How Monty Python and the Holy Grail became a comedy legend
(bbc.com)
Fifty years after Monty Python and the Holy Grail redefined comedy, stars Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam look back on the freedoms – and limitations – that shaped the film.
Fifty years after Monty Python and the Holy Grail redefined comedy, stars Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam look back on the freedoms – and limitations – that shaped the film.
True Romance (1993) – A 30th Anniversary Retrospective
(cinemascholars.com)
In the Summer of 1993, most of the cinema-viewing world was fixated on dinosaurs, of the Jurassic kind. However, just a year earlier, another powerful force began to exert its dominance in the film industry.
In the Summer of 1993, most of the cinema-viewing world was fixated on dinosaurs, of the Jurassic kind. However, just a year earlier, another powerful force began to exert its dominance in the film industry.
RIP Val Kilmer: Celebrating cult classic Real Genius is now a moral imperative
(arstechnica.com)
Back to the Future justly dominated the summer box office in 1985, but it's too bad its massive success overshadowed another nerd-friendly gem, Real Genius, which debuted one month later, on August 9.
Back to the Future justly dominated the summer box office in 1985, but it's too bad its massive success overshadowed another nerd-friendly gem, Real Genius, which debuted one month later, on August 9.
"Fiume O Morte " Brilliantly Dramatizes the Rise of a Demagogue
(newyorker.com)
Many filmmakers display undue faith in their ability to depict ways of life far outside their own experience. This blithe self-confidence is particularly egregious in depictions of distant history, where imagination inevitably courts fabrication.
Many filmmakers display undue faith in their ability to depict ways of life far outside their own experience. This blithe self-confidence is particularly egregious in depictions of distant history, where imagination inevitably courts fabrication.
RIP Val Kilmer: Real Genius .. the Film Nerd Culture Deserves (2015)
(reactormag.com)
It’s interesting to me that Revenge of the Nerds, while still full up of the nostalgia that the 80s lends us, is lately being repositioned in the zeitgeist.
It’s interesting to me that Revenge of the Nerds, while still full up of the nostalgia that the 80s lends us, is lately being repositioned in the zeitgeist.
Val Kilmer: Top Gun, Batman and The Doors actor dies aged 65
(bbc.com)
Actor Val Kilmer, who starred in some of the biggest movies of the 1980s and 90s, including Top Gun and Batman Forever, has died at the age of 65.
Actor Val Kilmer, who starred in some of the biggest movies of the 1980s and 90s, including Top Gun and Batman Forever, has died at the age of 65.
Val Kilmer, star of Top Gun and The Doors, dies aged 65
(theguardian.com)
Val Kilmer, the actor best known for his roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever and The Doors, has died at the age of 65.
Val Kilmer, the actor best known for his roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever and The Doors, has died at the age of 65.
Netflix’s Media Production Suite
(netflixtechblog.com)
The journey from script to screen is full of challenges in the ever-evolving world of film and television.
The journey from script to screen is full of challenges in the ever-evolving world of film and television.
‘Watch the Skies,’ First Feature Film Dubbed Entirely With AI
(variety.com)
A foreign language sci-fi movie is headed to U.S. movie theaters this spring, but audiences won’t have to groan about subtitles. For the first time, an international feature film will look and sound as if it was made in English thanks to artificial intelligence.
A foreign language sci-fi movie is headed to U.S. movie theaters this spring, but audiences won’t have to groan about subtitles. For the first time, an international feature film will look and sound as if it was made in English thanks to artificial intelligence.
Why Studio Ghibli movies can't be made with AI (2023)
(twitter.com)
Something went wrong, but don’t fret — let’s give it another shot.
Something went wrong, but don’t fret — let’s give it another shot.
The Biology of B-Movie Monsters (2003)
(lib.uchicago.edu)
Size has been one of the most popular themes in monster movies, especially those from my favorite era, the 1950s. The premise is invariably to take something out of its usual context--make people small or something else (gorillas, grasshoppers, amoebae, etc.) large--and then play with the consequences. However, Hollywood's approach to the concept has been, from a biologist's perspective, hopelessly naïve. Absolute size cannot be treated in isolation; size per se affects almost every aspect of an organism's biology.
Size has been one of the most popular themes in monster movies, especially those from my favorite era, the 1950s. The premise is invariably to take something out of its usual context--make people small or something else (gorillas, grasshoppers, amoebae, etc.) large--and then play with the consequences. However, Hollywood's approach to the concept has been, from a biologist's perspective, hopelessly naïve. Absolute size cannot be treated in isolation; size per se affects almost every aspect of an organism's biology.
A filmmaker and a crooked lawyer shattered Denmark's self-image
(theguardian.com)
The trap was laid in a rented office: two rooms in downtown Copenhagen, furnished without a whisper of Scandi style. If it wasn’t for a Frida Kahlo print on one wall, the premises might have felt as impersonal and stark as a confessional. That, in any event, was what it became. For six months, beginning in mid-2022, a parade of people – members of motorcycle gangs, entrepreneurs, lawyers, real-estate barons, politicians – trooped through to recount their sins to Amira Smajic.
The trap was laid in a rented office: two rooms in downtown Copenhagen, furnished without a whisper of Scandi style. If it wasn’t for a Frida Kahlo print on one wall, the premises might have felt as impersonal and stark as a confessional. That, in any event, was what it became. For six months, beginning in mid-2022, a parade of people – members of motorcycle gangs, entrepreneurs, lawyers, real-estate barons, politicians – trooped through to recount their sins to Amira Smajic.
Blender releases their Oscar winning version tool
(blender.org)
Blender 4.4 is all about stability. During the 2024–2025 northern hemisphere winter, Blender developers doubled down on quality and stability in a group effort called “Winter of Quality.”
Blender 4.4 is all about stability. During the 2024–2025 northern hemisphere winter, Blender developers doubled down on quality and stability in a group effort called “Winter of Quality.”
The Conversation at 50: Why the paranoid thriller is more relevant than ever
(bbc.com)
Released between the Godfathers, Francis Ford Coppola's 1974 film was a passion project – and its tale of a surveillance expert disturbed by what he hears hits even harder in 2024.
Released between the Godfathers, Francis Ford Coppola's 1974 film was a passion project – and its tale of a surveillance expert disturbed by what he hears hits even harder in 2024.
Gene Hackman has died
(nytimes.com)
Gene Hackman, who never fit the mold of a Hollywood movie star but became one all the same, playing seemingly ordinary characters with deceptive subtlety, intensity and often charm in some of the most noted films of the 1970s and ’80s, has died, the authorities in New Mexico said on Thursday.
Gene Hackman, who never fit the mold of a Hollywood movie star but became one all the same, playing seemingly ordinary characters with deceptive subtlety, intensity and often charm in some of the most noted films of the 1970s and ’80s, has died, the authorities in New Mexico said on Thursday.
Visual effects studio Technicolor collapses
(bbc.co.uk)
Technicolor, the visual effects (VFX) group which has worked on films ranging from Disney's 1940 classic Pinocchio to 2024 blockbuster Mufasa The Lion King, has collapsed into administration in the UK.
Technicolor, the visual effects (VFX) group which has worked on films ranging from Disney's 1940 classic Pinocchio to 2024 blockbuster Mufasa The Lion King, has collapsed into administration in the UK.
James Bond's long-serving producers give control to Amazon
(bbc.co.uk)
The James Bond film franchise will no longer be controlled by the Broccoli dynasty, after long-serving masterminds Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson announced they are stepping down.
The James Bond film franchise will no longer be controlled by the Broccoli dynasty, after long-serving masterminds Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson announced they are stepping down.
Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise
(aboutamazon.com)
Amazon MGM Studios, Michael G. Wilson, and Barbara Broccoli today announced that they have formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights, and those parties will remain co-owners of the franchise.
Amazon MGM Studios, Michael G. Wilson, and Barbara Broccoli today announced that they have formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights, and those parties will remain co-owners of the franchise.
Twin Leaks: C++ Walk with Me
(deprogrammaticaipsum.com)
The work of Bjarne Stroustrup, one of the most important programming language designers of all time, has happened in parallel with that of one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, David Lynch, who passed away during the preparation of this edition.
The work of Bjarne Stroustrup, one of the most important programming language designers of all time, has happened in parallel with that of one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, David Lynch, who passed away during the preparation of this edition.
Dune: Messiah: Villeneuve's crowning achievement or when the spice runs dry?
(theguardian.com)
Denis Villeneuve has already done the well-nigh impossible, making two brilliant big-screen versions of Dune, but given the history of sci-fi film sequels, another could be a terrifying sandworm too many
Denis Villeneuve has already done the well-nigh impossible, making two brilliant big-screen versions of Dune, but given the history of sci-fi film sequels, another could be a terrifying sandworm too many
On David Lynch's Revenge of the Jedi (2018)
(benningtonreview.org)
In 1981, Lucas proposed that Lynch direct the third episode of the first Star Wars trilogy, Return of the Jedi (1983). This was a sign of esteem and confidence, in view of the financial as well as the emotional stakes riding on this third episode which would have to match the global success of the first two.
In 1981, Lucas proposed that Lynch direct the third episode of the first Star Wars trilogy, Return of the Jedi (1983). This was a sign of esteem and confidence, in view of the financial as well as the emotional stakes riding on this third episode which would have to match the global success of the first two.
The World Without a Mask (1934)
(scifist.net)
German action star Harry Piel accidentally invents x-ray TV in this 1934 comedy.
German action star Harry Piel accidentally invents x-ray TV in this 1934 comedy.
The Daughter of Dawn [1920] (2024)
(afi.com)
Celebrating Native American Heritage Month this November, the AFI Catalog shines a spotlight on THE DAUGHTER OF DAWN (1920), one of the earliest fictional feature films in history to headline a cast comprised entirely of Native American performers who actively participated in the production.
Celebrating Native American Heritage Month this November, the AFI Catalog shines a spotlight on THE DAUGHTER OF DAWN (1920), one of the earliest fictional feature films in history to headline a cast comprised entirely of Native American performers who actively participated in the production.
Hans Zimmer in Talks to Re-Create Saudi Arabia's National Anthem
(hollywoodreporter.com)
How about the Hans Zimmer “bwong” sound in a national anthem? It could happen, with reports coming out of Saudi Arabia that the Oscar-winning composer is in talks to create, or re-create, the country’s national anthem.
How about the Hans Zimmer “bwong” sound in a national anthem? It could happen, with reports coming out of Saudi Arabia that the Oscar-winning composer is in talks to create, or re-create, the country’s national anthem.