It’s twenty years since the last movie (both in and out of the movie’s universe). What happens now?

– Gee, It’s Good To Be Together Again

The trailer opens with lots of talk about togetherness and the past and I think that’s a good tone to start with for the movie. The idea that the world became cohesive after the first attacks and that they’re working as one now will be important when the aliens attack because you want to feel like it’s a big thing and if it’s a global war against the aliens it increases the scale significantly.

– I Bet His Phone Is An Android

The return of Brent Spiner’s scientist, in my eyes, is a stroke of genius. He was used in the first film to communicate (albeit briefly) on behalf of the aliens. They used his brain and body as a microphone/translator. So, it would make sense, if he had an insight into their ways after such a thing. Plus, we technically didn’t see him die, so it’s fine.

– Not The Fresh Prince

There is going to be ample opportunity in this film to have a million inspirational speeches, so I’m sure everyone will get their moment. It seems we get a glimpse of Jessie Usher, who plays the son of Will Smith’s character here, giving it his all. But I gotta be honest, his voice… falls a little flat for me.

– Goldblum, Jeff Goldblum

I can’t tell if I love his “They like to get the landmarks” line or not. Either way, it’s appropriate. Summer blockbusters aren’t the same without him hamming his way through the action.

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OVERALL: I hate the term “post 9/11 America” but for once I think the term has meaning and that is towards movies. I’ve notice a trend since 2001 of disaster movies being met with a much bigger disapproval than they did before and it’s completely understandable.
I’m not normally a disaster movie sort of guy but I have affection for the first ID and I actually like the look of this one but I can’t see it being embraced as fully as the first one was anymore. At least not in America. Overseas, it’s going to do gangbusters but… there could be a backlash towards this in the states. Who knows. Either way, I think I’m in.

In 2005, Edgar Wright made his feature film debut with Shaun of the Dead, a self-proclaimed “Zombie-Rom-Com” penned by himself and Simon Pegg, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. It simultaneously parodied and paid tribute to the Zombie genre while being a pretty kick-ass Zombie flick in itself. It became an instant classic.

Hey look, they’re fighting Zombies in a pub!

Two years later, Wright, Pegg, and Frost took on the buddy cop genre in Hot Fuzz. It also became a cult classic. This is my personal favorite of the two.

Hey, they’re fighting baddies in another pub! What are the odds?

Their next film, The World’s End, was teased as the final entry in what has been dubbed by Wright as the Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy, otherwise known as the Cornetto Trilogy, due to the use of different flavor Cornetto ice cream cones in both films (Drum Sticks are the American equivalent).

Shaun of the Dead had Strawberry,

Red label for Zombie blood

Hot Fuzz had Classic,

Blue label for Cop uniforms

And presumably The World’s End will have Mint.

Green label for… Minty fresh Alien breath?

And now, 6 years after Fuzz, we have our first peek!

Five friends (Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Eddie Marsan), at Pegg’s insistence, reluctantly attempt to recreate a pub crawl they failed to complete in their youth, which ends at the ominously named “The World’s End” pub.

Yes, one is called “The Famous Cock”

As the night goes on, they start to realize there’s something amiss with the people of the town. Namely that they are all NIGHTMARE FUEL.

“Sir, can I borrow a ligh-HOLY SHIT, AHHHHHH!!!”

First off, I love the casting. Simon Pegg looks quite different from his usual role; he pulls off a punk look, and gets to play the fool.

I tried to find a straight-faced Pegg in this trailer, but I honestly couldn’t.

Pegg’s character seems to be stuck in the past while his old buddies have moved on to more mature, professional lives. It will be interesting to see how his character arc will contrast with the sci-fi nature of the rest of the movie.

We also get Nick Frost, who looks good as ever.

Every time I see Frost in a new part, he inhabits it in a way that is different from his previous roles. Yes, he is almost always the clumsy oaf in some respect, but his characters seem to have range. From a soldier in the Territorial Army, to a down-and-out loser, to a somewhat reluctant cop, he always brings his A game. I cannot wait to see what he does in this film.

Pegg in the back, not giving a single shit.

Oh by the way, in the shot following the above pick, Frost STARTS PUNCHING A BUNCH OF PEOPLE USING BAR STOOLS AS FISTS.

HELL. YES.

After a cameo in Shaun, and speaking role at the beginning and end of Hot Fuzz, it’s great to see Martin Freeman as a full character in this film.

You rock that BlueTooth, Martin!

Paddy Considine is also in this film, whom you may recognize as one of the Andys from Hot Fuzz. Glad to see he makes a return!

DAMN, he cleans up good!

I have to admit, I don’t know much about Eddie Marsan, but I do know I have seen him in other movies. At any rate, I’m sure he’ll be hilarious.

“No, I do not want to get ‘shit faced’.”

And all have good flashback doubles. They manage to resemble their mature adult counterparts whilst looking like they’re out to get stone drunk.

Of course the last of the trilogy wouldn’t be complete without a fence jump!

So without further ado, here’s the complete Blood and Ice Cream Fence Jump compilation!

We aren’t explicitly told what’s going on in this teaser (okay, we kind of are), but I’m going to call it: it’s aliens. Need proof? Here’s a still for ya:

E. T. phone home ON YOUR ASS!

There’s also multiple electric explosions.

What happens when you mix Mentos and Jager bombs.

And what looks like extra terrestrial blood on Simon Pegg’s face.

I’m perfectly okay with aliens! Zombie, Buddy Cop, and Sci-fi make for a really good action flick triple feature! I would pay money to see these three films shown back-to-back-to-back in a theater in an afternoon. I’m really hoping AMC, Alamo Draft House, and/or others will do just that for this film’s release. If not, I’m going to watch Shaun and Fuzz of my own accord right before seeing The World’s End, and I encourage you to do the same! Come on, let’s get annihilated!

I leave you with this awesome pic of Simon Pegg flipping a double bird.

The problem with most science fiction on TV and movies is that most aliens are humans with head ridges (I’m looking at you, Star Trek) but the realm of animation has provided and abundance of interesting alien concepts and no one show has done more than the Ben 10 franchise. Brainchild of the Man of Action team; Ben 10, in all it’s various incarnations, has created dozens of colourful and bizarre aliens to inhabit it’s universe and I’m going to give you a run down of some of my favourite designs. I’ll say now that I’m pretty unfamiliar with the details of episodes and characters but I do know a lot of the aliens and will be basing my opinions solely on their own merits and not function within the show.

5 – Water Hazard
Series: Ultimate Alien

While I may be a hydrophobic, aquatic creatures have always fascinated me and this crustacean crusader is a far better design than some of the other aquatic aliens they’ve come up with on the show. This bipedal crab-man looks tough as nails and has the ability to manipulate water (much like Aqualad in Young Justice). I really like the way his armoured carapace looks and that why he’s No. 5 on my list!

4 – Cannonbolt
Series: Ben 10

Cannonbolt has been a mainstay of the series for a long time and it’s good to see they haven’t abused his design throughout the show. He’s a pillbug alien whose primary offensive capability is the ability to roll, bounce and has a durable shell. He’s a rotund little fella, but he has a lot of girth.

3 – Big Chill
Series: Alien Force

Big Chill is only here because he looks like the Jaime Reyes incarnation of the Blue Beetle. Yes, I am that shallow. Shut up.

2 – Clockwork
Series: Ultimate Alien

I honestly don’t know a lot about this guy but he looks cool. One part Aztec, one part clock, one part massive robot. I’m sold. What little research I did indicates his powers are time-based, if his name didn’t give it away.

And the number one alien design is….. *drum roll*

1 – Way Big
Series: Ben 10

He’s Ultraman and I love him. I remember seeing this guy in one of the movies and was enamoured right there and then. His design obviously takes cues from Japanese Tokusatsu like Ultraman. I think this is one of the few aliens in this series that has actually improved from having a redesign from series to series, becoming sleeker and gaining a simpler design as the show went on. He’s a great design and worth the top spot in my eyes.

So that’s it! My favourite alien designs in Ben 10 and here’s hoping that the latest incarnation, Omniverse (created by the wonderful Derrick J. Wyatt) will bring us more in the future. Ben 10 Omniverse can be seen on Cartoon Network and the action figures are available from all good retailers.

I’m not a fan of cars, not real ones anyway. I’ve never been overly interested in high velocities or how many horses-to-the-power a vehicle can go. As long as a car has an airbag and will get me and my limbs safely from C to D, I’m thankful. Movie cars however, I love. The Delorean, The Tumbler, Ecto-1 – all wonderful motion picture creations.

But what about those vehicles that possibly just miss out on all those ‘best of’ lists floating around the interwebby. Here’s a break down of a few I like (in no particular order) – hope you enjoy!

M577 APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier) Aliens (1986)

Pretty much everything in Aliens looks awesome. LV-426, The Sulaco, the dropship – and the Amoured Personnel Carrier is no exception. It’s just a beast. I’m betting its horn is EPIC.

The Argo ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) Star Trek Nemesis (2002)

You mean we’re still using vehicles with wheels in the 24th century? Well, yes, but this one has two perks; it has a phaser canon strapped to it, and it’s driven by Patrick Stewart, who, as we know, can drive what he likes, regardless of the century. Because he’s the captain.

Centauri’s Space Car The Last Star Fighter (1984)

Robert Preston’s last role in a theatrical film before his death was a memorable one. He drove this gem. He could also take his face off.  Literally, Cage/Travolta style.

Dead Reckoning Land of the Dead (2004)

A heavily armored vehicle that mows down zombies both with its sheer force and devastating ammunition. Also provides firework displays for fêtes and various other events on the weekends.

The cool vehicle from Tango & Cash (1989)

I’ve always felt Warner Bros. missed a trick with a potential franchise here. People would have flocked due to the names alone. Pepper & Change. Pepsi & Coins. Sprite & Moolah. Anyone? ANYONE?!

Back to the vehicle, it has a gatling gun bolted to its side = WIN!

EM-50 ‘Urban Assault Vehicle’ Stripes (1981)

Disguised to look like a large recreational vehicle (specifically, a late 70s GMC motorhome) – this is possibly the army’s cleverest idea ever after promoting Bilko to Sergeant. As I was unable to find a video of the vehicle in action, please instead enjoy Bill Murray and Harold Ramis singing.

Ford Anglia Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

IT’S MAGIC AND FLIES, PLUS IT’S REAL!!

I feel I don’t have to expand further on this.

The Griswald’s Wagon Queen Family Truckster National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)

Gotta love the Griswalds. Gotta love their car exploits. There were a few videos to pluck from, but I got side tracked and this clip always makes me giggle. Contains swearing.

Other notable mentions go to Blade’s 1968 Dodge Charger, Officer Murphy’s Ford Taurus and Optimus (both the ’86 movie and current franchise) Prime.