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Scream

By HOME ENT

Scream Review

Back in 1996 when Wes Craven released the first of his iconic and highly successful horror franchise, no one thought it would be as influential as it ended up being. Cited as the main film to revitalise the slasher genre. Scream made over $173 million, more than any slasher film until 2018’s Halloween. Pretty good going for a first in its series horror film! 

Now after 25 years and with the release of the fifth instalment, much has changed with Scream 5 not just being a one-off popcorn flick slasher like its first incarnation, but instead a further chapter in of one of the most successful and best loved horror film franchises of all time.

Scream itself was loosely based on the real-life murders of the Gainesville Ripper, an idea the franchise leans into heavily with pretty much all of the films. The series and story also links to the world of real life movie producing and with its ‘in movie’ parodic film franchise ‘Stab’, as lead character Sidney Prescot desperately tries to escape the attempts on her life by the mysterious ‘Ghost face’ killer.

Following a ‘Who dun it’ format, each film has the audience questioning who the killer is with even the lead Sidney being a viable suspect at one time or another throughout the films. No one is safe in these movies and Scream loves to show you the killing of old and new characters in very gruesome and creative sequences. 

The series also provides a satirical commentary on the formulaic structure and tropes of the genre as each movie tackles its respected place in the franchise, eg; the original discusses the rules of a slasher, the sequel uses the laws of a sequel, the third, the rules of a trilogy, the forth, remakes and so on and so on. This is one of the things that makes these films so good as they do ‘self-aware’ better than almost any horror franchise I have ever seen.

The latest in the series takes on the most recent fad in movie making known as the ‘Requel’. A requel is where a franchise revisits the original subject material with new characters but also continues where the last film left off including the return of key players to the story. Highly successful examples of this type of storytelling have been the latest Star Wars movies, Ghostbusters, Cobra Kai and the Star Trek films. Often these movies will drop the number in the series and return to the original title, hence Scream 5 is called ‘Scream’.  

One of the things that brings the fans back to these movies is the characters. The main cast, as vulnerable as they are to a knife in the gut, have been brilliantly developed over the past 25 years. Their likeability and flaws make them so watchable and loved by the fans worldwide and you sit on the edge of your seat hoping you don’t lose another one in each adventure. 

If it’s Dewy and Gales ‘Will they? Won’t they?’ relationship or Randy’s ironic commentary criticising characters actions like going down into the abandoned basement alone along with saying “I’ll be right back!”. These characters have allowed the franchise to flourish and always remain fresh for new audiences to enjoy.

Scream has seemingly done the impossible by pretty much following the exact same format with the same characters for five movies, while never getting monotonous or repetitive and the fifth installment continues in that stead.

I can’t wait for the day when I can show my own Teenagers ‘Scream 12’ and the potential “Ghost face” stories, long after the demise of Sidney Prescot.

Does Sidney die in Scream 5? Or is she the killer this time? You’ll have to watch the latest movie to find out – we’re saying nothing.

Anything is possible in the Scream franchise and that’s what makes it the best horror movie series of all time!!! 

Available Now to Download and keep and on DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K 11/4/22 (18) 4 Stars

Youth #Gottit View:

If you love the Scream movies you are in for a real treat. This is the greatest Horror Franchise of all time with every film worth watching. Highly Recommended!!!

Scream 1-4 available on DVD, Blu-Ray, 4K and Digital Download!!!

LEGO Star Wars – The Skywalker Saga

By GAMES

LEGO Star Wars – The Skywalker Saga review by Alex

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a new instalment in the LEGO Star Wars Franchise. This time, the player will be able to experience all nine Skywalker saga stories with more freedom than before. Also, if you have the deluxe edition you will also be able to access extra content based in the Star Wars Universe.

Once you create your save file you are presented with an episode select screen, from the beginning you are presented with three possible starting points as follows: Episode I The Phantom Menace, Episode IV A New Hope and Episode VII The Force Awakens.

Once you jump into an Episode of your choosing you are presented with the classic opening of Star Wars with an overview of the plot. You will start off (depending on which episode you choose) in your character’s spaceship or on a planet.

The quest system is easy to understand as it highlights where you must go and if on the ground shows a path towards it rather than having to blindly guess where to go.

The combat system has been updated to minimise the effectiveness of button mashing and encourage combos which is displayed on the side of the screen. This helps diversify battles in order to not make them repetitive.

I enjoy the new combat system added in this game as it adds a level of strategy to the fight scenes compared to older titles. Graphics have been enhanced in the next gen versions; they seem richer and more detailed but still complement the LEGO aesthetic.

As with other games in this franchise, if you have missed collectables and want to 100% an episode you can go back and retry the level rather than having to make a new save file which throws you back to the beginning or be sent to an earlier episode due to the progression.

What I dislike about the game is that some of the menus can be confusing due to the amount of content included on them. For instance, the character menu could be simplified by only showing categories that have one or more characters unlocked or have an option to show or hide these options. Another option that I would like to be included would be an option while making the save file to say how experienced you are, and based on how you answer it (e.g., Beginner, Experienced, etc.) the less aid you will receive in game.

This game is an excellent addition to the LEGO Star Wars Franchise. From the improved visual fidelity offered by the power of the Xbox Series Consoles and the PS5, to the enhanced play style of the game. It is a must buy for both resuming players and new.

Available on XBox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC 5/4/22 (PEGI 7) 4.5 Stars

Youth #Gottit View:

This is quite potentially the best LEGO Star Wars game ever. Its all there and great fun to play. Also don’t think you know for sure what you’re about to see in the story. This is everything you know with a few twists and surprises here and there. Highly Recommended!!!

The Matrix Resurrections

By HOME ENT

The Matrix Resurrections review by Harrison

Youth #Gottit View:

The ending to the story we always needed. This is finally one of the great movie series – everything is now corrected with this forth instalment. Highly Recommended!!!

Disney + Marvel Moon Knight

By HOME ENT

Disney + Marvel Moon Knight review by Con (Video Review CLICK HERE!!!)

Available on Disney + 30/3/22 (16 Years +) 5 Stars

Youth #Gottit View:

This is not the Marvel you’re used to. It’s very, very different and fresh. Think Deadpool/Dare Devil meets The Prisoner with lots of British humour. We loved this show and Con thinks it will end up being everyone’s favourite Marvel series. Highly Recommended!!!

Con at the Marvel Moon Knight UK Premiere CLICK HERE!!!

Monopoly – Elvis Presley Edition

By GAMES

Monopoly – Elvis Presley Edition review by Con

This is my favourite board game of all time. For someone that’s never played Monopoly the aim of the game is to buy as many properties as you can, earn as much money as you can and bankrupt everyone else as you play.

Key changes to the Elvis version is that rather than Houses and Hotels you have Stands and Stadiums. Community Chest and Chance is replaced with Rock and Roll. And instead of properties you have places of relevance to his life and key moments and music releases from his career to purchase. Aside from that it’s the exactly same game.

I love this game as I like the thrill of bankrupting the other players. Ruining everybody else’s tactics to win is part of the fun of playing it. Having someone like Elvis as part of the branding and gameplay just takes it to another level for all collectors and fans.

Available from all good retailers (8 Years +) 5 Stars

Youth Gottit View:

If you love Elvis and Monopoly is you favourite game you’re in for a real treat. We’re huge Monopoly fans and the Elvis inspired board and rules are a fun touch to the classic game. Highly Recommended!!!

Elvis in Cinemas 24th June!!!

Nintendo Switch OLED

By GAMES, HOME ENT

Nintendo Switch OLED review by Con

Inside the box!!!

Available from all good retailers (PEGI 3) 5 Stars

Youth #Gottit View:

The new Nintendo Switch OLED has a Vibrant OLED screen, Larger 7.0 inch screen with slimmer bezel, Battery life of approx. 4.5‑9 hours, Twice the internal storage (64 GB), Onboard speakers with enhanced audio, New dock with wired LAN port, HDMI port and two USB ports and a New wide stand with adjustable viewing angle. This is a must own Games Console – Highly Recommended!!!

Kidzcoolit Nintendo Switch Game Reviews CLICK HERE!!!

PlayStation 5 – Gran Turismo 7

By GAMES

PlayStation 5 – Gran Turismo 7 Review by Harrison

Available on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 4/3/22 (PEGI 3) 4 Stars

Youth #Gottit View:

It’s yet another must own game for 2022 if you’re car mad. As Harrison said, the graphics are beautiful and leave very little to the imagination. With the gameplay – it is updated, but if you’re a Gran Turismo fan you’ll know what to expect and wouldn’t want too much changed in the game. Highly Recommended!!!

Elden Ring

By GAMES

Elden Ring review

The most ironically difficult franchise has had another installation with Elden Ring. This is an open world game which allows you traverse the lands searching for the shards of the Elden Ring in order to restore it and become the Elden Lord.

The class system in this game allows you to choose from a variety of different classes including but not limited to Samurai, Bandit and Warrior. There are ten different classes which all have a unique set of skills which adds variety to there attacking, defending, agility and of course weapons. The weapons are varied between classes with some being able to use bows and others being able to use daggers, being advantageous in different scenarios. Also along with this, there is also vast character customisation. You can make the characters similar to your likeness or switch it up with other wacky combinations.

The gameplay is very perfectly rounded. It leaves beating the game entirely up to you and doesn’t set any strict instructions for you to do so. As is very well known amongst the gaming community this game is very difficult, although it being a dark souls game that isn’t surprising. The combat consists of mostly rolling, blocking and attacking however there Is the magic abilities that you can use depending on the weapon. For some it is rather simple, the shield for example will allow you to repel attacks as long as your ok with expending a small amount of your Focus points. However other weapons such as the Reduvia which you can obtain very early on in the game, fires blood at enemies at mid to long range. These attacks are different between each weapon. Also your steed , torrent is very useful. He runs fast jumps multiple times and doesn’t affect your stamina gauge allowing you to use it without any drawback.

This game does what it wants to do and it does it very well. I absolutely love the fighting style as it really provides a challenge and the weapons system is incredibly fun. The bosses that you may come up against in the game are deadly and provide a real challenge which is refreshing as most games don’t want to gamble with making a game this difficult yet in dark souls games it clearly pays off. My absolute favourite aspect of this game is the inclusion of multiplayer. Now we all are aware of normal online co-op, of which I should add this game does do, and does it well. However a really good fun and interesting feature is the inclusion of messages and blood stains. When you join a game of Elden Ring you are added to a server of many other people of which for the most part you never see each other. However if you die the other people in this server can look at the blood stain near where you died and see exactly how you died. This game also allows you to leave tips or notes on the ground which other players can read and appraise or invalidate it . The reason why I claimed you don’t see each other for the most part is due to the fact that in random occurrences you can see other people fighting there own battles or just simply walking around. Now this happens for short period of times so it has no overall impact on gameplay but it’s quite nice to interact with someone whose stuck on the same section as you.

This game is nigh perfect, although I personally believe it could be more accessible with easier payable mode settings. I love challenging games but the greater public aren’t as skilled at video games as those who can beat a Souls game, and by that reasoning I personally believe a mark of 4.5 stars is appropriate. I love this game and will definitely be playing it regularly, so if you are a skilled gamer you need to check it out as it is going to be a must play for 2022 and beyond.

Available on PlayStation 5, XBox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, XBox One and PC 25/2/22 (PEGI 16) 4.5 Stars

Youth #Gottit View:

It’s another must own game for 2022. Stunning Next Generation graphics, fun combat mode and a vast amount of customise options. Absolutely love how you can communicate with other players around the world, leave messages/tips and see where they died and where they’re playing in the game live. Highly Recommended!!!