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Every year in the second half of January, the renowned Sundance Film Festival takes place in Utah. The careers of many independent filmmakers began here. We're taking this year's festival as an opportunity to celebrate a few film anniversaries that had their world premieres at the Sundance Festival.

»Clerks« had its premiere here 30 years ago. Back then, Kevin Smith was celebrated as the new great hope of independent film. Even if that didn't quite come true and it's now a side note of film events, »Clerks« was still a promising start back then.

We congratulate »The Blair Witch Project« on its 25th anniversary. Even though there had already been a found footage film with »Cannibal Holocaust«, the clever advertising campaign and the great success of the inexpensively produced film made the found footage method popular and we unfortunately became also inundated with a wave of poorly produced shaky camera films.

Speaking of 1999, that year, »Run Lola Run«, a German film, won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and made filmmaker Tom Tykwer and leading actress Franka Potente known to a larger audience.

On January 19, 2004, »Saw« premiered at the festival and helped launch an unprecedented career for James Wan. The »Saw« franchise already entered its 10th round last year.

It's hard to believe, but »The Butterfly Effect« is already turning 20 years old as well. We still remember the time in the early 2000s when »The Butterfly Effect« was one of those films that you simply had to see back then.

Last but not least, we’d like to mention three films that Sundance put on the cinematographic map 10 years ago and founded the careers of their makers.

The musical drama »Whiplash« hit like a grenade and we knew we would be hearing more from Damien Chazelle.

»The Babadook« by the Australian filmmaker Jennifer Kent is one of those films that are now often referred to as elevated horror and have almost become their own subgenre.

»What We Do in the Shadows« was a hit as well. The equally funny and knowledgeable vampire mockumentary by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi introduced us to the wonderfully weird humor of the two New Zealanders for the first time.

We hope our Sundance birthday wishes have made you want to visit these films again or perhaps even for the first time!

Are you looking for something that you can easily binge on a weekend? Then we recommend to you the six-part Paramount+ miniseries »The Burning Girls« based on the novel by C. J. Tudor.

The series goes a long way and begins with a flashback to a dramatic event in 1556. The next scene almost jumps to the present and exudes pleasant folk horror vibes. It ends with the suicide of a priest and a hint to two girls who disappeared without a trace 30 years ago. The third scene then takes us to the present three months later and introduces Vicar Jack Brooks (Samantha Morton), who arrives at the small village Chapel Croft with her 15-year-old daughter Flo (Ruby Stokes) to succeed the deceased priest. We soon learn that there are some dark events in the vicar's past as well.

As the first scenes make clear, there are a lot of events and secrets that are linked thematically, sometimes just loosely associated, but sometimes also causally connected. At times it seems like there are a few ingredients too many, but the stories are told in an exciting way and there are a whole series of suspenseful, unexpected twists. A clear recommendation for mystery fans!

Finally, 💫 NEUES AUS DEM FIGUREN UNIVERSUM 💫 is back - in episode 9 we are starting the new year with a special! In the course of their »12 Days of Sideshow« the manufacturer Sideshow Collectibles announced a new statue everyday during the holidays - Sven and Tobi present to you these brand-new figures, chat about the details that were shown so far and discuss their personal highlights 🤩.

Check it out - now on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/XIS4irbGciw

Our January postcard is reaching you from the dark side of the force and is presented very proudly by none other than Darth Vader ⚫!

Hansi captured him trudging through the snow - of course never without his light saber! The picture shows the great Hot Toys figure which was released for the 40th anniversary of »Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back« 😁.

As always, you get a free copy of this iconic card with every package we send to you this January 📦.

Netflix released the first long trailer for »3 Body Problem« last night. The series is based on the first book »The Three Body Problem« of the »Trisolaris« trilogy by Chinese science fiction master Cixin Liu. The novel won the prestigious Hugo Award in 2015 and is considered a milestone of the genre.

Behind the series are the »Game of Thrones« showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss and the Emmy-nominated author Alexander Woo. We are curious to see whether Benioff and Weiss will redeem themselves with their new work after the unfortunately rather inglorious ending to their »Game of Thrones« series. In any case, the trailer looks damn good:
https://youtu.be/mogSbMD6EcY

We have noted the series premiere on the 21st of March in bold in our calendars and the novels have also been ordered.

More than 2 years ago already, this show was announced - today it has been released on Disney+. We're speaking of »Echo«!

This spin-off of the Marvel series »Hawkeye« focuses on Maya Lopez a.k.a. Echo, who is again played by Alaqua Cox. The story takes place after the events of »Hawkeye«. Maya wants to leave her criminal past behind and returns home. But her former mentor Kingpin doesn't want to accept her betrayal ...

The trailer looks exciting and makes us hope for more violence and bloodshed than we are used to from other Marvel series on Disney+:
https://youtu.be/AFUKnherhuw

All 5 episodes were released today. Will you give »Echo« a try?

Dear hunters and gatherers, how was your past year of collectibles? Has your collection grown? Did your dreams come true? What did you particularly enjoy? And did something bother you?

Our Mick is a passionate 1/6 collector and kitbasher. He took a look back at this past year - at developments in the 1/6 brand world, at new highlights in his collection and at everything else that has happened in his hobby cosmos. From his thoughts, memories and many pictures he has made a colorful article for the Action Figure District. Check it out:
https://action-figure-district.de/jahrrueckblick-2023/

Last night the 81st Golden Globe Awards took place in Beverly Hills. The big winner of the evening was »Oppenheimer«, which was nominated for 8 Golden Globes and won 5 of the coveted awards. The film won "Best Motion Picture – Drama", Christopher Nolan won "Best Director", Cillian Murphy won "Best Actor - Drama", Robert Downey Jr. won "Best Supporting Actor" and Ludwig Göransson won "Best Original Score".

»Barbie« was nominated in 7 categories and won 2 awards: the newly created blockbuster category "Cinematic and Box Office Achievement" and "Best Original Song" for »What Was I Made For?« by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell.

The seven-time nominated »Poor Things« was awarded "Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical". On top of that, Emma Stone won "Best Actress - Comedy/Musical".

Lily Gladstone won "Best Actress - Drama" in »Killers of the Flower Moon«.

The Golden Globes are always seen as a benchmark for the Oscars - the winners can usually hope for a golden boy as well. But since there are no separate categories for dramas and comedies at the Oscars, we are curious to see which of the leading ladies honored yesterday will win the race.

"Best Actor - Comedy/Musical" went to Paul Giamatti for »The Holdovers«. Da’Vine Joy Randolph also won "Best Supporting Actress" for »The Holdovers«.

»The Boy and the Heron« became the "Best Motion Picture - Animated" and the award for the "Best Motion Picture - Non-English Language" went to »Anatomy of a Fall«, which also received the award for "Best Screenplay". When it came to TV series, »Succession« won "Best Television Series - Drama" as well as 3 other awards, »The Bear« was awarded 3 times, including "Best Television Series - Musical/Comedy" and »Beef« as the "Best Limited Series" won 3 Globes overall as well.

You can find a list of all winners and nominations here: 
https://goldenglobes.com/nominations/2024

Shortly before the holidays, Santa Claus drove his reindeer onto our parking lot and packed a large box with an order from our Mick onto his sleigh before setting course for the S.P.A.C.E outpost in the Ruhr area. Hence, Mick had a lot to unpack just in time for Christmas and then used the time between the holidays to take photos and write a few reviews.

You can read here in the Action Figure District how he likes his new preciouuusssss, the Asmus Toys Luxury Edition of Gollum & Sméagol from »The Lord of the Rings«:
https://action-figure-district.de/asmus-toys-gollum-smeagol-lord-of-the-rings/

This edition is also still in stock in our shop:
https://www.space-figuren.de/Filme/Der-Herr-der-Ringe/1-6-Scale-Gollum-Luxury-Edition-Lord-of-the-Rings::22302.html

There are further reviews for the magnificent, unfortunately already sold out Count Orlok from »Nosferatu« by Kaustic Plastik and Infinite Statue & Collectibles (https://action-figure-district.de/kaustic-plastik-infinite-statue-collectibles-nosferatu/) and for Sideshow’s The Dude alias Jeffrey Lebowski from the iconic Coen Brothers movie »The Big Lebowski« (https://action-figure-district.de/sideshow-the-dude-the-big-lebowski-2/), of which we still have a few pieces in stock:
https://www.space-figuren.de/Filme/The-Big-Lebowski/1-6-Scale-The-Dude-The-Big-Lebowski::21847.html

You can also look forward to a review of the threezero Sandor »The Hound« Clegane figure from the 7th season of »Game of Thrones«, which will be published next week :).

We're starting the new year of with a bunch of steals because you can get our ❄️ HOLIDAY DEALS ❄️ until the 7th of January! Until the end of the week you can grab 25 amazing collectibles from Blizzard, Iron Studios and Pure Arts for bargain prices in our shop!

So make us of these last few days of our sale to secure the best deals:
space-figuren.de/sale

This year of cinema starts off great for anime fans with »The Boy and the Heron«. The film is the latest work by director Hayao Miyazaki and the Japanese animation forge Studio Ghibli, known for amazing anime productions like »Spirited Away« and »Princess Mononoke«.

The premise promises a moving, fantastical film:
After his mother dies during an air strike in World War II, 11-year-old Mahito is forced to leave Tokyo. He moves in with his father and step-mother into an old manor on a big estate. Isolated from the world, Mahito starts to explore the enchanted landscapes surrounding his new home and meets a mysterious heron that stays by his side. Gradually, the heron becomes his leader and helps him to better understand the world around him and to unveil the secrets of life.

The movie seems to have been a matter of the heart for Miyazaki, who came back from his retirement as a filmmaker after 10 years. It doesn’t just have autobiographical elements but is also based on a young adult novel by Genzaburo Yoshino, which was very formative for Miyazaki’s childhood. After already seeing its Japanese release in the summer and being shown at several film festivals since September, »The Boy and the Heron« is finally hitting our cinemas.

It wasn't that long ago that Baz Luhrmann presented us his »Elvis«. Now Sofia Coppola is taking a look at the King, or rather at his marriage to »Priscilla«. The film of the same name is based on Priscilla Presley's memoir »Elvis and Me«.

The story begins in 1959 in Germany, where Elvis Presley, already a star at the time, is doing his military service. There, Priscilla Beaulieu, then 14 years old, meets Elvis, who is 10 years older. The film depicts the relationship of the couple, who married in 1967 and divorced in 1973. It stars Cailee Spaeny (»Bad Times at the El Royale«) as Priscilla and Jacob Elordi (»Euphoria«) as Elvis.

»Priscilla« opens in cinemas tomorrow. Let's see whether the film is suitable for a double feature with Luhrmann's »Elvis«.

As our first 💥 product of the month 💥 in 2024, we have a mega hit ... a cult character from a cult film that is slowly but surely approaching 40, but has lost none of its shine or rather its darkness: Ellen Ripley from »Aliens« as a 1/4 scale statue from PRIME 1's Ultimate Premium Masterline Series!

Almost all of us know and love the magnificent »Alien« series, which of course stars Sigourney Weaver. Over the last 20 years, us collectors have seen numerous, sometimes truly breathtaking Alien collectibles (Xenomorphs, Facehuggers, alien eggs and of course the Alien Queen) on the market - the selection of Ellen Ripley collectibles though, especially in high quality, is meager.

PRIME 1 STUDIO, in collaboration with BLITZWAY, is now fulfilling a long-awaited dream for many hardcore Alien fans: the Ellen Ripley Ultimate Premium Masterline statue in 1:4 scale, with an amazing likeness of the young Sigourney Weaver, made with high-quality workmanship and equipped with real fabric clothing and her distinctive weapon (a cross between an M240 flamethrower and an M41A Pulse Rifle), placed on an atmospheric LED-lit base... all in all, just badass and straight out of the movie.

This powerful collectible is limited to 790 copies worldwide - and you still have the chance to secure a copy of the bonus version for yourself, which contains an Alien Ovomorph with an emerging Facehugger as an exclusive special accessory. Creepy 😱!

We think this magnificent statue is a worthy start to our „Product of the Month“ series in 2024 and can hardly wait for the shipment to arrive! It should be any day now ...

Ha-Ha-Happy New Year wishes you Alf and the S.P.A.C.E Crew!

We hope that y'all arrived well in the year 2024. We of course will continously stand by your side this year aswell when it comes to expand your collections - because we love collectibles almost as much as Gordon Shumway loves cats 😉!

Here's to a lucky, healthy and prosperous new year 🍀!

Today we are opening the 24th and last door of our S.P.A.C.E Advent calendar 🎅🎁!

The first prize is: an Ahsoka Premium Format Figure by Sideshow

The winner is: Nikolaus

Congratulations 🥳! We will contact you via email.

Dear customers, friends, suppliers, service partners and delivery drivers!

We wish you all a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones and some hours full of joy, good food and lots of gifts.

After the Christmas Holidays we will still be available for you, but we too will gear down a little before putting the pedal to the metal for you once again in the new year.

The whole S.P.A.C.E Crew wishes you Happy Holidays and all the best for the new year!

Today we are opening door no. 23 of the S.P.A.C.E Advent calendar 🎅🎁!

Behind the 23rd door is: an Ultimate Joel & Ellie 2-Pack by NECA

The winner is: Marcus

Congratulations 🥳! We will contact you via email.

Today we are opening door no. 22 of the S.P.A.C.E Advent calendar 🎅🎁!

Behind the 22nd door is: a 30 € gift coupon for the SUPERGEEK Shop

The winner is: Elena

Congratulations 🥳! We will contact you via email.

There are a number of films in Zack Snyder's oeuvre that we like: his »Dawn of the Dead« remake, »300«, »Watchmen« »Man of Steel« as well as his »Justice League« cut. So we were really looking forward to his new movie »Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire«. Now that the reviews are out though, our anticipation is quite dampened. At one point, the film had a critic score of 22% on Rotten Tomatoes and currently seems to be settling just slightly above it. 

Of course, it was clear to everyone that the film would be a »Star Wars« knockoff. Making use of previous works is nothing reprehensible. Quentin Tarantino said in a 1994 Empire interview: „I steal from every single movie ever made. I love it - if my work has anything it’s that I’m taking this from this and that from that and mixing them together. I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don’t do homages.“

However, Tarantino always transforms his remixes into something new. If you believe the critics, that’s not the case with »Rebel Moon«. Snyder plunders popular films from »Star Wars« to »The Lord of the Rings« and »Avatar« to »Seven Samurai« - but he doesn’t do anything new with it. A critic accuses him of not having a single original idea for the film and compares it to bad fan fiction. The movie simply lacks an interesting story, the dialogues are terrible and you can see that »Rebel Moon« is tied to a studio. Almost everything was filmed in front of volume video stages. Alluding to Snyder's beloved slow motion shots, one critic puts it: „Never before has so much slow motion been wasted on so many characters we care so little about. “

Even if negative reviews predominate, there are also voices that have positive things to say about the film: it was praised for its abundance of great pictures as well as the performances of Sofia Boutella, Ed Skrein, Bae Doona and Ray Fisher. One critic wrote that despite all its flaws, the film is still extremely entertaining and a very solid space opera.

Of course, it's best for us all to make up our own minds, but we've already lowered our expectations for tonight's viewing. We'll keep the remote control within reach...

By the way, the second part »Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver« will be released in April.

Today we are opening door no. 21 of the S.P.A.C.E Advent calendar 🎅🎁!

Behind the 21st door is: a Dobby statue from the Magical Creatures series by Noble Collection

The winner is: Henry

Congratulations 🥳! We will contact you via email.