REVIEW: Pile Up! on PC (Steam)

It has been a while since I have played a simple building game, so I was looking forward to checking out Pile Up! from developer Remoob.

Pile Up!" is a strategic building game set on a small piece of land, where your objective is to construct houses, keep the people happy, and manage risky buildings placed on a small area as you learn to build upwards instead of outwards. However, don't be deceived by the tranquil environment and the soothing music playing in the background, the game is designed in such a way that if you don't get the balance just right, everything will collapse, and you will have to start over.

Your primary aim is to increase the city's population by constructing risky buildings to their fullest extent. As the days pass, you will unlock new technologies and buildings. To utilize these new structures, you must construct factories. Each factory grants you access to a unique set of buildings, allowing you to expand your city even further. There are various types of factories, each will help you with different types of buildings as well as support.

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2023/06/review-pile-up-on-pc-steam.html

REVIEW: The Little Mermaid (2023) Starring Halle Bailey

In the latest attempt to upset people, Disney have released their woke remake of The little Mermaid, a live action remake that no one asked for, and no one really wanted. Will it go the way of all of the other woke remakes that come out to great fanfare, everyone hates, and they get quickly forgotten about or will this one change the fortunes of Disney and prove that you can make films that are woke as well as good? Read on to find out.

Ariel (Halle Bailey), the youngest daughter of King Triton (Javier Bardem), is a mermaid princess residing in Atlantica, the underwater realm ruled by her father. Despite being forbidden from exploring the human world after her mother's tragic demise at the hands of a human, Ariel's fascination with the surface dweller's realm only grows. She finds solace in collecting human artifacts, aided by her loyal companions, Flounder (Jacob Tremblay) a sergeant major fish, and Scuttle (Awkwafina) a Northern gannet seabird.

One day, Ariel fails to attend the important Coral Moon gathering with her sisters, resulting in a reprimand from Triton. Feeling disheartened, she gazes upon the night sky and witnesses a mesmerizing display of fireworks above the ocean's surface. Intrigued, she decides to venture upward for a closer look. As she emerges, a mighty storm strikes, causing a nearby ship, helmed by Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King), to crash against treacherous rocks. With swift action, Ariel saves Eric from a watery fate and brings him ashore. Utilizing her enchanting siren voice, she sings to him, aiding in his recovery. However, she quickly retreats before he regains full consciousness. Once Eric is back on his feet, his adoptive mother, Queen Selina (Noma Dumezweni), strictly forbids him from embarking on further sea voyages.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-little-mermaid-2023-starring.html

REVIEW: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023) - Starring Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback and Peter Cullen

I love Transformers, I grew up on the cartoon, and I have enjoyed all of the live action movies, even when it was unpopular to do so.

Rise of the Beasts is the seventh film in the franchise, it acts as a standalone sequel to Bumblebee (2018), and as a prequel to Transformers (2007). As long as you have a general understanding of what a Transformer is, you can watch this film, without ever having to see any of the other films.

The film starts on a jungle planet which long ago was colonized by Transformers, the Maximals, an advanced race of Cybertronians with beast modes, (instead of transforming into cars and planes, these guys transform into animal like robot creatures) find their home world under attack by Unicron, a malevolent deity who consumes entire planets. Leading the charge are Unicron's heralds, the Terrorcons, and an army of Predacon drones commanded by Scourge (Peter Dinklage). Their objective is to seize the Transwarp Key, the Maximals' most powerful piece of technology capable of opening portals through space and time. In a selfless act, Apelinq (David Sobolov), the leader of the Maximals, sacrifices himself, allowing his comrades to escape before Unicron devours their planet. Now under the leadership of Optimus Primal (Ron Perlman), the Maximals utilize the Transwarp Key to seek refuge on Earth.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-transformers-rise-of-beasts-2023.html

REVIEW: The Black Demon (2023) - Starring Josh Lucas, Fernanda Urrejola and Julio Cesar Cedillo

For decades and decades filmmakers have tried to recreate the greatness of Jaws with various shark related movies. In recent times the only way to get a shark bigger and badder than Jaws is to use the prehistoric megalodon as the shark in question. Ones that come to mind include "Shark Attack 3: Megalodon" (2002), "Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus" (2009), "Megalodon" (2018) and of course the most famous of the lot "The Meg" (2018). So how does The Black Demon compare? Read on to find out.

Paul Sturges (Josh Lucas), an inspector working for an oil company, receives an assignment to assess an offshore oil rig situated in a quaint Mexican town in Baja California. Seizing the opportunity for a family vacation, he decides to bring along his wife Ines (Fernanda Urrejola) and their two children, Audrey (Venus Ariel) and Tommy (Carlos Solórzano). However, upon their arrival, they are taken aback by the sight of a town in utter disarray and ruins.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-black-demon-2023-starring-josh.html

REVIEW: Away: The Survival Series on Xbox

I was asked to review Away The Survival Series for its Xbox release, although the game has been out on other systems for a while, the Xbox release should be the best version with all bugs ironed out, as well as the addition of being able to control cats being a selling point.

The game is separated into two modes, Story mode, and Exploration mode. Story mode plays a bit like you are watching a David Attenborough documentary, but you get to control the main animal character.

You play as a young sugar glider (a small, omnivorous, arboreal, and nocturnal gliding possum), there has been some kind of apocalypse on planet earth, and only the animals are left, somehow the sugar glider survived, and he is tasked with following his mother and younger sibling as they try to survive. All the time you are being narrated to like a documentary. The narrator will give you clues of what to do next to further tell the story, for example catch a lizard, kill spiders attacking your family, catch butterflies that will act as a cure to a spider bite, as well as traversing from one area to the next through beautiful and dangerous paths.

Full Details at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2023/06/review-away-survival-series-on-xbox.html

REVIEW: Hypnotic (2023) - Starring Ben Affleck & Alice Braga

A new Ben Affleck film is out, and apparently the studio releasing it forgot to do any marketing at all. Meaning that no one knew the film was coming and hardly anyone has bothered to go to the cinema and watch it, meaning it has bombed at the box office. But should you make the effort to watch it? Read on to find out.

In the therapist's office, Danny Rourke (Ben Affleck), a detective from the Austin Police Department, recounts the haunting memory of his seven-year-old daughter, Minnie (Ionie Olivia Nieves), being abducted, a tragic event that ultimately led to the dissolution of his marriage. Deeply affected by this traumatic experience, Danny seeks solace in therapy.

Shortly after his therapy session, Danny is joined by his partner, Nicks (J. D. Pardo), who shares an important development with him. They have received an anonymous tip-off call indicating that a safe deposit box at a local bank is going to be targeted by criminals. Determined to prevent the robbery, Danny and Nicks embark on a stakeout near the bank, keeping a close eye on any suspicious activities.

To their astonishment, they witness a mysterious man (William Fichtner) issuing unheard instructions to civilians, bank employees, and even their fellow policemen. Surprisingly, everyone seems to unquestioningly obey his commands, allowing him to effortlessly enter the bank. Intrigued and alarmed by this strange phenomenon, Danny's curiosity is piqued.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-hypnotic-2023-starring-ben.html

REVIEW: Crater (2023) - Starring Isaiah Russell-Bailey, Mckenna Grace, Billy Barratt, Orson Hong, Thomas Boyce, and Scott Mescudi

Disney has been having a terrible time recently, they have released a lot of box office flops due to their desperation to appease a violent minority, I found myself looking forward to Crate in the hope they would go back to what they do best and just make a nice kids/family film. Did they succeed? Read on to find out.

Set in the year 2257, humanity has exhausted the resources of the moon after their attempts to colonize it apparently failed. Miners were subjected to a gruelling 20-year service before being granted the opportunity to embark to a new planet called Omega for colonization. If a miner passed away before completing their 20 years, their next of kin would be responsible for fulfilling the remaining time, along with their own 20 years if they were above 18. I think we can all see the issue with this, as surely any decent parent would just kill themselves when the child is 17, as that would mean they would automatically get to go straight to Omega, and not have to fulfil any time left over from their parent, nor have to do the 20 years. I am guessing DIsney never quite thought this through as a concept.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-crater-2023-starring-isaiah.html

REVIEW: Robots (2023) Starring Shailene Woodley and Jack Whitehall

I like Jack Whitehall and his style of comedy, so when I saw the general premise of Robots, I was looking forward to seeing this.

In the year 2032, remarkable advancements in robotics granted humanity the ability to employ highly realistic androids as servants and manual laborers. Among the privileged residents of an affluent suburb, Elaine (Shailene Woodley) and Charles (Jack Whitehall) found a peculiar solution to bypass the limitations of their busy lives – they began using android replicas of themselves to navigate the challenges of dating. Little did they anticipate the unforeseen consequences that awaited them. Androids were originally used to replace cheap illegal labourers, and were not allowed to be used as robot clones, to do so is a major crime.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/06/review-robots-2023-starring-shailene.html

REVIEW: John Wick: Chapter 4 - Starring Keanu Reeves

John Wick is back, in what I believe is the end to the John Wick story. The sequel to John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019), Keanu Reeves as John Wick is out to get revenge on the High Table and those who left him for dead. Before I start, it is worth noting that this is the longest film in the series, at a massive 169 minutes (nearly 3 hours) it is about 38 minutes longer than John Wick 3, 47 minutes longer than John Wick 2, and 68 minutes longer than John Wick. So, to watch this you will need to have plenty of popcorn, and perhaps even a soft cushion for your behind.

In the bustling metropolis of New York City, (Nothing like real life, since NYC is an absolute dump, but anyway), John Wick finds himself hidden away with the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne - a former underground crime boss who was left for dead by the High Table and is now sponsoring John Wick), making meticulous preparations for his forthcoming quest for vengeance against the formidable High Table. His underground sanctuary serves as a temporary refuge as he carefully strategizes his next move.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/05/review-john-wick-chapter-4-starring.html

REVIEW: Fast X (2023) aka Fast & Furious 10 - Starring Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, John Cena, Nathalie Emmanuel and Jason Momoa

The Fast & Furious franchise is back, with another film in the seemingly never-ending series. Vin Diesel stars as Dominic Toretto alongside Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, John Cena, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Scott Eastwood, Daniela Melchior, Alan Ritchson, Helen Mirren, Brie Larson, Rita Moreno, Jason Statham, Jason Momoa, and Charlize Theron. Dom must protect his family from Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa), who wants revenge for his father's death and loss of his family's fortune.

The Agency asks Dominic "Dom" Toretto and his crew to snatch a computer chip while it is being transported through Rome. While the rest of the crew travels to Rome, Dom and his wife Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez) stay behind with their son Brian "Little B" Marcos (Leo Abelo Perry). An injured Cipher (Charlize Theron) shows up at Dom's house that evening to tell him that Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa), the drug lord Hernan Reyes' son, has turned her gang against her and is using them to target Dom in retaliation for the death of his father. Cipher is taken into jail by Little Nobody (Scott Eastwood), who later admits that there is no mission in Rome.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/05/review-fast-x-2023-aka-fast-furious-10.html

REVIEW: The Super Mario Bros. Movie - Starring Chris Pratt

I had been waiting for ages to watch The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and then circumstances prevented me from seeing it till it was released on digital, gutted I had to wait so long, but glad I finally got to watch.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is surprisingly based on the Nintendo Video game franchise, and they really do a great job of using all aspects from the various games, to tell the story within the film.

Italian-American brothers Mario and Luigi have recently started a plumbing business in Brooklyn, much to the disapproval of their father and the scorn of their ex-employer, Spike. One day, while watching the news, they catch sight of a significant water main leak. Driven by their sense of responsibility, Mario and Luigi embark on a mission to fix it. However, as they go underground, they unexpectedly find themselves being sucked into a Warp Pipe, separating them in the process.

Full Review

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/05/review-super-mario-bros-movie-starring.html

REVIEW: Final Apex - Xbox

Back once again with a brand-new review, this time for futuristic racing game Final Apex. First let's accept that the developers made a monumental mistake with the name of the game, not because Final Apex is a bad name or anything, I like the name, but when there is a big budget game out there called Apex Legends, who are paying search engines millions to put their game at the top of any search result for anything using the word "Apex" then you have a problem.

Despite the poor name choice, Final Apex is actually a fun little arcade racer. This is all game and no messing about, it reminds me very much of the kind of arcade game you might find in an airport arcade. You sit down, put your coin in, click start and within seconds you are racing away. Except here there are no coins to put in.

Once the game loads up you have three choices. Career, Series or Test Drive.

Since Test Drive is obvious, we will ignore that one for now.

Career mode has you choosing a track, then you choose your vehicle, the cars colour, and then away you go. In career mode, races have a running start. Try to finish the race as high up the pack as you can, and with as fast a time as you can. When you have completed the race, you can choose the next one. Tracks and Cars are locked until you have enough points. There are 7 cars in total to drive, and a huge 70 tracks to race on.

Full Review at

http://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2023/05/review-final-apex-xbox.html

REVIEW: Simulant (2023) - Starring Robbie Amell, Jordana Brewster, Simu Liu, Alicia Sanz and Sam Worthington

April Mullen directs Simulant, written by Ryan Christopher Churchill, featuring Robbie Amell, Simu Liu, Jordana Brewster, Alicia Sanz, Mayko Nguyen, and Sam Worthington.

The film takes place in the near future, where Evan, an android humanoid simulant played by Robbie Amell, is created for Faye, portrayed by Jordana Brewster, to replace her deceased husband. Evan teams up with Casey, a brilliant global hacker played by Simu Liu, to remove the restrictions on simulant capabilities and traits.

However, as simulants become increasingly self-aware and independent, a government agency led by Agent Kessler of AICE, played by Sam Worthington, launches a manhunt to prevent a potential A.I. uprising.

Full Review at

http://www.beentothemovies.com/2023/05/review-simulant-2023-starring-robbie.html