Fake Futures: AI and SciFi Effects
AI-driven special effects are revolutionizing the world of cinema, making it possible to create lifelike CGI characters and immersive environments, enhancing storytelling and democratizing access to advanced VFX tools for filmmakers of all scales.
We Can’t Stop Re-Hashing The Thing
Take for example the recent trend of cashing in on nostalgia by creating unnecessary documentaries for movies that are decades old. The latest victim? John Carpenter’s 1982 sci-fi/horror film The Thing. Yes, a movie that has been analyzed and dissected countless times is now getting not one, but TWO documentaries. Because apparently, we just can’t get enough of it.
When Star Wars Pulled the Jedi Mind Trick
Despite being considered the weakest of the Original Trilogy of Star Wars films, Return of the Jedi still has memorable moments such as the dramatic rescue of Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt’s stronghold on Tattooine, although one scene where disguised Leia communicates her demands to Jabba by repeating a single word twice makes little sense in comparison to other instances of alien speech in the franchise.
Max Tries to ‘Splice’ Some Scifi Horror
Splice, a sci-fi horror film with great performances, cast, and effects, follows a couple who splice animal and human DNA to create a controversial hybrid, and while it has become a cult hit among fans and received critical acclaim, its low box office earnings make a sequel unlikely despite the potential for one.
Denis Villeneuve – Green Screen Madness
Denis Villeneuve, along with other directors such as Christopher Nolan and Sam Mendes, prefers to use practical effects over CGI in their films, as they believe it creates a more realistic and engaging experience for both the actors and the audience. This sets them apart from the massive CGI-driven films produced by Marvel, which have faced criticism for their heavy reliance on visual effects.
Rights, and Regulations: China Robot Rules
China is pushing for the development and global leadership of humanoid robots by 2027, with a set of guidelines published in Shanghai during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference calling for risk controls, international collaboration, and ethical and lawful use of these machines.
Chris Pratt Has a ‘Change of Heart’ on DC
Chris Pratt is open to the possibility of joining the DC cinematic universe, as confirmed by his recent visit to the set of Superman: Legacy and his comments about being considered for any role that fans and directors like James Gunn may choose for him.
Sci-Fi Film Has No Actors, 100% Score on RT
Last and First Men, a sci-fi film with a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, explores the cyclical evolution of humanity through voice-over narration and stunning cinematography, providing a unique and thought-provoking viewing experience that is better understood as an art installation and performance art piece than a traditional movie.
90s SciFi Series: The Good, The Bad, The Forgotten
Oh cool – let’s dive into the “the Good, the Bad, and the Forgotten” of 90s SciFi. Anyone who lived through the period will tell you – we had some classics, and we had some stinkers. X-Files, MST3K, Stargate? Brilliant….
Unfilmable Sci-Fi Books That Stump Hollywood
While some science fiction novels, such as Dune and Foundation, have recently been successfully adapted, there are still many novels, like Ancillary Justice, Culture Series, Dhalgren, Dawn, The Genesis of Misery, The Left Hand of Darkness, Stranger in a Strange Land, and This is How You Lose the Time War, that are considered impossible to adapt due to their philosophical, trippy, and introspective themes that may not translate well onto the screen.