The Watcher - Misfits, series two, episode one

Previously…

Freak hail, powers, murder and a mouthy Irish kid. (SAVE ME BARRY!) Oh and did I mention murder?

If you haven’t watched the first series then STOP reading this and go watch it!

We start series two of Misfits with the return of the infamous ‘super hoodie’, some scenes of love and an amazing paper airplane flight! We are also introduced to our Misfits new probation worker - Shaun, who it would seem is a little more care free than what they are used to so far.

As per usual the group is put to a menial task, at which point we are shown someone that seems to recognize Simon - a very creepy looking girl. Her name is Lucy and she seems to have a past with Simon as well a slight obsession.

Lucy gets creepier after being insulted and shunned by the gang. Well, mainly by a newly returned Nathan (whose return to the world of the living fits the character perfectly) and then we’re shown what secrets Lucy’s been hiding - her power is displayed with simple and brilliant effect that is certain to make you shudder.

She decides to take revenge by pulling some pranks on the group which involve their feelings and relationships, during which time her past is revealed, along with something which Simon has tried to keep under wraps since the last series.

The pace of the episode really starts to quicken now as our Misfits are chasing a common enemy; in addition, Simon is made to feel like he is officially part of something and actually has proper friends.

Monkeyslut is blown! Murder occurs once again and the tooled up, new and improved, ‘super hoodie’ saves the day for one misfit. Where does he get those wonderful toys?! In proper bunny-boiler style Lucy singles Simon out so she can have him all to herself. I was wonderfully surprised by the skill shown by Iwan Rheon whilst playing multi-faceted sides of Simon.

A quick break for Cornettos (surely a reference to Simon Pegg and co?), then the group commences a very clumsy removal of Simon’s secret. Kudos to Tom Green for his direction and camera work as things are portrayed brilliantly.

This series manages to perfectly balance drama/comedy throughout – one minute you are laughing to the point of tears at something Nathan’s said, the next you realise he really has honest feelings for Kelly.

I also love this episodes music, the songs of which have been listed on the official site - http://www.e4.com/misfits/series2/ep1-music.html. I hope they do this every week as it makes me want to go back through the first series and re-listen just to see what I have missed!

Stefan Harkins is also known as Harry Stamper. Amongst other things.

The Watcher - Skyline

Now, call me a fan boy, but I’m a huge Cloverfield fan. Be it the pace and intrigue of these strange attacks in NYC, or the shaky realism of the film’s look; things were just done well. OK, the story has its problems, and once you see the creature the whole film feels a little deflated, but it worked. To say Skyline took more than a few pages from that formula would be a lie. They took the lot!

Skyline is the latest outing from The Brothers Strause. Set in modern day LA, strange alien blue lights land around the city, luring out most of the human population like moths to a flame. A glace into the light will provides a hypnotic zombified attraction, with plenty of skin deformation to boot. The lights act as some kind of navigation tool, for the huge ‘Matrix-esque mother ships’ to soon arrive around our planets major cities airspace. The movie begins with the arrival of the strange craft right from the get go. Fortunately, we instantly head back half a day in the next scene, before the carnage to meet our lead characters.

Again, another 'Cloverfieldism' if you will- we see lead characters Jarrod and Elaine arrive at the less than humble abode of lifelong friend Terry. I truly found this the strongest point of the film. It was good to see the characters build up some relationship with the viewer, even though you were constantly aware of the impending doom and the unshakable feeling that Terry (Donald Faison) looks strange - all buffed out and not in doctor’s green scrubs. Lots of drinks, money, and a small domestic later, time catches up to the film’s introduction and the arrival of the less than friendly E.Ts.

But from here on in, the film falls into every apocalyptic alien invasion movie pitfall there ever was. There’s just nothing to it. I won’t give the story away, people run and scream and things get smashed up. Pan shots of major cities around the world in ruin get broadcast to string-heavy, depressive music. Unjustified and rather idiotic decisions are made by all the main characters, costing lives and taxing a viewer’s patience.

Yeah, it looks pretty. CG alien warships and dogfights look just as good as any other Hollywood blockbuster, but it just lacks heart. It’s the sort of movie you use in a TV store on a massive set, with a 7.1 surround sound system to see how cool HD can look. Or to raise the bar of Independence Day into the next decade.

There really is nothing to it. I can’t even justify it being just ‘one to watch’ because there’s so many other films on at the moment, which can bring much, much more to the table. Oh, and the ending? Worst ending in the world. FACT.

God, don’t you just love a sequel setup?

Phil Davies emerged from the harsh ghetto streets of Swansea City, aged 7. His life took him on a path to the (Gloucester)shire, where thick local accents and many ciders seemed to fuel a burning desire for videogames, cinema, music and pretty much anything else seen within 'geek' culture. He also writes for www.7outof10.co.uk www.alternativevision.co.uk, and www.efestivals.co.uk.

Christmas Gift Ideas - Stocking Fillers

Six weeks till Christmas? Blimey.

Our Christmas window display went in this week, there's no denying the season is nearly upon us once more.

This year Proud Lion has a bunch of fun ideas for stocking fillers or Secret Santa gifts that I want to share with you.

Doctor Who fans should consider the simple TARDIS mug - blue and white with the Police Telephone sign on one side and the recently restored St John's Ambulance logo on the other. Unlike the square TARDIS mugs that I personally would struggle to drink out of, this is a straightforward round mug. Priced at £6.00.

We also have some awesome Doctor Who wallets priced a £12.50 each. These are plain black wallets with a retro Doctor Who logo on the front, but open them up and get a glorious technicolour montage of the Fourth Doctor, the TARDIS, K-9, a Dalek and a Cyberman.

If you like your entertainment a little less family, chance are you enjoyed Kick Ass. In which case, we also have some wonderfully offensive Kick Ass mugs priced at £8.00 each. Be warned some of these are probably Not Safe For Work! In addition, the In Your Pocket keychain range has added a Kick Ass one, with six phrases from the movie. The keychains are priced at £10.00 each.

Star Wars has always had some of the coolest merchandise in the world and this year is no exception. We have two new sets of Lightsaber Chopsticks in stock, each priced at £20.00. Both include some awesome red Darth Maul chopsticks that clip together! One set features purple Mace Windu chopsticks, the other features Luke's green Return Of The Jedi lightsaber.

Possibly even more exciting is the Star Wars Science Mini Lightsaber Tech Lab. This allows you to build a 20cm replica of Anakin's lightsaber - choosing either a red crystal or blue crystal plus the choice of light-up blade or one of two focusing lenses. An enclosed science leaflet is designed to teach younger fans about light and optics - making this one of the best edutainment toys I've ever seen. At £12.50, this is a great little present for a Star Wars fan - even if it is based on the CGI CLone Wars animated cartoon.

Beyond these lovely little gifts, there are also Hellboy keyrings (three different designs at £3.00 each); Watchmen badges (packs of four at £2.50 per pack); mini figure and book sets for Snoopy & Woodstock or Spy Vs Spy (£7.00 each); a Family Guy Freaking Sweet Crapola set filled with Drunken Clam beer coasters, drinks stirrers, Brian's martini guide, a Peter Vs Giant Chicken poster and a drink can snug (£13.00); Scott Pilgrim Vs The World plush toys of Scott or Ramona, based on Bryan Lee O'Malley's artwork (£15.00 each); Batman Cosbaby mini figures (£9.00 each); World Of Warcraft leather wallets for Alliance or Horde (£25.00 each); and Nightmare Before Christmas Kubrick twin packs (£18.00 each).

Don't forget we can order any graphic novel that is in print and have it with you within a week. The final cut off for graphic novel orders for Christmas is Monday 20th December, but I would recommend you don't leave it till the last minute!

New Arrivals - A Shepherd's Tale, Batman & Robin, Force Unleashed 2, USS Enterprise Manual and more!

We've had some eagerly awaited and very shiny new things arrive in store today.

First up is the new Serenity graphic novel, A Shepherd's Tale. You can finally find out the back story of the enigmatic preacher who was once part of the crew of a certain Firefly-class starship. This is sold out to pre-order, but we hope to have more next week. If you have pre-ordered one, please pop in promptly, as Proud Lion will only hold this order till the end of the month. Demand will be high on this one.

Next up is the second Batman And Robin graphic novel by Grant Morrison. Batman Vs Robin continues the tales of Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne as the new Dynamic Duo. This week also sees the release of Grant's final issue of the single issue Batman & Robin comic, as he departs to the new Batman, Inc. title. Proud Lion favourite Paul Cornell will be taking over for the subsequent three issues. Comic Book Resources catch up with the British writer about these upcoming issues here.

Star Trek fans will want to check out the latest addition to the Haynes Manual series as this one looks at the various starships to bear the name Enterprise. From the NX-01 to the NCC-1701-E, this book continues the wonderful tradition of books such as Mr Scott's Guide To The Enterprise and the Star Trek The Next Generation Technical Manual. Well worth a look and purists, rejoice! This book ignores the recent film.

Warping way from the final frontier and over to a galaxy, far, far away (I know, I'm sorry, it's been a long day), we have the tie-in novel for Star Wars The Force Unleashed 2. Once again written by the guy who wrote the game's plot, Haden Blackman, this second volume of Starkiller's adventures features art from Omar Francia (Mas Effect, Star Wars Legacy).

Webcomics are everywhere these days and one of my favourites is xkcd. A volume zero collection of some of his best work has just been released and includes various bonus extras. This is published by a company that give the majority of the profit to the creator, then donate the rest to charity, so if you have every derived even a small amount of pleasure from the xkcd comics - this is a great way to give a little back to the man responsible.

Finally, we have softcover trade paperbacks of Siege, Battle For The Cowl and Green Lantern Agent Orange. Do pop in, our Christmas giftware range is starting to roll in too, including some freaking sweet Family Guy swag.

See you soon.