The plot involves Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) banding together the latest iteration of his Expendables Special Forces team, under the guide of government agent Marsh (Andy Garcia), to stop some stolen nuclear devices from being activated. His right-hand man Lee Christmas (Jason Statham) joins up with old regulars Gunner (Dolph Lundgren) and Toll Road (Randy Couture). Along for the ride are new recruits Easy Day (50 Cent), Galan (Jacob Scipio) and Lash (Levy Tran), with Lee’s on again-off again girlfriend Gina (Megan Fox) also in tow.

No-one goes into these films expecting Oscar-worthy scripts, but the dialogue this time around is especially wooden and has no natural flow to it whatsoever. We know these people can act because we’ve seen it before, but ‘The Expendables 4’ seems to have been mapped out with no consideration for what’s come before, a complete lack of character development and a basic misunderstanding of what a classic 80s action film was all about.

The cast do what they can with the poor material laid out in front of them. Sylvester Stallone is in it more than I expected, but it’s still woefully underusing him and his talents. Jason Statham must be exhausted because he’s carrying this entire film on his back, but even he can’t work miracles in these trying circumstances. Megan Fox is a decent actress when she has the right material (‘Jennifer’s Body’ is an absolute classic and she is brilliant in that), and I’ve been a fan of her work in the past. She is obviously a siren, and dutifully portrays this in the film. But her character is so thinly put-together it’s absurd. She will no doubt get stick for this film, but a better writing team can easily make her character useful, and not just the seemingly obligatory eye-candy.

Dolph Lundgren’s character has historically been wasted in this franchise as an inside-joke that no one asked for. His comic relief is awful, and that’s no fault of his own. It’s completely down to the awful writing he has had to endure. Lundgren is a good actor – give him better material for the love of God. An absolute waste of a talent. Andy Garcia chews up the scenery, 50 Cent offers nothing of real substance and Levy Tran is completely wasted as Lash. However there are some positives. Randy Couture is still solid and Tony Jaa steals the film as Decha, a former ally of Barney who helps Lee out mid-film. Iko Uwais is always a joy to watch onscreen, and Jacob Scipio does a fantastic job playing Galan (who is meant to be Antonio Banderas’ character’s son). Banderas was meant to reprise his role of Galgo in this movie, but scheduling conflicts prevented it. So, (in the only good move the writers made with this entire film), they repurposed the character to be his son. Scipio does a remarkable job channelling Banderas trademark charisma.

How it took four writers to come up with this story is beyond me, but we have Kurt Wimmer, Tad Daggerhart, Max Adams and Spenser Cohen to thank for this mess. Not forgetting Scott Waugh’s poor direction which frequently opts for close-up action when a wider shot would have been far more satisfying to see the impressive set-pieces play out in. The fight between Jason Statham and Iko Uwais was great, as was any scene featuring Tony Jaa, but its impact was always affected by the way the sequences were put together, from its cinematography right down to its editing. Thankfully this isn’t ‘Taken 2’ levels of bad epilepsy-inducing action, but it also doesn’t hit its (very easy attainable) marks. Do the basics right and you win half the battle.

‘The Expendables 4’ is a massive missed opportunity and a complete waste of a chapter. Especially when we’ve had 3 very enjoyable movies already. And with the cast aging out soon, it seems like this is even more wasted time to deliver action fans a good, all-star ensemble. It was a long gap of almost 10 years between ‘The Expendables 3’ and this ‘Expend4bles’ mess, so we are running out of time. So please hire better writers and a proper action director if we are to get one more round with these characters. There is a market for this if anyone is willing to actually invest the proper time and attention this franchise needs. The fans deserve a much better finale than this.

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Megan Fox, Randy Couture, 50 Cent, Dolph Lundgren, Andy Garcia, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Levy Tran, Jacob Scipio Director: Scott Waugh Writer: Kurt Wimmer, Tad Daggerhart, Max Adams, Spenser Cohen Certificate: 15 Duration: 103 mins Released by: Lionsgate Release date: 22^nd September 2023

The post ‘Expend4bles’ review appeared first on Entertainment Focus.

The superstar rapper will perform at The SSE Arena, Wembley in London on Friday 10th June and he’ll headline Manchester’s Parklife Festival on Saturday 11th June 2022.

50 Cent, born Curtis James Jackson III, is an award-winning rapper, entrepreneur, actor and producer. He rose to fame with his record-shattering debut album “Get Rich Or Die Tryin'” and has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide.

He current has the most-watched series on Starz, ‘Power’, and in January 2020 he received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame.

His most recent hit is ‘The Woo’, which peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts. In April 2020, 50 Cent also released his second New York Times Best Selling self-help book ‘Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter’.

Tickets for 50 Cent’s headline London show go on sale Friday 28th January, 9.30am. London tickets are available at www.gigsandtours.com, www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.axs.com.

Tickets for Parklife Festival are on sale Thursday 27^th January at 10am via parklife.uk.com.

The post 50 Cent announces two UK live dates for June appeared first on Entertainment Focus.

Escape Plan 2 debuts in cinemas and on Digital HD on the same day – 20th July 2018.

The first Escape Plan paired up two of Hollywood’s greatest stars onscreen – Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Directed by Steven C. Miller and written by Miles Chapman, Escape Plan 2 also stars Jaime King, Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson, Titus Welliver, Wes Chatham, Jesse Metcalfe, Baylee Curran, Lydia Hull, Xiaoming Huang, Zeeko Zaki, Ashley Cusato, Vincent Young and Chen Tang.

The official synopsis for the film reads;

Strap yourself in for the second instalment of the explosive and electrifying action franchise, as the on-screen forces of Sylvester Stallone (Creed, The Expendables) and Dave Bautista (Blade Runner 2049, Guardians of the Galaxy) combine in Escape Plan 2, courtesy of Signature Entertainment.

Years after Ray Breslin (three-time Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Sylvester Stallone) fought his way out of the escape-proof prison called ‘The Tomb’, he’s organised a new top-notch, for-hire security force that
includes some of the best in the business.

But when one of Breslin’s team goes missing – inside a computerised techno-terror battle-maze known as HADES, where human combatants brawl like beasts – Breslin goes back into the secret lock-up to save his friend. To attempt this near impossible mission, he enlists his old friend Trent Derosa (Dave Bautista) and the returning surveillance expert Hush (Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson), to help him return from the gauntlet with both his friend and his life.

Following on from the success of the first film in 2013, Escape Plan 2 aims to build on the story and characters that connected so well with action movie fans the first time around, elevating them to a whole new white knuckle ride into the dystopian land of the dead.

With some of the action genre’s biggest hitters coming together, Escape Plan 2 promises audiences one hell of a ride.

The post Escape Plan 2 UK release date & trailer launched starring Sylvester Stallone & Dave Bautista appeared first on Entertainment Focus.

Gerard Butler was last seen on the big screen in the action blockbuster Geostorm and it’s awesome to see him back leading big action movies once again. Den of Thieves looks is a proper R-rated actioner and that certainly suits Gerard Butler’s skill-set. We also can’t wait to see him reprise his role of Mike Banning in Angel has Fallen, the third movie in the franchise after Olympus has Fallen and London has Fallen.

Check out our interview with Gerard Butler & Jim Sturgess for Geostorm.

From STXinternational and director Christian Gudegast (London Has Fallen, A Man Apart), this gritty action thriller co-stars Pablo Schreiber (Orange is the New Black, American Gods), O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Straight Outta Compton), Sonia Balmores and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (Power, Southpaw).

Meadow Williams, Evan Jones, Brian Van Holt, Maurice Compte, Jordan Bridges, Eric Braeden and Oleg Taktarov also co-star.

The plot revolves around a notorious crew of bank robbers who plan to pull off the ultimate heist – to steal $120million in cash from the Federal Reserve Bank in downtown LA… right under the noses of the state’s most feared police unit.

Butler heads this Police unit and from the look of trailer, doesn’t take kindly to anyone who breaks the rules. This sets up a wonderfully tense affair that will hopefully bring some fireworks to the screen, along with a crime-thriller that we can all get behind.

Mark Canton, Tucker Tooley, Gerard Butler, and Alan Siegel act as Producers on the film, which director Christian Gudegast has also scripted from a story by Gudegast & Paul Scheuring.

Den of Thieves will be released in UK cinemas on 2nd of February, 2018.

Check out the explosive new footage from Den of Thieves below, and let us know what you think in the comments section.

[brid video=”196083″ player=”531″ title=”Den of Thieves “Into the Den” Featurette Now Playing”]

[brid video=”196084″ player=”531″ title=”Den of Thieves “I Didn’ Bring My Cuffs Anyway” Clip Now Playing”]

[brid video=”196085″ player=”531″ title=”Den of Thieves “Alpha Males” Featurette Now Playing”]

[brid video=”196086″ player=”531″ title=”Den of Thieves “Driving Audition” Clip Now Playing”]

[brid video=”196087″ player=”531″ title=”Den of Thieves “Prom Date” Clip Now Playing”]

The post Gerard Butler & Pablo Schreiber star in new Den of Thieves clips & featurettes appeared first on Entertainment Focus.

Gerard Butler was last seen on the big screen in the action blockbuster Geostorm and it’s awesome to see him back leading big action movies once again. Den of Thieves looks to be a proper R rated actioner and that certainly suits Gerard Butler’s skill-set, and we can’t wait to see him reprise his role of Mike Banning in Angel has Fallen.

Check out our interview with Gerard Butler & Jim Sturgess for Geostorm.

From STXinternational and director Christian Gudegast (London Has Fallen, A Man Apart), this gritty action thriller co-stars Pablo Schreiber (Orange is the New Black, American Gods), O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Straight Outta Compton), Sonia Balmores and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (Power, Southpaw).

Meadow Williams, Evan Jones, Brian Van Holt, Maurice Compte, Jordan Bridges, Eric Braeden and Oleg Taktarov also co-star.

The plot revolves around a notorious crew of bank robbers who plan to pull off the ultimate heist – to steal $120million in cash from the Federal Reserve Bank in downtown LA… right under the noses of the state’s most feared police unit.

Butler heads this Police unit and from the look of trailer, doesn’t take kindly to anyone who breaks the rules. This sets up a wonderfully tense affair that will hopefully bring some fireworks to the screen, along with a crime-thriller that we can all get behind.

Mark Canton, Tucker Tooley, Gerard Butler, and Alan Siegel act as Producers on the film, which director Christian Gudegast has also scripted from a story by Gudegast & Paul Scheuring.

Den of Thieves will be released in UK cinemas on 2nd of February, 2018.

Check out the explosive new second trailer for Den of Thieves below, and let us know what you think in the comments section.

[brid video=”190071″ player=”531″ title=”Den Of Thieves Official Trailer #2 In Cinemas February 2″]

The post Gerard Butler & 50 Cent star in explosive second trailer for Den of Thieves appeared first on Entertainment Focus.

Gerard Butler was last seen on the big screen in the action blockbuster Geostorm and it’s awesome to see him back leading big action movies once again. Den of Thieves looks to be a proper R rated actioner and that certainly suits Gerard Butler’s skillset, and we can’t wait to see him reprise his role of Mike Banning in Angel has Fallen.

Check out our interview with Gerard Butler & Jim Sturgess for Geostorm.

From STXinternational and director Christian Gudegast (London Has Fallen, A Man Apart), this gritty action thriller co-stars Pablo Schreiber (Orange is the New Black, American Gods), O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Straight Outta Compton), Sonia Balmores and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (Power, Southpaw).

Meadow Williams, Evan Jones, Brian Van Holt, Maurice Compte, Jordan Bridges, Eric Braeden and Oleg Taktarov also co-star.

The plot revolves around a notorious crew of bank robbers who plan to pull off the ultimate heist – to steal $120million in cash from the Federal Reserve Bank in downtown LA… right under the noses of the state’s most feared police unit.

Butler heads this Police unit and from the look of trailer, doesn’t take kindly to anyone who breaks the rules. This sets up a wonderfully tense affair that will hopefully bring some fireworks to the screen, along with a crime-thriller that we can all get behind.

Mark Canton, Tucker Tooley, Gerard Butler, and Alan Siegel act as Producers on the film, which director Christian Gudegast has also scripted from a story by Gudegast & Paul Scheuring.

Den of Thieves will be released in UK cinemas on 2nd of February, 2018.

Check out the explosive new trailer below, and be sure to let us know what you think about it in the comments section.

[brid video=”173753″ player=”531″ title=”Den Of Thieves Official Trailer In Cinemas February 2″]

The post Gerard Butler gets the job done in explosive new trailer for Den of Thieves appeared first on Entertainment Focus.

50 Cent first rose to fame with his first major album release Get Rick or Die Trying, which was produced by Eminem and Dr Dre and debuted at number one. The lead single, In da Club set a Billboard record as the most listened-to song in radio history, within a week. 50 Cent had similar commercial and critical success with his second album, The Massacre, smashing his own records with the album selling over one million copies in its first four days and staying at number one on the Billboard 200 for six weeks. He was also the first solo artist with three singles in the Billboard top five in the same week with Candy Shop, Disco Inferno and How We Do.

Recognized as one of the most talented and prolific music artists of his time, 50 Cent has managed to leverage his star power into record breaking brand extensions encompassing a broad spectrum of businesses including: SMS Audio, SMS Boxing, EFFEN Vodka, FRIGO by RevolutionWear and many more.

EF will give one lucky winner two tickets for either one of the following dates:

4th Nov – Glasgow SECC

6th Nov – Manchester Arena

7th Nov – Metro Radio Arena Newcastle

To be in with a chance of winning, just answer the below question correctly.

The competition closes at 23.59 (GMT) on Friday 2nd October 2015.

*You can enter once per day to increase your chances of winning but please note, only one entry per day will be counted*

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The post Win a pair of 50 Cent tickets appeared first on Entertainment Focus.

Presented by TCO and Gee Star, the shows will see 50 Cent take to the stage in the UK with members of his G-Unit collective. Tickets go on general sale this Friday (24th July) through Ticketmaster and fans can see the rapper perform in Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle.

One of the most successful hip-hop stars in the world, 50 Cent has sold over 30 million albums worldwide. He’s picked up many awards during his career to date including a Grammy Award, thirteen Billboard Music Awards, six World Music Awards, three American Music Awards and four BET Awards.

His fifth album, Animal Ambition, was released in 2014 and 50 Cent also released two EPs with the recently reunited G-Unit. He is currently hard at work on his sixth studio album Street King Immortal.

The full list of dates is:

4th Nov – Glasgow SECC
6th Nov – Manchester Arena
7th Nov – Metro Radio Arena Newcastle

Tickets are available from Friday 24th July 2015 at www.ticketmaster.co.uk

The post 50 Cent announces 3 UK shows for November appeared first on Entertainment Focus.

Shady XV opens with a disc of 13 new tracks starting with the Eminem solo ShadyXV. The electric-guitar driven track sees the rapper spitting rhymes at a frenetic speed whilst a heavy beat punctuates the melody. As has become his trademark, Eminem name-checks a variety of pop culture including Fear Factor and Zach Galifianakis, and raps about the virtues of his sexual prowess.

Recent single Guts Over Fear featuring Sia which featured in The Equalizer movie is present here as well as new D12 cut Bane that likens the group to the Batman villain. Rising rapper Yelawolf features on 4 songs on the collection, the best being Til It’s Gone which has an almost country-like riff driving the melody.

Elsewhere on the album Eminem steals the show on highlight Fine Line where the rapper explores his battle with fame and his ego, and Skylar Grey features on the Eminem and Yelawolf cut Twisted adding her haunting vocals to the downtempo track. The best moment comes on the off-kilter beats of Die Alone where Eminem explores the relationship he had with Kim and trying to move on from their break-up. The lyrics raw and honest and it’s Eminem at his finest.

The second disc features 15 tracks from Shady Records artists past and present. Eminem has two cuts on it – Lose Yourself and You Don’t Know featuring 50 Cent, Cashis and Lloyd Banks – as well as his work with D12 – Purple Pills, Fight Music and My Band. 50 Cent actually proves to be the highlight of the disc with the inclusion of his classics In Da Club, Wanksta and P.I.M.P. There are also songs from Yealwolf, Slaughterhouse and Obie Trice.

Shady XV is a great collection of music and a clever idea from Eminem. Shady Records has produced some great talent in its 15 years with Eminem obviously being the leader of the pack. The mixture of old and new material works well and the new material shows that Eminem hasn’t lost his knack for being able to deliver controversial, entertaining and superior rhymes.

The post SHADYXV album review appeared first on Entertainment Focus.

The Frozen Ground charts the true-life multiple murder investigations from Alaska in the 1980’s. This remarkable story lends itself to the big screen well and delves into the murky world of serial killer Robert Hnasen and the lengths he went to, to remain ahead of the law.

It’s great to see Nicolas Cage on the big screen again. After a few duds (Ghost Rider 2) and a few gems (Kick Ass), it’s nice to see Cage playing the good guy cop again and the talented actor dutifully obliges to make The Frozen Ground a very enjoyable and relatable experience.

John Cusack, much like Cage, has been something of an oddity of late. He was everywhere at one point and his stock was never higher after the wonderful success of Grosse Pointe Blank, High Fidelity and a slew of charming rom-coms like Serendipity and Must Love Dogs. Then he seemed to vanish and now he’s appearing in very random films. He is always good in every movie he appears in (he certainly scared the life out of us in The Paperboy earlier last year). But he should be headlining major movies, not going for these quieter efforts. That said, his portrayal here is very effective.

Subtle but scary nonetheless, Cusack makes sure the villain of this piece is handled well. It’s also great to see Con Air duo Cage and Cusack spar together again. It’s just a shame they didn’t share too many scenes this time around.

If the unshiftable scent of a straight-to -DVD effort lingers with this film, it’s probably down to the appearance of Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson. His cameo is fine but his look is completely ridiculous. He plays a pimp but has opted to go with a strange James Brown-esque wig that just makes you laugh.

The rest of the supporting cast are all solid with Vanessa Hudgens doing well as a strung out prostitute who could hold the key to capturing the killer. Hudgens has certainly worked hard both in front of the camera and in her personal life to distance herself from her High School Musical personae. She can certainly handle herself well in these adult roles but I’d like to see her tackle a few more diverse choices as an actress.

Ryan O’Nan is in a blink and you’ll miss him cameo whilst character actors Kevin Dunn (Transformers) and Kurt Fuller (Psych) tie up the loose ends well. But Radha Mitchell  is wasted as Cage’s wife and should have had a larger role.

The Frozen Ground is an effective thriller with a solid cast and plenty of tension. It may be predictable but the real-life element makes this a worthy endeavour nonetheless. It’s also great to see Nicolas Cage back to fine form. Lets hope we see more of him on the big screen soon.

The post The Frozen Ground DVD review appeared first on Entertainment Focus.

Directed by David Barrett and starring Josh Duhamel, Rosario Dawson and Bruce Willis, Fire With Fire is out now in UK cinemas, distributed by Warner Brothers Entertainment.

To be in with a chance of winning a cool Fire With Fire T-shirt, simply answer the question below.

The competition closes at 23.59 on March 29th 2013.

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