New Sherlock Season 3 Trailer - 'Sherlock Lives' [Watch Now!]

For eager viewers who were tuned in to watch BBC's 'The Day of The Doctor' last night, there was another great surprise. A season 3 teaser trailer for Sherlock arrived, [watch below] with the hashtag #SherlockLives, re affirming for viewers that he is indeed alive, in case you hadn't watched the last episode of season 2. The release of the new teaser sent the social networking website Twitter, into a frenzy, with many retweeting the hashtag and expressing their delight at the return of the popular crime drama, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes, and Martin Freeman as his partner, Watson. There has still be no announcement of the airing date for the new series, however, as the American air date is around the mid January, we can expect to see Sherlock back on British screens before then, as the BBC has first rights to air the programme. In case you were in your local cinema watching 'The Day of The Doctor,' and didn't get the opportunity to see the trailer, watch below: 

The Big Bang Theory - Season 7, Episode 9 'The Thanksgiving Decoupling' [Recap + Review]

The latest episode of The Big Bang Theory really piled on the laughs; there was turkey, divorce and drunk Sheldon. What more could you ask for? One of the best episodes from the latest series, 'The Thanksgiving Decoupling' opened with Sheldon, Leonard and Raj trying to explain to Penny that it is physically impossible to tip a cow. After much deliberation, Penny eventually realised that she was just drunk and had fell over herself. In comes Howard who confirms this theory and then invites everyone to thanksgiving at his mother's house, to which Sheldon initially declines. 

However, everyone manages to persuade him and they all agree to go. Whilst everyone gets ready at Sheldon's flat, Sheldon moans to Amy about how he is being forced to go and the begins to compare his situation to that of an African slave, to which Amy is appalled. 

The attention is diverted from Sheldon when Penny reveals she once got 'married' in a Las Vegas wedding chapel, which she thought was fake, but it turns out it was in fact real. Leonard is angry and annoyed and the gang help Penny think up a reason to get it annulled, which turns out to be her lack of understanding of the situation. They arrive at Howard's mum's house, where Howard is trying to get along with Bernadette's dad, whilst simultaneously attending to his loud and obnoxious mother. 

However, the whole thing is absolutely hilarious as Howard makes many quips about his mother. Bernadette's dad sits down to watch the game and Howard begrudgingly joins him with Sheldon. In the kitchen, Raj, Bernadette and Amy prepare the food, but are ultimately distracted when Amy reveals that Penny married Zack. 

Bernadette also simultaneously stuffs her face with marshmallows. Leonard and Penny argue with each other about Penny's mistake, which leads Penny to invite Zack over to sign the papers straight away, so they can get it annulled as soon as possible. Raj, who is watching whilst Bernadette and Amy listen from the kitchen, makes the most ridiculous comment about the plot thickening like the gravy he is holding in his hands. Meanwhile, Sheldon and Bernadette's dad are actually bonding over their knowledge of football, as Sheldon's dad made Sheldon watch it when he was young, before he was allowed to do his homework. 

When Sheldon reveals his dad died when he was 14, Bernadette's dad comforts Sheldon and offers to have his first beer with him. This leads to some surprising bonding between Sheldon and Bernadette's dad, and the two get absolutely hammered. Howard retreats to the kitchen hoping to get some comfort from Bernadette, but as soon as the doorbell rings and Zack shows up, Bernadette, Amy and eventually Raj, jet out of the kitchen faster than a cheetah to go watch. 

Zack is initially weary to sign as he is concerned for the children (of which they have none), but Penny eventually bullies him into signing, after arguing with Leonard some more. Afterwards, Sheldon and Bernadette's dad are still drinking, and Sheldon remarks that he is having the best thanksgiving ever. Bernadette comes in with Howard and Amy, telling them to apologise for being mean to Howard. Sheldon apologises, and when Amy berates him he tells her that she is great and she appreciates it and blushes. He then smacks her on her ass and asks her to go get him some more beers, and she looks surprisingly happy at the fact that he touched her. The episode ends with everyone eating food around the table, whilst Sheldon goes upstairs to vomit all over the clowns in Howard's mum's bathroom. Also, Bernadette's dad tells Howard that he is not the worst son in law he could have, which is about as much of a compliment that he'll ever get. Huzzah! The next episode will be in 2 weeks time, and is called 'The Discovery Dissipation.' 

Reviewed by Mel. 

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) Review

                                'Since the last games, something is different. I can see it'
                                                     'What can you see?'
                                                               'Hope.' 

Straight hot off the screen is the new second instalment from the movie series The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. It is surprising that in this case, the latter appears to be just that bit more impressive than the former. Visually breath-taking and with a certain flair for the dramatic, the film picks up the pace and flies off with it.

The film continues to follow Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) after her victory in the 74^th Annual Hunger Games, alongside her fake beau, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), as they embark on their victory tour around all the districts in Panem. Soon however, Katniss’ new found symbol of hope forces President Snow to become weary of an uprising, so he thrusts a weary Katniss back into the games in a 75^th Annual Hunger Games (also known as the Quarter Quell), which is made up of previous victors. Also back is third member of the love triangle, Gale, (Liam Hemsworth) and Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), who returns to rally her team from District 12. Also along for the journey are Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) and designer Cinna, (Lenny Kravitz), whilst ruthless dictator President Snow is portrayed by Donald Sutherland. Some of the key tributes in the latter part of the film are Finnick Odair (Sam Claflik), Mags (Lynn Cohen), Johanna Mason (Jena Malone), Beetee (Jeffrey Wright) and Wiress (Amanda Plummer), who help Katniss along with her journey.

Lawrence (Jennifer) sparkles on screen as the symbol of rebellion herself, Katniss Everdeen; electrifying the audience’s attention and making sure that all eyes are on her (literally). It is questionable as to whether the film would prove to be made of such a sound infrastructure without Lawrence being there to hold everything together, but nevertheless, all the actors put in a fine performance, which helps to unify the struggle that each character is facing.

What’s more obvious in this film is the level of devastation and the impact and consequences violence has. Everything is kicked up a notch, the events more ruthless and emotional, and the depth of the characters explored further and presented more complexly. We see Katniss once again at possibly an even more vulnerable level; everyone is thrust into the scenes of war and rebellion, and with that comes violence and death, which the film certainly deals with. 

A more emotional, and thought-provoking piece than the first, it masterfully gets the audience involved, and feeling the flames, the burn and the heat that the districts feel. It would seem that Francis Lawrence’s film does what it says in the title; it ‘catches fire,’ both in the literal sense, but also in the way it is able to ignite a certain sense of thrill into its audience, not only for the characters on screen but also engages with the darker, more political plot that underlines the film.

For the most part, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a gripping and thoroughly entertaining piece of cinema, whose only flaw is that it perhaps overruns too much; the 146 minute running time can drag on for even the most eager viewer. However, the film’s overall more intimate and personal themes of plight and struggle, put forth a greater meaning to viewers, and provide a more substantial source of material for director Lawrence to work with. This in turn is executed superbly, managing to grip and intensify the situation for all involved, both on and off screen.

Exceedingly darker and devious, and overall more rebellious and violent, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire serves to remind everyone who the real enemy is. 

4.5 stars 

Reviewed by Mel. 

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - New Character Posters!

Some new character posters for The upcoming Hobbit movie are in! And as usual, they are looking pretty spectacular. For larger images and captions, and to revel in the glory of the film, see below: 

Good ol' Gandalf [the grey] (Ian McKellan) looking pretty bad-ass in his new character poster. 

In a nice change of character posters, Legolas (Orlando Bloom) the elf is doing the butt-shot pose instead of Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly). Yep, you go elves. 

Luke Evans as Bard the Bowman. 

Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, looking to be in a bit of a sticky situation. 

And finally, the hobbit himself, Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins! (who has also stars alongside Sherlock Co-Star, Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Smaug and The Necromancer.) So, how do the new posters shape up for you? Getting excited for the film which is released less than a month away? If not, watch a sneak peek below!: 

Muppets Most Wanted (2014) - New Theatrical and UK Trailers!

The new theatrical and UK trailers for Muppets Most Wanted (scheduled for release in March 2014) have been released, and see the good ol' green frog and his friends back, and in more trouble, than ever. Following on from the last film, The Muppets go on a tour in Europe, where they unfortunately encounter Constantine, the World's number 1 criminal, who looks almost identical to Kermit, who plans to become to most notorious criminal ever. Quickly and abruptly the gang and especially Kermit face various foes including Dominic Badguy (Ricky Gervais), who is Constantine's sidekick. The film features a whole heap of celebrity cameos, most notably including the formidable Tom Hiddleston (Thor: The Dark World), Sean Combs, Tina Fey (who plays a Russian GULAG officer), Ty Burrell (who plays a French interpol inspector) and many more. Watch the new theatrical trailer below: 

And watch the official UK Trailer as well, below:

Film news by Mel.