5 Underrated Sci-Fi's You Can Stream Right Now

How many times have you been flicking through Netflix, aimlessly trying to find a movie that ticks all the boxes? And every time, you finish your popcorn before deciding on a movie and then just end up watching another episode of Friends? I'm here to fill you in on 5 Sci-Fi's that I reckon don't get the love they deserve and you can watch right now. 

1. Looper - Netflix UK and Amazon Prime

Let's start with me being biased, by admitting that Looper is my favourite stand alone original sci-fi movie ever. It's unique in that it manages to take one of sci-fi's most overused and confusing tropes (time travel), and use's it in a way we haven't seen before - What if the mob were the only ones with time travel technology in the future? Obviously they'd use it to make you "sleep with the fishes", or in this case, send you back 30 years where you'd be met by a Looper; a hitman who's hired by the mob to shotgun you in the chest the second you pop up in the past, meaning you wouldn't even exist. I guess that's one way of making a snitch disappear. This flick also features a knock out performance by Joeseph Gordon Levit, who plays a young Bruce Willis to a T. The producers even went to the extent of using prosthetics to make him look like Willis, it's pretty out there.

You can argue that this film isn't underrated, but in my experience, it's most definitely under appreciated.

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levit, Bruce Willis, Jeffery Daniels, Emily Blunt and Paul Dano
Director: Rian Johnson
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%

2. Strange Days - Now TV

Who doesn't love a dystopian, LA crime, Sci-Fi thriller (what a genre). This is Kathyrn Bigelows most underrated outing as a director and has been criminally overlooked as a piece of sci-fi for 20 years. Former LA cop, Lenny Nero has ditched his badge for the lucrative and illegal trade of virtual reality porn. The VR-Porn is obtained by recording the real life experiences of others, allowing the user to see and feel everything that person did. So this isn't some gimmicky video game stuff, it's fully immersive in every way. Nero happens upon a VR recording of a violent and disturbing death, leading into a vast conspiracy of police brutality in mid-90's LA. The movies real achievement is the characterisation of Mace (Angela Basset), a professional bodyguard and old friend of Nero's. She's fierce, strong and kick-ass. And in my opinion, she's the hidden-heroin of 90's cinema.

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Angela Basset, Juliet Lewis and Tom Sizemore
Director: Katherine Bigelow
Rotten Tomatoes: 62% 

3. Gattaca - Now TV

In the mid-90's, the world was being told that disease and genetic disorders would be a thing of the past. This was due to the hysteria around the Human Genome Project. In Andrew Niccols story, natural conception is frowned upon, instead, would-be parents visit an IVF clinic to choose their babies personality traits, physical abilities and appearance. This method is only open to the rich, so the world is split into two societal groups - Valids and Non-Valids.
As a genetically inferior "non-valid", Vincent Freeman dreams of going to space, but such a job can only be fulfilled by a Valid. To ensure his place in space, he assumes the identity of an injured Valid and enters the Gattaca space programme.
The premise of this movie alone is enough to keep you watching, but it's the grounded future-world written and directed by Niccols that really keeps you gripped. You follow Vincent's every step and feel his constant anxiety of being found out.

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Jude Law and Uma Thurman
Director: Andrew Niccol
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%

4. Moon - Now TV

Lets begin by saying how Sam Rockwell is one of THE most overlooked and underrated actors of his generation - and Moon proves this point. It's hard to really talk about Moon in all it's eerie glory without spoiling it. So I'll keep it light. Sam Bell is the sole engineer serving a 3 year stint on the lunar base and his service is due to end. As his time to leave gets closer, he begins to become suspiciously sick and to add to this, a new crew member appears unexpectedly. Taking inspiration from Kubrick's human/A.I relationship, Moon is a slow burning and tense, existential Sci-Fi with revelations to-boot.

Starring: Sam Rockwell
Director: Duncan Jones
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%

5. They Live - Amazon Prime

A sign of any great sci-fi is if you can watch a generation later and it still has something to say about the time you live in. They Live is a John Carpenter movie that often gets overlooked when discussing his best works (top 5 at least). The premise is simple, a homeless, working man stumbles upon a box of sunglasses that when worn, reveals the world around us to be an illusion which is run by a ruling alien class. The films sub-context is hidden in plain view and this is what makes it such a fun watch. The dialogue is purposely cheesy and the acting ability of pro-wrestler, Roddy Piper compliments the b-movie vibe that makes this such an enjoyable Sci-Fi action flick.

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Starring: Roddy Piper, Keith David
Director: John Carpenter
Rotten Tomatoes: 83%

What have I missed, that's underrated and on a streaming service right now? I'd love to know!

Dan x

Christmas Gifts for Movie & TV Geeks

It's that time of year again, and we all have that one annoying person to buy for. I'm here to give you some ideas for how to shop for the TV and Movie nerd in your life. Us "geeks" have specific tastes, but the one thing you'll know for sure , is what their favourite movie or TV show is. So this guide should help full-proof your gifting choice.

Stranger Things - Eleven Bleeding Nose Candle  - £29.99

Firebox is my go to place for buying fun presents. Especially ones for people into pop-culture. With the popularity of Stranger Things, you can guarantee plenty of people will have one of those Topshop tee's, but this is a little more . . . bitchin'.   

Eleven Bleeding Nose Candle - £29.99

City Guide: Edinburgh

I feel like Londoners are spoilt; we live in a city so big, so diverse and so full of culture that we often feel like we have a monopoly on city-living in comparison to the rest of the UK. When we plan to visit other cities, we often seek the capitals of other countries in mainland Europe, or further afield. What I fail to remember (and arrogantly so) is that our tiny island is packed with cities that offer just as much in terms of character and culture as London. So this being said, me and Daisy decided we needed a few days to relax and the cobbled streets of Edinburgh were calling.

We found such a nice, clean and simply styled flat on AirBnb to call home for three nights. The best thing about getting a place on AirBnb is having the space and freedom to relax without the restrictions of hotel living. The flat was about 20 minute walk from center, which might have put us off, if the walk in wasn't so damn lovely.

Tom's place on Bellevue Street

TOP TEN MOVIES OF 2016

Man, this was not an easy list to put together. It's changed at least three times whilst writing it. But here it is, the top 10 flicks I saw in cinemas in 2016. 

Christmas Gifts for Geeks

There's no escaping the "geek culture" these days. The popularity of TV, movies and comics is at an all time high and the term "geek" is no longer a dirty word. I firmly believe that everyone is a little bit geeky about something and we should celebrate their fandom. So here's a list of awesome things that I think will make ace gifts for the geek in your life.

Invada & Waxwork Vinyl Soundtracks

Invada and Waxwork have such an awesome range of TV and movie soundtracks. Below are just a few examples of what you can expect from these guys. 

Stranger Things Soundtrack - £25.99

Pergola on The Roof

That's it everyone. Bury your shorts in your wardrobe, put the sun cream away and pull your socks up, summer is over . . . sort of. We seem to be getting these cheeky little spells of sun that peak our British optimism about the weather. When I was kindly asked to come snap some pics of Pergola on The Roof, I couldn't help but feel there was enough sun left to squeeze out one last summer street-food feast. Perched on top of the old BBC Television Centre in Shepherds Bush, there's a hidden gem where a few of London's finest eateries have taken up residency. The four in question are Patty & Bun, Salt Yard, Rabbit and the Rum kitchen. All of which were cooking over fire (the best way to cook anything IMO)

It's been such a busy year so far, and along with the rise in temperature that summer bought us, it also bought me a rise in work. So I thought it necessary to catch an "end-of-summer" vibe by catching up with some pals (inc. Mike of The Bearded Bakery) over good eats. The early sunset and slight chill that hit at around 7pm gave me that exact vibe I was looking for.

Although I consider myself a typical millennial foodie, I am in no way a food writer. I can't really explain taste on paper without using loads of expletives, like "fuck that's delicious" - so  I hope these pictures do the evening and the food justice. If you're looking for that last day of summer, I'd advice booking a table here asap, as winter is coming - www.pergolaontheroof.co.uk 

Photo Diary: DUBROVNIK

It's a been far too long guys, I haven't written a blog post for a few months so I thought I'd knock up a simple one seeing as it's Sunday and I'm lazy AF.

In April, me and Daisy spent a week surrounded by crystal clear waters and soaking up the Adriatic sun. It was a welcome break from the madness that's London when you're in your (late) twenties. Don't get me wrong I love the city (clue is in the blog-name) but it's good for the soul to get some silence and sun. And god knows you ain't getting much of either in south London. 

This is less of a guide and more of a photo diary, so I hope you enjoy leisurely scrolling through the pics and are filled with enough wonderlust to book a flight. Oh, and this is where they film a lot of Game of Thrones, so feel free to geek out a little. I did.

5 NON-SUPERHERO COMICS YOU NEED TO READ

Kids with antlers, space operas, undead teenagers and an Irish punk vampire. There is far more to comic books than Marvel and DC. Here are 5 graphic novels that aren't about superheroes and you need to read them.

Comic's are often the last bastion of nerdom for the casual geek. Superhero movies have been plentiful on the big screen for well over 10 years now, and we have a lot more to come . . . A LOT more. To be exact, there are 32 slated between now and 2020. This reflects a huge shift in pop culture coolness. You can find superhero and sci-fi apparel in Topshop and it's now boastful for a casual movie-goer to be into comic book characters. So why is it that so many people will see the movie and buy the t-shirts, but not walk into comic shop and pick up a graphic novel? Is just too geeky? Is it lazy? I'd argue that it's a misconception that comics are for kids. Wrong, here are some choice R-rated graphic novels that I believe will get any lover of fiction into reading comics. Often, the medium lends itself to non linear storytelling, adult themes and out right, bat-shit crazy tales. Here are 6 books that I'd recommend, with no caped crusaders.

City Guide: Amsterdam

I can't believe it's taken me 28 years to visit Amsterdam. It's actually closer and somewhat cheaper than booking a weekend away than some UK cities I've visited. As usual this was a relatively spontaneous booking. A deal for three nights in a CitizenM hotel popped up with flights for a ludicrously cheap price, so I pounced on it. I've been meaning to visit for years as I love design, architecture, coffee, art and history, to which there's an abundance of these things in Amsterdam.
As a man, it seems that any time you say to anyone "I'm going to Amsterdam", you get the same raised eyebrow response as if the assumption is you're going there to smoke weed and hit up the red light district. I hope this guide shows quite clearly that neither of these things truly make up the cities charm, culture and bohemianism. Although, both are signs of the countries liberal attitude and project it's cultural identity as place for freedom of expression.

LONDON AREA GUIDE: LORDSHIP LANE, DULWICH

For me, Sundays are for two things; waking up whenever the hell you like and taking leisurely strolls around South London. If that isn't how you spend yours, then I strongly recommend you give it go. East Dulwich's Lordship Lane is yet another little gem in the south eastern crown. It's home to a string of pubs, independent stores and eclectic modern eateries. In comparison to Brixton, Peckham and Lewisham, it really hasn't changed a great deal since I was a kid. It's retained it's sense of community despite the inevitable gentrification and has always been a road for great fresh food.
Usually, my posts will have some interior and food shots, but this was a fleeting visit and I haven't posted anything for 2 months. I'm really happy with how these photos came out though, I hope it gives you a good idea of what Lordship Lane has to offer.

London area guide: Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace is a personal favourite hangout of mine. It's local, I grew up in the area & it's a microcosm of independence in an otherwise busy & cluttered South East London. When you tell people you love Crystal Palace, they assume you mean the football team, whose ground is around 2 miles away from what I'm intending to profess my love me for. I'm talking about "The Triangle", a trio of streets that are home to an abundance of coffee shops, artisan cafe's, restaurants & antique/reclamation stores. All of which are independent might I add.

http://westowhouse.com/

Underground Film Club: Die Hard

LG & the Rooftop Film Club have teamed up & taken over the inside of a disused railway arch tucked behind Waterloos Lower Marsh. It's been kitted out with a couple of cocktail bars, a mini golf course and a few street food vendors. Way more reasons to get to a film early than an Odeon or Vue cinema will ever give you. I fully recommend taking the time to have a couple of cocktails, a mulled wine or grub from Roller Dogs. Perfect pre movie munch.

Leeds: Thought Bubble Festival 2015

There has been a monumental rise in the popularity of comic-cons in the last decade & we can quite confidently put that down to the phenomenal success of superhero movies & boxset TV culture. This is fantastic news for the majority (including myself), but what about the passionate comic book fans? Those who dedicated their life to giving the source material of today's most popular movies & shows are owed far more than the tiny corner of comic-cons that they've been shuffled in to. It's bizarre that at a COMIC-con, you can barley find the item they were built on . . . comics. 

This is where Thought Bubble Festival stands out, it has gone back to basics and hedged it's bets on their still being an audience who wish to flick through pages of art & stories. Their bet's pay off; this convention celebrates art, free thinking, writing & independence. From hosting The British Comic Awards to celebrating LGBT comics with the LGBTQ Comic Book Club, this really is a hive of creativity. This was my first year at the festival & I loved the feeling of discovery I got from the festival. I now have a reading list as long as my arm. 

Maltby Street Market: Ropewalk SE1

I've lived in South East London my entire life, I know the SE postcode's pretty well. So I'm slightly ashamed to admit that the first of all the SE postcodes (SE1) had been an area that's alluded my step for 27 years as a Londoner. So a couple of Saturdays ago I'd woken up with no plans & decided I needed to try the famous Monty's Deli salt beef & pastrami sandwich. 

That's where my day of wondering began; under the railway arches of of Druid Street, Bermondsey. 

City Guide: New York City

“I go to Paris, I go to London, I go to Rome, and I always say, “There’s no place like New York. It’s the most exciting city in the world now. That’s the way it is. That’s it.” ― Robert De Niro

I've been fortunate enough to visit the big apple fairly regularly in the last 5 years & just like London, it's a different adventure every time. The best word to describe this metropolis is, addictive. How can a city be addictive? Well, I'm not sure, but for some reason I keep finding myself wandering the avenues & jumping in n'out of yellow taxis. Just like De Nero says - That's the way it is. That's it.

City Guide: Barcelona Pt.2

City Notes

Welcome to part 2 of my Barcelona city guide. This post is all about where to go & what to see. You've probably seen enough food porn in my last post, so this will make you a little less hungry & a little more inspired to leave your desk & travel.

For part one of my city guide, click here!

1. The beach & Barceloneta

Barcelona is unique in that it's a major European metropolis right on the ocean. We decided to chill out down by the W Hotel as it's a little quieter & more relaxed. Little known fact; the beach is man-made. Crazy.

New York Comic Con - 2015

Welcome to the first of my continuing Comic Con series. I'll be using these post's to show you guys what conventions are all about. Fun, passion & fandom. Everyone has a favourite movie, book, TV show, cartoon or comic right? I hope these blog posts bring out your inner nerd & compel you to go to your first ever comic con, if you haven't already. 

I suggest you do what the below image instructs, grab a snack & enjoy my first con post. 

Something you'll need to know about me, if you haven't already figured out; is that I'm hugely passionate about cinema, TV & all the creative aspects that surround the two. This includes comics & art. I grew up with a comic & coffee shop in the family (pretty cool right?) . . . well, it wasn't cool when I was at school, but it seems to be cool to be a "nerd" or "geek" again & I am totally down with that. Being brought up with this culture of fandom & fiction meant I wasn't only exposed to what we were sold on TV or in the cinema. I had opportunities to read & study the influences & source materials of which a lot of our favourite childhood cartoons, films & shows were based.

HAIL MACBETH . . . & whiskey

This is the first of my post's about film. I hope to make at least 50% of my blog film, TV & pop culture related, as this is what I'm truly passionate about. 

A few weeks ago, 3 days before it's international release, I was lucky enough to attend a preview screening of Macbeth at the Picture House Central in Piccadilly. The screening was accompanied by a whiskey tasting session & cocktail evening - sounds perfect right? Well, it bloody well was. 

Picture House are a chain of cinemas in London that clearly pride themselves on their love for movies & the experience we have viewing them. In an industry recovering from declining ticket & home video sales, it's chains like Picture House that are serving the die hard film fans by creating incredible spaces that reward our efforts to see films there. The bar & cafe areas are designed with focus on social space & seating, encouraging conversation & comfort.

City Guide: Barcelona pt.1

It's finally happened. After 18 months of working with bloggers at an agency, I've decided to start sharing the more fun parts of my life with you all. All I was missing was a decent camera & some determination (one was easier to find than the other)

So . . .  welcome to my first post.

What better way to kick off City & Cinema than with a city guide right? This was my first time in what I GENUINELY believed to be the capital city of Spain. I've always considered my geography to be on point, so how I managed to think Barcelona held that title for all these years is beyond me. 

Me & my girlfriend love being in a city, but we also love the beach. So spending a week in a city on the coast was a no brainer. As far as budget goes, you can explore this city & enjoy all of it's quirks, charms & culture on a fairly low cost. So if you come into to a little bit of disposable monies, it wouldn't be unrealistic to spend £250 - 300 for a short break here (that's flight, hotel & spending money)