If you keep up with the technology news, you’ve probably heard of Boston Dynamics and their robot creations. It started with Big Dog that has been developed into Spot and the Spot Mini . But also creations like Handle , Atlas to the almost frightening Wildcat. Where these developments will possibly end is the subject of this episode of Black Mirror. Continue reading
I have to admit that I actually do not watch too many films that were not made in America. The main reason is perhaps that I usually have the urge to see the latest (big) releases, precisely because those are most talked about. As a result, it is often you only find out about great films made in the rest of the world if they have an Oscar nomination or receive attention because of a very specific reason. Nevertheless, I sometimes try to watch movies that I haven’t heard about and that was the case at The Nile Hilton Incident. Continue reading
Last year Netflix was involved in a fierce battle around Bright’s rights. They eventually managed to offer more than big studios like Warner Brothers and MGM and payed 90 million dollars for this title. The film is directed by David Ayer, who seems to specialize in police dramas (End of Watch, Training Day, Street Kings) and also major films such as Fury and Suicide Squad, is a title for which expectations were high. With famous actors in the main roles, Will Smith, Joel Edgerton and Noomi Rapace, this is the type of blockbuster for which you would normally head to the cinema. Now you can see it at home after a few clicks on your remote control.
It’s something not everyone is happy about (last year there was a heated discussion at the Cannes Film Festival about what services such as Netflix mean for film in general. Of course the convenience of watching it at home is very nice, but is Bright a title that is worth watching? Continue reading
How many movie franchises can you name on which the best directors like Ang Lee, Wong Kar-wai, Guy Ritchie, Alejandro González Iñárritu, John Woo, Joe Carnahan, Tony Scott and Neill Blomkamp have worked on, which have also been produced by David Fincher and Ridley Scott? You will probably respond that such a film series does not exist. That is until you hear of The Hire. BMW Films has managed to bring all these names, plus many more famous actors, together to create a series of short films in which a BMW is shown prominently and is driven by “The Driver” (Clive Owen). Continue reading
While Marvel fans are treated time and time again to entertaining superhero films and the company is not afraid to dive into different genres (eg the spy thriller in Captain America: The Winter Soldier or the comedy with Thor: Ragnarok), DC still seems to be looking for what they want to bring their audience. Do they want their heroes to be darker or is it better to have lighter tone and add more humor? Batman vs. Superman was an example of the first, Wonder Woman an example of the second. How have they approached Justice League? Continue reading
One of the newest additions to the Fast & Furious family was Scott Eastwood, son of Clint Eastwood. He played a character who, to me, was only an annoying addition and he did not convince me of his acting talent. Fortunately, it was a supporting role, but in Overdrive (which happens to also be about a group that has a strong passion for cars), he plays one of the main roles. Does he show another side here? Continue reading
When Star Wars: The Force Awakens was announced, the fans were tense. The second trilogy (Episode I to III) disappointed many and people wondered if it was necessary to make new films. Was it possible to make movies which reached the same level as the original films? J.J.Abrams also must have felt that pressure, as he decided not to take too much risk by using many elements of A New Hope and fan favorites like Han Solo/Leia plus introducing new characters like Rey, Finn and Poe.
It was this mix that ensured that fans embraced the film and were curious about answers to the questions that The Force Awakens asked. Who are Rey’s parents, what is the story behind Kylo Ren and what can Luke do to help the rebels? These are all questions that The Last Jedi tries to answer. Continue reading
The history of Stephen King books that have been brought to the big (and small) screen is huge. Usually the result are films that are worth watching and the expectations for the movie based one of his most famous books, The Dark Tower, were high. This series of books has a large number of fans, which means that a screenwriter and director have a challenge on their hands. When this movie finally came out, the first reactions by those who’ve read the books were pretty negative and perhaps that is understandable, because it’s impossible to include as many details in a film as in a book. But what if, like me, you don’t know anything about the books at all? Will you be able to enjoy it more? Continue reading
The quality of the newer Netflix films is slowly starting to reach the level of the series they make. For a long time their own films (with a few exceptions) were often disappointing, but it turns out that more and more of their titles are movies you’ll want to see. Does that also apply to one of their latest films, Wheelman? Continue reading
Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, Iron Man, all superheroes who are well-known to big audiences thanks to the many superhero movies that have been released during the last decade. In 1981 the movie landscape was very different. Fans of superheroes might be able to see them in TV shows, but hardly on the big screen. Disney released Condorman though. And although it has a link with comics there is a reason that many people have never heard of this “superhero” film. Continue reading