Pfangirl Through the Looking Glass

So what has been my writing output during the first two months of 2017? I can't show any of my novel progress - although I do now at least have some sweet commissioned art to help with the eventual promotion process. Otherwise, it's been the usual combination of cross-media-spectrum reviews, features and fan fiction. Here's the full set of posts, articles and stories, and where to find them. P.S. January started with the birth of all-encompassing entertainment and lifestyle website Critical Hit , the product of a merger between specialist sites TheMovies.co.za (who I was associated with) and LazyGamer.net. Check it out sometime. Movie reviews: Hidden Figures - A feel-good winner… with Maths [Critical Hit] Fences - A powerfully-acted domestic drama [Critical Hit] The Great Wall - Pretty. Stupid. Popcorn entertainment. [Critical Hit] Fifty Shades Darker - A slight step up in quality [Critical Hit] Rings - Just watch It Follows instead [Critical Hit] Reside...

Last week was a birthday milestone for me. Not one of the big decade markers, but a 5-year point that still makes you more prone to self-reflection. I don’t really do personal blogging anymore, so I'm very out of practice, but here goes. First things first, they're not exactly New Year’s resolutions but I did set some basic aspirations for 2017, as I do function better with goals: Read more, because that definitely makes you a better, more motivated writer. Limit my starch carb intake, or, at the bare minimum, don’t combine starches in one meal. Don’t over-commit to writing freebies. Unpaid is the default state when it comes to entertainment and geek lifestyle writing in South Africa. However, I can’t afford to divert too much energy and time from my own creative projects. On that note, finish my novel, and push further with other WIP across the media spectrum. Find paying employment. Number 5 is the biggie on the list, and it's going to take up the major...

Following yesterday's glut of reviews, today is my (very brief) look back at the most memorable movies of 2016. All in all, I think it was a pretty satisfying year at the cinema, with many high profile releases falling in the "Yeah, that was okay" to "Great" side of the spectrum. But what were 2016's standout surprises and the worst disappointments? I weigh in below. Also, let me take this opportunity to wish everyone reading this Happy Holidays. If you celebrate it, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas. This clip should form part of The Movies.co.za's big Year in Review video, coming soon.

I realise I've let the reposting of my various Pop Culture pieces, reviews and other content get away from me the past 2 months. I aim to be back on track in the New Year. However, in the interim, here's the full list of what you can read, and where. Movie reviews: Don't Breathe - Horror that's simple, taut and satisfying [The Movies] Jack Reacher - An entertaining popcorn flick; nothing more [Geek Node] Arrival - Sci-fi for the thinking person [Geek Node] Doctor Strange - Magic or Muggle effort? [Geek Node] Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - A solid spin-off with its own identity [The Movies] Underworld: Blood Wars - Tries and fails to be Game of Thrones [The Movies] Sing - A feel-good, foot-tapping charmer [The Movies] DVD reviews: Regression - An intriguing but seriously overwrought thriller [The Movies] Sing Street  - A charming, musical coming of age tale [The Movies] Last Days in the Desert - The Bible goes full-blown art house ...

Out now, and out tomorrow, in South African cinemas, are animated adventure Moana and real-life romance A United Kingdom . They're just two of December’s big movie releases. But are they worth a few hours of precious vacation time? Moana (3D) – Mixes up the Disney Princess formula with mostly success Even though Big Hero 6 and Zootopia have both released since Frozen ; the latest from Disney Animation Studios , Moana, is receiving the most comparisons to the smash hit 2013 release. It makes sense. Both movies are musical adventures with distinct geographic settings. And in both, a princess must venture forth from the safety of her kingdom to save her people. Honestly, I still think I prefer Frozen’s story more, but Moana delivers many pleasures: lush Pacific Island and oceanic animation, catchy songs, some touching moments and very strong vocal performances. For the record, Moana has the restless title character (voiced by newcomer Auli'i Cravalho ), defying the wi...

Pre-play musings Daddy issues. If you want to dislike Angelina Jolie’s 2001 Tomb Raider film for one reason, it’s that the movie forced parental hang-ups into the franchise mix. Thanks to Hollywood, Lara Croft’s origin story shifted dramatically. And not for the better. Twenty years ago, Lara Croft was conceptualised as having survived a plane crash in the mountains . The trek back to civilisation profoundly affects her priorities. She promptly abandons her life of aristocratic privilege for one of adventure – which gets her disowned by her parents. It doesn’t matter though; she achieves success by living life on her own terms as a self-made woman. After the Tomb Raider movie was released, however, aspects of the blockbuster backstory began to surface in the games. With the release of 2006’s Tomb Raider: Legend , Lara was rewritten as a young woman who loses her mother at a young age and is raised alone by her unorthodox archaeologist father . Once her dad is also lost to...

This review originally appeared at  TheMovies.co.za . Long before there were Bridesmaids and Bad Moms , there were two misbehaving, middle-aged Englishwomen always ready for a good time. Never mind that their clumsy, drunken debauchery turned them into social pariahs. If there was bolly to be downed, ciggies to be smoked, ridiculous fashion to be worn and celebrities to be schmoozed, that’s where you’d find Edina Monsoon ( Jennifer Saunders ) and Patsy Stone ( Joanna Lumley ). Well, twenty-four years since the world was first introduced to best friends Eddy and Pats, nothing’s changed. Seriously, nothing. Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie , the first feature film centred on this badly behaving duo, feels exactly like an extended version of the cult TV comedy that started it all. Except with a considerably bigger budget and considerably more celebrity cameos. So if you enjoyed the series, you’ll thoroughly enjoy Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie . If you didn’t, you’re not go...

This review originally appeared at  TheMovies.co.za . I admit upfront that this review of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is from the perspective of someone who thoroughly enjoyed the Ransom Riggs novel on which the movie is based. I’ve heard that people unfamiliar with the book have appreciated director Tim Burton ’s fantasy adventure a lot more. Regardless, even if viewed solely as a cinematic experience, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is very flawed and unsatisfying. To outline the plot first: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children centres on teenager Jake ( Asa Butterfield ), who hasn’t come to terms with the death of his grandfather Abe ( Terence Stamp ). Jake saw something in the shadows on the night his grandfather died, and this fact, combined with cryptic messages, drives Jake to the tiny Welsh island where Abe lived during World War II. There, thanks to the help of some magical time travel, Jake discovers the children’s home whe...

As you may have seen in a prior post , I was at South Africa's rAge expo last weekend in Johannesburg. I was predominantly attending the event - the country's biggest electronic gaming and geek lifestyle expo - for the cosplay, and to catch up with friends and colleagues. I had an absolute blast snapping pics of other cosplayers, taking part in a gathering of South African Tomb Raider cosplayers (to coincide with the franchise's 20 year anniversary), chatting to local game developers, getting hands-on with a number of high-profile upcoming releases, and losing my VR virginity. Check out my public Facebook gallery of cosplay pics here . I also ended up doing some impromptu games journalism for IGN Africa . You can find my coverage of the event here: Hands-on with the best games at rAGe Joburg 2016 Living in the future with VR gaming at rAge Joburg rAge 2016 Cosplay Gallery

It's a dream come true. I've been selected as an official Tomb Raider cosplay ambassador for this year's rAge electronic gaming expo in Johannesburg, South Africa. So come and say hi this weekend, 7 - 9 October at the Ticketpro Dome in Northriding. On Friday, I'll be roaming about in lite cosplay as London Lara . On Saturday and Sunday, however, you can find me in full, signature Rise dress  primarily around the Megarom stand. Megarom is the South African distributor of Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration edition (available from 11 October), and you'll be able to get hands-on with the game at their stall. I'll also be taking part in cosplay events over the course of the weekend. Look for updates of my movements on my Twitter account ( @pfangirl ) or via @MegaromGames . If you're going to be around for anything, make sure it's the special  Tomb Raider cosplay gathering on Saturday afternoon . People are encouraged to dress up ...

Although most of the world has seen it by now, The Secret Life of Pets finally opens in South Africa today, to coincide with the start of the Spring school vacation. Just as overseas, the family comedy is sure to be a mammoth hit. Not only did the initial teaser trailer essentially go viral, but animation company Illumination Entertainment knows what people like, and the film is preceded by a brand new Minions short – featuring Illumination’s most popular characters. Right, but is main attraction The Secret Life of Pets any good? Absolutely. It’s unlikely to go on the All-time Animated Classics list, but the film offers a little something for everyone – whether you’re planning a cinema outing with the sprogs, just generally enjoy animated films, or have a furkid at home. In terms of plot, The Secret Life of Pets focuses primarily on the inhabitants of one New York apartment block. Jack Russell Max (voiced by Louis C.K. ) is the resident top dog, relishing the bond he has w...

This review originally appeared at TheMovies.co.za . Let’s be honest. The latest (and actually fifth) film adaptation of historical novel Ben-Hur was always going to be met with scepticism. That happens when you’re essentially remaking one of the greatest movies ever made. The 1959 Ben-Hur , starring Charlton Heston , is a joint record-holder for the most Academy Awards won, at eleven. It’s impossible to compete. Still, it’s not exactly surprising that a new Ben-Hur was greenlit. When it comes to contemporary cinemagoers and four-hour long sword-and-sandal epics, ain’t nobody got time for that. Today’s audiences, in theory, should be ready for a fresh take on the Bible Times tale of revenge and forgiveness. Especially one that promises to take full advantage of 21st Century CGI-wizardry, and director Timur (Night Watch, Wanted) Bekmambetov ’s visual flair. If nothing else, Ben-Hur 2016 should be one wild chariot ride, right? Eh, not quite. Though far from a turkey, the...