Joseph Gordan Levitt and Rian Johnson talk about 'Looper'

"What would you do, if you had to hunt down and kill your future self?"

New movie, Looper directed by Rian Johnson (Brick) stars Joseph Gordan Levitt and Bruce Willis. The story takes place in the near future where time travel is a common thing. The movie centres around the main character Joe that is played by both Levitt and Willis. Confused yet? Levitt plays an assassin named Joe who travels in time to kill his future self played by Willis. Why would you want to kill your future self? Apparently, future Joe has turned into a pretty evil guy. Sounds like a pretty interesting concept, but like most recent sci-fi movies we've seen, good concepts without proper execution are just that—a good concept (see In Time). Let's hope I'm proven wrong.

Check out the video below as Director Rian Johnson and actor, Joseph Gordan Levitt discuss about the film, Looper.

Looper arrives in theatres on September 28th, 2012

Ted Movie Trailer

Two words. Freaking Hilarious. From the creator of The Family Guy, Seth MacFarlane brings us his very first live action comedy, Ted. The movie stars Mark Wahlberg (The Fighter), Mila Kunis (Friends with Benefits) and MacFarlane (also the director of the film) as the voice of the talking titular teddy bear, Ted.

[Warning NSFW: The trailer contains alot of hilarious cursing so please make sure you have your headphones on if you're watching it at work.]

Ted arrives in theaters on July 13th, 2012.

Step Up Revolution Movie Trailer

Yup, you're eyes aren't playing tricks on you. I'm actually posting the trailer for the movie, Step Up Revolution. Corny, full of cheese, predictable story, no name actors BUT say what you will, these movies are always so damn fun to watch! #guiltypleasures

Step Up Revolution (or Step Up 4) will be in theatres on July 27th, 2012

Spartacus: Vengeance - 'Wrath of the Gods' Season Finale Review

Warning: Full episode spoilers ahead (DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU'VE SEEN THE EPISODE)

After whats been a very entertaining second season, we've finally reached the season finale with the appropriately named episode, 'Wrath of the Gods.'  It's a finale full of action, with Spartacus and his men trapped all the way up top Vesuvius, theres no where to go but down.

The episode starts off with Mira giving Spartacus words of advice which will quickly be one of her last.  Spartacus thanks her, "As you always find words, to pull me from darkest thoughts." and Mira replies "A talent I pray your next woman holds." These two lines basically sum up their season 2 relationship. Mira has basically been a back bone for Spartacus during his journey from runaway slave to a true leader of an army with a single purpose. Something I'd like to give credit to the writers for providing closure to the Mira and Spartacus love story and I'm not talking about her unexpected flying-axe-to-the-chest death but their whole love arc as a whole. I like the fact that Mira always knew her place, she could never replace Sura but still found love and purpose while being with Spartacus. That was also probably one of the most respectful break ups we've seen on TV in recent history, who else can break up with a girl in such a honourable way? Only Spartacus.

Mira's exit was unexpected and unfortunate, she was a great character but this also helps give Spartacus a clean palette, room for a possible new love interest in season 3 and her death also helped unite the rebellious slaves into an army who now share the same purpose, to gain freedom from the tyranny of Rome. It was a great scene when Spartacus reacts to the death of Mira and starts beating on Nemetes, it's rare we see Spartacus lose his composure with his men but it leads up to a great speech by Spartacus and the now, one-eyed Oenomaus. 

Moving on to the Ashur story arc. It was a nice twist of events especially to those who has grown to love to hate him—I'd fall into that category. Having said that, you can't help but feel a little sorry for him, right when he's promised his own house, Glaber turns on him, then his own men turn on him and then he's basically gift wrapped and delivered to Spartacus…and the new warrior princess, Naevia. Just when I felt the tiniest bit of pity for Ashur, the writers cleverly have Naevia battle Ashur one on one, with Ashur's last words bringing him right back up to douchebag status. Naevia's 3 hacks on Ashur's neck will definitely be one of the more memorable deaths (and theres a lot of them) in the series. "You were right. It is no easy task. To cleave a man's head from his shoulders in a single blow." Absolute GOLD. For the record though, I know it was a matter of scheduling conflicts but the original Naevia was so much better, I just don't feel the same passion and chemisty between the new Naevia and Crixus (who by the way has turned into one big softy this season, I miss the cocky barbaric champion of Capua from Blood and Sand).

Illythiya attempts to push Lucretia off the balcony but she's stopped by the unexpected arrival of Spartacus' baby (as predicted in my season premiere review). These women are just so evil but I can't help but fall in love with Illythiya's character, she's so evil, so conniving yet she's also very vulnerable. She's had quite an interesting Season 2 storyline, from betraying her husband, being kidnapped by Spartacus, killing Sepia (also a very memorable death) to having her baby tore out of her womb by the psycho Lucretia. This was probably the only big complaint I have with the finale, don't get me wrong its nice to finally get closure with Lucretia's story arc but I personally thought that it was a bit unrealistic to have her go all crazy all of a sudden when she's been pretty coherent ever since the second episode. In fact she's been smart and keen enough to manipulate and plot many evil plans throughout this season, she even managed to get her well deserved revenge on Ashur but then all of a sudden, the crazy switch is turned on. I guess the only way to explain it, is if there was one thing to take her over the edge (no pun intended), it would be a baby. She lost her child in the season 1 finale only fitting she gains one in the season 2 finale. I wish we would've got to see Glaber's face when he found out his new born son belonged to his biggest nemesis but sadly we will not. We'll just have to settle with his final battle with Spartacus.

But before we get to that, I have to give a shoutout to the shocking departure of Oenomaus. I thought he would've survived to see a third season because his presence in this season was a bit weak in comparison to what he's done for the series in both, Blood and Sand as well as Gods of the Arena. The one-eye Oenomaus looked pretty bad ass, but talk about luck, loses an eye in the previous episode and gets killed by the Egyptian in this one. Despite his unfortunate exit, it was very nice to see him and Gannicus make peace, that seems to be the underlying theme of season 2: unity. Crixus and Agron, Gannicus and Oenomaus. I like Gannicus from Gods of the Arena so much more but glad he's finally part of the rebellion, in my opinion it took him a few too many episodes to finally jump on board. Let's hope we see more of the Gods of the Arena Gannicus in the third season and less of the selfish douche we saw in most of Vengeance.

And finally, the long anticipated battle between Spartacus and Glaber. When I first saw it, I have to admit that part of me was a bit disappointed because the fight was so short and no where near as brutal, gory or as memorable as the aforementioned battle between Naevia and Ashur. However, after rewatching the finale I've learned to appreciate it. Let me explain. Even from the very first pilot episode of Blood and Sand, there was never any doubt that Spartacus could easily man handle Glaber, put them in the arena, one on one and it would be over in seconds. The only reason Glaber has so much power is because he gets to run is mouth while hiding behind his title, his soldiers, and Rome yet without the title, he is just a weak little man. "The Roman finally learns his place before us. On his knees!" Only fitting to have it all end like this because when stripped of everything, when its just flesh and swords—Glaber is nothing.  Also, I liked the flashback sequences of Sura as Spartacus makes his final blow, bringing everything to full circle. Spartacus' own vengeance is now fulfilled and here on out, every action he takes will be for his men and his people.

Final Thoughts

Overall, it's been a great second season despite having the titular character replaced by new actor, Liam McIntyre. Let's face it, Andy Whitfield can never be replaced, Liam McIntyre's Spartacus is a a little bit more clean and pretty boyish in comparison to the more gritty and intense Spartacus played by Andy Whitfield but it's not a deal breaker and to his credit, McIntyre has done a great for the most part. Thanks to him, the show will live on. And when we thought the gore, sex and action couldn't be topped from the previous series, we were happy to be proven wrong with many memorable action sequences, the whore house sequences, the burning arena, the death of Sepia, to name a few. Having the story take place out of the ludus has opened up the audience to a new perspective in the world of Spartacus and its been a real treat. As for the finale itself, a few unexpected shocking deaths, a lot of "OMG" death scenes (Finger snap moments? Those were it.), and closure to many of the main storylines has made 'Wrath of Gods' a solid episode. Looking forward to the third season! And just throwing it out there, I have a feeling theres still some unfinished business between Spartacus and Illythia, I can see the two forming a unlikely alliance (especially after Spartacus spared her life) that will play a big part in season 3.

Spartacus Season 3 will be returning in 2013 on Starz. But until then, may the Gods keep your bed warm and your belly full of wine.

TV Samurai Score: 4 Samurai Stars out of 5

Game of Thrones Season 1 Recap

We are only hours away from the Season 2 premiere of Game of Thrones!! Here's a quick recap of what happened in Season 1, I still cringe when I see that final scene with Lord Eddard Stark.

War is coming!!

Game of Thrones Season 2 airs tonight at 9pm on HBO!