Black Mirror 2

Overall rating: 4/5

Black Mirror is a mini-series, with the second season being made of up only three 45-minute episodes. As every story is unrelated and could be fall in to the short film category I shall give you a summary of each episode listed in order of best to worst.

White Bear

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (No spoilers)

Victoria wakes up in a house covered in bandages, surrounded by pills with no recollection of who or where she is. Haunted by unknown flashbacks she leaves her house terrified, in search of answers.

As she fights for her life as a group of nightmarish ‘Hunter Killers’ try to kill her all other people just stop and film the hellish ordeal.

Victoria comes across another young woman, Jem, who explains how transmissions from electronic devices made humans act in such a way.

Jem and Victoria attempt to find a safe place amongst the deadly chaos. But is Jem who says she is? Is there a safe place? And who is Victoria?

Review: 

All I have to say about this episode is: Wow. This packed in more horror and twists than most films manage in twice the length.

Although this sort of thing has been done before, similar to Zombie flick 28 days, later there are differences.

The futuristic-take, the fact the monsters are human and the stories twist assure it differs from ‘the norm’. 

Definitely not for the faint hearted, it’s rather messed up.

Be Right Back

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (No spoilers)

Martha is left heartbroken when her partner Ash tragically dies in a car accident. Her friend recommends a new service that allows you to contact the deceased via what they have previously shared on social networking sites.

At first Martha is uncertain but on finding out she is pregnant she feels lonelier than ever and relishes the idea.

As her phone-based relationship goes further and further she decides to take it to the next step and try out the cloning service that is offered.

Can the clone replace Ash? Is this what Martha really wants? Has she gone too far?

Review: 

The concept of this episode was by far my favourite. It was highly original and thought provoking. You find yourself putting yourself in Martha’s shoes and questioning what you would do under the circumstances.

It makes for a good discussion too if you choose to watch this series with friends! Particular reference to the ‘would you have sex with a clone’ question that will more than likely come up.

It also highlights the issue of ‘over-sharing’ online, something the majority of us can admit to doing.

Once again, this episode is rather disturbing, but I think in a good way.

The Waldo Moment

3/5

Synopsis (No spoilers)

Animated bear Waldo starts out as just a comedy act, an incredibly popular one at that. 

Soon however Jamie Salter, the comedian behind the mask is pushed by the production company in to political ambush.

The company aggressively prompts Jamie to victimise and scrutinise those in power soon forcing him to start a political party of his own.

Jamie decides enough is enough and refuses to partake any further causing producers to take over having a potentially more damaging effect to politics’ as we know it.

Will Waldo win the election? What will be the outcome if he does?

Review:

I hate to say it but this was my least favourite episode of all. In all the previous episodes the underlying message was there but was by far less obvious. This all seemed a bit too try hard to me with the political message shining all too bright.

Having said that I might be a little bias having only a minor interest in public affairs, if you have a keen interest in politics I can imagine this would be much more your ‘cup of tea’.

It is still definitely watchable and the message itself highly respectable, however it was a slightly disappointing end to the season. Although it will by no means stop me watching another Black Mirror season!

Overall Review:

I was very impressed with this season of Black Mirror.

It provides food for thought in a way that fictional TV rarely does these days.

It was original, interesting, entertaining, mind-altering and slightly disturbing. With such radical and uncompromising visions of the future all squished in to singular episodes it would be hard for you not to be entertained! It lived up to the high mark it set with the first season.

I would without a doubt recommend this mini-series (going on the basis you are 15 or above). My only upset would be that is a mini-series.

It’s worth more than a watch, it is worth at least three.

I’d like to end this review by saying how much I’d love to have a conversation with the writer Charlie Brooker, what a brilliantly odd man he must be.

Being a girl on CoD

Call of Duty is one of the world’s most popular video games, with the last addition, ‘Black Ops 2’, earning a staggering $500 million in 24 hours.

It’s typically seen as a ‘boys game’ but that’s not to say girls don’t get in on the action too, I for one am a huge fan. Some friends question my motive, unable to get their heads around why I play it. The fact of the matter is I find the game exciting, addictive, and satisfying, as well as being a perfect way to kill a couple of hours.

With a growing number of girls entering the CoD world the game should be considered multi-sex but unfortunately that is not yet the case. So how exactly does a girl get treated on this ‘lads’ game? 

The answer, from experience, is 33% like a sex object, 33% like an outsider, 33% like an equal.

I’ve received a fair amount of crude messages from guys, that I can only presume have never had any contact with the opposite sex before. The worst was "How does that tight little anus feel baby, huh?", just no.  

I’ve had a ‘friend’ message me saying he doesn’t want to play with me because "He’ll question what his life has become if he ever plays CoD with a girl". Charming lad he was.

Finally there are some decent guys that treat me like an equal. This by far my most favourable form of treatment and the non-sexist treatment every girl should receive. Matter of fact I have actually made some good friends on the Xbox - as sad as that may sound to some. 

It's safe to say that how I’m treated depends on who the guy is, age playing a huge factor with 12 – 16 year olds (who shouldn’t even be playing the game!) tending to be the worst.

If you’re a girl considering playing the game, don't be put off by the above. Just do what I do and show the guys up instead.

If you’re a guy reading this: CoD off, girls can play games too.

Warm Bodies

Warm Bodies: 3.5/5

Based on a book written by Isaac Marion ‘Warm Bodies’ is another great post-apocalyptic tale – with a twist. The twist being it follows the gruesomely romantic story of two unexpected beings falling in love, a human and a Zombie.

Just how much I liked this film came as a big surprise to me. I had it in my head that it would be a bit too much like ‘Twilight’, a film I’ve never really had a soft spot for, fortunately however director Jonathon Levine assured this was not the case.

Having said that the leading lady Julie (Teresa Palmer) does spend a lot of the time getting saved similarly to Twilight’s Bella (K-Stew) and also looks strangely a lot like her… The big and winning difference between the two is the fact Warm Bodies doesn’t ‘twi too hard’ and the comedy aspect of it puts it in a completely different genre.

Nick Hoult, or endearingly named ‘R’, plays a charming and comical Zombie. His grunts, groans and blood-covered lips effortlessly win the laughs of the audience and the hearts of the girls. Former ‘Skins’ star without a doubt made the film that much more enjoyable.

‘R’ and Julie’s relationship is also somewhat believable, under the un-dead circumstances, contributing to making the film a sweet romance appropriately released around Valentine’s Day.

Having said that it is by no means a ‘girls film’. Sure there are some lovey-dovey moments within the film but for the majority it is the humour, action and horror that shines through.

Horror-wise there were some moments I had to cover my eyes and felt fear seep through me, and I’m no amateur when it comes to scary and gory films. There are some monsters called ‘The Bonies’ that just look and are disturbing.

It was the comedy element that I most enjoyed in the film. There were more than a few ‘laugh out loud’ moments. I spent a good 70% of the film giggling. R’s relatable awkwardness when it came to Julie and his Zombie best friend actor Rob Corrdry were the two most hilarious factors. There are definitely a few memorable one-liners brilliantly placed in this film.

This film has entered my top five Zombie flicks as well as being one the most entertaining and unique love stories to be told for a long while. Perfect to watch with your boyfriend, girlfriend or best friend.