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Jonathan Demme's Oscar-winning cult thriller »The Silence of the Lambs« from 1991 still creeps under the skin of its audience today, around 35 years after its premiere, as intensely as Buffalo Bill's knife does that with his victims. Demme needed no exploitative orgies of violence, no excessive action sequences, and not even the surprise jump scares expected in the genre. His true unease arises from something entirely different: the intertwining of a grotesque series of murders with the systemic inequality faced by a young woman in a male-dominated system – and the frightening closeness to her cannibalistic mentor in a maximum-security prison.

Especially for home cinema fans and lovers of this classic, it was always a bitter pill to swallow that the previous home cinema releases in German-speaking countries simply didn't do this masterpiece justice: The old German Blu-ray from MGM – to be fair, from 2009, but even then no better than a decent DVD – suffered from overly compressed film grain, a muddy picture, and shadows that were more gray than black. The incorrect pitch of the German dubbing was another bumper. In short: the old Blu-ray looked as if it had slipped through quality control half-asleep.

The brand-new Capelight UHD finally rectifies this misstep: Back in 2021, MGM produced a 4K film scan of »The Silence of the Lambs«, and in the same year, the label Kino Lorber released a UHD exclusively in the US – but was careless with the color grading. As a result, presumably due to an incorrectly defined color space, a greenish tint appeared in the first 20 minutes. The British film distributor and restorer Arrow Films corrected this error in 2024, producing an excellent new master. This can now be admired on the Capelight UHD, which has been available in stores since November 6, 2025, in three different versions. An overview including ordering options can be found here:
https://www.capelight.de/das-schweigen-der-laemmer

And what a difference this new release makes! The extended dynamic range in HDR10 and Dolby Vision, as well as the new grading in the larger BT.2020 color space, are used effectively without distorting the deliberately desaturated palette. Highlights, used judiciously, reach around 250 nits or are even significantly brighter in certain areas – resulting in a wonderfully realistic dynamic range with punch and clarity that nevertheless retains a cinematic feel. Speaking of cinematic, the analog film grain is also back, lending the material an organic, film-typical texture.

The significantly sharper, clearer image quality reveals details of the mise-en-scène that were simply lost in the earlier transfer. Never before has the psychological duel between Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) and Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) been so compelling: Hopkins' analytical gaze meets the audience in the frontal close-ups with a precision that is penetrating, even unsettling. In these moments, Clarice appears more vulnerable and exposed than ever before – an effect that this new Capelight release fully captures, clearly demonstrating how much the original material benefits from an expanded color gamut and dynamic range, as well as clean, high-quality encoding.

The audio has finally been corrected as well. The German version now plays at the correct pitch, complemented by a more spacious mix with clean treble and a bass foundation that makes the pressure in the prison corridors physically palpable. No over-the-top modernization, but rather an appropriate and respectful update. In addition to the German and English audio tracks in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (unfortunately no Dolby Atmos), the disc also includes corrected English and German audio tracks in PCM 2.0.

We would also like to highlight Capelight's beautifully designed mediabook: In addition to the technically superb UHD, it also includes a Blu-ray based on the same master as the UHD – and is superior to the old 2009 Blu-ray in every respect. While the Blu-ray was mastered in a smaller color space with less dynamic range (SDR reaches a maximum of 100 nits) and has a significantly lower data rate than the UHD due to the format, the details described above are still discernible, especially compared to the old Blu-ray, and the colors are exactly where they should be. This new release is therefore worthwhile even for film fans who don't own a UHD player (or who aren't fans of HDR, which is a valid point). An additional bonus Blu-ray contains extensive and carefully curated archive and background material with a running time of over 4.5 hours!

This great release is rounded off with three worthwhile and well-translated essays by Alexandra West, Sam Moore and Josh Nelson in the 48-page booklet – attractively designed with promo pictures and stills from the movie.

Conclusion:
Capelight delivers by far the best release of »The Silence of the Lambs« ever seen in German-speaking countries – technically flawless, aesthetically sensitive, and narratively back where the film belongs. Demme's cult thriller is not just restored, but truly rehabilitated: a classic that can now be experienced on home video as razor-sharp, pitch-black, and deeply disturbing. Therefore, we wholeheartedly recommend it – and it's a collector's item that belongs on every film shelf!

Speaking of "collector's items": Just yesterday, a small, unexpected shipment of the brilliant Hannibal Lecter Ultimate Figure in the "Masked Version" by NECA arrived, which of course looks perfect next to the Mediabook on your movie shelf. 😉

Gosh, we do wish we could chat longer about this great movie, but we're having an old friend for dinner. 😋🍽️😜

Two singing witches in a magical land, a secluded house and terrible secrets, a sleepy small town and the pandemic, and the return of a one-man army – these are this week's new releases.

The film adaptation of the Broadway musical »Wicked« sparked a veritable hype a year ago. The story is a prequel to »The Wizard of Oz«, the great Technicolor film from 1939. In it, the girl Dorothy, played by Judy Garland, was transported to the magical land of Oz, where she met the Good Witch of the North, Glinda, and the Wicked Witch of the West. »Wicked« told the backstory of the two witches, Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo). »Wicked: For Good« continues the story and is a retelling of the events from »The Wizard of Oz«. Dorothy and her companions also make a brief appearance. Fans of the colorful fantasy spectacle had to wait a year for the second act and can finally flock to the cinemas starting today. To get you in the mood, here's the final trailer again:
https://youtu.be/R2Xubj7lazE

»Keeper« is the new film by Ozgood Perkins starring Tatiana Maslany. A couple goes to a secluded house for a romantic weekend. When Malcolm (Rossif Sutherland) suddenly has to return to the city, Liz finds herself isolated and in the presence of an unspeakable evil. The trailer (thankfully) doesn't reveal exactly what this evil is, but it conveys a great deal of atmosphere and has definitely piqued our interest:
https://youtu.be/h8TK8uJjyJg

Opinions seem to be divided on »Eddington«, the new film by Ari Aster. Some consider »Eddington« Aster's best work, while others see it as his weakest. In any case, it's a flick that sparks discussion. In the spring of 2020, the Covid pandemic is dominating the sleepy little town of Eddington firmly. There, a conflict erupts between Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) and Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal), leading to escalating violence. Here's the latest trailer:
https://youtu.be/oL6jZqExlIk

»Sisu« (currently streaming on Sky/WOW) is grindhouse cinema at its finest. The one-man army Aatami (Jorma Tommila) returns in »SISU: Road to Revenge« a year after the war. Igor Draganov (Stephen Lang) killed Aatami's family during the war and now wants to finish the job, ensuing a relentless, breathtaking chase. With a significantly larger budget, things get brutally intense, as the trailer already shows:
https://youtu.be/VmStqCXIgio

Whatever movie you are going for – we wish you a great time at the cinema!

Last night, the nominations for the 2025 Game Awards were announced, and you can now vote across 29 categories on the award show's official website. With a staggering 12 nominations, the clear frontrunner this year is the turn-based action RPG »Clair Obscur: Expedition 33« from the indie production company Sandfall Interactive. Overall, it seems to be an exceptionally strong year for smaller game studios — in the Game of the Year category alone, four of the six nominees were not produced by major studios.

Competing for Game of the Year are:
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Donkey Kong Bananza
Hades II
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

Is your personal game of the year among them 🎮😉?

Today we would like to invite you once again on a little journey through cinema history and celebrate two masterpieces together.

Exactly 30 years ago today, the Pixar movie »Toy Story« premiered in Hollywood. As the first fully computer-animated feature film, Toy Story made history. Yet beyond its technical innovation, the film captivates with a heartwarming story, a charming message about friendship, and an abundance of creative ideas and witty touches.

The movie was nominated for eight Annie Awards — and won them all: Best Animated Feature, Best Animation, Best Directing, Best Music, Best Production, Best Production Design, Best Technical Achievement, and Best Writing. In addition, John Lasseter received a Special Achievement Award from the Academy for his work on the first fully computer-animated feature film.

Of course, the movie also takes us back to our own childhoods, evoking memories of the beloved toys from that time. Cowboy Woody and Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear became true cult figures — and it was only natural that the film's characters would later be turned into real toys and collectibles. You can find some in our Toy Story section. In June of next year, we'll be able to join Woody and Buzz on their fifth adventure. We're already looking forward to it!


Our second anniversary film of the day celebrates its 50th birthday today. On November 19, 1975, »One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest« premiered in U.S. cinemas. Our "old man" Mick actually saw it in theaters back then — and he shares his memories with us.

What happened? At the tender age of 13, I had wandered into this film. At that time, my usual cinema fare was rather lighthearted. On the menu were movies like »The Gendarme of Saint-Tropez« or the Terence Hill/Bud Spencer movies. My school friend, who went with me to the cinema, said he had heard the film was hilarious. And so we sat there — a bit puzzled — and were soon swept away by this intense work. Of course, I didn't fully grasp the social critique of the decayed, dehumanizing mental health system. What impressed me most was Jack Nicholson — a true force of nature. It was my first encounter with the actor, who is now 88 years old. I wouldn't see his early work, such as the Roger Corman films, »Easy Rider«, or »Chinatown«, until years later. Yet even that first movie left a deep impression — so deep that I still remember small details of that cinema visit. When I watched the film again later on VHS, it was fascinating to see which now-famous actors appeared in supporting roles: Brad Dourif, Christopher Lloyd, and Danny DeVito were among the most striking faces of the patients.

»One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest« is still considered a masterpiece — and rightly so. Out of nine nominations, it won the coveted "Big Five" Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director (Miloš Forman), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor (Jack Nicholson), and Best Actress (Louise Fletcher). Before this, only »It Happened One Night« from 1935 had achieved this feat. It wasn't until 1992 that another movie accomplished it: »The Silence of the Lambs«.

If you haven't seen »One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest« yet, you definitely should catch up on it.

It's pretty incredible what has grown out of the simple idea of »eight friends who work as voice actors sitting down to play D&D together«. Critical Role has long since become its own universe, complete with animated series and collectibles. And now, with the Amazon Prime series »The Mighty Nein«, the next era is about to begin.

Dungeon Master Matthew Mercer (best known for his roles in animes like »Attack on Titan«, »Naruto«, and »One Piece«, as well as games such as »The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom« and »Resident Evil 6«) and his castmates Ashley Johnson (Ellie in »The Last of Us«), Laura Bailey (Abby in »The Last of Us Part 2«), Liam O'Brien (Gollum in »Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor«), Marisha Ray, Travis Willingham, Taliesin Jaffe, and Sam Riegel have built such an enormous fanbase with their four major live-streamed D&D campaigns that the crowdfunding for the animated series of their first campaign, »The Legend of Vox Machina«, hit ten times its original funding goal, leading to the show being picked up by Amazon Prime.

Starting today, the next chapter from the world of Critical Role begins with its first three episodes: »The Mighty Nein« brings the story of Campaign Two to the screen. Tim already had the chance to watch the first episode last week and is absolutely thrilled. While »The Legend of Vox Machina« told each season in twelve half-hour episodes, this new adventure launches with eight episodes that run roughly twice as long. A change that greatly benefits the pacing and allows for a much deeper dive into Matthew Mercer's rich world of Exandria. The characters also feel more mature this time around: more eccentric, more colorful. And if you're new to Critical Role, don't feel like watching hundreds of hours of livestreams, but still enjoy irreverent, occasionally below-the-belt humor and wildly creative fantasy worlds, this series (and the first one as well) is absolutely worth your time!

Fans should definitely take a look at our Critical Role category: the Sideshow statues are genuinely stunning. And by the way: from November 28 to December 1, our CyberSpaceWeekend will be running, featuring, among other highlights, the Mollymauk statue from »The Mighty Nein« on sale.

The Mighty Nein, by the way, got their name from Caleb Widogast — played by Liam O'Brien with a charming German accent — who kept rolling nines during one session, leading to his frustrated shout of "NEIN!" (which sounds just like "nine" to English speakers) becoming a long-running joke.

We discovered a really interesting video on YouTube, as we think: »How HASBRO Action Figures Are Made« introduces you to the toy giant HASBRO and shows the production of action figures, starting with a brief overview of the company's history. HASBRO was founded in 1923 by brothers Henry and Hillel Hassenfeld in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1943, the company entered the toy business. One of their first major toy-historically significant mega-sellers was »Mr. Potato Head« (1952), which has been a household name since the film »Toy Story«, and the world of action figures would be very different without »G.I. Joe« (1964). The acquisition of Kenner in 1991 then paved the way for »Star Wars« and the famous Black Series.

After the company timeline and an introduction to the most important licenses, the video focuses on the production process of the popular action figures, from the initial computer designs to prototypes, testing, approval by the licensors, manufacturing in China, painting, packaging, and finally to the arrivals of the countless collectors' showcases worldwide.

Watch the video here, true to the motto: everything we always wanted to know about action figures:
https://youtu.be/bitbcukyfg8

As some of you may already have heard, the manufacturer Diamond – which also includes Gentle Giant – has been facing serious financial difficulties over the past few months. It is now official: both companies are insolvent and have permanently ceased operations.

What initially looked like a clean break has turned out to be far more complicated in recent weeks. There was long-standing uncertainty, especially regarding items that had already been announced. Although European wholesalers canceled all outstanding pre-orders in September, we still hoped that we might be able to fulfill at least some of the pre-orders through our U.S. partners. At that point, it was also completely unclear which collectibles had actually been produced. Unfortunately, this hope has now fallen through. In recent days, it has become clear that our U.S. sources have also had to cancel all backorders. As a result, none of the announced items will be delivered. This is of course regrettable – not only for us, but especially for many collectors who have to write off one or more highly anticipated products. Of course, all our customers will receive personal information from us in the coming days, addressing the individual pre-orders that have been affected.

It is very unfortunate that we therefore can not fulfill our customers' orders. With Diamond and Gentle Giant, the collectibles community is losing two influential names whose departure will leave a noticeable mark.

… and we answer.
Yesterday, the game adaptation in our news was a family-friendly highlight, but today you better send the little ones to bed. Because when 1950's atmosphere, nuclear disaster, disgusting zombies in Elvis Presley outfits, Western attitude, bottle caps, and witty one-liners come together, we all know what time it is: it's time for another stroll through the wasteland of »Fallout«. For the second season of the brilliant series based on one of the greatest game franchises of all time, the main trailer has now been released — and we truly can't wait for December 17, when the first episode hits on Amazon Prime Video:
https://youtu.be/ECI3eCAxRGw

Without giving too much away, the two-and-a-half-minute trailer is an absolute roller-coaster ride through everything that makes the RPG world so unique, while it is also giving us the first glimpses of the brilliant performances of the three main characters: Ella Purnell as Lucy MacLean — an Emmy nomination next year seems very likely — Walton Goggins as the Ghoul, and Aaron Moten as Maximus. New additions to the cast include, among others, Macaulay Culkin and Kumail Nanjiani — perfect casting!

Did you know that one of the world's largest pop culture conventions takes place in a small, idyllic town in Tuscany? "Lucca Comics & Games" is regularly mentioned in the same breath as Comiket in Tokyo and CCXP in São Paulo. For anime and manga fans – but also for film, TV series, and comic book enthusiasts – it's a true mecca, right in the heart of Italy.

In the latest episode of S.P.A.C.E on the Road, Sven takes you through the narrow streets of Lucca and the sweltering, packed tents of the event. He also conducts a fascinating interview with Fabio Varesi, the creative mind behind Infinite and Kaustic Plastik. Together, they take a look at the breathtaking new releases, such as the »The Crow« lineup, including the first-ever 1/4 Plus Format Eric Draven statue, the 1/6 Maestro figures for »The Crow« and »Labyrinth«, and many other fantastic collectibles. A visit to Peer and Emiliano from Formo Toys was also on the agenda. So, if you'd like to join us on a little trip to Tuscany, hop on over to our YouTube channel – buon divertimento!
https://youtu.be/04T2_2ajQPw

A dystopian TV program, diamond theft & magic, postpartum depression & madness – here are this week's theatrical releases:

»The Running Man« from 1987 is a typical 80s Arnold Schwarzenegger flick based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King. Unfortunately, the film hasn't aged very well, and didn't have much to do with the source material. So it makes perfect sense to give it a fresh makeover, and for that, the highly esteemed Edgar Wright took to the director's chair. We're very curious to see what the Brit does with the narrative, as he has a good feel for timing and editing – not bad prerequisites for the manhunt story. The first reviews have been published. Most conclude that it's okay, but they expected significantly more from Edgar Wright. Here's the latest trailer again:
https://youtu.be/UsmiRIozzvw

»Now You See Me« from 2013 was fun. Four illusionists, who call themselves The Four Horsemen, rob a bank during their show and distribute the money to their audience. The film had a good pace and a likeable cast, including Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco as the magicians, Mark Ruffalo as the overwhelmed FBI agent pursuing them, and on top of that, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine. It didn't care much about logic, but like a good magic trick, its fast pace provided plenty of distraction. The sequel, »Now You See Me 2«, followed in 2016. The magicians are still likeable, the plot holes even bigger, but there were still scenes that were simply fun. After a nine-year hiatus, the third installment, »Now You See Me: Now You Don't« is here, in which the Horsemen are joined by three young magicians: Dominic Sessa (»The Holdovers«), Ariana Greenblatt (»Barbie«), and Justice Smith (»Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves«). This time, Rosamund Pike (»Gone Girl«) plays the villain. The trailer sometimes left us wondering: is it illusion, real magic, or just CGI with no regard for physics? Even so, perhaps an extra-large bucket of popcorn will help. Does the trailer enchant you?
https://youtu.be/-E3lMRx7HRQ

»Die My Love« is the new film by Lynne Ramsay, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. Lawrence plays Grace, a writer and young mother who slowly descends into madness. Similar to Ramsay's »We Need to Talk About Kevin«, her new work seems to unfold in a disjointed and uneven manner. The reviews are quite good, though they acknowledge that the film is somewhat challenging and doesn't make things easy for its audience. Ultimately, it's anything but a feel-good movie. The cinematography and especially Jennifer Lawrence's "all in" performance are frequently praised. See for yourselves in the trailer:
https://youtu.be/2jzXHW6Qe70

The spooky decorations are being taken down, sour eyeballs are being replaced with the first gingerbread cookies, and it's time to start thinking about presents … Our November postcard fits perfectly into this transitional period! 🎃🎅

The card, unveiled here with great fanfare, shows Chucky already going through his wish list – a new knife, or maybe a chainsaw? The photo is by Leandro, who not only showcased the iconic killer doll but also hid a few Easter eggs. Fans of dark horror themes should definitely check out his profile!

So, if you're still stuck somewhere between Halloween and the Christmas spirit, you can kill two birds with one stone: every package we send you in November includes a free copy of this cool postcard, AND you might even be able to cross something off your wish list! 📦🎁

From November 7th to 9th, 2025, the Hanover Marriott Hotel in Whippany, New Jersey, transformed into a mecca for action figure collectors, creatives, and fantasy fans: LegionsCon 2025 celebrated the world of Mythic Legions and the 25th anniversary of Four Horsemen Studios – with more highlights, more guests, and even greater passion than ever before. The small but distinguished convention premiered in November 2019 as part of ToyConNJ in New Jersey and has since grown into a well-established institution.

The weekend kicked off on Friday with the legendary "Gcon Live Reveal," a four-hour streaming event during which Four Horsemen Studios unveiled their latest figures and projects. The spotlight was on the new Mythic Legions wave, »Dawns of Discovery«. Set in previously uncharted waters, this wave introduces entirely new characters with fascinating backstories. We expect to offer these exciting figures for pre-order by late December or early January.

Excerpts were also shown from the upcoming book »The Rise of Dark Four, Volume 1«, which delves into the lore of the so-called Dark Four faction within the Mythic Legions universe. As another major highlight of the Infinite Legions line, Four Horsemen Studios – in collaboration with U.S. actor, producer, and author Joe Manganiello – unveiled the figure Arkhan the Cruel, which will be available for pre-order starting in January 2026. What a banger!

On Saturday and Sunday, the large showroom opened its doors, and the excitement among fans was palpable – many arrived in full cosplay or with their own custom builds. More than a hundred exhibitors, customizers, artists, and vendors showcased their work. The Legions Armory Experience was particularly popular, allowing visitors to assemble and personalize figures in a "pop-and-swap" style. The level of creative exchange within the community was tremendous: everywhere, people were trading parts, displaying 3D-printing projects, and presenting impressive dioramas.

A special highlight this year was the first-ever appearance of Sideshow Collectibles – and for a very special reason: together with Four Horsemen Studios, they unveiled the brand-new statue "Arethyr: War" – one of the villains from the Mythic Legions universe, now brought to life in a high-end format. This collaboration marks a groundbreaking milestone: Mythic Legions has officially entered the premium collectible sector! The highly detailed statue, which was on display throughout the weekend, magnetically attracted visitors. In addition, fans were treated to a preview of unpainted prototypes of the upcoming characters Poxxus, Illythia, and Necronominus – a taste of what's to come. And of course, you'll be able to get these impressive statues from us. "Arethyr: War" is now available for pre-order in our shop.

Naturally, the hype surrounding Four Horsemen Studios' exclusive figures was enormous. Under the theme "The Tale of the Crossroads", two exclusive figure sets were released, each offering the option to build one of two character variants (Set 1: Warrior/Revenant and Set 2: Nymph/Churel). Both sets impressed with interchangeable parts, new weapons, and elaborately designed convention-themed boxes. In addition, the exclusive "Legacies of Mythoss Wave 2" sets featuring Scaphoid and Sir Valgard were unveiled. While these figures will become available as standard editions later next year, the LegionsCon versions come in deluxe packaging and include additional bonus parts. From the Figura Obscura line, Thoth made his debut at LegionsCon 2025 – not as a convention exclusive, but as a teaser for the regular 2026 release.

Smaller brands also received plenty of attention once again at LegionsCon: during the "Independent Toy Creator Showcase" and the mini "GlyCon", more than 35 indie creators presented their own figure lines – ranging from Plunderlings and Tide-Realm Corsairs to Legends of the Ramayan. Notably, the Tide-Realm Corsairs figures were sculpted by Four Horsemen Studios, adding an extra layer of excitement for fans. Many of the ideas showcased were so creative and full of potential that there's real hope some of these projects will make it into production – and eventually find their way into our shop.

LegionsCon 2025 impressively demonstrated why it has become arguably the most important toy convention in the fantasy scene, particularly for the niche of independent toymakers. Between exclusive figures, creative workshops, passionate fans, and major brand collaborations, the event offered everything a collector's heart could desire. What a shame that New Jersey isn't just around the corner …

Netflix is constantly churning out teasers, clips and trailers for new films and shows – here, we'd like to present to you the most interesting ones from the past few days:

First, there's the trailer for »The Abandons«, a Western miniseries in which two matriarchs clash. »The X-Files« star Gillian Anderson plays the wealthy and influential Constance Van Ness. Her rival, Fiona Nolan, portrayed by »Game of Thrones« actress Lena Headey, leads a chosen family of orphans and outcasts. The trailer makes it clear that this is an epic battle between rich and poor, and things are about to get intense. The 10-episode series premieres on Netflix on December 4th. Here's the trailer:
https://youtu.be/UtZ1qya0X2M

Then there was an announcement video for the animated series »Stranger Things: Tales From '85«. The main series is soon entering its final, fifth season, with the first four episodes airing on November 27th. Three more episodes will follow on December 26th, and the grand finale will air on New Year's Day. Apparently though, neither Netflix nor the showrunners can let go, and they've now announced an animated series for next year, set between the second and third seasons. Here's the video:
https://youtu.be/7m49Wm64ngo
While we're a bit skeptical, let's wait and see.

This is a fantastic surprise for all Michael Jackson fans – and one of them among our S.P.A.C.E. Crew members is sitting here with goosebumps in front of the screen … because just a few hours ago, Lionsgate finally released the first teaser for »Michael«, the new biopic about the King of Pop:
https://youtu.be/723RZxnDWKE

Anyone who already had the project on their radar was surely curious to see how Jaafar Jackson (Michael's nephew) would portray his uncle – especially since he not only looks like a Jackson, but his voice is extremely similar to Michael's. Here's a little Christmas-themed preview:
https://youtu.be/fa5aZFajjsc

Jaafar is already predestined for this role, but he has prepared intensively for the past two years to give us fans a magnificent film and, above all, to create a worthy cinematic tribute to his uncle. We think that's exactly what comes across in the first teaser. The look and feel are incredibly high-quality and well-executed, the numerous costumes and settings appear to be meticulously and authentically reconstructed, and this first impression will likely far exceed many people's expectations. We are now certain that Jaafar will thrill us all when »Michael« hits theaters next April.

The new »Frankenstein« premieres on Netflix today. Our Mick had the opportunity to see the film in theaters. Here's his opinion:

When I first heard that Guillermo del Toro would be adapting Mary Shelley's »Frankenstein«, my heart skipped a beat, because del Toro loves monsters, and I couldn't imagine a better director for this subject. I read in various places that this was the film del Toro was born to make. My excitement was somewhat dampened when I learned that the film was financed by the streaming giant Netflix. Of course, it was fantastic that this passion project came about in this way. But such a story, combined with del Toro's skills as a visual artist, was practically made for the big screen.

Fortunately, Netflix (also keeping an eye on Oscar regulations, of course) brought the film to select theaters for a limited time. The nearest venue for me was in Düsseldorf. And so, about two weeks ago, I made the pilgrimage to the UFA-Palast cinema in the state capital. Seeing »Frankenstein« on the big screen was truly an experience. Everyone who did the same will confirm this. Today, the movie premieres on Netflix, and I'll be watching it there a second time.

As I mentioned at the beginning, Guillermo del Toro is imbued with a deep love for monsters. He treats Shelley's novel with great respect without slavishly retelling the story page by page. His adaptation of the material and his changes are inspired, giving the characters additional depth, and at its core, his film captures the essence of Shelley's work.

Oscar Isaac plays the scientist Victor Frankenstein as a driven man, obsessed with the idea of ​​conquering death and creating new life. As interviews with del Toro reveal, the character's interpretation is reminiscent of a rock star. The film delves deep into Frankenstein's life, and the flashbacks to his past begin in his childhood, depicting his love for his mother (portrayed by Mia Goth) and his suffering under his tyrannical father, the great surgeon Leopold Frankenstein, brilliantly embodied by Charles Dance. The conflict with his father will shape Victor's life. Sons and fathers – the film is full of them, full of repetitions of the same mistakes and motives. Frankenstein creates the creature, but at the end, he doesn't know what to do with it and makes the same mistakes as his own father.

Jacob Elordi plays the creature in search of the meaning of its existence and the love of its creator. Elordi's performance is fantastic; his innocent eyes steal the show. With him, the film raises profound existential questions.

Mia Goth appears in a double role as both Victor's mother and Elizabeth, who, unlike in the novel, is the fiancée of Victor's brother William (Felix Kammerer). Unlike Victor and everyone else, she reacts to the creature with affection and empathy.

Even the smaller supporting roles in the film are convincing, including Christoph Waltz as Mr. Harlander, Elizabeth's uncle and financier of Frankenstein's research, Lars Mikkelsen as Captain Anderson, and David Bradley as the old blind man – all of them embody father figures.

Besides the captivating story, »Frankenstein« is, as expected, also a feast for the eyes. Alongside Guillermo del Toro's screenplay and direction, as well as the two lead actors, I see further candidates for Oscar nominations in the set design, costumes, makeup, and cinematography.

»Frankenstein« is very high on my personal top ten list of the year. The film has what it takes to become a modern classic, and it will likely often be mentioned in the same breath as James Whale's two classics starring Boris Karloff.

A few more words about Netflix: It's great that the streaming service invested 120 million US dollars and gave Guillermo del Toro total creative control to realize his vision. However, the film only made it to theaters to meet the requirements for Academy Award submissions – resulting in three weeks in just 382 US cinemas. Clearly, Netflix is ​​hoping for a few Oscars to bolster its image and use for advertising to attract new subscribers. »Frankenstein« will henceforth lead a life as content, but this masterpiece deserved more than that. I'm glad I had the chance to see the film in theater, but I would have been pleased if Netflix had shown the respect this work deserves and granted it a longer and wider theatrical release. And some Academy members may well take Netflix's policy into account when deciding whether to award the film.

As a passionate 1/6 scale collector, I naturally want the main characters in my favorite scale as well. That would be a great license for Hot Toys or InArt! In 1/10 scale, Iron Studios is the early bird, presenting Frankenstein's Monster as an Art Scale Statue:
https://www.space-figuren.de/Movies/Frankenstein/1-10-Scale-Frankensteins-Monster-Art-Scale-Statue-Frankenstein::29697.html

What are your favorite monsters from outer space? The Xenomorph from the »Alien« franchise and the creature from the 1987 »Predator« film would certainly be among the top contenders for many. Both boast fantastic creature designs and have earned their place in the hall of fame of the best movie monsters of all time.

Since everything successful in Hollywood gets a sequel, the »Predator«, after his jungle adventure, was transplanted to the urban jungle in 1990's »Predator 2«. It was a decent film, but didn't quite reach the quality of its predecessor.

In 2004 and 2007, our favorite monsters, the Xenomorph and the Yautja, as the Predator species is called, met in the »Alien vs. Predator« crossovers. The first flick is a fairly enjoyable guilty pleasure, while the second was unfortunately utter garbage. In 2010, »Predators« was released, and it was clear the franchise was on its way to mediocrity. »The Predator« in 2018 marked the low point of the series, flopping with both critics and audiences.

When the prequel »Prey«, directed by Dan Trachtenberg, was released in 2022, the producers apparently had little faith in the franchise. The film went straight to streaming, where it became a huge success, achieving the best IMDb score (7.1) since the original (7.8). The 2025 animated film »Predator: Killer of Killers« even managed an impressive score of 7.5.

So it seems the Yautja are back on the rise and are returning to the big screen in »Predator: Badlands«, directed once again by Dan Trachtenberg. The trailers look fantastic, and we're really looking forward to the adventure of young Dek, banished from his clan, and the Weyland Yutani android Thia. Trachtenberg is taking a bold step by making Dek the main character. Die-hard fans of the original might hate it, and critic's reactions are very mixed, but we're open-minded and will see for ourselves.

Just in time for the film's release, Iron Studios has announced Dek & Thia as a 1/10 Art Scale Statue:
https://www.space-figuren.de/Movies/Predator/1-10-Scale-Dek-Thia-Art-Scale-Statue-Predator-Badlands::29698.html

Naturally, the two will also appear in NECA's long-running »Predator« action figure series.

Anyone who thinks that no exceptionally good films are released in German cinemas on a Wednesday is about to be proven wrong. All children of the '80s, but even more so the younger ones among you, should listen up: To celebrate its 40th anniversary, »Back to the Future« is returning to cinemas TODAY for select screenings. Great Scott! This means that, roughly 10 years after October 21, 2015, we once again have the chance to experience this milestone of film history on the big screen. In the US, it already premiered last week for Halloween, as the 40th anniversary trailer revealed:
https://youtu.be/ez6WQ7IX72U

Fantastic that we in Germany also get to enjoy it today! :)

Speaking of enjoyment: Of course, we have a dedicated »Back to the Future« section in our shop with fantastic collectibles. Today, however, we would like to selflessly draw your attention to two wonderful new releases that could be of interest to any BTTF fan and collector:

With an absolutely brilliant, incredibly elaborate trailer, watch manufacturer CASIO unveiled the CA-500WEBF-1A, the official CASIO x BACK TO THE FUTURE edition of the classic. Currently, the watch, which will be released in a limited edition, is not yet available, although early reviews on YouTube indicate it's "already sold out". Who knows, maybe the space-time continuum has gotten a little mixed up? The clip is definitely worth watching. It's packed with Easter eggs and truly gives you goosebumps – and of course, it makes you really want the watch! ;)
https://youtu.be/SQteBXRiY74

Much easier and cheaper to get, however, is the new book by Michael J. Fox, »Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey through the Space-Time Continuum«, which was released in mid-October. In it, Michael tells, among other things, the incredible story of how he managed to walk the tightrope between two roles for over three months. By day, he played Alex P. Keaton in the TV show »Family Ties«, and by night, he was on the set of »Back to the Future« as Marty McFly. He talks about it in this wonderful interview on Good Morning America:
https://youtu.be/a70GEJr8xKs

As die-hard BTTF fans ourselves, we're so excited to be getting all this! Now all that's missing is a high-end 1/6 scale Marty McFly figure (maybe a Hot Toys Artisan Edition) to top it all off. But before we get too carried away with our thoughts and daydreams, we'd say: Set your Casio alarm for 7:00 PM, put down the »Future Boy« book in time, and head to the cinema tonight, because we're all traveling back in time, back to 1985, or to 2015 – or, to quote Doc: Back to the Future!

Just before Halloween, Paramount dropped the first official trailer for »Scream 7« – and it's seriously exciting!
https://youtu.be/UJrghaPJ0RY

After it seemed like they were going to focus on the new generation of actors moving forward, including Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, with »Scream VI« in 2023, the new installment takes us back to the roots of the franchise following their departure. Neve Campbell returns as Sidney Prescott, as a new Ghostface killer appears in her life and targets her daughter, Tatum (Isabel May). But that's not the only reason why fans of the original series will likely enjoy »Scream 7«. The trailer already shows Stu Macher's house, which once again becomes a bloody crime scene. And last but not least, we hear a familiar voice that promises a lot of fun…

We're especially excited that Kevin Williamson, who already wrote the 1st, 2nd and 4th part, now also gets to be in the director's chair. We'll see how he fared in the cinema from February 27, 2026!

Born in chains, baptized in blood, raised in the arena where the cries of the dying drowned out the prayers of the weak – Skarn and Rygan Varnok were not children; they were tools, taught to kill before they could speak in full sentences. Skarn, the elder, fought with cold precision. Every movement calculated, every blow a step toward control and power. Rygan, on the other hand, wild-eyed and untamed, lived in the moment. For him, fighting was not a means, but ecstasy.

Today, free from the masters who incited them, the Varnok twins offer their blades to those who pay, but never to those who command. Whatever morality once resided within them lies long since buried beneath the sands of the arena. What remains is their bond – and the violence it unleashes.

With the brand-new Varnoks Unchained action figure, Harvinger Studios is expanding their popular »Savage Crucible« line. We had been eyeing the figure for weeks, but could only look enviously at Shanghai and Nashville, as it was available there exclusively as a convention release. Now, however, the Varnoks Unchained horde is marching towards the S.P.A.C.E Headquarters and will be awarded with the title 💥 Product of the Month 💥 November 2025 immediately with the conquest of our warehouse!

The quality of the »Savage Crucible« figures is truly impressive, and as expected, this figure raises the bar even higher: packed with loads of accessories, weapons, and interchangeable heads, elaborately hand-painted, and equipped with over 30 points of articulation that allow for highly dynamic fighting poses – a dream for all collectors and photographers of 7" myth and fantasy figures.

Although the Varnok twins look exactly alike, you can tell them apart by their abdominal muscle tattoos: one has a tattooed scorpion's stinger pointing to the right, the other to the left. Which version of this brutal deluxe figure is in the box is determined at random. So grab it before they disappear back into the mists of legend …
https://bit.ly/sf_pdm_nov25