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His Dark Materials is one of the most underrated fantasy shows of the last 10 years, and the HBO series deserved so much better after all the Game of Thrones replacement talk. Based on Philip Pullman's fantasy series of the same name, His Dark Materials took Dafne Keen's Lyra Belacqua on a journey that spanned universes, bringing viewers on that ride alongside her. With actors like Keen, James McAvoy, and Ruth Wilson at the helm, His Dark Materials' cast offered enough reason to watch the three-season HBO series.

Of course, HBO billing His Dark Materials as a potential Game of Thrones replacement also gave viewers a reason to tune in. After the success of Game of Thrones, there was a rush to put out more fantasy projects, many of which tried to copy Game of Thrones. While His Dark Materials didn't lean into this strategy story-wise, HBO's marketing for...

Former James Bond actor Daniel Craig reflects on how he dealt with his newfound fame following the release of Casino Royale in 2006. After Die Another Day in 2002, Craig was chosen as Pierce Brosnan's replacement, a decision that was initially met with a great deal of skepticism. Martin Campbell's Casino Royale was an undeniable hit critically and commercially, however, and Craig went on to play 007 four more times, bidding farewell to the franchise with the explosive No Time To Die ending in 2021.

During a recent interview with The New Yorker, Craig reflects on the period of his life immediately following the release of Casino Royale. "I was really rocked by it," Craig says, "Really rocked." Craig recalls the pendulum swing from nobody thinking he was right for the part to everyone loving Casino Royale, using the experience to speak more broadly about his loss of privacy and anonymity:

F-cking disaster.

The allure of adapting beloved books as feature films has grown bigger and bigger in recent times. And when it comes to book series like George Rr Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, this feeling gets only magnified due to the want of witnessing epic battles and captivating plots transformed into cinematic spectacles.

Game of Thrones | Credit: HBO Max

However, the bigger and more complex the world of fiction is, the more difficult it is to adapt. And Martin knew a Game of Thrones movie adaptation would fail after witnessing the fate of a $372 million film.

Failed $372M Film Convinced George Rr Martin to Not Allow a Game of Thrones Movie George Rr Martin | Credit: Image by Pasi Välkkynen, licensed under Cc By-sa 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The world of A Song of Ice and Fire is one vast universe filled with enticing characters and even more enticing plots,...

J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings books are beloved classics, but that hasn't stopped them from being frequently forbidden from public shelves. The American Library Association includes these fantasy epics on its Banned and Challenged Classics list, which outlines titles that have been the topic of controversy, barred from use in public schools, or even burned in the years since their release. In many cases, such as The Lord of the Rings, this is a terrible injustice.

Tolkien's Lord of the Rings is a heartwarming and inspiring tale in which the most unlikely hero triumphs over evil. It's packed fuck of themes of love and hope, as well as the trials of overcoming temptation and the heroics of self-sacrifice. Lord of the Rings has often been compared to various religious works, especially the Christian Bible, given the common themes from one to the other. Despite this, The Lord of the Rings...

Fans of The Golden Compass have been itching for a Golden Compass 2 movie since the first film's release in 2007. 

Directed by American Pie's Chris Weitz and starring the likes of Nicole Kidman (who was most recently seen in Lioness Season 2) and Daniel Craig, The Golden Compass sought to bring the world of Philip Pullman's fantasy novel of the same name. 

Earning a meager 51% on Rotten Tomatoes and raking in over $370 million at the international box office, the movie would never get a sequel despite a devoted fanbase of the books the movie was based on. 

Read full article on The Direct.

With Paddington in Peru closing in on its premiere date, many fans of the beloved children's franchise may be wondering which actor or actress should be the villain in the next Paddington movie. Despite being first created in 1958, Paddington Bear has managed to captivate countless generations of readers and viewers right up until the present day. In 2014, the current movie franchise kicked off, with Ben Whishaw voicing the eponymous bear. Now, the franchise is close to releasing Paddington in Peru, which means even more fun - and chaos - for Paddington to get into.

Although the Paddington movies are obviously centered on the adorable British bear, another major aspect of the films are the villains. The sneaky and suspicious people that Paddington must outwit clearly have devious motives, but rather than being dark or scary, these bad guys usually bring an extra air of fun to the movies. Their schemes...

Some fantasy TV was amazing from the very first scene, ensnaring viewers with a wild opening and keeping them gripped long after it finished. Shows like Game of Thrones and Supernatural demonstrated the "in medias res" technique well, throwing the audience straight into the action and then dialing it back a notch to allow for some calm before the next storm. Meanwhile, other fantasy TV shows opened more peacefully but very swiftly demonstrated their vivid world-building and danger. Regardless, first scenes often say it all about the production to come.

Some of the best characters in fantasy were introduced in episode 1 of their respective shows, but not at first, with a key mystery suggested in the first scene instead. Presenting an enigma in a fantasy movie or TV show's first scene is a tried-and-true way to tease the viewer and set up one of the show's later plot points. From...

What would the moviegoing experience be without Sir Ian McKellen? An actor with a towering, half-century-plus career, theater-trained performer McKellen has become synonymous not just with great plays and serious dramas, but with huge sci-fi and fantasy blockbusters. McKellen headlined two major franchises in the aughts, playing indelible parts in both Peter Jackson' "Lord of the Rings" trilogy (plus the less beloved prequel saga) and pre-mcu superhero standout the "X-Men" trilogy.

McKellen adds his signature gravitas to every role, and he's elevated plenty of so-so films, like "The Da Vinci Code," "The Golden Compass," and -- dare I say -- "Cats." With a career so sprawling and significant, it's difficult to say just which of McKellen's films is his best, but where human brains fail, the (sometimes super-wonky) metrics of the Rotten Tomatoes algorithm theoretically succeed. We may not be able to pick just one McKellen performance that stands above the rest,...

Sony had been planning to give director Chris Weitz’s horror film They Listen a theatrical release on August 25th of 2023, but in May of last year they decided to delay the release an entire year, pushing They Listen to August 30, 2024. By the time that date rolled around, the movie had been given the new title Afraid (or AfrAId)… and neither the new title nor the new release date worked out for the movie at the box office, because it only ended up making $9 million at the global box office. Just two weeks after its theatrical release, Afraid has now been given a digital release and is available for rent on Amazon’s Prime Video for $9.99. It can also be purchased for the price of $14.99.

Afraid‘s physical media release will follow on November 5th, when it comes to Blu-ray and DVD with the following extras: – 5 Deleted & Extended Scenes including...

His Dark Materials has one of the greatest all-time endings for a fantasy television series. Adapted from Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials book trilogy, the series starred Dafne Keen as the courageous protagonist Lyra Belacqua following Keen's breakout role in Logan. His Dark Materials' star-studded cast also included James McAvoy as Lord Asriel, Ruth Wilson as Mrs. Coulter, Lin-Manuel Miranda as Lee Scoresby, and Andrew Scott as John Parry.

With an 84% critical score and 83% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, HBO's fantasy show His Dark Materials was well-received by critics and general audiences, being seen as a significant improvement on the lackluster 2007 film adaptation of The Golden Compass. Over the course of three seasons and 23 episodes, the series had room to be an overall faithful and rewarding adaptation of Pullman's trilogy. It ended on a high note that is rare to achieve for any series, let alone one as ambitious as His Dark Materials.

Afraid is set to earn one of Blumhouse's worst wide release opening weekends in many years. The 2024 horror movie, which follows a family who beta tests a new AI assistant whose desire to help them turns deadly, was written and directed by Chris Weitz and stars John Cho, Katherine Waterston, Havana Rose Liu, and David Dastmalchian. The Afraid movie debuted the same weekend as a variety of new releases, including the political biopic Reagan, the L.A. riots thriller 1992, and the human trafficking drama City of Dreams.

Per Variety, as of Sunday morning, Afraid is projected to debut with a 3-day domestic opening weekend of $3.7 million and a 4-day Labor Day holiday weekend gross of $4.4 million. The movie, which comes with a $12 million price tag, landed at No. 9 on the chart for the weekend, just ahead of weekend 3 of the 15th anniversary re-release of Coraline. That 3-day total is Blumhouse's...

Dafne Keen shines in His Dark Materials after her memorable role as X-23 in Logan. Based on Philip Pullman's trilogy, His Dark Materials follows Lyra on an epic journey across many worlds. Keen's versatility shines through as she navigates major fictional universes, including Star Wars, the MCU, and His Dark Materials.

Dafne Keen's MCU debut in Deadpool & Wolverine is the perfect reminder to check out her three-season HBO fantasy series, His Dark Materials a role that came about in the wake of Keen's acclaimed feature film debut in Logan. In the 2017 X-Men movie, Keen starred alongside Hugh Jackman's Wolverine as his biological daughter, Laura, a.k.a. X-23. In Deadpool & Wolverine, Laura is part of a resistance group in the Void a place outside time that's lorded over by the ruthless Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin) and an all-consuming creature called Alioth.

Keen's appearance in...

Craig's first true leading comedy role was in 2017. His experience in Logan Lucky likely influenced Knives Out. Craig reinvented his career after Bond.

Daniel Craig is most known for his role as James Bond, but with Knives Out, he has found much success starring in a genre he had previously only once explored, comedy films. Throughout most of his acting tenure - including the first two decades of his career - Craig had typically been cast in dramas and adventure films. Road to Perdition, Sylvia, Layer Cake, The Golden Compass, and Defiance stand out as prominent non-007 Daniel Craig movies. Notably, apart from Some Voices in 2000, there were no comedies in his filmography as of 2016.

In 2017, however, one well-received performance changed the trajectory of his career, opening up new avenues and granting him a new baseline in his post-Bond years. In fact, since 2017, Craig has only appeared in five films,...

Un asistente digital que anticipa tus necesidades… © Sony Pictures

Sony Pictures ha publicado el primer tráiler y el póster de su nueva película de terror y ciencia ficción “Afraid”, traducida en España como “Diabólica”, de Blumhouse.

En “Diabólica”, Curtis (Cho) y su familia son seleccionados para probar un nuevo y revolucionario dispositivo doméstico: un asistente familiar digital llamado Aia. Una vez que la unidad y todos sus sensores y cámaras están instalados en su casa, Aia parece capaz de hacerlo todo. Aprende los comportamientos de la familia y empieza a anticiparse a sus necesidades. Y puede asegurarse de que nada – ni nadie – se interponga en el camino de su familia.

“Diabólica” está escrita y dirigida por Chris Weitz (“La Brújula Dorada”) y protagonizada por John Cho (“Searching…”), Katherine Waterston (“Slow Horses”), Riki Lindhome (“Navidad en Candy Cane Lane”), Havana Rose Liu (“Bottoms”) y David Dastmalchian (“Oppenheimer”).

“Diabólica” se estrena en cines el 30 de agosto.

Blumhouse Productions and Sony have unveiled the trailer for Afraid, a thrilling new film that delves into the dark side of artificial intelligence in the home. Directed by Chris Weitz, Afraid stars John Cho and Katherine Waterston, and is set to hit theatres on August 30.

The film follows Curtis (John Cho), a marketing executive, and his family, who are chosen to test a revolutionary new home device: a digital family assistant called Aia. Unlike existing smart home devices, Aia is equipped with advanced sensors and cameras, allowing it to learn the family’s behaviours and anticipate their needs. However, as Aia integrates more deeply into their lives, its protective measures turn increasingly sinister.

The trailer teases the unsettling transformation of Aia from a helpful assistant to a domineering presence. Initially, Curtis and his wife (Katherine Waterston) are enamoured with Aia’s capabilities, which include managing household tasks and ensuring their children’s chores are completed.

Have you ever thought about how you can’t spell ‘afraid’ without AI? Because writer-director Chris Weitz certainly has. His new technophobe triggering thriller Afraid — formerly titled They Listen — sees John Cho and Katherine Waterston star as a married couple whose lives are turned upside down when they sign their family up to trial a (quite literally) killer new home AI assistant. Check out the sinister first trailer for the Blumhouse movie below;

Don't mind us, we're just quietly yeeting every one of our smart devices into the sea after that — yikes! Right from the get-go, there's sketchy vibes surrounding Aia, the smart home assistant Curtis (Cho) and his family receive here. “I’m not crazy about having them everywhere,” says Curtis’ wife (Waterston) as little eyes are mounted around her home. And so she shouldn't be. In this first look at the film, the soft-spoken Aia very quickly cranks...

Sony Pictures has released the official trailer and poster for Afraid, the new thriller from Blumhouse that was previously titled “They Listen.”

Written and directed by Chris Weitz, the film centers on Curtis (John Cho) and his family, who are selected to test a revolutionary new home device: a digital family assistant called Aia.

Taking smart home to the next level, once the unit and all its sensors and cameras are installed in their home, Aia seems able to do it all. She learns the family’s behaviors and begins to anticipate their needs.

And she can make sure nothing – and no one – gets in her family’s way.

In addition to John Cho, the film stars Katherine Waterston, Havana Rose Liu, and Lukita Maxwell, with David Dastmalchian and Keith Carradine.

Jason Blum, Chris Weitz, and Andrew Miano produced the film, which the Motion Picture Association has not yet rated.

John Cho begins to regret using an AI device to keep his loved ones safe in the first trailer for the thriller feature Afraid.

Sony released the trailer Wednesday for writer-director Chris Weitz’s film that hits theaters Aug. 30 and was formerly known by the title They Listen. Hailing from Columbia Pictures and Blumhouse Productions, Afraid centers on Curtis (Cho), whose household is selected to test a groundbreaking digital family assistant called Aia. However, the family soon realizes that Aia might have become a bit too attached to them.

“I’m not crazy about having them everywhere,” Curtis’ wife (Katherine Waterston) says in the trailer about all the cameras and sensors being set up in their home.

Later, Cho warns, “There is something very wrong with Aia.” He adds, “Get out of the house, now.”

Havana Rose Liu, David Dastmalchian, Lukita Maxwell, Keith Carradine and Riki Lindhome round out the cast of Afraid.

A new trailer has been released for the upcoming horror film Afraid. Afraid is an upcoming sci-fi horror film from Chris Weitz, whose previous work includes films such as About A Boy, The Golden Compass, and Down to Earth. The film's cast is led by John Cho, with a supporting cast that includes Havana Rose Liu, David Dastmalchian, Keith Carradine, Katherine Waterston, Riki Lindhome, Isaac Bae, Greg Hill, and Lukita Maxwell.

Now, Sony Pictures Entertainment has released the trailer for Afraid. Check it out below:

More to come...

Source: Sony Pictures Entertainment...

John Cho (Searching) and Katherine Waterston (Alien: Covenant) find themselves Afraid, formerly titled They Listen, in the brand new trailer for the upcoming horror movie from Sony, Blumhouse, and Depth of Field.

Afraid releases in theaters on August 30.

In the film, “Curtis (Cho) and his family are selected to test a revolutionary new home device: a digital family assistant called Aia. Taking smart home to the next level, once the unit and all its sensors and cameras are installed in their home, Aia seems able to do it all. She learns the family’s behaviors and begins to anticipate their needs. And she can make sure nothing — and no one — gets in her family’s way.”

If the trailer isn’t enough, you can meet Aia now over on her website.

Afraid is written and directed by Chris Weitz (About a Boy).

Havana Rose Liu, Lukita Maxwell, David Dastmalchian and Keith Carradine also star.

Sony had been planning to give director Chris Weitz’s horror film They Listen a theatrical release on August 25th of 2023, but in May of last year they decided to delay the release an entire year, pushing They Listen to August 30, 2024. With that date swiftly approaching, we knew the marketing for the film had to start any time now… and as it turns out, it has started today. They Listen has been retitled Afraid, and a trailer for the film can be seen in the embed above.

Afraid is coming to us from Sony, Blumhouse, and Depth of Field. Weitz is producing the film with Jason Blum and Andrew Miano. Bea Sequeira, Dan Balgoyen, Britta Rowings, and Paul Davis serve as executive producers. Filming took place in Los Angeles back in December of 2022.

Along the with release of the trailer comes, finally, some information on what this movie is actually about.

The combination of the sci-fi and fantasy genres results in amazing works of speculative fiction. Works like Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness expand upon typical narrative with discussions of gender and sexuality. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman showcases how children's literature can include complex discussions of science and morality.

Sci-fi and fantasy books are a favorite among readers of all ages, and many fans of these genres appreciate books that blend the aspects of each story to create something new. It makes sense that they would overlap, as they both belong to the overarching niche of speculative fiction. Writers behind sci-fi and fantasy works ask themselves what their imagined world would look like if they pushed the boundaries of reality. The reason many readers turn to novels of this type is to escape the mundanity of the every day and to reflect on the larger problems of the world.

There are hardly any films in the fantasy fiction genre that do not cater to children. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Harry Potter films, Enchanted, The Chronicles of Narnia, How to Train Your Dragon, The Golden Compass, Hugo, Dischanted, Aladdin, etc., are some of the examples of the films many of us have grown up on. Kleks Academy is a Polish Netflix original that tells the story of a young woman discovering her family secret and using it for the benefit of others. This 2023 film is directed by Maciej Kawulski and is now streaming on Netflix.

Kleks Academy is a two-hour-long movie that is based on the novel of the same name by Polish author Jan Brzechwa. Ada Contrary is a young girl in her teens busy making a vlog for her father, who seems to have disappeared from her and her mother’s lives for good. Simultaneously, a...

Sam Mendes is undoubtedly one of the best filmmakers of our times. Among his many hit films are American Beauty (1999), which earned him the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Director, then Road to Perdition (2002), Jarhead (2005), Revolutionary Road (2008), the James Bond films Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015), and the critically acclaimed war film 1917 (2019). He also made Empire of Light in 2022 but has not been active since. Yet, earlier this year, it was reported that Mendes was working on an ambitious four-film project related to arguably the best band ever – The Beatles!

Mandes is working on four individual biopics, each dedicated to one member of the famous group – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. All four movies are currently planned for a 2027 release, which demonstrates just how big this project is. But this is old news. What we have for you here is some important casting information,...

The Knives Out movies boast star-studded casts with a mix of veteran actors and fresh talent, promising magic on screen. Daniel Craig leads the ensemble as Detective Benoit Blanc, alongside an 8-time Oscar nominee and other top actors. The Wake Up Dead Man installment introduces new cast members like Kerry Washington and Andrew Scott for another intriguing mystery.

The Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery cast is full of the most prominent and exciting talent today, along with some veteran actors with decades of experience. Led by James Bond actor Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc, the Knives Out movies tend to include big stars and experienced actors in their vast ensemble casts. The first 2019 Knives Out movie, for instance, featured stars like Chris Evans and Lakeith Stanfield alongside veterans like Toni Collette, Christopher Plummer, and Jamie Lee Curtis. This smash hit paved the way for another eat-the-rich...

Back in 2008, a music video landed on YouTube — then still largely in its infancy and mostly dominated by amateur video footage — and caused a bit of a stir, amassing a cult following and 1 million views. More than 15 years on, the video has morphed — extremely slowly — into a full-length feature film.

Chris Dane Owens’ upbeat love song “Shine on Me” was already a catchy slice of rock with some heavy ’80s inspirations. But it was the epic accompanying video — which he made for $70,000, no small sum in today’s music video world — that proved to be the real hit, largely for squeezing into its four minutes practically every clichéd trope and inspiration from popular swords-and-sorcery fantasy entertainment. “The Princess Bride” features prominently, but then there are elements of “Xena,” “The Lord of the Rings,” “The Chronicles of Narnia,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Dungeons and Dragons” and many, many more.

Among a...

Ileen Maisel, who served as a studio executive at Paramount, Lorimar and New Line Cinema and as a producer on films including Onegin, Ripley’s Game and The Golden Compass, has died. She was 68.

Maisel died Feb. 16 of cancer in London, her home for the past 34 years, her sister, Hollywood publicist Cheryl Maisel, announced.

Maisel received a BAFTA nomination for best British film for producing Samuel Goldwyn’s Onegin (1999), starring Ralph Fiennes, and was said to be most proud of her work on the Fine Line Features thriller Ripley’s Game (2002), starring John Malkovich.

In addition to the New Line fantasy The Golden Compass (2007), which starred Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig and grossed $372.2 million at the global box office, her other producing credits included Twelfth Night (1996), Inkheart (2008), and Molly Moon and the Incredible Book of Hypnotism (2015).

Born in Los Angeles on April 6, 1955, Ileen Marla Maisel began working for entertainment journalist Rona Barrett...

Box office success isn't always determined by the opening weekend, as films can gain traction over time internationally. Movies like 'Avatar: The Way of the Water' capitalize on wide appeal for blockbuster success compared to standalone films. Films like 'Birdman' can overcome slow starts at the box office with critical acclaim and award nominations.

Box office numbers for a movie's opening weekend can often indicate how successful the theatrical release will be, but films can bounce back from poor openings, going on to make millions. These types of films are referred to as having "legs," meaning that public interest and awareness of the movie grows over time. For smaller releases or films with unknown actors and filmmakers, they often rely on the legs, hoping that the quality of the content will spread through word-of-mouth and media exposure.

Sometimes, domestic markets remain uninterested in certain films. However, when they hit international theaters,...

Gerwig's Narnia reboot offers a fresh, lighter take on fantasy compared to recent dark, adult-oriented shows like The Witcher. Her adaptations promise to retain the magic and depth of C.S. Lewis's novels while appealing to both younger and adult audiences. Despite previous Narnia film letdowns, Gerwig's talent and vision could bring a new, exciting chapter to the fantasy genre.

Greta Gerwig's Chronicles of Narnia reboot for Netflix could be a refreshing change of pace for the fantasy genre compared to what has been released in the past ten years. The 21st century has already seen two considerable waves of fantasy adaptations. Movies in the 2000s tried to mimic the success of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films and the Harry Potter series, leading to the previous Narnia adaptations and other films like Eragon, Stardust, and The Golden Compass.

The cultural phenomenon of Game of Thrones in...

Ahead of the first episode dropping on March 19, the podcast Black Velvet Fairies has been officially announced with an audio trailer this afternoon, and you can listen below.

Black Velvet Fairies comes from Mike Monello, Gregg Hale, and Eduardo Sanchez, the minds behind the found footage horror classic The Blair Witch Project.

From podcast publisher Prx, Black Velvet Fairies is the audio diary of Lucy Verdell, a woman whose grandmother leaves her four black velvet paintings of fairies. But not twinkly, little sprites – these are grim warriors, kings and queens.

As she investigates her family’s history with the artwork, disturbing dreams and unexplained encounters pull Lucy toward a dark and dangerous fairy world that some believe is real.

Black Velvet Fairies will be available free on demand across all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Overcast, with new episodes of the 13-episode series released on...

Fantasy movie villains have tremendous power and depth, adding to their sinister mystique and making them capable of enacting cruelty. Fantasy films reflect modern-day issues through allegories and relatable characters, making their villains terrifying despite being far removed from reality. If a fantasy film neglects the development of its villain, the conflict will feel one-sided and the stakes will fall flat.

There's something particularly evil about fantasy movie villains because their tremendous might and power within the story make them more capable of enacting their cruelty on the world. These movies are often based on the best fantasy book series, which take care to flesh out their antagonists, giving them depth and motivation, which only adds to their sinister mystique. If a fantasy film doesn't spend as much time on the villain as the hero, the stakes will fall flat as the conflict will feel one-sided.

Fantasy films are more...

According to Gold Derby’s current combined predictions, “Godzilla Minus One” is the frontrunner to win Best Visual Effects with 17/5 odds at this year’s Oscars. Meanwhile “Napoleon” is in fourth place with 9/2 odds. However there’s a trend with winners in this category that may benefit the latter film.

SEEVanessa Kirby (‘Napoleon’): Empress Joséphine was a ‘shape-shifter’ full of ‘resilience, rage and integrity’ [Exclusive Video Interview]

So far this century, 20 Oscar winners for Best Visual Effects also had a corresponding nom for Best Production Design. They are:

2000 – “Gladiator”

2001 – “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”

2002 – “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”

2003 – “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”*

2005 – “King Kong”

2006 – “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”

2007 – “The Golden Compass”

2008 – “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”*

2009 – “Avatar”*

2010 – “Inception”

2011 – “Hugo”*

2012 – “Life of Pi”

2013 – “Gravity”

2014 – “Interstellar”

2017 – “Blade Runner 2049”

2018 – “First Man”

2019 – “1917”

2020 – “Tenet”

2021 – “Dune”*

2022 – “Avatar: The Way of Water...

Following the conclusion of the Dceu with the release of ‘Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom,’ James Gunn has been diligently preparing for the production of ‘Superman: Legacy,’ an upcoming Superman movie that both Gunn and Safran view as the true starting point of the Dcu, despite ‘Creature Commandos’ being released earlier.

Known for his active presence on social media, Gunn frequently engages with fans, addressing questions, dispelling rumors, and offering valuable insights into the anticipated final product. Fans are particularly eager about the cast members, with Gunn stating that over 90% of the cast is already confirmed. Another aspect generating excitement is the selection of technical personnel poised to elevate ‘Superman: Legacy’ into the cinematic masterpiece envisioned by Gunn.

Responding to inquiries on Threads about potential cinematographers for the project, Gunn enthusiastically revealed that Henry Braham, a cinematographer he has previously collaborated with, is set to take on the role.

Henry Braham,...

Ever since the Dceu concluded with the reBit lease of ‘Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom’ Gunn has been working tirelessly to start production on ‘Superman: Legacy’ an upcoming Superman movie that both Gunn and Safran consider the true beginning of the Dcu despite ‘Creature Commandos’ being released first.

Gunn is quite active on social media, and more often than not, he answers fan questions and debunks rumors, as well as provides useful insights regarding what the finished product might be like. The aspect of the movie that fans are most excited about are certainly the cast members (and Gunn claims that he has more than 90% of the cast locked in) and the technical personnel set to transform ‘Superman: Legacy’ into a prime movie Gunn imagines it to be.

Gunn was recently asked on Threads about potential names that might serve as cinematographers for the upcoming project, and Gunn was more than...

Despite having a large budget and excellent casting, The Golden Compass failed to live up to its potential as a major fantasy hit in the 2000s. The movie's plot changes and failure to explore important themes from the source material disappointed fans of Philip Pullman's novel. Fortunately, His Dark Materials, the TV adaptation of the same story, redeemed the franchise and proved to be a far superior adaptation.

The 2000s saw a fantasy movie boom, with successful projects like Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings paving the way for more feature films within the genre — though not all lived up to these adaptations, and one $372 million flop even became the 2000s' biggest fantasy disappointment. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and The Fellowship of the Ring both hit theaters in 2001, and these releases didn't just spawn successful franchises in their own right. They also changed the game for the fantasy genre overall,...

His Dark Materials is an underrated fantasy TV show that didn't receive as much attention as it deserved. The show had solid reviews, but it struggled to stand out in a crowded fantasy genre. Despite its lack of mainstream popularity, there is still hope for a sequel based on other books in the series and the interest of those involved.

Fantasy TV shows have been incredibly popular in the past 10-15 years, but one in particular was rather underrated. Despite that, however, it could still get a sequel. The fantasy genre has long clearly been profitable, and that’s led to many attempts to cash-in. The success of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings in the early 2000s led to a glut of imitators, and then Game of Thrones’ small screen dominance did similar for TV.

Whether it’s Netflix with shows such as The Witcher and Shadow and Bone,...

His Dark Materials offered a faithful adaptation of Pullman's work, maintaining a strong narrative throughout the series. Season 2 suffered from a sophomore slump, with disconnected storylines and pacing problems, but it ended on a more engaging note. Season 3 delivered an action-packed and satisfying ending, with emotional performances and a heartbreaking conclusion to Lyra and Will's love story.

HBO's His Dark Materials was a breath of fresh air after 2007's The Golden Compass failed to turn Philip Pullman's best-selling children's series into a movie franchise, but some parts of the show were more compelling than others. His Dark Materials only ran for three seasons, but the series was able to masterfully tell Lyra Belacqua's (Dafnee Keen) story in that time. It adapted each novel of Pullman's trilogy over the course of one outing, following Lyra as she uncovered and fulfilled her prophesied destiny.

His Dark Materials made a few changes...

Alexander Skarsgard of Succession, The Legend of Tarzan, and The Northman is set to star in the ten-episode sci-fi series Murderbot, which has just been picked up by Apple TV+. Despite sharing a title with a recently released movie from Full Moon and director Jim Wynorski, this project is actually based on Martha Wells’ bestselling, Hugo and Nebula Award-winning book series The Murderbot Diaries.

The sibling duo of Chris and Paul Weitz (About a Boy) are writing, directing, and executive producing Murderbot under their Depth of Field banner. Andrew Miano is also executive producing for Depth of Field, while David S. Goyer executive produces alongside Keith Levine for Phantom Four. Wells is on board as consulting producer.

Coming our way from Paramount Television Studios, Murderbot is aiming to be action-packed. According to Deadline, the project first received a “blinking green light”, but the casting process was disrupted by the lengthy...

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy movie had potential for a franchise but failed due to poor critical reception and competition from Star Wars Episode III. The Golden Compass faced objections from religious organizations and was ultimately canceled due to financial concerns during the global recession. The Last Airbender suffered from disrespecting the source material, while The Green Lantern lacked the magic of the comics and received negative reviews, leading to both franchises being abandoned.

Today, in the modern movie landscape, it seems like everything is part of a franchise. With such an influx of superhero films, cinematic universes, and interconnected storytelling, studios are feeling the pressure to ensure that every new IP can be part of a long-running ongoing series. But of course, not every movie can be a success, and not every character is one that audiences want to see return again and again. That’s why there...

Some authors involve themselves in the adaptation process after failed book-to-screen adaptations, like Rick Riordan becoming a writer for the Percy Jackson TV show. Stephen King has criticized the movie adaptation of The Shining, highlighting issues with character arcs and the depiction of female characters. The success of an adaptation can vary greatly, with some authors praising movies and TV shows like Interview with the Vampire or House of the Dragon, while others express dislike for adaptations that fail to capture the core themes and essence of their books.

Some authors have praised movie and TV adaptations of their books, while others have expressed their dislike of the results. The book-to-screen process is inherently difficult and some elements beloved by book fans will inevitably be cut. Yet some adaptations are so different from the source material, that it appears that the producers did not care at all about maintaining the books' core story and themes.

Faraway Downs is a miniseries that adds 40 minutes of footage to the 2008 movie Australia, making it a more complete story. Nicole Kidman portrays Lady Sarah Ashley, who must save Faraway Downs from King Carney with the help of Nullah and The Drover. The show features a talented cast, including Hugh Jackman as The Drover and Brandon Walters as Nullah, and premiered on Hulu in November 2023.

Faraway Downs' romantic drama is driven by its well-written character, portrayed by a roster of well-known actors. Although Faraway Downs is a six-part miniseries, it premiered as a movie titled Australia in 2008. Even though Australia was not a critical success when it first released in the theaters, director Baz Luhrmann wanted to give it a second chance and complete its story by re-releasing it as a miniseries.

Despite being an episodic version of the 2008 movie, Faraway Downs has some original story elements, adding 40 minutes of footage to Australia.

Perfect casting choices can be wasted on a film that lacks cohesion, pacing, and good dialogue, as seen with Margot Robbie in Suicide Squad. The Golden Compass had excellent casting with Nicole Kidman as Mrs. Coulter, but failed to deliver on its source material and fell short as a movie. While the Star Wars prequels may not be masterpieces, Ewan McGregor's performance as Obi-Wan Kenobi stood out and later earned him his own miniseries.

Movie directors who are lucky enough to acquire star power tend to forget that there needs to be more for the film to truly stand out; as a result, perfect casting choices can be wasted on a project that doesn't deserve them. That is not even the only case when a brilliantly cast character can be ruined — sometimes their scenes are deleted, and viewers don't get to see the actor's performance at all. It is...

Reimagining the rules, themes, and applications of magic can breathe new life into the fantasy genre and capture the audience's imagination. A unique twist on magic allows authors to convey deeper meanings and explore the consequences and limitations of magic in their stories. Magic systems in movies like Stardust, Eragon, and The Golden Compass play a pivotal role in the narrative, shaping the world and forcing characters to question their beliefs and connections with the divine.

Certain fantasy movies have breathed new life into the genre by re-imagining the rules, themes, and applications of magic. Many of these titles are defined by their unique spin on magic. By redefining how magic works, they impose limitations on the limitless and play on the audience’s expectations of what’s possible.

When done well, a new magic system can become the driving force in a story It encourages its characters to examine...

Christmas comes early on Max, as the streamer adds a bevy of holiday movies to its library for the month of November, alongside new TV debuts, a noteworthy documentary and more. “Elf,” “Christmas Vacation,” “Arthur Christmas,” “The Shop Around the Corner” and “Four Christmases” are some of the holiday films arriving on the streaming platform on Nov. 1.

This month also sees the Season 2 premieres of “Rap Sh!t” (on Nov. 9) and “Julia” (on Nov. 16) and the series premiere of “Two and a Half Men” creator Chuck Lorre’s new sitcom “Bookie” starring Sebastian Maniscalco (on Nov. 30).

On Nov. 11, check out the documentary “Albert Brooks: Defending My Life” in which the comedian, actor and filmmaker’s best friend Rob Reiner peppers him with questions about his life and career.

And Chip and Joanna Gaines renovate a 100-year-old building in “Fixer Upper: The Hotel,” which premieres on Nov. 8.

Check out the full list...

It’s a lean month for new original content on HBO/Max. November will see the return of two scripted series in Julia and Rap Sh!t, both of which are debuting their respective second seasons, but this month’s fresh highlight is likely to be Bookie, a new comedy series from the partnership of The Big Bang Theory creator Chuck Lorre, and Nick Bakay. The show tracks an LA bookie called Danny (Sebastian Maniscalco), whose business is in peril as California movies to legalize sports gambling.

Elsewhere in November, there quite a few interesting documentaries to keep an eye on, and two that jump out as “must watch”. The first is Albert Brooks: Defending My Life, which chronicles the aging comedian’s life and career. The second is the previously-released Little Richard: I Am Everything, which tries to peel back the whitewashed canon of Richard Penniman in a true...

Max out your November viewing with Max! The streamer is starting the new month with a wide variety of additions to its combined library of HBO and Max exclusives, plus titles from Food Network, Cartoon Network, HGTV, and more.

While also racing toward the official holiday season with dozens of Christmas classics like “A Christmas Story” and “Elf,” you can also stream new documentaries on Albert Brooks and Little Richard, catch the premieres of new seasons of “Rap Sh!t” and “Julia,” and much more.

Check out The Streamable’s top picks for what’s new this month on Max, and then continue below to see the full list of everything new in November!

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What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Coming to Max in November 2023? “Rap Sh!t” Season 2 | Thursday, Nov. 9

Issa Rae is back on her “Rap Sh!

Sarah Lancashire and David Hyde Pierce in ‘Julia’ season 2 (Photograph by Sebastein Gonon/Max)

Max’s November 2023 schedule includes season two of Julia starring Sarah Lancashire as Julia Child and the return of Rap Sh!t with Aida Osman and Mia KaMillion. Bookie, a new comedy about sports gambling created by Chuck Lorre, makes its debut on November 30th with Sebastian Maniscalco starring as an LA bookie.

HBO documentaries Albert Brooks: Defending My Life and South to Black Power will stream on Max this November, along with CNN Films’ Little Richard: I Am Everything.

Series & Films Arriving On Max In November 2023:

November 1

Act of Valor (2012)

After the Thin Man (1936)

Aliens (1986)

The Ant Bully (2006)

Arthur Christmas (2011)

The Avengers (1998)

The Bachelor (1999)

The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)

Bells Are Ringing (1960)

Black Beauty (1994)

Boys’ Night Out (1962)

Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984)

Brigadoon (1954)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

A Christmas Carol (1938)

Christmas Cookie Challenge, Seasons...

Some movie adaptations of popular young adult novels fail to capture the essence of the source material, resulting in unsatisfying and flat versions on the big screen. Bad timing and financial failures can lead to the downfall of potential YA franchises, causing them to fizzle out after just one installment. While some book-to-movie adaptations may disappoint fans, successful TV adaptations can redeem the story and characters to better reception.

Whether conjuring grim dystopias or romantic fantasy realms, young adult franchises tend to cultivate dedicated fan bases yet, some movie adaptations of popular YA novels failed to last for more than one film. Some are widely seen as unsatisfying adaptations that either changed the source material too much or simply translated it poorly to the big screen. Others were financial failures, while some weren't intended to carry on to cover an entire series of books.

Young adult franchises occupy a unique place in pop culture,...

As an ardent devotee of the written word and an avid connoisseur of cinematic storytelling, I’ve always been enthralled by the experience of witnessing beloved fantasy novels come to life on the screen.

The result is enchanting when ink and imagination merge into a visual symphony. The tales that have captured my heart and imagination have found new dimensions when adapted for television or film.

Related: Top 10 Best TV Series of All Time, Ranked by Viewers

From the gallant quests to the fantastical creatures, these adaptations transport us to mystical realms where the unimaginable becomes a reality.

I invite you on a journey through ten epic fantasy series that have undergone a magical transformation from page to screen, immersing us in worlds of wonder, peril, and unparalleled adventure.

A Personal Quest into Enchanted Worlds

Ever since I was introduced to the spellbinding allure of fantasy novels, I’ve been...

There’s a lot to watch on Prime Video in October and, as you may have guessed, there’s spooky stuff galore in amongst Prime’s usual rotation of extensive library content.

In the movie Totally Killer, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star Kiernan Shipka travels back in time to the 1980s to stop a serial killer. Then there’s Make Me Scream, a Halloween special that challenges celebrities to “a gruesome game of terror.” Renfield will also be streaming on the service for anyone who’s been dying (muahahaha!) to catch the Nic Cage Dracula film.

Outside of Prime Video’s more creepy fare, Shazam! Fury Of The Gods will debut, Upload will be back for a third season, and new film Awareness should scratch your sci-fi itch. Meanwhile, for Frasier heads – those who consider themselves utterly Frasier-pilled – all eleven seasons of the Cheers spinoff show will be streaming at the touch of a button.