Australia Day 2 - Aussie Films

Hey all,

Welcome back to another Australia day edition. Now, I'm well aware that Australia Day was yesterday. But since we have a 3 day weekend, I'm counting it as 2 Australia Days. Huh? What do you reckon? So in honour of this great accomplishment, and this great country, I would like to present you with some of our more, memorable Aussie films. 

Now, us Aussies pride ourselves on making top quality films. And we certainly have made our mark in the industry, with notable names, such as: Hugh Jackman, Cate Blanchett, Baz Lurhman, Hugo Weaving, the Hemsworth Family, etc. etc. And with notable and memorable films as well. So, without further delay, let's take a look at some of Australia's most memorable and iconic films, to date.

MURIEL'S WEDDING

'Muriel's Wedding' is a stellar Australian film. Starring the amazingly gifted actress, Toni Collette, it follows the story of the socially awkward titular character, Muriel, as she strives to have a glamorous wedding, and improve her personal life in the process. It's a great Australian film, that set country by storm. Toni Collette's performance of Muriel is absolutely brilliant. Her portrayal of being socially awkward is so finely touched, that it is unbelievable. Needless to say, 'Muriel's Wedding' is certainly an Australian film for the ages.

Casting Toni Collette was pure genius. Very glad to have her as an Aussie actress.

THE CASTLE

'The Castle' is truly a fine piece of Australian film making. With only 11 days of shooting, it could certainly teach films these days a thing or two. Coming straight from the heart, 'The Castle' tells the story of the Kerrigan as they desperately try to save their house from being demolished. While it may not be the most flashiest looking film, 'The Castle' makes up for it in it's amazing story line, character details and humour. Not to mention, home to some of the best catchphrases. Such as: 'This is going straight to the pool room', 'Tell 'em he's dreaming' and 'Can you feel the serenity?'

One of the most down to earth, Australian family you could ever meet. The Kerrigans

CROCODILE DUNDEE

Crocodile Dundee. The Australian movie that truly hit it big in Hollywood. Not to mention set Paul Hogan's stardom into overdrive. I'm not even going to say what the plot is in 'Crocodile Dundee' as I'm sure you have all seen it before. But let's just say, it set off a lot of stereotypes. Anyway, 'Crocodile Dundee' is a ripper of an Aussie film, as it portrays the country life of Australia beautifully at the start, and then turns into an amazing story in the second half. Not to mention, it is also home to a very famous catchphrase that has been used constantly. You know, 'That's not a knife' *pulls out a massive bowie knife* 'Now THAT'S a knife.'

The picture practically says it all. Now that's a knife.

KENNY

Now, 'Kenny' is another Aussie film, that is sometimes left behind. Starring the now famous Shane Jacobson, 'Kenny' follows the life and times of titular character Kenny Smyth, a business owner who specializes in porta-loos. 'Kenny' is a heartfelt, mokumentary comedy film, that truly displays a blue collar, Aussie working spirit. Through thick and thin, Kenny goes through it all. From a porta-loo on fire, to retrieving a lost ring. 'Kenny' shows us what it really means to be a hard working, devoted, Aussie worker.

Casting Shane Jacobson as Kenny is a genius idea. Shane pulls it off amazingly.

AUSTRALIA

The self-titular Australian film, 'Australia' is practically chock full of Aussie goodness. From it's lush, laid out locations. To it's awesome Aussie actors, and even the amazingly gifted Aussie director, Baz Luhrman. 'Australia' is full to the brim with Aussie themes. With Baz Luhrman's directing skills, it can also be classed as an advertising ploy, as he took a leaf from Peter Jackson's book, and added in a number of sprawling, bird's eye view shots that document the beauty of the land. Much like 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. There is one downfall, however that I must point out, and that is the length. I felt it dragged on for way too long, and because of this, it sort of dried up near the end.

Not only is it a film, it's also an advertising ploy. Two birds, one stone.

Well then, there we have it. A small handful of some of Australia's memorable movies. It was rather difficult to select them, as I went off the themes instead of the locations. However, there are some honorable mentions I must make. An honorable mention to the musical romance, 'Moulin Rouge' which was shot in Sydney (believe it or not). To 'Red Dog', a very heartfelt film about a red kelpie (very, VERY heartfelt). The sheep herding pig 'Babe' ('that'll do Pig. That'll do'). And 'Happy Feet', the toe-tapping little penguin. Just another handful Aussie movies that have not only captivated this country. But also, the world.

So, that is the end of the Australia Day themed posts. I hope you have all had a great Australia Day weekend. Stay tuned for more exciting and awesome posts to come. Till then, take care and stay safe.

Davo. Out

Australia Day - Aussie Shows

G'day all,

Happy Australia Day to all Australians. Luckily for us Australians, this year Australia Day happens to fall upon a Sunday. Which means we get Monday off, resulting in a 3 day weekend! To celebrate this awesome occasion, I have decided to post 2 topics on the subject of Australian entertainment. Mainly TV shows and films. These 2 posts will operate in the same way as 'Mega-Countdown Monday' where I will be listing the top TV shows/films. So without further ado, let's begin with the 'Most well-known Aussie Shows'.. 

NEIGHBOURS

Everybody needs good Neighbours. And, man, has this show been around for ages. Since debuting in 1985, 'Neighbours' has continued to become an iconic piece of Australian Television. It is also a great way to kick-start some acting careers, for many famous Australian celebrities came from 'Neighbours'. Most notably Kylie Minogue and Guy Pearce. Judging by the fact that it has been around for well over 2 decades, I have a funny feeling that 'Neighbours' will be with us, for a LONG time to come.

Despite the fact that it's been on for over 25 years, and created over 6,000 episodes, I've got to give them credit for their writing skills.

SUMMER HEIGHTS HIGH

Ah, 'Summer Heights High'. One of my all time favourite Aussie shows. Taking on a view of public schooling, show creator and main star, Chris Lilley, delivers with absolute hilarity. Playing the role of not 1, not 2, but 3 different characters, Chris portrays each character amazingly. From the over-eccentric and narcissistic drama teacher, Mr. G. To the bratty and bitchy private schoolgirl, Jamie. And even the cocky, arrogant year 8 student Jonah. Chris' ability to play each character differently, and not stuff up is terrific. Taking on the form of a mokumentary, into the life and time of public schooling, 'Summer Heights High' is an absolute cracker to watch. And with it being broadcast worldwide, it certainly has made a name for itself in the Australian TV industry. 

There is one question that is constantly plaguing me. What is Chris Lilley's natural hair colour?

KATH & KIM

'Kath & Kim'. Another iconic Aussie TV show. Home to a very catchy, catchphrase. 'Look at moi'. 'Kath & Kim' is an inside look into the day to day life of a mother and daughter living in a suburb of Melbourne. Basing it all on a mokumentary, 'Kath and Kim' showcases a number of hilarious situations where the titular characters find themselves in. Situations such as: a wedding day gone wrong, pregnancy blues, relationship disagreements (a lot of them). In dealing with these situations, the solutions are often witty, outrageous, and downright hilarious. It has certainly become a true blue Aussie comedy show that pokes fun at the Aussie way of life.

No matter how many times you watch these two 'foxy morons', it will never get old.

UNDERBELLY

Underbelly is a real crime show that definitely sets the stage for future crime shows. Taking on the form of a documentary as well as a drama, 'Underbelly' documents the criminal activities that have been occurring within Australia over the past century.  'Underbelly' certainly does ramp it up when it comes to the crime genre, taking on the role of a third person narrator, and yet still maintaining letting the actors play their role as well. Like 'Neighbours', I have a funny feeling that there is going to be a lot more 'Underbelly' shows to come.

A great crime series. I'm still surprised with the number of episodes it has. Is it really safe in Australia, or not?

THE VARIOUS AMOUNT OF GAME SHOWS/REALITY SHOWS

An amazing music themed game show. Will miss you guys.

Here in Australia, we certainly have a LOT of game shows and reality shows. Some are original ideas ('Thank God You're Here', 'Talkin' about your Generation', 'Spicks and Specks'). Whilst some are various adaptations from overseas ('The X Factor', 'Big Brother', 'Masterchef'). I'm not a huge fan of reality TV shows, but I don't mind Game Shows. Specifically, 'Thank God You're Here', which took a number of Aussie celebrities and threw them into improvisational situations. The results, were hilarious. A very unique and amusing idea. Wish it was still on TV today though. Anyway, while we don't tend to pride ourselves on these types of shows, they are certainly starting to appear in abundance. Which I feel, is starting to appear more and more, daunting.

One of my all-time favourite game shows. Please, please come back.

SPORTS PROGRAMS

Sports. Us Aussies pride ourselves when it comes to the love of sports. Whether it be the Melbourne Cup (the race that stops a nation). The NRL or NFL (frankly, I can't tell the difference between the two). The Australian Tennis Open (which is almost over). Or the good old Australia Football League. We pride ourselves when it comes  to Sports. With it practically running all year long on our Television, it can be impossible to get away from it. Even when there is no match on, we still pride ourselves on the love of it, by broadcasting talk shows about the upcoming matches, and predicting who will win.

A sporting competition that I would rather watch.
At home

An annual battle for the prestigious Ashes Urn.  

Well, there we have it. A list of some of the most well-known Aussie shows. What do you reckon? Do you agree with the list? Or do you think I left something out? Then feel free to leave a comment below.

But that is all I have time for today. Now I am off to enjoy the rest of Australia Day. How are you going to enjoy Australia Day? Watch the tennis or the cricket? Go relax on the beach or in the water? Or just sit around, with a cold beer in your hand, whilst listening to Triple j's Hottest 100? Me? I have no idea what I might do. Probably have a cold beer and listen to Triple J. Anyhow, stay tuned for more exciting and awesome posts in the near future. Till next time, have a great day and take care.

Davo. Out.

Pixar movies - What makes them so memorable?

Hey all,

Well, it's another scorcher of a day, down here in Australia. And I hope that you have all been staying alert when outside. Remember to wear sunscreen and hat, because the last thing you need is sunburn. Take it from me, you do NOT want to be sunburnt. Also, make sure to stay well hydrated on days like these. Dehydration can really creep up on ya. But enough about sun safety, and onto the topic of the day. Pixar movies. I will be talking about, what is it about them, that makes them so memorable.

The Pixar logo and a handful of different characters

Pixar movies. Everyone has a favourite Pixar film. Whether it be 'Toy Story', 'The Incredibles', Monster's Inc.' or even 'Finding Nemo'. Everyone has a favourite Pixar film. Some may deny that they don't, for they may say that Pixar movies are for little kids. But you know what, don't believe what those people say. For deep down, there is that one movie that sticks with them for many years. So what is it that makes them so memorable? The answer is deep inside of us is a little kid. We all have that younger version of us, pushed back into the depths of mind. Some choose to let it out every now and then, whilst some choose to ignore it. Either way, we are all young at heart. And I believe that it is because of this factor that makes Pixar movies so memorable.

Pixar's very first feature film. Coincidentally, this is also the first Pixar film I ever saw

There are a number of Pixar movies out there. And each one is more magical, more beautiful, and more unique from the rest. What I love about Pixar films is the stories. They are each different, and more to the point, unbelievable. For example, 'Monster's Inc.' is about a bunch of monsters who appear out of children's closets at night to scare them and harvest their screams for electricity usage in their world. I love how Pixar came up with this idea. They took a simple scenario that we have all experienced when we were kids ('Monsters' in the closets or underneath the bed) and have somehow managed to expand upon that scenario by introducing an alternate world within these closets, why the monsters are scaring these little kids, and what would happen if a child stumbled upon this alternate world. This idea is pure, genius. Another prime example is the film 'Ratatouille', which is about a little rat in France who aspires to cook. A rat that can cook.      Need I say anymore. Would never have thought of that, huh.

Another great film. Love the graphic details and the voice acting, specifically Dory and her whale talk. Cracks me up everytime.

Each Pixar film is cute, funny, and amazingly detailed in both graphics and story line. It is with these factors that make us enjoy Pixar films, as deep down, we enjoy them. We like to watch them, as it makes us forget about the hardships of life for a while. It sends us back to our childhood. We all love Pixar films. Some just choose to say they don't so that they don't appear childish and appear more mature. But through Pixar's amazing ability to tamper with the little kid inside of all of us, we will never grow too old of Pixar films. Don't you forget it.

Well, I hope you all enjoyed my little talk about Pixar films. What do you reckon? Do you believe that Pixar plays an important role in keeping us young at heart? What's your favourite Pixar film? Mine are already mentioned in the post. If you have anything to contribute to this post, please feel free to leave a comment below in the comment section. Stay tuned for more exciting posts to come in the near future, including another addition to 'Mega-Countdown Monday' and 'Rewind Wednesday'. Till then, have a safe and happy day. Be careful out in the sun Australians, and I'll see you all next time.

Davo. Out. 

Mega-Countdown Monday! - Worst Video Game Films

Hey all,

Welcome to a new addition to my blog, which I like to call, Mega-Countdown Monday! I know how dreary Mondays can be, so I'm going to try and spice it up a notch, by posting up a new countdown every week. These countdowns can range from greatest sporting games, to worst horror films. The list is endless. So let's get this thing running. And what better way to start it off than with a video game, film crossover. Let's countdown the worst video game to film adaptations. Films that had potential. If they followed the same structure from the video games, of course.

5

LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER

While Jolie does have the sex appeal of Lara Croft, it just doesn't make up for the shocking movie.

It's sad for me to put this up here. As a fan of the games, I must say that it was rather disappointing. Sure, Angelina Jolie seemed to look like Lara Croft. But the real question was, can she BE Lara Croft. Short answer: no. As the way of the movie, it was a total lackluster. Not enough action, within the action sequences (ironic, huh?). The plot was confusing and downright unbelievable. Fair to say, the idea for this film had so much potential. If only they took a step back, and had a real, hard look at what direction they were heading in, then MAYBE it could've been saved.

4

RESIDENT EVIL

It's got guns, sex appeal and zombies. How could they possibly stuff it up?!

Another game that had potential. Potential to succeed. Although 'Resident Evil' may be thought of as a fairly easy genre (cliched zombies mixed with horror genre), you would think that it would be good, right? Uh uh. Somehow, it just didn't work. With another confusing plot, and hard to believe acting/story line, 'Resident Evil' just didn't live up to expectations. But of course, that didn't stop them from making more sequels, each worse than the last. What is up with that?

3

DOOM

It just didn't live up to expectations. So much potential, so little patience

I am very disappointed with this game. More along the lines of it's plot direction. Apart from being on the planet Mars, and the short little first person sequence near the end, there is no homage to the game, whatsoever. The story line is shocking, and the acting is none too better either. What could've made this game ever better is if they upped the ante by introducing more action scenes, more monster killings, if it wasn't so dark (lighting wise), and if they changed the plot, and stuck with the game's story line (the monster's were from hell, not a virus outbreak). 

2

STREET FIGHTER

I, just. Don't. Ok. Just, don't do a sequel. Or a remake. Or air it on TV. Just, don't.

Ok, this one is, ridiculous. First of all, when I think of 'Street Fighter', I don't think of it as having a story associated with it. I just think of, insert coins, select your character, FIGHT. How they came up with a story for this is unbelievable. And, just like the rest of the movies on this list, it is terrible. On top of the unbelievable story line is the horrible acting. No amount of Aussie actress, Kylie Minogue, starring as Cammy could save this shock piece.

1

SUPER MARIO BROS.

Why?! Why did you have to do this?! Quickly, avert your eyes.

Words cannot explain the sheer disappointment with this film. As a true Mario fan, I can say, without a doubt that this is, terrible. I cringe everytime it's mentioned. Needless to say, it is shocking, what with the horrible story (the Mario Bros., situated in, Brooklyn?) and the awkward scenarios. Although, it did rather well for best costumes, and the flashy sets, it's just, confusing. Why didn't they just stick with the game's story line, and have it located in the Mushroom Kingdom. And for god's sake, pay a homage to the game by making Bowser, well, Bowser.

Well there we have it. The first Mega-Countdown Monday over and done with. I hope you enjoyed reading it. Do you agree with this list? Is there a film that should be up there? Or is there one that shouldn't? Feel free to voice your opinion by leaving a comment below. Till then, stay tuned for more awesome and exciting posts. In the meantime, have a great day and take care.

Davo. Out.

Rewind Wednesday - The Sims

Hey all,

Welcome back to another exciting blog post. But more importantly, welcome back to 'Rewind Wednesday'. The only time, where we get to gaze back and remember all the past pieces that have been created over the years. This time, I would like to talk about one of my all-time favourite PC games. It has been around for well over a decade now. Spanning multiple expansion packs which makes it even more, lively. Spawning multiple sequels, and spin-offs that too, have made it even more enjoyable. I would like to present to you, 'The Sims'.

The game that started it all. Luckily there were expansion packs later on.

Now then, 'The Sims' is quite different and unusual in its own personal sense. They are played in a large sandbox style, in which there are no quests or objectives, apart from survive. But firstly, I'd like to specify that this post will be dedicated to the first game in the franchise, and not the following sequels or spin-offs. So, let's continue. While there aren't any specific goals that need to be accomplished in the games, you're main priorities are to make sure that they survive. This can be achieved by telling them to eat, go to sleep, go to work, not to burn the house down or foolishly run into the fire in a fit of panic, and so on and so forth.

Character Customization. Fairly straight forward. Choose name, personality, gender, what they look like.

While 'The Sims' may seem like a fairly boring game, it is made all the more engaging once trying to keep an eye on them, and make sure that they don't die. Like a 'Tamagotchi' or 'Sea-Monkeys', but on your computer. But what's even more unique about 'The Sims' is the level of creativity that can be put in the game. From designing your own house, to creating your own Sims. You can choose their own world. Their own life. You decide if they are to be living in a high class mansion, with a high-paying job. Or if they are going to live in a tiny one room shack delivering papers for a living. It is your decision. 

Fire in the kitchen, people asleep in random spots, trashed room, pizza man at the door. Either a really out of control party occurred, or just another typical day for 'The Sims'.

Wow, all this talk about 'The Sims' has sort of, inspired me to play it again. I hope it has inspired you too. Here's a funny little addition that I once did to my Sim. I once made him super ugly, by giving him a protruding forehead, protruding almost vertical eyes, and extremely long arms. Then made him go about his everyday life. Did teach me though that beauty is only skin deep, as he made a lot of friends, and even found a wife. Of course you can only do that sort of customization in 'The Sims 2' though. 

Well, there you have it. Another 'Rewind Wednesday' done. I hope you enjoyed, and made you think about how awesome 'The Sims' was. Stay tuned for more exciting and awesome posts to come. Till then, have a great and safe day.

Davo. Out

Crime Shows - Are they an overkill?

 Hey all,

Well, I'm assuming that most of you may have been reading my little spill/rant about Reality Cooking Shows (may have overplayed it). So let's move away from the reality side of Television, and discuss a genre of TV that has been around for ages. Crime shows. There are a number of different crime shows available on our TV screens. From the basic, 'case-file' shows, such as 'CSI' or 'Law and Order', to the more drama oriented shows, such as 'Underbelly'. With all these different crime shows on Television (too many to actually count) it does beg the question. Are there too many of these Crime shows on TV today? My answer: Yes.

After all the 'Underbelly' shows, it really has got me worried about the safety of Australia.

While I do enjoy watching some crime shows, there are some that I think that might be over-killing the genre. Some crime shows I do enjoy watching more than others ('Underbelly', 'The Mentalist'), there are others that I just think to myself, when it will it end? I mean, think about it. Sooner or later, a case file is going to pop up on some crime show, that will appear to be very similar to another case file that was on a totally different crime show. I mean, how will they avoid that sort of scenario. To be quite honest, I believe it will be inevitable. But let's move on from that little debacle, and discuss something that I would like to see.

What with the great writing, and Simon Baker's acting, 'The Mentalist' is a fine example of  a good Crime Series

Just the other day, I was sitting at home, watching some crime series (to be honest, I forgot which one), whilst at the same time I was on 'Facebook' on my phone. And then suddenly, it got me thinking. Is there a crime show out there that utilizes the social network? Social networking is slowly starting to become a way of life for most people, so why aren't we taking advantage of that? I would like to see one day, a crime series that takes advantage of social networking, by implementing it in the show. Now, I'm not saying that the episode should be live. In fact, the episode is already made, and the 'killer' has already been decided. However, there is a poll that the audience can engage in whilst watching at home, and they can guess who the 'killer' is. 

There won't be any prizes for the winner, as it will be based primarily on a poll. No, all the audience will receive is bragging rights at the end of the show. I don't want to see any twitter updates by fans appearing on the screen, as it will take the focus away from the TV. If anything, it would be good, if they could update the viewers, by showing them a current view on the poll before the ad break. To partake in the poll though, I think that it would be helpful if there was also a corresponding smartphone application, which directly linked the viewer to the website/poll. That way, it would be much easier to access, rather than going on the computer to access it. I believe that this is a great way to draw in new audiences, as the viewers will want to participate in the polling and guess the 'killer'. 

So, I hope you all enjoyed my little post about Crime Shows, and my new little crime show idea. I believe it will be a big hit. Not quite sure what the rest of Australia or the world thinks. But, you know, just my personal opinion/view. Do you agree with me, and reckon it will be a big hit? Comment below and tell us what you think. But for now, stay tuned for more awesome and exciting posts in the next coming days. Till then, have a safe and wonderful day.

Davo. Out.

Reality Cooking Shows - Hot or Cold?

Hey all,

Hope you all have been having a nice day so far. There's nothing like a cloudy, gloomy summer day. Seriously weather, get your act together. But anyway, let's get down to brass tacks. I'd like to discuss something that has always unnerved me. Reality TV shows. I hate them. I hate seeing shows like 'Big Brother' or 'The X Factor' plague our screens. But there's just one little problem about them. They're so addictive. I don't know what it is, but somehow, every night, more and more people are tuning in to watch some person sing until their voice hurts, or brag about how good and popular they are. Which brings me onto today's topic. Reality cooking shows. Are they for the better or the worse?

There are so many cooking shows on our screens, that it's not funny anymore. By my estimate, I believe that we have well over 5 different Reality cooking shows. And that's not including the shows where the chef's are cooking (e.g.: 'Jamie's 15 minute meals'). No, no, I'm talking about 'Masterchef' or 'My Kitchen Rules'. These shows tend to bug me, for I believe that the judges are too easy on the contestants. Too many times have I seen the first couple of episodes where they are served the dishes, and the judges instantly say, 'Superb' or 'You've started this show off with a bang'. What if I served them some of my home-made University meals, like 2 minute noodles? Would I get a good review for that?

But the judge's scoring nor the contestant's food isn't what hooks us in every night. No, in actuality, it's the contestants themselves. In every show, there are the contestants that you like. And the ones that you despise. And what's funny is that we tune in every night for the ones that we despise, not the ones that we like. It is because we want to see what they have to say. What they will do. How they will react around the other contestants. And more importantly, if they are going to make an absolute blunder of themselves. 

I tend to hate cooking shows. But there is one show that I do enjoy. 'Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares'. I am well aware that he swears a lot. But putting that aside, Ramsay in fact helps the participants of the show. He tells them flat out bluntly at the start of the show that they're 'cooking is  #@*$%' (I'm not going to swear on my blog). And over the course of the episode, we steadily see the participants improve. Unlike other shows, like 'My Kitchen Rules' where they say at the start of the season that they're food is amazing. And then at the end, remark on how well the contestants have improved over the course of the season. How can they tell they've improved, if they got a good review to begin with?! Boggles the mind.

A fine piece in Reality cooking. Bring it back, I say.

I would like to see one day, a cooking show where the contestants are judged harshly. Where the contestants have more of a motivation to improve by being scored a low mark, like a 2 out of 10. Or maybe a 3. I'm not saying that I want to see some contestants cry their eyes out. I just want to see a Reality Cooking show, where a bunch of contestants take on a number of cooking challenges. And are critiqued harshly on their ability to cook by some of the world's best chefs. And are all competing for a major prize, like a lucrative cookbook publish or a chance to work at a high class 5 star restaurant.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my little, uh, rant for the day. Do you agree with what I am saying? Or do you disagree? Please feel free to leave any comments you feel the need to say. Stay tuned for more exciting and random posts to come. Till then, have a great day, stay safe and take care.

Davo. Out.

Happy New Year! - What to expect in 2014

Happy New Year everybody,

I hope you all party hard last night. And herald in the new year with all your family or friends. But, what can we expect from 2014? Can we expect a bumper year? A year that trumps 2013 by a long-shot? Well, we won't know till we find out. But what we do know is all the new upcoming surprises in the way of TV, video games and movies. So let's see what 2014 has in store for us, shall we?

TELEVISION

2014 is set to be a killer of a year for Australian Television. One show that I'm sure is set to be a ratings hit this year, is the return of the 'Underbelly' series. This season's 'Underbelly' is finally taken back to the era of Tony Mokbel and Carl Williams. Where 'Underbelly' was first conceived. I am looking forward to this, as I'm sure it will out-do the previous seasons. Another return is the long awaited 'Sherlock' season 4. Season 3 of 'Sherlock' left us with a real cliffhanger, that shocked a lot of viewers. And now, almost 2 years later, we finally witness the aftermath of it. But of course, what all the hype that has been building up for over the past couple of weeks, what with all the advertisements and what not, is the Sochi Winter Olympic Games. I can say one thing for the Olympics televising, and that is they make some pretty good advertisements.
Of course, there is one show that I'm desperately looking forward to. And that is the brand new season of Game of Thrones. As with all the other seasons, I reckon this season is sure to pull out some awesome moves in the way of story-telling, acting, design and of course their presentation. So brace yourselves. Game of Thrones is coming.

Sherlock and Watson make their way back onto our screens this year. Elementary, my dear Watson

VIDEO GAMES

Get ready. 2014 is set to dish out the video games this year. And personally, I am very keen for them. A prime example of one the games I am looking forward to next year is the newest installment in the popular 'Super Smash Bros.' franchise, 'Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS'. Finally, after years of waiting, can finally take 'Super Smash Bros.' on the go with me. As a fan of the series (and an expert player) I have followed the series since obtaining it on the Nintendo 64. And over the years, the gameplay hasn't changed. But one of the biggest improvements in this installment is the introduction of 4 new playable characters; Mega-Man, the Wii Fit Trainer, the Villager from 'Animal Crossing' and Rosalina from 'Super Mario Galaxy'. With this all-star line-up, this version is set to be a killer of a game. 

Another new game that I am eagerly looking forward to is the open-world game, 'Watch Dogs'. 'Watch Dogs' is, how should I describe it, like 'Grand Theft Auto', but with social networking. After being pushed back from it's initial release date back in November, 2013, 'Watch Dogs' is starting to show true potential when it comes to open-world gaming, as you play with the ability to access and hack into all things to do with technology. Such as, disabling phones, hacking into the traffic light system, and lowering a drawbridge. The sky is truly limit with 'Watch Dogs'. So bring it on!

Get ready to hack your way through this game, as online hacker, Aiden Pearce

FILMS

2014 films are beginning to show potential this year, as we see the return of sequels and remakes. One big trailer that has been circling the internet, is the new 'Godzilla' movie. Judging by what I've seen in the trailers, it is set to be an absolute thriller of a movie. Let's just hope that it's better than the last one.

A number of sequels will also be making their way onto the silver screen in 2014. Sequels such as; 'The Amazing Spiderman 2', 'The Hunger Games, Mockingjay: Part 1', 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' and 'The Hobbit: There and Back Again' just to name a few. These sequels I believe show great potential, and have the power to great a big stir at the cinemas, for all the right reasons. Of course, there are some sequels that I believe may be a bit dismal. 'Transformers 4' I'm looking at you. 

He's web-slinging his way back onto the silver screens. Welcome back, Spidey

Well, that is what we can expect to see in 2014. Hopefully everything goes according to plan, and nothing gets pushed back till 2015. But I'm not worrying about that. I'm just looking forward to experiencing all the good times that it will offer. Never dwell upon the negatives. What with all the content that 2014 has to offer us this year, there won't be any time for the negatives. It will have been taken up by all the positives.

I hope you enjoyed my post about what to expect in 2014. Stay tuned for more awesome posts in the next couple of days or weeks. In the meantime, have a great day, stay safe and take care.

Davo. Out