The iconic Tomb Raider franchise comes back to life in series format after the commercial failure of the 2018 film starring Alicia Vikander. Amazon Prime Video has confirmed that the series is in the works, under the direction of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who has received a $60 million check for her projects on the platform. Despite the eight-year wait, the showrunner is excited about the potential of the project. A star-studded series Among the cast members are well-known names like Sophie Turner, Jason Isaacs, and Sigourney Weaver. Isaacs will play […]
The iconic Tomb Raider franchise comes back to life in series format after the commercial failure of the 2018 film starring Alicia Vikander. Amazon Prime Video has confirmed that the series is in the works, under the direction of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who has received a $60 million check for her projects on the platform. Despite the eight-year wait, the showrunner is excited about the potential of the project.
A star-studded series
Among the cast members are well-known names such as Sophie Turner, Jason Isaacs, and Sigourney Weaver. Isaacs will play Atlas DeMornay, Lara’s uncle, a character that had not been explored in the previous narrative, while Weaver will portray Evelyn Wallis, an original character designed exclusively for the series. Waller-Bridge has expressed her joy at being able to include both familiar faces and create new characters that bring freshness to the story.
Although an official start date for filming has not been established, it is suggested that it could begin soon. In parallel to the series, Amazon plans to release a movie and a video game that expand this new narrative universe, although the future of those projects remains uncertain. With the video game Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis scheduled for this year and Tomb Raider: Catalyst for 2027, the franchise is poised for a renaissance both on small screens and in video games.
This return of Lara Croft also reflects a growing trend within the entertainment industry, where video game adaptations are multiplying. The new series, while it will have its own narratives and characters, promises to honor the legacy of the games, something that will be crucial to attract an audience that has been waiting for this return for years.
In a moment where cinema faces significant challenges due to the rise of reactionary movements and the decline of relevant contemporary stories, “One Battle After Another” emerges, a masterpiece by renowned director Paul Thomas Anderson. Through a complex narrative that combines the war thriller with penetrating political critique, the film becomes a safe haven and a voice for dialogue about the reality we live in. Leonardo DiCaprio like you’ve never seen him before. The plot follows Bob Ferguson, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, a former rebel fighter who, after experiencing the violence and repression of a […]
At a time when cinema faces significant challenges due to the rise of reactionary movements and the decline of relevant contemporary stories, comes One Battle After Another, a masterpiece by renowned director Paul Thomas Anderson. Through a complex narrative that combines war thriller with penetrating political critique, the film becomes a safe haven and a voice to discuss the reality we live in.
Leonardo DiCaprio like you’ve never seen him before
The plot follows Bob Ferguson, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, a former rebel fighter who, after experiencing the violence and repression of a military squad, struggles to raise his daughter in a context marked by fear and criticism of the system. Despite his desire to keep her away from violence, he is forced to prepare her to face an old enemy that threatens to destroy the peace he is trying to build.
Anderson, true to his distinctive style, employs spectacular visual resources, including the return of the VistaVision format, to bring this captivating story to life. However, the director does not opt for a solemn narrative; instead, he introduces a constant use of humor, ranging from the absurd to the satirical, challenging the viewer’s expectations. As the story unfolds, DiCaprio’s character is presented as a ridiculous and paranoid father, the embodiment of the tensions faced by a revolutionary movement in a world that feels increasingly oppressive.
One battle after another not only shines for its performance and hypnotizing cinematography, but it also stands out for its ability to connect emotionally with the audience, managing to express the strength of human relationships in difficult times. With a mix of drama, social criticism, and humorous elements, this film is shaping up to be one of the most important of the year, and it is expected to collect numerous awards in the coming months.
David Zucker, the original director of the iconic comedy film Airplane!, has expressed his discontent with the sequel directed by Seth MacFarlane. In his recent statements, Zucker claimed that the new film “totally failed” in its attempt to continue the legacy of the original, a comedy classic that has resonated in popular culture since its release. The criticism, although harsh, falls within a creator’s right to evaluate the work that continues their artistic vision. He believes that it has not respected the work of his creation Despite Zucker’s criticisms, […]
David Zucker, the original director of the iconic comedy film Airplane!, has expressed his discontent with the sequel directed by Seth MacFarlane. In his recent statements, Zucker stated that the new film “completely failed” in its attempt to continue the legacy of the original, a classic of comedy that has resonated in popular culture since its release. The criticism, although harsh, is framed within a creator’s right to evaluate the work that continues their artistic vision.
He considers that he has not respected the work of his creation
Despite Zucker’s criticisms, the sequel starring Liam Neeson has been well received both critically and commercially. This success has been attributed to its ability to capture the attention of contemporary audiences and provide moments of humor that resonate with today’s viewers. However, Zucker maintains that the rules of a good parody were not respected in this installment, something he considers fundamental in any project that aspires to be part of the Agárralo como puedas tradition.
The conversation around “Grab It Like You Can” and its sequels highlights a series of debates within the film industry, where new visions often clash with the expectations of the original creators. The ability to attract new audiences while honoring the source material is a delicate balance that is not always achieved. According to Zucker, MacFarlane’s film strayed too far from its original vision, despite the recognition and revenue it generated.
In this discussion about legacy and reinvention in cinema, an essential question is raised: Should new productions strictly follow the guidelines established by their predecessors, or is it more important to evolve and adapt to modern times? As Zucker himself points out, it depends on how true to the essence the humor that characterizes an original work remains.
Netflix, little by little, has been realizing the importance of movie theaters. Although its business is streaming, if it wants to aspire to awards and give a certain sheen of prestige to its films, it needs to release them in theaters. Moreover, at times they receive an excellent reception. We shouldn’t be surprised because, although most of its productions are simple movies that we wouldn’t go see in theaters even if they are enjoyed from the comfort of the sofa, they also produce some excellent films. And that seems to be the case with Guillermo del Toro’s latest film. If by […]
Netflix, little by little, has been realizing the importance of movie theaters. Although its business is streaming, if it wants to aspire to awards and give a certain sheen of prestige to its films, it needs to release them in theaters. And besides, sometimes they receive an excellent reception. It shouldn’t surprise us because, although most of its productions are simple movies that we wouldn’t go to see in theaters even if they are enjoyed from the comfort of the sofa, they also produce some excellent films. And that seems to be the case with Guillermo del Toro’s latest movie.
If Guillermo del Toro is known for anything, it is for producing excellent genre films. Whether it’s horror, science fiction, romance, or all of them at once, he always stands out for the sensitivity and wisdom with which he approaches these genres. Always offering a very unique perspective and a special empathy for the most vulnerable.
That’s why, even if it’s on Netflix, it’s still del Toro. And that’s why it shouldn’t surprise us that his latest film adapts a classic of horror literature known for its unique gothic tone and the sensitivity with which it addresses human themes. Because when it came time to decide what his new film would be, del Toro chose to adapt one of humanity’s most well-known works. And he decided on Frankenstein.
A movie that has always been on your mind
The film is an adaptation that has been on the director’s mind since at least 2007, when he stated it was a project he would kill to make. By January 2008, he began developing the idea for it, but in 2009 he declared it would take at least four years to start production on the film. In 2013, he said he would want the monster to be Benedict Cumberbatch, and in 2014, he mentioned wanting to make, in fact, two adaptations: one of Frankenstein and another of The Bride of Frankenstein. In 2020, he stated that, if possible, he would want it to be a duology or a trilogy. It wasn’t until 2023 that Netflix revived the project after the success of its Pinocchio.
The movie closely follows the original book and, while it has been limited to a single film, it is of epic proportions. Costing 120 million dollars and stretching to 150 minutes, the promise is that it has given its all in this dream project. Something that critics have responded to very positively, with an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 78 on Metacritic, receiving excellent reviews. This does not take into account that it has already won several international awards, including a nomination for the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival.
All of this is possible because, as we have already mentioned, Netflix has become accustomed to releasing some of its movies in theaters and festivals before they hit its platform. And that has been the case with Frankenstein. With notable results.
On August 30, it was presented at the mentioned Venice International Film Festival with extraordinary results, which led to a limited release in theaters worldwide on October 17. Causing a sensation among fans of Guillermo del Toro, Frankenstein, and cinephiles, defining the film as a story of romance and gothic horror that is extremely faithful to the original story of the novel.
Now, on November 7, it arrives on Netflix so that we can all enjoy it from the comfort of our sofas. And while it is true that this is the kind of movie that would be great to see in a cinema without the limitation of a limited release, being able to see it at all is already a privilege. Because, without a doubt, we are going to hear a lot about Frankenstein during next year’s awards season.
John Wayne, known primarily for his iconic roles in western films, had a much more diverse career, as demonstrated by the case of Blood Alley, a film that premiered on October 1, 1955. The film, based on a novel by Albert Sidney Fleischman, tells the story of Tom Wilder, a ship captain who must transport nearly 200 prisoners from a small town to Hong Kong after being released from a prison in China. A blackmail that worked perfectly What many people do not know is that Wayne was blackmailed into taking the role […]
John Wayne, known primarily for his iconic roles in western films, had a much more diverse career, as demonstrated by the case of Blood Alley, a film that premiered on October 1, 1955. The film, based on a novel by Albert Sidney Fleischman, tells the story of Tom Wilder, a ship captain who must transport nearly 200 prisoners from a small town to Hong Kong after being released from a prison in China.
A blackmail that worked perfectly
What many people don’t know is that Wayne was blackmailed into taking the lead role after director William A. Wellman issued an ultimatum: “Either Mitchum or me.” The production initially had Robert Mitchum in the main role and Wayne as a producer through his company Batjac Productions. The tensions between Wellman and Mitchum, exacerbated by the actor’s behavioral issues, led to a complicated scenario. Aissa Wayne, John Wayne’s daughter, recounted in her book John Wayne: My Father how the situation deteriorated, forcing her father to fire Mitchum even while he was on his honeymoon with Pilar Pallete.
Due to the lack of alternatives, Wayne was forced to star in Bloody Alley, as other actors like Gregory Peck and Humphrey Bogart declined to participate. The film, which had a budget of 2 million dollars, only managed to gross 2.2 million, which positioned it as a moderate success. In Spain, the movie was not released until ten years later.
Despite the difficulties, Wayne was impressed by Lauren Bacall’s talent, which led him to want to work with her again in The Last Gunfighter, his last film. However, their relationship during that production was not the most harmonious. Today, Bloody Alley is available to stream on Filmin, thus offering classic film enthusiasts the opportunity to explore this lesser-known facet of John Wayne.
The movie Dragonball Evolution is considered a major failure, as it failed to capture the essence of Akira Toriyama’s work. The creative decisions made during its production deeply irritated fans of the series. Both Justin Chatwin, the protagonist, and Ben Ramsey, the screenwriter, have publicly apologized, acknowledging the disastrous outcome of the film and their disappointment towards the fans who were hoping for a faithful adaptation. Not only is it a movie that is not faithful, but it is also boring and monotonous. The adaptation deviated significantly from the original spirit and aesthetics of Dragon Ball, resulting in […]
The movie Dragonball Evolution is considered a major failure, as it failed to capture the essence of Akira Toriyama’s work. The creative decisions made during its production deeply irritated fans of the series. Both Justin Chatwin, the lead actor, and Ben Ramsey, the screenwriter, have publicly apologized, acknowledging the disastrous outcome of the film and their disappointment towards the fans who were hoping for a faithful adaptation.
Not just an unfaithful movie, but boring and monotonous
The adaptation deviated significantly from the original spirit and aesthetics of Dragon Ball, resulting in characters lacking motivations and simplistic dialogues. This led to a narrative that many critics considered boring and bland. In an attempt to bring this iconic franchise to life, the producers faced the challenge of a complex mythology, but their decisions failed to do justice to the source material, turning the film into an example of what not to do in a film adaptation.
Initially, a budget of over 100 million dollars was promised; however, the final investment was only 30 million, significantly affecting the production quality. Although Dragonball Evolution managed to gross 58 million dollars, the lukewarm critical reception has left a negative mark on the industry, discouraging other studios from attempting future adaptations of the manga.
Both the professionals involved and Toriyama himself, who is no longer alive, acknowledged that the movie did not capture his universe, which reinforced the perception that Dragonball Evolution is perhaps the greatest disappointment in the field of film adaptations of video games and mangas. This monumental fiasco raises serious doubts about the viability of bringing such beloved stories to the big screen. And if you want to see for yourself, you can stream it on Disney+.
