Assassin's Creed: The Fall (2012) + The Chain (2012)

Assassin's Creed: The Fall (2012)

Authors: Cameron Stewart / Karl Kerschl  |  Illustrators: Cameron Stewart / Karl Kerschl  |  Page Count: 96 / 128 (Deluxe)

"Nothing is true, everything is permitted…"

Considering how asinine and clusterfucky the main story of the Assassin's Creed games was, is and likely will become, I didn't have high hopes for The Fall. Shock news: It’s surprisingly good. It's not amazing but it does a better job at balancing two different time periods and making them feel like one cohesive whole than any of the games I've played so far have managed to do.

If you don't know how that works, each instalment has two protagonists, one in the present and one in the past. In the present era, sometime around the turn of the 21st Century, there’s Daniel Cross. The book spends a fair amount of time showing us what kind of guy Daniel is and, perhaps more importantly, what kind of guy he isn't. He’s not a noble champion of the people. He’s quick to anger and full of doubts, dislikes authority, enjoys a drink and is slowly spiralling out of control.

The Terminator: Films (1984-2003)

The Terminator (1984)

Dir. James Cameron

Cameron's sci-fi actioner sits comfortably as the archetype for movies about murderous humanoid machines from the future that travel back in time to kill someone important, thus changing their own present in a favourable way. Linda Hamilton is the target. Schwarzenegger is the instrument.

Playing to the big man's strengths (i.e. he hardly speaks), the role is largely responsible for his career taking off as much as it did. It's clear to see why. He's perfect. His natural ability to be indelibly domineering helped the character seem totally inhuman. His physicality was translated successfully into a show of almost unstoppable force - his unwavering attitude arguably even more memorable than his iconic coat and glasses.

It's not a flawless movie, but by 1984 standards it was certainly a damn good one and is still mostly deserving of the accolades it continues to receive.

The Dead Zone (1983)

The Dead Zone (1983)

Dir. David Cronenberg

After Videodrome (1983) people probably expected another surreal and icky feature from Cronenberg, but instead he gave us an adaptation of a 1979 Stephen King novel called The Dead Zone. It's a not a horror, but nor is it a straightforward drama; it's more of an eerie thriller with a supernatural slant.

Christopher Walken stars as a schoolteacher named Johnny Smith. Johnny is a nice guy; if Fate had allowed him to continue along his preferred path then he'd probably have got married, fathered two or three kids, remained a teacher for the next thirty years before retiring and spending his remaining autumns raking leaves off his perfect lawn, or something equally as mundane. Maybe he'd even use his knowledge of literature to write a book, something academic that would continue his legacy of teaching into the next generation? But Fate didn't allow any of that to happen. Fate introduced Johnny to Tragedy and his life thereafter is drastically changed.

Judge Anderson: The PSI Files: Volume 03 (2013)

Judge Anderson: The PSI Files: Volume 03 (2013)

Authors: Alan Grant / Peter Milligan / Dan Abnett / Andy Lanning  |  Illustrators: Arthur Ranson / Steve Sampson / Charles Gillespie / Angel Unzueta / Ian Gibson / Trevor Hairsine / Eddy Cant / Mick Austin / Anthony Williams  |  Page Count: 304

"Funny, though. 'I protest'. That's all he said. But I kinda knew what he meant."

Alan Grant drags Anderson even deeper into the realms of philosophy and religion in Volume 03. Her hitherto discoveries about her past, coupled with a recent changed perception of what 'Justice' is, have opened her consciousness to previously unexplored concerns affecting Mega City One. She begins to experience visions that lead her into the unknown. The iconography used will be familiar to everyone, but the associations are Anderson specific.

There’s quite a lot of Dredd in this one. It’s interesting to see Old Stony in Anderson’s world. It distances him a little from the typically masculine arena he usually embodies. Grant knows that Joe needs to present the appearance of a non-conformist with a controlling influence (because you can take a Judge to water but you can’t make him think), but there’s also an almost parental guiding attitude present. He won’t accept failure from Anderson but he’s more than happy to step aside to let her prove herself, or team-up if the Law permits.

Dennis Potter's Brimstone and Treacle (1976 / 1982)

Brimstone and Treacle (1976)

Dir. Barry Davis

Barry Davis's Play for Today version of Dennis Potter’s controversial B+T was banned by a fearful and controlling BBC before it was even broadcast. The institution eventually relented in 1987 and it’s currently available to purchase on DVD.

Michael Kitchen stars as a wicked confidence trickster named Martin Taylor who worms his way into the home of an older couple, Tom and Amy Bates (Denholm Elliott and Patricia Lawrence).

With an angelic smile on his face Martin causes chaos, all the while pretending to care for Pattie (Michelle Newell), the old couple's sick daughter.

There’s more to the goings on than that but it‘s best if the viewer discovers it by themselves. If you know Potter’s work then you’ll know to prepare for strong views and shocking turns as the layers of consequence are gradually revealed.

Scanner Cop + Scanner Cop 2 (1994-95)

Scanner Cop (1994)

Dir. Pierre David

The opening scene lets us know that the first film in the offshoot of Scanners (1981) isn't going to wimp-out when it comes to delivering practical FX on a budget. It's ridiculous but so damn good!

It then jumps forward fifteen years, following a wet behind the ears police recruit named Samuel Staziak (Daniel Quinn). Sam prefers to keep his Scanner ability secret, but when a spate of brutal cop killings kicks off he feels the pressure to reveal himself and put his unique talents to use.

There's a hasty recap of what the ephemerol drug is and does, but to get the full backstory it'll be necessary to watch the previous trilogy.

The villains are rubbish; it's a major failing, but their agenda is what drives the protagonist and forces him to risk it all, so they at least have some use.

They're also responsible for a large amount of the weird shit that goes down in the finale. The film can support it, so the weird is welcome.

Ritual (1967)

Ritual (1967)

Author: David Pinner  |  Page Count: 224

'Five apple trees stapled their leaves on the sky cloth. And one pear tree, without a single pear, shouldered arms and saluted the sun.'

Horrific things are afoot in the Cornish village of Thorn. Or mayhaps it just appears that way to an outsider? Whatever the case, for English police officer David Hanlin the mystery surrounding the dead girl that initially drew him to Thorn is something that he's determined to figure out, for reasons other than simple job description.

The villagers dislike and take exception to Hanlin's questioning. His religious beliefs aren't theirs. He's Christian. They worship something older. Their unwillingness to help with enquiries seems evasive, which makes Hanlin suspect them all the more.

David Pinner's opening chapter is excellent. The way he moves from one focal point to another is something not seen often in written form, it's more of a visual (film) technique, but it works - it successfully sets the tone, establishes the novel's setting and pulls us directly into the drama.