In defense of Darwin’s theory
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The day of hotly anticipated premiere of your movie has finally came. You're sitting on the best places in the comfortable room, equipped with the latest technology. You are surrounded by your supporters, who are in the same excited about what is happening on the screen, just like you. Ghastly light of mobile phones does not violate the pristine darkness of the hall, and the smell of burnt popcorn does not violate your sense of smell. And most importantly, your ear detects the slightest nuances of a film soundtrack.
Certainly, a lot of the situations, presented above seem no more real than the alien invasion. This is not the case.
The other day the film company Universal has introduced a new service Prima Cinema, which was the latest attempt to Hollywood majors to adapt to rapidly changing market of cinema distribution and home entertainment. For the first time, film lovers will get a chance to see new movies at home on the day of the premiere on the big screen. Naturally, such a pleasure is not cheap: a one-time payment of 35,000 dollars for equipment to receive and decode the signal and another $ 500 for a digital copy of the film, which is provided for a single viewing for 24 hours.
The first reaction of any viewer, who used to go to the movies for $ 8-10, will naturally be a mockery. Nearly one hundred percent of the time this viewer will show the imagination or in the form of assumptions about the inevitable failure of the initiative, or as a pejorative characteristics - "show-off" or practical tips on "HD-ripping the first day." All of this will be to some extent resemble the reaction of a person standing on the sidelines in a cloud of dust from the sports car sped past the cost of a quarter million dollars. That is quite obvious envy.
However, it is this scheme, in the future, has the potential to transform itself from a regular customer to privileges wealthy citizens.
Judge for yourself. Even in its current form service can hardly be attributed to the elite. 35 thousand dollars - the cost of "SUV" in not the most luxurious configuration. Thus, unlike the vehicle equipment will not require any additional investments. As for the session for $ 500, then gathered at his home two dozen relatives and friends, the subscriber will bring almost the price of one "ticket" to the standard. At the same time avoiding all the charms of the public view, as described in the introduction.
Undoubtedly, the scheme to the participation of only one of Hollywood majors, not too attractive. But if there is sufficient interest on the part of users, and it is already locked, and connect it to the other big players. So, come into force natural regulator - the competition, which will eventually reduce the cost and technical devices and pay for a copy of the film.
Of course, services like this in the future will remain in a different price category than the usual trip to the cinema. After all, any services that generate additional facilities should cost more.
Warner will present the real “Argo”
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Fantastic band, appearing in the Oscar-winning project of Ben Affleck "Argo" will see the light. It will be called the "Lord of Light”, like the novel by Roger Zelazny, a famous script writer, who saved the lives of several Americans in the late 1970s.
Recall that, according to recently declassified CIA documents, in 1979, science fiction script called "Argo" was allegedly put into production. About this project wrote only Hollywood publication Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. However, the picture has not seen the light, as it has become a cover for the CIA special operations agent Tony Mendez to extract six U.S. diplomats who have appeared in the Canadian ambassador's house during the seizure of the Embassy by Iranian students in Tehran.
The situation in reality was somewhat different from those shown in the film of Affleck. If you take only the Hollywood component, then it was out the producer, which in the "Argo" brilliantly played by Alan Arkin. In fact, a fake movie run with two make-up artists, one of whom was John Chambers (in the film portrayed by John Goodman).
"Lord of Light" by Roger Zelazny, which became the basis of Barry Ira Heller scenario, was written in 1967. In the story after the death of the Earth the crew of the ship "Star of India" founded a colony on a planet in another star system. Having won almost all the original inhabitants of the planet, the crew is building a city on one of the poles of the planet. During the colonization of the planet people achieve technological power and immortality, and declare themselves gods. The colonists are divided into two parts: the gods who live in the heavenly city, and on the technical benefits, and ordinary people, strongly pushed around deities and living in the medieval cities on the planet. Develops celestial hierarchy in the image of the Hindu pantheon of deities.
Geller’s scenario was a part of an ambitious project "Science Fiction Land”, which was conceived as the first amusement park with elements of sci-fi. Geller enlisted the support of a number of science fiction, including Ray Bradbury, and the legendary artist Jack Kirby, who thought the visual solution. That was the art-concept of "Science fiction land."
After Chambers showed Mendez scenario of Geller, CIA decided that the name "Lord of Light" is not appropriate, and changed it to "Argo". Make-up artist joined to the project his colleague Robert Sidell, who worked on "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial".
After painting of Affleck received the "Oscar" for Best Picture in 2012, the studio Warner has decided to buy Heller’s script and run it in production. Presumably work on the existing scenario is still the same Chris Terry, who wrote the "Argo".
Note that, in contrast to the false "Argo", the new film will be called "Lord of Light" and will become more similar to Zelazny novel rather than a parody of the "Star Wars", as it was presented in the film of Affleck. Negotiations are underway with the Kirby family about the possibility of the use of his drawings in the new incarnation of the "Lord of Light."
Eric Kripke and Elizabeth Mitchell about the second half of the season “Revolution”
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After a long hiatus, Revolution finally returned to NBC on March 25 with the second half of the season. Executive producer Eric Kripke and actress Elizabeth Mitchell in an interview promised a better future of the show.
"When you're off-air for four months, you can only hold your breath and hope that the fans will return - said Kripke during a teleconference. - The break has given to producers and writers the time to understand what works in this show, and what does not and how to make it better. It allowed us to make TV series better and this is my main priority. The series will be better because of the hiatus".
Although the last time “Revolution” came four months ago, the premiere of the second half of the season under the title «The Stand» starts right where the last episode ended. Miles (Billy Burke) and Charlie (Tracy Spiridakos) finally found Danny (Graham Rogers), and took him and Rachel (Mitchell) from the hands of Monroe (David Lyons). But Monroe used an amp, which gave him Rachel and began a full-scale attack against the refugees.
"The first part of the season and the search for Danny was the prologue and much more exciting story - says Kripke, adding - I like the first half, but the second one is better, no doubt."
Kripke and Mitchell promised us five things to expect from the return of “Revolution”:
- Key issues, including the cause of blackout, will be answered.
"This is my style - says Kripke. - Ask questions, ask more questions and to answer them. In the second half of the season viewers can expect this. I prefer the aggressive, exciting pace of the narrative. In the thirteenth episode, Rachel fully tells the whole story about why there was a blackout. Every time I watch this scene, I think, “Wow, we just take and tell it like it is. " The lack of scenes in which the main secrets are laid in three minutes, is contrary to instinct of director".
- We'll learn more about the history of Miles and Rachel.
"One of my favorite scenes - a future scene with Miles in the moonlight on the water, there are beautiful dialogues and shooting. It was simple and sweet - just the kind of scenes that I like to play and watch, "- says Mitchell.
"You could say that this scene hints at a deeper and more complex story between Rachel and Miles - says Kripke. Basically, the scene is based on looks, but a lot is passed in a little conversation. "
"Well, we'll find out about their relationship - adds Mitchell. -They are deeper and richer than I thought. There is a theory that people are together due to common pain. I think that in the hearts of Rachel and Miles are experiencing the same thing. "
- Mysterious science of Grace (Mary Howell) returns to the key role.
"At the end of the 7th and 8th episode we discovered that Randall (Colm Fiore) brought her to a mysterious place - said Kripke. - On the 11th episode we'll tell you what is this place, why Randall led her of what he called her to and so on. This place is very important to the plot, it became the center of the universe, figuratively speaking. All characters drawn there because of the importance of the place and importance of Grace herself."
- Charlie and Nate (JD Pardo) relationships
"Nate's waiting for radical changes in the relationship with his father (Giancarlo Esposito) and the police - says Kripke. - Charlie "sitting in the front seat" in these dramatic turns. Between them will be attraction. And then we demolish because the main question here is, whether they are together or not, and whether they will pass the obstacles that have to? "
- Let Rachel is no longer a prisoner of Monroe, but her problems are just beginning.
"Events in the first episode ... - Mitchell said warily. - Bet my character can certainly be even higher, but I do not see how. Its primary objective - the protection of the family. Amazingly, it did not break. "
"In the last moments of the 11 episodes you will find a crazy twist - says Kripke of the crucial scene with Rachel. - Everything is so exquisite and so beautiful that I can not believe this is happening. Will be tears and knives. The scene is just gorgeous. "
Interview with the creators of “Under the Dome”
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The producers of the upcoming series on CBS “Under the Dome”, based on the novel by Stephen King, gave a brief interview at the festival WonderCon, which will help us to understand what can we expect from the series with Mike Vogel, Dean Norris and Rochelle Lefevre in the lead roles.
In the series, which will premiered on June 24, a small New England town is suddenly cut off from the rest of the world a huge transparent dome. By pressing problems (shrinking supplies, how to get out of the damn thing) soon added personal conflicts. But this is not all. Let’s see what say producers of the show.
The series will differ from the book
Vaughn said the King gave them a blessing to create beyond the book. "He told us that we can use the book as a starting point. To use characters, plots, but were not afraid to add something new. During one of his visits to the writers' room King expressed support for those changes, for which, as I thought he job me"- joked Vaughn.
This is not “Lost”, but we will try to take all the best of the “Lost”
Though in “Under the Dome” will be engaged many graduates as Lost on one side of the camera (Jeff Fahey, who played Frank Lapidus, will play the sheriff in the pilot), and on the other. "The main thing to stay ourselves and create a unique show," - said Bender. But Vaughn added that this does not mean that they would not borrow a couple of ideas. "After Lost there were many series, promised not to repeat its mistakes. So where are those series now? So we will try to take all the best of the Lost. "In particular this applies to characters”, explained Wong. "Our goal - to create characters that will be central to the plot, and thus will complement it. Each week, the characters will get a chance to show you who they are, "- said Lefevre.
This is not a post-apocalyptic TV series
"If there was a dome over Los Angeles, the apocalypse would not come," - explained Bender. “Under the Dome” will talk about chaos going on, and one of the main players on this stage will be the character Big Jim (Dean Norris), a trader of cars, which decides to use the situation and apply the rule over the city. "Dome gives some people (Big Jim is one of them) the opportunity to feel like a dictator and get unlimited power, because they are cut off from the world and nobody can stop them," - said Norris.
Behind it all is a science
"We try not to lose touch with reality," - said Bayer. He described how their team consulted with real scientists about the dome (what can pass through it, its size). When King acquainted with their findings, he gave wise advice: "He paused, and said that it is better just to think out something!" - told Vaughn.
They know what the outcome of series
The first season consists of 13-minute episodes, and in the book there are more than one thousand pages, so producers are hoping for a long life of the series. "But when the end would not come, we are planning a final, which will be different from the book - said Vaughn. - This is a very interesting and unexpected series finale, I think. "
The premiere of trailer of the series is ready, enjoy!
Han Solo will shoot first
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So, the new owner of the franchise, "Star Wars" - the company Walt Disney, has confirmed its plans to develop the project in the spirit of "The Avengers", mixing standard, numbered episodes of individual films, featuring key characters of the saga. And right would simply confirmed but immediately moved all-in, announced the spin-offs, which will be the heroes of Bob Fett and Han Solo. This idea is extremely risky, and its failure could have far-reaching consequences for the entire franchise.
Of course, talking about the feasibility of expanding the cinematic universe of "Star Wars" did not start today. Even in 2011, director Joe Johnston persuaded George Lucas film about the same Bob Fett. As you know, Johnston was not a random person for the franchise. His career began in the company of Lucas, and he worked on the special effects and art design of two episodes of the famous saga - "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi." He was also one of the authors of the image of the famous bounty hunter.
But something happened. Whether Lucas while still eager to shoot a TV series about minor characters, or already thinking about possible ways of Lucasfilm.
With regard to the second return of Han Solo, it was a chance to take place in 2005, when the screens went "Revenge of the Sith." In one scenario, featured 10-year-old Solo, and that he was assisting in the search for Yoda General Grievous. There were even created some concept art, a fragment of which you see before.
Why George Lucas decided not to show the audience the young Solo, we can only guess. Quite possibly, he soberly appreciate the riskiness of such a step.
As can be seen, the company Walt Disney lacks a sentimental and ready to take the risk.
In the case of the project on Fett, everything will depend on the quality of the script and the production. After all, if the appearance of a bounty hunter and spectators have an idea (it should look like Jango Fett, played by Temuera Morrison), then of his character and habits of the unknown, and consequently, the creators of fantasy is not restricted.
As for Han Solo, everything is much more complicated. On the one hand, thematic material is more than enough, as the past dashing smuggler know quite a lot. How about dating Solo and Chewbacca? It is known also that Solo saved his future friend from death, being the captain of the Imperial Navy. Or, perhaps, the episode with the card tournament in which Solo won the "Millennium Falcon" from Lando Calrissian?
But who dares to play Han Solo after Harrison Ford? Trying to find a decent replacement seems doomed to failure, and this is the main risk for the project. If the new Solo will be in at least half of the less charismatic than his "big brother", the rest will not have any value.
“Star Wars” fans against “Death Star”
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November 14, 2012 fans of "Star Wars" posted on the website for the White House petition "On raising funds and start construction in 2016, the space station “Death Star". Less than a month, the petition has gathered more than 25,000 signatures.
The other day, on behalf of Paul Shawcross, chief scientific and space industry in the Department of Management and Budget of the White House, received the following reply:
"While the White House shares our interest in creating new jobs and strengthening the national defense, the creation of "Death Star" is not in our plans for several reasons:
Such construction project is estimated at about 850 quadrillion dollars (850 000 000 000 000 000), which will significantly increase the budget deficit, while we make every effort to reduce it.
White House does not support the policy of destroying planets.
It is advisable to spend a huge amount of taxpayers' money on the "Death Star", the weak point in the design of which can take advantage of a loner on a spaceship?"
Paul Shokrass and his department were also good knowledge of the theme, mentioning that they do not have anything that can "overcome Kessel run in 12 parsecs".
Also, authors of the resolution "This is not a response to a petition that you are looking for a" recalled, providing a message appropriate references, some of the achievements in space and technology. In particular, the fact that the Earth's orbit already has a gigantic size of a football field, the International Space Station, and on the surface of Mars there are two droids, one of which is equipped with a laser system, the solar system is ready to leave the two spacecraft, the Galaxy open hundreds of new planets, NASA has a program with the acronym C3PO, being developed prosthetic arms, flying and walking droid (and Barack Obama is also handy with a lightsaber).
P.s. Death Star - imperial military space station, 160 km in diameter, equipped with a superlaser capable of destroying any large military ships and planets.
In the episode "New Hope," thanks to the rebels schemes were uncovered weakness "Death Star" - external heat exhaust - and Luke Skywalker was able to destroy the station during the Battle of Yavin.
Kessel Run - in the universe of "Star Wars" name of the route smugglers from Kessel to Si'Klaata length in 18 parsecs. Han Solo on the "Millennium Falcon" was able to cut it to 12 parsecs, spending way closer to a dangerous accumulation of black holes, and mention it in the same episode.
The reference to the famous quote Obi-Wan Kenobi from the same episode: "These are not the droids you're looking for."
Nicolas Winding Refn refused to shoot “The Equalizer”
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Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn, winner of the Cannes Film Festival for directing the crime drama "Drive," in early December last year, has eyed for the draft of Sony “The Equalizer" - a full-length version of the eponymous television series of the 1980s. It seems that Refn and Sony could not come to an agreement.
Talks of moving the show to the big screen came back in 2010. "The Equalizer" was on TV CBS from 1985 to 1989th. Edward Woodward played an aging New York avenger with a mysterious past. The series has gained popularity because of its ingredients: a popular spy movies, TV series about a private detective and harsh realism. The main character Robert McCall is a former secret agent of some kind of organization and tried to atone for the sins of the past, helping the people of New York to deal with criminals.
Then, in 2010, the title role in the film version has played Russell Crowe. In the autumn the project tried to interest Paul Haggis. Flirting with the "Equalizer" for a couple of months, the director decided to shoot his own film "The Third Man", which he was engaged in the last year.
Since December of 2011, the title role in "The Equalizer" was attached Denzel Washington.
However, the fascination with Hollywood serials of the 1980s several cooled production of thriller "A Team", brought together the world's 177 million.
Despite the failure of the project of Refn, Sony still plans to launch production of the tape in the near future and will continue to search for director.
The new film by Nicolas Winding Refn "Only God Forgives" is expected at the Cannes Film Festival in May. Danish director is still attached to the remake fantastic film "Logan's Run", despite the fact that Ryan Gosling dropped out of the project. Also in the plans of Nicholas is comic adaptation of Button Man.
Association of American operators awards
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The Association of American operators - ASC Award in the 27th time sums up the year, choosing the best in their field. Eleventh nominations gets Roger Deakins, nominated for his work on the thriller "Skyfall".
The British Deakins already has two award of ASC Award, received for "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Man Who Was not There." Constant operator Coen brothers, he was nominated nine times for "Oscar", including "Fargo," "Oh, where are you, brother?", "Old Men" and "True Grit." In 2011, Roger Deakins noted honorary award for his contribution to cinema.
Full list of nominees for awards is:
Danny Cohen - "Les Miserables"
Claudio Miranda - "Life of Pi"
Roger Deakins - "Skyfall"
Seamus McGarvey - "Anna Karenina"
Janusz Kaminski - "Lincoln"
Note that these same operators yesterday received nomination for BAFTA.
At constant operator Janusz Kaminski, Spielberg's situation is the opposite: he was twice the winner of "Oscars" ("Schindler's List," "Saving Private Ryan"), but never received the recognition of colleagues.
Irishman Seamus McGarvey shot "Anna Karenina" immediately after "The Avengers", and it is difficult to imagine two more different from each other pictures. McGarvey worked with Joe Wright on "Soloist" and "Atonement," which was nominated for the "Oscar" and the award ASC Award.
Danny Cohen, who was shooting for Tom Hooper's not only the "Les Miserables" and "The King's Speech" (nominated for an ASC Award and the "Oscar"), combines work in cinema with the shooting television series.
A native of Chile, Claudio Miranda deftly lifted a three-dimensional journey boy and a tiger in the ocean and was working on a second "Tron," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (nominated for "Oscar" and the award ASC) and recently wrapped production fiction "Oblivion."
ASC award winner will be announced on February 10.
“Star Wars: Episode 7.” How will it be?
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The seventh episode of "Star Wars" is a reality, though, and standing away from all the fans and spiteful critics for three years. Let's try to bring together all the rumors and speculation to get even the most advanced idea of what to expect.
Let's start with what is already known for sure.
First, the "Star Wars" will be at least one new trilogy. Secondly, George Lucas has lost after the sale LucasFilm creative control, which means that its participation will be limited to simple consultation of respect for the former merits. Third, the new trilogy will not be based on the numerous books and comic books, which were printed in existence for 35 franchises, and will become a standalone project. And fourth, the first part will be presented to viewers in 2015.
Most likely, the new owners of the "Star Wars" will try not to annoy fans with another prequel. Moreover, that climb even further in the past the Skywalker family does not make sense. It is therefore logical to assume that Walt Disney will focus on creating a direct sequel to "Return of the Jedi." And therefore, we should expect to see in the picture though much older, but familiar faces. Without Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill any extension will have as much sense as the sequel to "Ghostbusters" without Bill Murray.
An indirect confirmation of the validity of these assumptions is George Lucas talk with Hamill, which was before the official announcement of the sale of LucasFilm.
I would suggest that a trilogy is not limited. Most likely, Walt Disney is betting on six films. And if the first three Han Solo and Luke Skywalker will still play a role in maintaining excitement among fans, in the second place it is not there, and we have to get used to completely new characters. Most likely, it will be the descendants, and who find themselves on opposite sides. Naturally, their confrontation over a happy reunion, as it should be in all the movies of the studio.
Now fantasize about who could be the producer of at least the first trilogy.
Steven Spielberg. The most obvious candidate, not only because of the presence of experience in filming big budget science fiction movie, but also because of the proximity to the current head of Lucas and LucasFilm Kathleen Kennedy.
Neil Blomkemp. In 2013 he published his "Elysium," which should make it clear whether the success of "District number 9" random, or in front of us really new James Cameron.
Jon Favreau. Despite the failure of "Cowboys and Aliens" at Favreau has extensive experience in creating fiction family, and most importantly, a contract with Walt Disney to create the movie "Magic Kingdom" based on one of the amusement park.
Joss Whedon. The least obvious candidate, despite a contract with Walt Disney and the success of the film adaptation of his comic Marvel.
Darren Aronofsky. A very interesting candidate, refused to shoot a few big-budget science fiction projects, but foundered in the big-screen version as a graphic novel, "Noah."
There is no doubt that the movie "Star Wars: Episode 7" will be shot in 3D with higher frame rates. And, most of all ... its premiere will be moved to a later date, since in 2015 as chief blockbuster will be employed by one of the extensions of "Avatar."
The last decree of the emperor of “Star Wars”
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A long time ago in a galaxy of Cinema lived George Lucas. In a short time this quiet and slowness man managed to turn a low-budget science fiction film in the vast empire LucasFilm, not inferior in its power of Palpatine's Empire, which determined the development of not just the individual genres, but entire entertainment industry.
So what did buy the Walt Disney Company for 4.05 billion dollars?
LucasFilm company itself and all of its assets, such as the studio LucasArts, the special effects industry leader Industrial Light & Magic and recording studios Skywalker Sound. All rights to the franchise, "Star Wars", and the associated production of multi-platform content and products. All other film projects of the studio, including "Indiana Jones." And much more.
What has George Lucas acquired from the sale of his assets?
About two billion dollars in cash and approximately 40 million shares of Walt Disney, specially produced for the occasion. Given the fact that even before the signing of Lucas, his wealth was estimated at $ 3.3 billion, he will be one of the wealthiest filmmakers in the history that will allow him to calmly deal with various projects, including charities. Not participating in the creation of future films in the series "Star Wars" directly, Lucas still retain influence the franchise through new chapter LucasFilm Kathleen Kennedy.
What is the outlook in terms of Walt Disney?
At first glance, the most optimistic. Virtually unlimited resources and waste even after the purchase of Pixar and Marvel business scheme will tap the enormous potential of "Star Wars" for the development of the theme parks, film, cartoon, cross-project, the mass production of souvenirs. All this should help to promote the brand "Star Wars" for further.
What is the outlook in terms of the audience?
But it is not all that obvious. Despite the successful adaptation of the comic book library Marvel, Walt Disney have no experience in the creation of a science fiction movie on the space theme, which is, for example, FOX. Attempting to remove their own "Star Wars" by the studio Pixar turned a nightmare "John Carter" and failed miserably, resulting in a loss of a couple hundred million dollars. No better things to attempts of popular fantastic projects in the past, like the same "Throne." Now everything will depend on the producer Kathleen Kennedy and her ability to build really strong team, which will continue the story of the far-distant galaxy.
The truth is yet to resolve a number of technical issues, the most important of them - the right to hire already shot movies, which until 2020 owned film company 20th Century Fox. It is obvious that Walt Disney, representing their films on their own, is unlikely to want to share such a bold piece of competitors.
While it is clear just what will never happen. Unique empire of LucasFilm, subject to a unique truly independent filmmakers of our time.