BIGDOG Goes to the Cinema: Dredd 3D, Killing Them Softly and Taken 2

Cinema season is still holding up strong and we’ve been to see three of the biggest, action-packed movies to be released this year. Brad Pitt and Liam Neeson have both got new films out, so how are they?

Dredd 3D (Pete Travis, 95 mins, 18 – out now)

Mega-City’s favourite crime-stopper is back in the big screen outing that he deserves, ready to make you forget about the abysmal 1995 Stallone effort, Judge Dredd. Karl Urban stars as the titular law enforcer who must fight his way through 200 storeys of hell to put an end to a violent drug lord. The 3D is put to good use as you dodge bullets with the rest of the cast. Fantastic, even if you’re never read the 2000 AD comics.

5/5 – bloody and beautiful action which puts the 1995 original to shame

 Killing Them Softly (Andrew Dominik, 97 mins, 18 – out now)

Brad Pitt has teamed up with director Andrew Dominik (The Assassination of Jesse James) again and it is nothing short of brilliant. Covered in more grit than roads in winter, Killing Them Softly may not be everyone, but if you’re a fan of gangster flicks or the dark humour of Guy Ritchie’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, you’ll feel right at home.

5/5 – overly violent scenes may scare some away, but this is not to be missed

Taken 2 (Olivier Megaton, 91 mins, 12A – out Oct 5th)

The original Taken went over surprisingly well back in 2008, so there was bound to be a sequel. Well, Taken 2 is here and it’s a huge disappointment. Packed with more of the same, with none of the soul, Taken 2 is a perfect example of how studios can ruin a sequel by having the same thing happen to same person/people twice (see also: Die Hard 2, Home Alone 2, The Hangover Part II).

1/5 – a cheap cash-in that fails to entertain or earn your money

5 Ways That iOS 6 Can Improve Your Job Search

Gadget geeks all over the world are waiting for Apple's iPhone 5 announcement tonight. However, it's not only the new version of the revolutionary phone that is due to be released soon; iOS 6, the newest update to Apple's mobile operating system, is rumoured to be rolled out today.

Here's how some of its new features can help those on the job hunt...

5. Apple Maps
iOS 6 will see the Google Maps app, which has been bundled with iDevices for years, replaced by Apple's own map tool, complete with turn-by-turn navigation (similar to a Sat Nav) and real-time traffic updates. Perfect for getting to the interview on time!

4. Facebook integration
Similarly to how Twitter was built into the last version of iOS, Apple have integrated the biggest social networking service, Facebook, right into your iDevices! There's now no reason to leave the current app you are using to share with your friends, which means that you can Like a company's page from the Safari app, giving you more insight to how they operate!

3. iCloud Safari tabs
The latest version of built-in web browser, Safari, sees the introduction of iCloud tabs, allowing you to move between iDevices (and your computer, if Safari's installed) and pick up your browsing wherever you left off. A very handy feature if you're job hunting on the move.

2. Mail overhaul
The built-in Mail app has been completely overhauled for the latest update, bringing a more streamlined design to improve reading emails and writing your own. The brand new VIP List feature can ensure that you never miss a reply from an employer or agency when they get back to you.

1. Do Not Disturb feature
It can be hard to concentrate on your job search when you're being bombarded by texts, phone calls and app alerts. The new Do Not Disturb feature allows you to put all of those distracting notifications on hold for a while, leaving you to knuckle down and continue the job hunt.

BIGDOG Goes to the Cinema: The Expendables 2, The Bourne Legacy and Keith Lemon: The Film

With the weather being so dreary around BIGDOG HQ, there’s not much else we can do than go the cinema and eat our weight in popcorn. We’ve reviewed three more of this summer’s latest movies, so check them out below!

The Expendables 2 (Simon West, 103 mins, 15 – out now)

The biggest action film of all time is finally here! Featuring a star-studded cast of your favourite action heroes, including Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis and Jason Statham, and packed with explosions, roundhouse kicks and testosterone, The Expendable 2 is a must-see for any adrenaline junkie.

4/5 – off-the-scale action to satisfy any action fan

The Bourne Legacy (Tony Gilroy, 135 mins, 12A – out now)

It’s easy to be put off by the fact that Matt Damon isn’t returning as Jason Bourne, but The Bourne Legacy, the fourth film based on the Robert Ludlum spy fiction series of novels, is definitely worth a watch. Despite a relatively slow start and a bloated running time, Bourne is back with a bang!

3/5 – much better than expected, but be sure to have watched the first three before viewing

Keith Lemon: The Film (Paul Angunawela, 85 mins, 15 – out now)

Telly’s rudest ginger (sorry, ‘strawberry blond’) is finally on the big screen after managing to get himself a feature-length film based on his rise to celebrity stardom, all thanks to the Lemon Phone. Fans of Celebrity Juice and Lemon La Vida Loca will laugh, though you can’t expect a film to hold up on catchphrases alone. Bang tidy, this is not.

2/5 – even the biggest Keith Lemon fans should expect to be disappointed        

BIGDOG Goes to the Cinema: The Dark Knight Rises and Ted

The past couple of weeks have been fantastic for film-lovers, with some of the greatest movies of recent memory being released in quick succession. Unless you've got extra cash to spend, seeing them all can be quite expensive, so we're here to help make sure that you see only the best of the big screen.

The Dark Knight Rises (Christopher Nolan, 165 mins, 12A - out now)

The final chapter to legendary director Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy is packed full of explosive action, sultry chemistry and some of the most amazing effects to grace the silver screen. Christian Bale reprises his role as the Caped Crusader, with Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Liam Neeson all returning from the previous films. Anne Hathaway puts in a cool performance as Catwoman and Tom Hardy is terrifying as the masked madman, Bane.
5/5 - do not miss, guaranteed to be film of the year

Ted (Seth MacFarlane, 106 mins, 15 - out now)

From the creator of Family Guy, American Dad and The Cleveland Show, comes Ted - the story of how a child's wish can turn a stuffed teddy bear into a foul-mouthed, marijuana-smoking, borderline-alcoholic celebrity has-been. Mark Wahlberg plays Ted's owner and best friend, John, who must choose between his long-time girlfriend (Mila Kunis) and career, or his 'thunder buddy for life'. Ted is bursting with raunchy humour and very near-to-the-knuckle comedy so be prepared before you view!
4/5 - hilarious and original, though non-Family Guy viewers may be less than impressed

Next time: The Expendables 2, Keith Lemon: The Film and The Bourne Legacy

App of the Week: The Dark Knight Rises (iOS and Android - £4.99)

If the epic conclusion to the Dark Knight trilogy hasn't satisfied your appetite for Batman, download the official Dark Knight Rises app for iOS and Android and take on the mean streets of Gotham from the safety of an armchair! 


Giving you access to Batman's huge arsenal of gadgets, including the Bat-Pod and The Bat, you'll take on dozens of varied missions to protect the city from Bane and his henchmen.


The iPad version of the game is especially fantastic to look at, bringing the dark and eerie city of Gotham to life, right in your hands.


To download the app for your smartphone, please use the links below to take you to the iTunes Store and Google Play store, respectively:


iOS: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/the-dark-knight-rises/id522704697?mt=8


Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftKRHM

APP OF THE WEEK: Zombies, Run!

Available for: iPhone/iTouch, iPad, Android
Price: £5.49 (no free version)

We've always found keeping fit difficult as it's always a lot easier to find an excuse. You could be too busy, not have enough money for a gym membership or simply can't be bothered. This new app, available for iOS and Android devices, is going to change all of that.

Imagine, instead of simply having a run around your block, you could be completely immersed into your very own horror film! Zombies, Run! provides a full story behind the undead outbreak, plays terrifying sound effects through your headphones and gives you missions which you'll need to complete to save your neighbourhood from zombie takeover.

It's easy to get lost in the Zombies, Run! experience, making this app a fantastic way to get yourself into shape in a way that's a lot more fun than hitting a running machine every week. 

Though it may be pricey for a mobile app, that first experience alone is worth the price of admission, with the combination of exercise and fun making it one of the most essential apps released this year.

Help support England with our new competition!

It's been a while since our last competition, so to coincide with the EUROs, we're giving away a huge sweets bundle, including Haribo, Rowntree's Randoms, Wine Gums and more!

To enter the competition, all you have to do is head over to our Facebook page, "like" it and sign up for the newsletter at our site! It's that simple!


Good luck!