It’s easy to overlook just how impactful Akira Kurosawa was, particularly in his native Japan. While film buffs have always appreciated his realistic stories and explorations of important social and political themes, many general moviegoers don’t realize his full influence. Beyond his famous samurai movies, Kurosawa’s work in other genres – like his celebrated 1963 film – was equally significant.
I once argued that comic book fans should care about stories making sense, and that became a central theme of my website, Comics Should Be Good. Over the past twenty years, I’ve discussed many different topics, but I was recently reminded of this original point when a friend complained about how confusing the plot of DC KO #2 was.
In a recent interview with Empire marking the 25th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring, Peter Jackson confirmed that the long-rumored secret cut of the trilogy isn’t real. He explained that any additional footage would only add a few seconds in various places and wouldn’t be significant enough to warrant a separate release.
Salley’s obsession with getting chickens perfectly sums up everything frustrating about her. She immediately bought a chicken coop after a man suggested it, assembling it in her yard with surprising speed. Meanwhile, Craig brought his assistant, Jack (who secretly wants Charley to disappear so he can keep Craig’s attention), to Charley’s art gallery for a small party and a date offer – an afternoon of oyster tasting. Salley’s over-the-top actions show she believes she needs to impress a man to keep him interested, but she fails to realize that if someone truly likes you, they’ll put in the effort themselves – like Craig is doing with Charley.
Apple’s adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation has exceeded expectations, particularly with Seasons 2 and 3 earning widespread acclaim. Even the first season was important, as it cleverly shifted the focus from Asimov’s emphasis on ideas to a more character-driven story. The show’s continued success over the past four years suggests a solution to a major challenge in science fiction television: how to make complex, abstract concepts into stories people can connect with.
Cyberpunk stories haven’t been widely told in live-action films and TV shows, largely because creating the genre’s futuristic look is usually very expensive. But Apple TV’s new adaptation of William Gibson’s popular novel hints that this might be about to change.
So, back in October, while giving a deposition for the It Ends With Us movie, Justin Baldoni – who stars in and directed it – started talking about Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ amazing home office. Apparently, it’s in their New York City penthouse, and it really stuck with him. He had some thoughts on it, and here’s what he said…
TV has embraced complex, scientifically accurate science fiction more readily than movies, as filmmakers often worry about appealing to a broad audience. However, a few recent space movies prioritize accuracy, and advancements in computer-generated imagery (CGI) now allow them to realistically portray complex scientific details, from how things move in space to the challenges the human body faces in those conditions.
Looking at leading roles alone, both actresses have impressive box office numbers, placing them above even some established Marvel stars like Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jr., and Chris Pratt. This top five list clearly shows how much the Marvel Cinematic Universe has boosted actors’ careers, especially with Avengers: Endgame earning $2.79 billion and significantly contributing to the success of its cast.
According to Safdie, the movie nearly concluded with Marty taking his granddaughter to a Tears for Fears concert in the 1980s. The scene would have shown him settled into a comfortable life with a family and a nice home, enjoying the show from great seats. He’d be reflecting on the song ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ and contemplating youth, success, and whether he was truly fulfilling his purpose. Then, suddenly, Mr. Wonderful would attack him. Safdie explained they even started working on prosthetics to age up Timothée Chalamet for this ending, but A24 pushed back, with one executive questioning if it was the right move. Ultimately, it seems like changing the ending was a good decision.