STACK NZ Magazine December Issue 58

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38 DECEMBER 2014 JB Hi-Fi
visit REVIEWS DVD&BD
When it comes to buccaneers and their exploits
on the high seas, Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean
franchise is the family-friendly version. Black Sails, a
new pirate series from Starz (who gave us Spartacus)
offers a gritty, R-rated alternative. Set 20 years prior
to the events detailed in Robert Louis Stevenson’s
classic adventure yarn Treasure Island, the show
follows notorious pirate Captain Flint (Toby Stephens,
TV’s Robin Hood) – who makes Jack Sparrow look
like a wimp – in his pursuit of a treasure-laden
Spanish galleon; and ruthless trader Eleanor Guthrie (Hannah New,
Maleficent), who fences the pirates’ plunder. Amongst Flint’s crew
is young John Silver (Luke Arnold, last seen portraying Michael
Hutchence in the INXS telemovie), whom we know, sooner or later,
won’t have a leg to stand on. A second season is due next year.
Pirate nation
BLACK SAILS: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON
This series has moved so far beyond the events
detailed in Stephen King’s source novel that the
“based on” credit no longer applies. The folk of
Chester’s Mill, who are still trapped beneath that
mysterious, all-encompassing dome, are now
content to do their own thing, and as situations
become increasingly more insane with each episode,
you get the impression that the writing team doesn’t
even know what’s happening and are making it up
as they go. This freewheeling approach does have
a certain guilty pleasure appeal, though. Will Big Jim and Junior
be the villains or the good guys this episode? Why is there an
underground cavern hidden inside a high school locker? What’s the
significance of the butterflies? Why are people suddenly returning
from the dead? Who knows, just don’t look to the book for answers.
Dome alone
UNDER THE DOME: SEASON 2
This innovative six-part Australian crime series has
been cleverly conceived to target viewers who
simply can’t put down their smartphones, tablets or
laptops whilst watching TV. An interactive whodunit,
the central mystery unfolds after a jogger (New
Zealand star Martin Henderson) discovers the body
of a young boy during his morning run, and becomes
a suspect. The broadcast version was complemented
with additional information on the case via
webisodes and Facebook links, and the DVD gives
you all you need to play amateur sleuth, including clues, suspects,
prequels, webisodes and lie detector interviews – all shot using the
same cast, crew, screenwriters and high production values. Cluedo
is suddenly looking so last century!
A multimedia murder mystery.
SECRETS & LIES
The first season set things up, now we get to the good
stuff. Arrow’s second season is much more comic
book in style and tone, and this show is easily the
best of the rapidly growing legion of superhero series.
Billionaire playboy turned avenging archer Oliver Queen
(Stephen Amell) has revised his crime-fighting MO
following the death of best buddy Tommy: “To honour
my friend’s memory, I can’t be the killer I once was.”
But he might have to be, when arch nemesis Slade
Wilson (Manu Bennett), aka Deathstroke, threatens his
family and Starling City. Season Two packs in lots of guest appearances
from the DC universe, and the Arrow’s moody new look raises the
old Clark Kent/Superman conundrum – why can nobody guess this
superhero’s true identity when it’s so bleeding obvious!
Deathstroke of genius
ARROW: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON
Format: Release Date:04/12/14
Format: Release Date: 11/12/14
Format: Release Date:03/12/14
Format: Release Date: 03/12/14
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