DVD Review: Disney's Descendants [Emz]

So I first watched this film last year. It originally aired in 2015 on Disney channel, but I don't have that station. 

The story is set 20 years after "Beauty & the Beast." All the villains are transported onto a non-magical island Known as the Isle Of The Lost and all the Kingdoms came together under Belle and The Beast to create the United states of Auradon.

We pick up with the children of both the "heroes" and "villians." 

Here is the Synopsis:

Ben, the teenaged son of King Beast and Queen Belle, invites the exiled children of defeated villains to attend a prep school with the heroes' children.

Review:

So this film keeps the theme of most Disney films.. it's musical!

So the film opens with Narration from one of the Villain kids and then we meet Prince Ben, Son of Belle and The Beast, he is soon to become King and has chosen his first proclamation. For Kids from the Isle of The Lost to be given a chance to live in Auradon. 

The kids he picked are Mal, daughter of Maleficent (Dove Cameron), Evie, daughter of the Evil Queen (Sofia Carson), Carlos, son of Cruella DeVil (Cameron Boyce) and Jay, son of Jafar (Booboo Stewart).

All these characters are trying to carry on their parents legacy. Where Maleficent (Kristen Chenoweth) is the leader on the Isle, Mal is the leader of the Villain kids (VK's)

So once in Auradon, the kids try to steal Fairy godmothers magic wand, as per Maleficent request. This doesn't go to plan and the kids escape luckily before being caught.

I liked the way the kids tried to fit in even though they were having to do Maleficent bidding. 

Mal puts a love spell on Ben and he falls for her immediately, he invites her on a date and goes swimming in the Enchanted lake. Mal is torn between trying to have a normal life in Auradon or going back to the Isle after stealing the wand.

After parents day goes horribly wrong for Mal after being introduced to Aurora's mother by her granddaughter (she didn't know who she was originally) a majority of the kids of Auradon gang up on Mal and the other VK's and make them unwelcome.

On the way to Ben's coronation Mal give Ben a chocolate which contains the anti love spell. Ben eats it but admits to Mal that her spell washed off in the Enchanted Lake.

At Ben's Coronation, Fairy Godmother's daughter Jane, feeling insecure and out of place (also after being manipulated by Mal) grabs her mothers wand and unknowingly makes a hole in the barrier around the Isle. Maleficent escapes the Isle, and before she arrives in Auradon the VK's have decided that they do not want to be evil and choose good. 

Maleficent arrives and the VK's (mainly Mal) fight against her and she ends up turning into a tiny Lizard according to Fairy godmother the size of the love in her heart.

The films ends with the party after the coronation.

I enjoyed this film alot. I had wondered for a long time what would the kids of the Disney Prices and Princess be like and also what would the kids of the Villains be like. This fulfilled my imagination. I may be alot older than the fan base for this film but I enjoyed it all the same. It wasn't too cheesy and was very enjoyable.

Til next time

Emz x

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TV Review: Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 7 "The Traitor" [Emz]

So this episode takes you in so many different directions with all the stories happening. One part definitely tests President Kirkman's negotiation skills.

Here is the Synopsis:

An American track-and-field coach's trip to Russia forces Kirkman into a hostage exchange involving the CIA and the Russian government; Agent Wells and Deputy Director Atwood's investigation uncovers dangerous information

Review:

We begin with the arrest of Team USA's Gymnastics Coach in Russia and learning that he is a spy for the the CIA.

Kirkman has his work cut out to make a deal with Russia to release him.

President Kirkman's wife Alex. makes a trip to Jail to meet with her ex boyfriend who is making accusations about being Leo's father.

Hannah Wells of the FBI is digging deeper into Catalan and McLeish's involvement.

All the stories kept me on edge and I didn't know what was going to happen next. The way Kirkman dealt with the spy stuck in Russia was interesting and finding something Russia wanted to help free the Coach was a smart move.

Also the way that as Wells keeps getting closer to the truth, some people are determined that she is silenced. They go after her boss Atwood.

The pace never really slows down through each episode. I'm glad that the whole story doesn't just rely on the bombings and finding the culprit, but sub stories form throughout each episode. 

I can't wait to see where the story takes us next.

Till next time

Emz x

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TV Review: Doctor Who Series 1 Episode 12 "Bad Wolf" [Emz]

We've almost reached the end of Series 1! Can you Believe it?!

So here we are with episode 12 'Bad Wolf.' We return to a familiar place from earlier in the series, but it has changed quite a bit and we have gone further forward in time. 

This episode originally aired on the 11th June 2005 on BBC One. This is the first part of the last two-part episodes of this series.

Here is the synopsis:

The Doctor, Rose and Capt. Jack have to fight for their lives, but the Doctor soon realizes that Armageddon is fast approaching.

Review:

So the story opens with The Doctor, Jack and Rose part of Game shows. The Doctor is part of Big Brother, Jack is on What Not To Wear (an extreme edition) and Rose is on the Weakest Link.

Once the Amnesia clears, The Doctor remembers being of the TARDIS heading back from Kyoto, Japan 1336 when there was suddenly a bright light.

They begin to realize the games are not as they seem as if voted off you are incinerated.

Rose and The doctor begin to realize that they have been planted in the game. The Doctor is booted off Big Brother but isn't disintegrated which means that someone wants The Doctor there for a reason.

The Doctor escapes the games with Lynda, who he befriended in there. Jack catches up with him and they go in search of Rose.

Rose is from a different Century to the questions she is being asked in The Weakest Link and is kept on until the end so that guy can win. The doctor and Jack think They have made it on time just for her to be disintegrated before their eyes.

Whilst this is going on The Doctor realizes they are on Satellite 5 years later than last time.

The Doctor questions The Controller on who killed Rose. At first she is is unable to answer until the Solar flare gives her a few minutes to speak.

Before The Controller is killed by her Masters, She is unable to to tell The Doctor who she is working for as she cannot say their name. Jack works out during this time that Rose is still alive and the beam is a trans-mat beam and Rose was transported elsewhere. He also discovers where the TARDIS is.

The Trans-mat beam is traced and eventually shows thousands of Dalek ships and then the Doctor gets and incoming feed from the lead Dalek ship and The doctor informs Rose he's coming to get her.

This episode was really good. there were funny bit's, where the Robots of Tinny and Susanna from What not To Wear wanted to change Jack's appearance and give him a dogs head.

But the way we finally see the reveal of Bad Wolf and coming back to somewhere they had been before was really interesting and keeps you in suspense.

Till next time

Emz x

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DVD Review: The Librarians Season 1 Episode 5 "And the Apple of Discord" [Emz]

Now this episode was quite amusing. It definitely showed a different side to most of the Characters. We also have a brief reunion for one episode. Flynn rejoins the team.

Here is the synopsis:

When the dragons sleeping beneath the earth threaten to awaken, Flynn returns to help find their hidden treasure.

Review:

This episode was a little different. We saw the dark side of most of The Liberians. Flynn returns to the team with the troubling news that The Eastern Dragons are threatening a war unless a treasure of there's is found. The team travel underneath the Vatican to find this treasure only to come across the Brotherhood.

After finding the treasure, they find out it is actually the Apple of Discord. It causes both Jake and Cassandra to be the worst versions of themselves. Flynn eventually takes the Apple back to the Library under it's spell, but Ezekiel manages to take the Apple from his with no effect and they realize he is already the worst version of himself.

Whilst this is going on a Supernatural Meeting in being held to discuss this supposed act of war and The Library.  

Of course The Brotherhood are involved in the creation of this meeting and want to shut down the Library. But Flynn manages to convince them otherwise, much to the Brotherhood's dismay.

Eve becomes full time Guardian and Flynn goes off to search for The Library once more.

I enjoyed we progression of this story, the actors got to play the worst versions of their characters and of course the brotherhood just wont quit. It was funny to see Ezekiel saving the day for once as he was the only one not affected by the Apple (makes a difference from the last episode when he became the best version of himself by wearing Santa's hat.)

Looking forward to the next episode.

Till then

Emz x

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TV Review: Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 6 "The Interrogation" [Emz]

This episode is quite deep. It's starts out with informing MacLeish that the Vice Presidency is an option for him. 

Here is the synopsis:

A shooting at the White House during a governors' summit throws President Kirkman's plans to elect a new Congress into turmoil; Agent Hannah makes a shocking discovery in her investigation of the capitol bombing.

Review:

So This episode covers the beginning of MacLeish being vetted for VP (Vice President) and it is looking promising.

The FBI are Interrogating Majid Nassar and he eventually caves and gives them information on the real Terrorist "Catalan." Of course no one is able to work out who this person is.

Finally President Kirkman is dealing with 2 situations. He is throwing a governors Ball and whilst this is happening someone shoots at the White House. The only person injured in this attack in President Kirkman's Bodyguard Mike Ritter who was off Duty.

Following this, President Kirkman starts to attempt  to put together Congress. with difficulty.

I enjoyed this episode. It was full of twists and turns. From the Governor Ball, the interrogation and the shooting to the death of Majid Nassar, the interupted reveal about MacLeish and working out a way to form a Congress.

Nothing ran smoothly, but answers we formed by the end in some way, shape or form. It keeps you in suspense, on the edge of your seat.

I look forward to the next episode.

Till next time

Emz x

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TV Review: Doctor Who Series 1 Episode 11 "Boom Town" [Emz]

So we are nearing the end of Series 1! If you could see me writing this you would know that i'm making a sad face right now, haha. anyway on with the review.

This episode brings back an old face that we would have remembered from earlier in the series.

This episode aired on the BBC on the 4th June 2005.

Here is the Synopsis:

The Doctor encounters an enemy from his past when the crew decides to take a holiday; an alien plot is behind the construction of a nuclear power plant in Cardiff.

Review:

So in this episode we see the return of Margaret the Slitheen from the first of the double episodes Aliens of London/ World War Three. It seems that she has somehow survived the explosion that destroyed Downing Street and is now the Mayor in Cardiff.

Of course as we always know the Doctor is never looking for trouble and only stopped off in Cardiff to refuel and so rose could collect her passport from Mickey.

Obviously the Doctor comes to see what has happened to Margaret once they stop for Lunch.

They go to meet her and she tries to escape, with no success due to the Doctor being "good at teleports."

Margaret clearly has an ulterior motive for being in Cardiff and is trying to destroy the earth once again. This appears to be a running theme for her. 

Mickey tells Rose he is seeing someone else, but ask her to come back to him evetually which she is unable to answer as the Rift has been ruptured.

After rupturing the rift with the extrapolater attached the the TARDIS, Margaret takes Rose hostage and the rest of the team are unable to do anything to stop it, until Margaret in bathed in white light from the Heart of the TARDIS and is turned into an egg so she can restart her life again.

The episode ends with The Doctor, Rose and Jack taking Margaret as an egg back to Raxacorofallapatorius.

io enjoyed the gags in this episode, from Jack's jokes to the teleport scene and also the way the Doctor is prepared for anything Margaret throws his way when they are out having food. 

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from this episode:

Secretary: The Lord Mayor says, Thank you for popping by. She’d love to have a chat but she’s up to her eyes in paperwork. Perhaps if you could make an appointment for next week.

The Doctor: She’s climbing out the window, isn’t she?

Secretary: Yes she is.

Jack about Rose and Mickey: Aw, sweet. Look at these two. How come I never get any of that?

The Doctor: Buy me a drink first.

Captain Jack: Such hard work.

The Doctor: But worth it.

Thats all for this review

till next time

Emz x

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TV Review: Designated Survivor Season 1 Episode 5 "The Mission" [Emz]

Now this is where it's continues to get interesting.

This episode is mainly about the search & capture for Majid Nassar, who is suspected of the capital bombing.

Here is the synopsis:

Kirkman dispatches a team of Navy SEALs to Algeria after learning that the government helped Majid Nassar, one of the terrorists claiming responsbility for the Capitol bombing, elude custody; Wells learns the truth about MacLeish's movements on the night of the bombing; Alex finds out someone from her past has made a damning allegation.

Review:

This episode was really good. The fact that the majority of the episode is about the Navy SEAL's going to Algeria to capture Majid Nassar. This was the main focus of the episode, but it didn't detract form other issues that arose during the episode.

Hannah Wells FBI (Maggie Q) is continuing to uncover information surrounding the Capitol Bombing and surrounding Congressman McLeish's survival and the major possibility that he had/ has a role to play within the group responsible for the bombing . There still does not appear to be enough evidence to show that someone else was behind the bombing and to be able to share this information with the President.

There is a huge story unfolding that Leo may not be Kirkman's son and may be his wifes ex partner's child instead.

Kirkman has been trying to find a job for MacLeish and originally offers him speaker of the house, which he turns down.. just for Kirkman to think about offering him the Vice Presidency.

I enjoed all the twists this epiosde takes and that fact that it didn't miss out any other drama unfolding. Looking forward to seeing how this will progress in episodes I have yet to watch.

Till next time

Emz x

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DVD Review: Wonder Woman [Emz]

I recently purchased this DVD a couple of weeks ago. I really enjoyed this film when I sawe it at the Cinema and couldn't wait to see it again.

The film stars Chris Pine and Gal Gadot.

Here is the synopsis of the film:

Before she was Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, Diana meets an American pilot (Chris Pine) who tells her about the massive conflict that's raging in the outside world. Convinced that she can stop the threat, Diana leaves her home for the first time. Fighting alongside men in a war to end all wars, she finally discovers her full powers and true destiny.

Review:

This film was brilliant. I enjoyed the way Gal Gadot portrayed Diana (Wonder Woman) as a member of the amazons at the beginning, being naive to the world outside. The way she didn't understand the way people lived and dressed, her mind was only focused on one thing.

Of course when Chirs Pines character of Steve, an american Pilot comes crashing through the barrier between the amazons home and the outside world everything changes.

Diana's character seems to grow throughout the film, becoming aware of things around her but still set on one important mission.

Of course not everything goes to plan and just as she thinks she has succeeded in her mission, she suddenly realizes that her mission hasn't been completed and the battle is just about to begin.

The fact that the story is set during World War 1 makes the tale more interesting, looking back into the past and the way this story works around alongside the war and doesn't overlook it completely. 

We realize that the Diana that we meet in Batman V Superman as been around quite some time and has become accustomed to how people live.

I enjoyed this film immensely and feel that a female hero (origins story) is what is currently lacking in Marvel until 2019 (Captain Marvel) and that DC has pulled this film off very well.

There is supposed to be a sequel being released in 2019, where this film will fall in Diana's timeline i'm not sure but it will be interesting to see.

I look forward to seeing Justice League from the 17th November.

Till next time

Emz x

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