud moments and a touch of seriousness and dark humour too.

An excellent film to watch with the kids or loved ones this end of year season, exclusively on Prime.

The post Candy Cane Lane (Amazon MGM Studios – 2023) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

‘The Secret Kingdom’, an Australian action-adventure children’s film, has taken social media by storm.

The Australian action-adventure children’s film, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Matt Drummond, is set to release in April, 2023 in cinemas across Australia. The film’s creation and release have generated significant buzz across various social media platforms, including sky-high video view rates.

Marketing and advertising for the film were designed and executed by Australian-based advertising agency, Ad Intelligence. The campaign is delivering over 150,000 trailer views daily in Australia only, reflecting a receptive audience that is engaging with the characters and exciting plotline. TikTok has welcomed the campaign to their famous short-form platform, noting that it has been received exceptionally well.

Partnering with Ad Intelligence on the launch marketing campaign, Managing Director of Hive Studios, Matt Drummond, said, “We are thrilled to have partnered with Ad Intelligence on the launch marketing campaign for The Secret Kingdom. Our team’s creativity and expertise, combined with Ad Intelligence’s unique and powerful data-driven approach, has led to an incredibly successful campaign in such a short time. We are excited to see the film’s release and confident that it will be a hit with audiences everywhere.”

Danielle Ramaiya, Managing Director of Ad Intelligence, added, “Our bespoke data-driven approach has allowed us to target the right audiences with the right messages, resulting in a highly engaged audience that is excited about the upcoming release of The Secret Kingdom. We are proud to have partnered with Hive Studios and look forward to the film’s launch.”

The film’s release is eagerly anticipated by audiences and film enthusiasts alike, as excitement continues to build in the lead-up to its release. ‘The Secret Kingdom’ relatable characters and stunning visuals have made it an instant hit on the popular social media platform TikTok.

Featuring rising stars Alyla Browne, Sam Everingham, and Darius Williams, ‘The Secret Kingdom’ tells the story of Anxious Peter (12) and his Sister Verity (9) who are whisked underground by an army of Pangolin and thrust into an adventure of a lifetime.

‘The Secret Kingdom’ is opening in cinemas across Australia on April 27th, 2023 and will be released internationally in theatres in the coming months.

The post ‘THE SECRET KINGDOM’ – AUS’S NEW CHILDREN’S ACTION-ADVENTURE FILM appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Puss is done living on the edge. With just one of his nine lives left he retired to a domesticated life.

But being introduced to a dog disguised as a cat his adventurous ways are about to take him back in to the action, with the possibility of wishing for his eight lives to be returned.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a carry on from the Shrek franchise shining the spotlight on Puss and his furry friends (and fiends).

We were invited to have a chat with the one and only actress Salma Hayek, who voices the character Kitty Softpaws.

STG: Were you looking forward to returning to the character of Kitty Softpaws?

Salma: Yes, it was a surprise to come back to Kitty Softpaws after so long, and I’m excited for a new generation to see the movie and discover these great characters. Shrek was so ahead of its time, and it laid the ground for what would come. It redefined animation with a film that was for all ages. I feel very proud to be a part of that universe and excited that Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is the first movie of the Shrek franchise in over of decade. I love the character of Kitty Softpaws and I always wanted to play her again. Finally, doing it when I wasn’t expecting it has reminded me that anything is possible and that sometimes, when you feel like giving up on things, they can come back to you and embrace you. 

STG: This movie is like no other.

Salma: I think this movie touches on issues and themes that different generations can relate to and that are quite important, like forgiveness, trust, anxiety and even fear of death. It is done in an interesting and fun way.  

STG: How do you see Kitty?

Salma: Kitty is very bossy, sassy, determined and fearless, but there is also a vulnerability to her that she hides. One of her biggest secrets is that she is a romantic with a huge heart, but she is guarded. I also love how irreverent, funny, and unapologetic she is. I think that what she has in common with Puss and the new character of Perrito is her loneliness. 

STG: What quest do they embark on?

Well, they are looking for this magical star that will grant them a wish. During that adventure, they go into a very interesting land that is mesmerizing and constantly surprising. It is a journey that makes them understand their priorities and there are many themes in this film that we can all identify with. 

STG: How does Kitty evolve during the course of this adventure?

Salma: She must confront her emotions and be brave enough to be true to herself. Kitty is very courageous in many ways, but it takes even more courage to be brave with your emotions. 

STG: She is quite the equal to Puss and has a great chemistry and banter with him.

Salma: Kitty stands her ground, and I love that about her. At the same time, they complement each other, which is what a partnership is all about. A good partner challenges and complements you, so there is a fantastic banter there. I have been bantering with Antonio on and off the camera for over two decades. I know Antonio very well and he is like family to me, so the chemistry has always been there, and we have a lot of fun working together. Even if we record our roles separately, I already knew how he was going to say things. We just have this rapport where we can be talking to each other even if the other one is not there, and we know the right timing of how to do it. 

STG: So, is there a similar banter between Antonio and you off screen than there is between your animated characters on screen?

Salma: Absolutely! We are almost like brother and sister in the sense that we like to push each other’s buttons and laugh about it. 

STG: What do you believe an actor of the caliber of Antonio Banderas brings to the iconic character of Puss in Boots?

Salma: Puss has this unapologetic confidence that is so charming, and I don’t know anyone else in the world who can do that like Antonio. He has a joy and passion for life that is contagious and that has never diminished since I have known him; actually, quite the opposite. Antonio is just bigger than life!

STG: What can you say of Perrito, the new member of the team?

Salma: Perrito is just all goodness and naiveté. Those qualities are quite healing for the cynicism of Kitty and Puss. So, they end up falling for him because it is very hard to resist a dog, even if you are a cat.

STG: How was the experience of working with director Joel Crawford to bring Kitty Softpaws to life on the screen again in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish?

Salma: What I loved about working with Joel is that we really explored the character together and that he gave me a lot of freedom to take chances and be bold with the role. There were no limits. I remember many recording sessions where we had to stop to get all the laughter out, and I cherished those moments. It was a fantastic collaboration, and I trusted him completely.

STG: The result is a movie that is entertaining for the whole family.

Salma: Yes, because there is an emotional sophistication to it that offers a different experience to everyone, depending on where they are in their lives. It pulls on those emotional strings when you least expect it, precisely because you are having a good time watching it and are not guarded.

I am delighted to help provide an experience to people who, like me, adore cinema and the ritual of getting out of the house to go experience an adventure with your family in a movie theatre. This is the perfect film to do that and it’s a beautiful tradition that has to do with community, friendship, and family. 

STG: Visually, it’s impressive.

Salma: Technology has evolved a lot, to the point where the textures and expression of the characters end up being more emotional. 

STG: True to the Shrek universe, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish reintroduces some beloved fairy tale characters in a unique way.

Salma: Yes, which has a nostalgic aspect to it but also a freshness, as these fairy tale characters are being reinterpreted. You get to share your childhood with your children in a new and unique way. 

STG: Did you grow up with fairy tales?

Salma: Of course! I had a grandmother that would read them to me and make them up all the time because she was a fantastic writer. I wish she was still around, she was such a good storyteller. 

STG: So, what should the public expect from Puss in Boots: The Last Wish?

Salma: They should expect an event and something unexpected for the whole family. No matter what your age is, you are not going to regret watching this film. 

STG: If you could have a wish, what would it be?

Salma: To get everything I wished for. 

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish releases to cinemas on the 26th of December 2022.

The post INTERVIEW W. SALMA HAYEK (PUSS IN BOOTS – THE LAST WISH) appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Puss is done living on the edge. With just one of his nine lives left he retired to a domesticated life.

But being introduced to a dog disguised as a cat his adventurous ways are about to take him back in to the action, with the possibility of wishing for his eight lives to be returned.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a carry on from the Shrek franchise shining the spotlight on Puss and his furry friends (and fiends).

We were invited to have a chat with the legendary actor Antonio Banderas, who voices the character Puss in Boots.

STG: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is the new movie from the Shrek universe in over a decade, bringing you back to this iconic character that first appeared in Shrek 2.

Antonio: It’s very interesting because it was in February 2003 when I first voiced Puss. I was in Broadway at the time, doing Nine, and ever since then, I have been busy with this character, somehow.

This last gap in time between movies has been the longest, but I was still in touch with the studio, receiving news from producers about a new script until finally, it happened. So, this was the right time to just pick up Puss in Boots and throw him back into the big screen – the place where he belongs. 

STG: The fans are very excited to see him again on the big screen too.

Antonio: I think so, and it’s beautiful to see how the audience has grown with this character. Puss had such a strong impact from the beginning, not only with audiences all around the world but also with critics. I remember how rewarding it was to participate in the Cannes Film Festival in competition with Shrek 2.

I believe the character has grown with the times, and a good example of that is precisely this last movie, which talks about death in a natural way with a positive message about the value of life. That is a lesson that is important for kids and adults all around the world in this particular moment. 

STG: The story addresses the fact that Puss in Boots is down to the last of his nine lives as a cat.

Antonio: Well, very early into our story – after fighting a giant and being acclaimed by the people of a beautiful village – he gets killed. Initially, that was not a problem because he has nine lives, but he has been using them up.  So, the doctor announced to him that he is down to his last life – which, of course, puts him in a state of being defensive.

Then he decides to cut all his heroic actions and all his arrogance and the different features of his heroic personality and goes to Mama Luna’s Cat Rescue to live with a bunch of little kitties, where Puss lets himself go into a state of semi-depression, you could say. He does not take care of himself and is just living life in a different way. We have never seen Puss in Boots like that before, so left behind, until he starts hearing about this magical wishing star that has landed somewhere in the middle of a forest that might give him the opportunity to recover his lives. 

STG: That’s when an exciting new adventure kicks off?

Antonio: Yes, but he also discovers that there are other parties going after the same objective, like Goldie and the Three Bears and Kitty Softpaws is back too.

STG: They are both joined on this quest to find the wishing star by a delightful new character called Perrito.

Antonio: This beautiful character is a dog that is annoying to them at first, but very funny and sweet. Puss, Kitty, and Perrito form that kind of relationship where, even though they fight, they also deeply love each other. Together, they will go through several different adventures, with good and bad experiences that include the possibility of death.

STG: To Puss, death is represented by a wolf.

Antonio: Yes, it’s like a metaphor – something that is coming after you continuously. Puss feels that the presence of death coming very close to him, which gives him a panic attack and leads him to become an almost existential character. So, there are more complexities and depth to this Puss in Boots than we have seen before in previous movies. But, with the help of his friends Kitty Softpaws and Perrito he will understand the real value of life that he took for granted before. 

STG: So, how does coming to terms with the fact that he only has one life left to live affect him?

Antonio: Now that he has one life, like the rest of us, he is going to learn a beautiful lesson about the value of life itself and how you have to take care of it, because its existence is everything. So, he learns this beautiful lesson, and the entire movie is about that reflection which transpires through adults and kids. Even more now due to what we have lived with the Covid-19 pandemic. Learning about the values of life through the character of Puss in Boots is a beautiful thing, and it has been a beautiful experience for me too.

STG: What do you think of the new look of the film and specifically of your character?

Antonio: I was in awe of the subtleness and the little expressions that they were able to capture out of whatever I gave them with my performance. It was like a ping-pong game that was increasingly interesting every time that we were advancing in the process. It’s amazing what these cartoonists can do; it’s a completely different level.

They capture complexities that are beyond the standardization of characters – which is one of the things that surprised me. So, when I saw the movie, I was so rewarded, it was a unique experience.

STG: This movie and the main character of Puss in Boots embrace diversity.

Antonio: Being Spanish, I have felt misrepresented and that there was a lack of respect for the community before, but here it’s the opposite. One of the things that I always loved about the character of Puss in Boots is that he is the hero and he has an accent. So, it’s not the bad guys that have an accent for a change, which is deconstructing in a way.

These films have been supporting the idea of diversity, and the fact that the hero has an accent, but the bad guys don’t is very interesting for our community. Especially because this is enjoyed by kids growing up with the idea that they should not establish a relationship between bad things and an accent. When I arrived in Hollywood at the beginning of the 90s, there were not so many Latino actors. I remember I was doing a movie called The Mambo Kings, which was the first film I shot in America, and the Latinos that were working with me told me that if I wanted to stay here, I would have to be ready to play bad guys.

But, you know, several years later I got a black hat, a black mask, a cape, and a sword, and I was the hero as Zorro; whereas Captain Harrison Love, who was blonde with blue eyes and spoke perfect English, was the bad guy.

That is when I thought that maybe things were changing in my community, and I believe they have continued to change over the last 25 years.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish releases to cinemas on the 26th of December 2022.

The post Interview w. Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots – The Last Wish) appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

It’s Pac-Man’s birthday, the family are gathered together with a party planned, but the Ghosts have a party of their own in mind.

Pac-Man World RePac is a remaster of a classic 1999 PSOne game that takes Pac-Man out of his 2D maze world and puts him in to his very own 3D adventure game.

The Ghosts kidnap his entire family, mistaking them for him, and yep as you guessed it, Pac-Man must save the entire crew.

Linear platforming adventure with an abundance of collectibles and puzzles to be had in a family friendly play. There are some moments where the classic Pac-Man is revisited, sort of, and you’ll find yourself super-sized and gobbling up ghosts.

Pac-Man has a few new tricks up his sleeve, he can throw Pac dots, butt pound, dash and if you find the triggers, become a solid metal Pac-Man.

Enemies vary depending on the Level or environment you’re in and each one is a satisfying retro play, if not short.

Levels are unlocked as you progress and are accessed through a small island with unlockable doors.
At the end of each Level you are scored on how well you did, the amount of fruit and other goodies you picked up and all is tallied together in a roulette mini-game.

Back in the days of the original PlayStation, Pac-Man World was one of my favs.

An icon in a iconic game that has now been beautifully restored for our current gen.

Pac-Man World RePac is an excellent title for kids or those of us that were kids in the 90s and want to replay our youth.

The post Pac-Man World RePac (PlayStation 5) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

How would you act out Lady Whistledown in under five seconds? What does your best Eddie Munson impression look like (cue epic air guitar riff)?

Is it a chef’s kiss or Chef’s Table your friend is miming before you give up and yell pass!

Well, Netflix fans, your get-downs, grand balls and A.V. club meetings just got a lot more “luxe.”

Netflix has just released Netflix Heads Up!, an exclusive version of the popular mobile game for all Netflix members with Netflix-inspired decks. The game is a twist on charades where players have to guess the words on another player’s forehead before the one-minute timer runs out. In partnership with Ellen Digital Ventures, Netflix Heads Up! gives members the chance to put their Netflix I.Q. to the test with 28 decks inspired by some of our popular series like Bridgerton, Stranger Things and Squid Game, beloved social channels like GEEKED or Strong Black Lead, and an array of entertainment categories.

Here’s a glimpse at some of the decks you can expect to get your hands on:

• Bridgerton: Dearest Gentle Reader, you are invited to play the Bridgerton deck where you will engage in a ball of fun as you guess clues based on the hit show.
• GEEKED: Do you love sci-fi, horror, fantasy, comic books and video games? Congratulations, you’re a Geek just like us and we love you for it! Please enjoy this super GEEKED deck!
• NetflixIsAJoke: Comedy is the best medicine. Cure your boredom with this deck that includes comic greats and comedy terminology.
• Squid Game: Pull out your tracksuit because the Squid Game Deck is sure to make you sweat. Guess Squid Game-related actions, characters and themes without saying the word or rhyming.
• Strong Black Lead: Strong Black Lead amplifies Black voices, stories, and creators. Show off your knowledge of Black actors, entertainers, series and films!
• Stranger Things: Join The Party and enjoy this deck full of characters, words, phrases and more from the Stranger Things series.

Netflix Heads Up! is a game everyone can participate in, so whether you have five or fifty people over, no one will be left out — even if they’re not there! You can easily share recordings of your matches with friends and family on Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp and more! And the best part?! For the first time ever Netflix fans around the world will be able to play charades on their Android and iOS devices in up to 15 different languages.

Gather your friends and family over for game night and get ready for some fierce head-to-head competition putting your Netflix fandom on full display today.

The post Put Your Fandom to the Test w. Netflix! appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

With Lightyear, Pixar returns to one of its most endearing characters, the Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear, but with an interesting twist.

Anyone expecting a continuation of the adventures of the Buzz Lightyear, as voiced by Tim Allen in Toy Story, will be in for a surprise. As Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear movie begins, a placard reminds us that in 1995 a boy called Andy received a Buzz Lightyear toy for his birthday. It goes on to tell us that the toy was based on the boy’s favourite movie. And it’s this movie that we are about to watch. It’s a rather genius move that allows the audience to be introduced to the “real” Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, in this his retconned origin.

Whereas Tim Allen’s Buzz Lightyear is a toy that thinks he is an astronaut, Lightyear’s Buzz (voiced by Captain America’s Chris Evans) is the real deal. This Buzz is more fleshed out and self-aware.

The story has a mishap due to Buzz’s hubris leaving him and the huge crew of a Star Command exploration ship stranded on an alien planet. Desperate to find a way home, Buzz enlists to test a drive system that after each failure sees time advance by four years. Unable to accept and deal with his failure Buzz is so consumed he misses out on time with his friends and loved ones.

The Buzz Lightyear of this movie is perhaps a little more relatable than the action figure version in Toy Story. We watch as a very human Buzz confronts his flaws with a lesson that perhaps we all need to take on board: that life is about the journey, and not the destination.

Of course, being a Pixar movie, it works on all levels. Kids will find Buzz’s adventures thrilling and with more than a few nods back to the Toy Story movies. Buzz fondly recites his familiar catchphrase, “to infinity and beyond” throughout the movie, but with a little more gravitas than just a talking toy’s soundtrack.

Buzz is joined by an endearing supporting cast of characters. Most notable is the robotic cat, Sox (voiced by Peter Sohn), whose toy version will, no doubt, be on many kids’ Christmas list this year. Sox is a gift from Buzz’s best friend and fellow Space Ranger, Alisha Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba, “Crazy Eyes” from Orange is the New Black) and functions as a handy feline Swiss Army Knife. Sox’s unintentionally goofy behaviour and his cat-like tendencies make for some great visual gags.

As well as the origin of the “real” Buzz Lightyear, we also get to find out who exactly the Space Ranger’s arch-enemy, Emperor Zurg, is. It’s inspired to say the least. Buzz and friends must work together to defeat Zurg’s robots and save everyone from being wiped from existence.

As well as being one of the busiest guys around, Kiwi director Taika Waititi, now firmly on the Disney payroll, voices Mo. Mo is a member of Junior Zap Patrol who, despite his fear of danger joins Buzz to go up against Zurg. Mo is joined by Alisha’s granddaughter, Izzy Hawthorne (Keke Palmer), and ex-con, Darby (Dale Soules).

It goes without saying that the animation is top-class. As this is the “real” Buzz, the characters are not toys. The uniforms have been redesigned to echo the Toy Story Space Ranger, but look more realistic. With a retro-future design style, the movie really does feel like a Toy Story in-universe 90s movie.

I wouldn’t say that Lightyear was Pixar’s strongest entry but the the story is good, if not particularly memorable- as clever a conceit as it is. It’s got a big heart, enjoyable characters, lots of thrills, and an apt moral to it all. I’d go as far as to say it’s a fair kids’ animated sci-fi movie, in its own right.

Lightyear is a great movie to take the kids to and one that adults will enjoy as well. Whilst it’s worth seeing on a big screen, I can see it being a staple on Disney Plus after its eventual release on the streaming platform.

The post Lightyear (Disney|Pixar – 2022) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.