News

Today marks the long-awaited premiere of the seventh season of Netflix’s acclaimed dystopian anthology series »Black Mirror«. For the past 14 years, the show has been dissecting the dangers of our media consumption - especially through smart technology - across a wide range of genres, from horror and pitch-black satire to sci-fi dramas, crime thrillers, and more. It’s one of the longest running productions on the streaming site and also one of its most successful. The show continues to rack up Emmy wins, and the trailer for the new season already promises another spectacular ride!
https://youtu.be/1iqra1ojEvM

This time around, the cast includes Awkwafina; Paul Giamatti; Peter Capaldi in a role that eerily and bizarrely evokes Weird Al Yankovic; Emma Corrin, who was the acting highlight in »Deadpool & Wolverine«, »The Crown«, and »Nosferatu«; as well as many, many other acclaimed stars.

We stumbled across a trailer on YouTube that really blew our minds. We can already say this much: Fans of the »Predator« franchise definitely have something to look forward to this year!

Before the »Prey« successor, »Predator: Badlands«, is set to premiere in November, another film in the series will be released this summer. »Predator: Killer of Killers« is set in various locations at very different times in human history: the Viking Age, feudal Japan, and during World War II. The story follows three powerful warriors who become prey themselves in the face of the ultimate killer.

You can watch the bloody, epic preview here:
https://youtu.be/eWzPKrNoSyM

The film is scheduled to premiere on June 6th on Hulu and internationally on Disney+.

Last night, Netflix released a teaser for the fourth season of »Love Death + Robots«. The compilation of glimpses from the 10 new episodes reflects the variety of very different styles, from classic 2D animation to hyper-realistic CGI worlds, which has always been a trademark of the anthology format. This promises another wild ride through sci-fi, horror, and fantasy. We're definitely hooked! And the other good news: The new episodes will premiere in a month's time - on May 15th.

To whet your appetite, here's the promising teaser:
https://youtu.be/fnvke44Rps4

Two new trailers caught our attention in the last few days.

»One Battle After Another« is the new film by Paul Thomas Anderson starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio Del Toro, and Sean Penn. Any further information about the dark comedy thriller beyond the trailer is still quite sparse.

When their evil enemy reappears after 16 years, former revolutionaries join forces once again to save the daughter of one of their comrades.

Since it's a film by Paul Thomas Anderson, it's a no-brainer for us to watch it. The release is scheduled for September. Here's the trailer:
https://youtu.be/feOQFKv2Lw4

The western »Rust« starring Alec Baldwin gained notoriety during filming when cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on set in a fatal accident. Baldwin fired a revolver, wrongly assuming the gun was loaded with blanks. The release of the film is not without controversy due to these tragic events.

The story takes place in 1880s Wyoming: The newly orphaned Lucas Hollister accidentally kills a rancher and is sentenced to death by hanging. By a twist of fate, his estranged grandfather, the notorious outlaw Harland Rust, frees him from prison and takes him on the run to Mexico. On their journey through the unforgiving wilderness, they must evade the determined U.S. Marshal Wood Helm and the ruthless bounty hunter "Preacher".

The film is scheduled to open on May 1. Take a look at the trailer:
https://youtu.be/q95B6Ys5h_8

Over the course of this year's CinemaCon in Las Vegas last week, we got a glimpse of what the blockbuster business of the seven biggest studios will bring us in the coming years. As expected, the menus were packed with remakes, reboots, sequels and spin-offs. However, there were also a few surprises - especially newcomer Amazon-MGM, which was represented for the first time this year and showed some genuinely exciting, fresh-looking projects. But more on that later.
Here's a selection from the presentations:

SONY
The convention kicked off with Sony on Monday, and the Japanese company set the bar high for the rest of the week.
The absolute highlight was arguably the announcement of the title of the fourth Tom Holland Spider-Man film: »Spider-Man: Brand New Day«. The unveiled logo and title point toward a soft reboot of the series after the end of the »Home Trilogy« and we could even be getting a brand-new trilogy. We'll get to see »Spider-Man: Brand New Day« in July 2026, between »Avengers: Doomsday« and »Avengers: Secret Wars«.
But that wasn't all - Sony had some real surprises up its sleeve like an »Anaconda« reboot with Jack Black and Paul Rudd and not just one, but four (!) Beatles biopics directed by Sam Mendes. Paul Mescal, Harris Dickinson, Barry Keoghan and Joseph Quinn will portray Paul, John, Ringo and George respectively in the films of the same names, premiering simultaneously in April 2028.
We finally also got a release date for the long-anticipated sequel »Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse«: On June 4, 2027, Miles Morales will face off against himself - as Spider-Man and as The Prowler.
Other interesting announcements included »Klara and the Sun«, an adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's dystopian novel directed by Taika Waititi with Jenna Ortega in the lead role, and »Grandgear«, the first English-language film by »Godzilla Minus One« director Takashi Yamazaki. Lastly, new footage from the upcoming film »Karate Kid: Legends« was shown - and early buzz suggests it may very well live up to the 1980s classics.

LIONSGATE
Lionsgate had a clear central theme: John Wick! That the spin-off »From the World of John Wick: Ballerina« with Ana de Armas in the lead role would be coming soon was expected - but the revelation that Keanu Reeves would play a significantly bigger role than just a cameo was not. In addition, »John Wick 5«, an animated prequel series about the killer's origins, and another spin-off focusing on Caine were announced.
We were also intrigued by the presentation of the sequel »Now You See Me: Now You Don't«, continuing the action-packed magician heist franchise. A remake of »American Psycho« was also announced, which we approach with great skepticism in view of Christian Bale's iconic portrayal of Patrick Bateman. Also in the pipeline: another prequel to the »Hunger Games« franchise titled »Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping«, which will focus on Haymitch Abernathy's backstory.

WARNER BROS.
Warner Bros. didn't have a true showstopper this year, but there were still some interesting presentations. As expected, James Gunn's »Superman« was the centerpiece - though no major new details about the film or the rest of the DC universe were revealed. A cool announcement was the animated film »Dynamic Duo«, which will explore the stories of the two Robins Dick Grayson and Jason Todd, and features a unique animation style that mixes live-action/motion capture, puppetry/marionettes, and CGI.
A potentially exciting remake is »The Bride!«: Maggie Gyllenhaal is directing a horror musical based on »Bride of Frankenstein« (1935) - with Christian Bale, Jessie Buckley, and Penélope Cruz in the lead roles. The first images radiate a punk atmosphere reminiscent of the Sex Pistols.
In this context, we'd also like to mention »One Battle After Another« - a thriller-comedy by star director Paul Thomas Anderson, in which Leonardo DiCaprio shines with a kind of hobo-coolness. We'll give you a closer look at the first trailer tomorrow.

UNIVERSAL
Universal treated CinemaCon guests to an early full screening of the live-action remake of »How to Train Your Dragon«, set to hit theaters this summer - and reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. For fans of Hiccup and Toothless, the good news kept coming: the sequel is scheduled to release just two years after the first installment.
The rest of Universal's panel revolved around the number two: The surprise 2021 action hit »Nobody« starring Bob Odenkirk is getting a sequel. Teasers and trailers were also revealed for »Five Nights at Freddy's 2«, »M3GAN 2.0«, »The Black Phone 2«, »The Bad Guys 2« and »Wicked for Good«.
Speaking of »M3GAN 2.0«: While the main film sees the robot girl pull a »Terminator 2«-style turnaround to become the vigilante heroine of an action comedy, the spin-off erotic splatter film »Soulm8te« promises to be much more "adult" and bloody.

AMAZON-MGM STUDIOS
As mentioned earlier, the Amazon-MGM panel was bursting with surprises!
The biggest highlight was undoubtedly the live-action blockbuster »Masters of the Universe«. Director Travis Knight, who previously scored a hit for Mattel with »Bumblebee«, is at the helm. The cast includes Idris Elba as Man-At-Arms, Camila Mendes as Teela, Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man and, most notably, Jared Leto as Skeletor. Early costume footage shown at CinemaCon was widely praised.
»Project Hail Mary« is the adaptation of author Andy Weir's (»The Martian«) third novel. Ryan Gosling and Sandra Hüller star in this absurd philosophical sci-fi story involving imminent doom, unlikely friendship, memory loss, and loads of quantum physics fantasy. We're definitely curious about this one - especially since cinematographer Greig Fraser (»The Batman«, »Dune«) is behind the camera. Epic space imagery is pretty much guaranteed!
We were particularly impressed by Amazon's thriller lineup: With »Verity«, »After the Hunt«, »Mercy«, »Crime 101«, and »Is God Is«, Amazon is serving up five thrillers that all seem fresher and bolder than most of what mainstream cinema usually delivers.

PARAMOUNT
The highlight of Paramount's panel was definitely the announced remake of »The Naked Gun« starring Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr., the son of the legendary character played by Leslie Nielsen. The first short teaser is already packed with slapstick and dark humor.
Also featured: new material from the upcoming »Mission: Impossible« franchise finale »The Final Reckoning«, which could end up being one of the year's biggest films. Other announced highlights included a remake of Arnold Schwarzenegger's classic »The Running Man«, an animated theatrical film based on the »Avatar: The Last Airbender« series, and a sequel to »Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem«.

DISNEY
As we approach the release of »Thunderbolts*« and »The Fantastic Four: First Steps«, it's becoming increasingly clear that these two films might represent some of the best MCU material in years. That's likely due in part to the fact that, after »Avengers: Endgame«, Kevin Feige's team found itself in a kind of limbo without a clear direction. Now, with the return of Robert Downey Jr. as Dr. Doom, it seems like a solid plan is finally taking shape - and this year, we'll begin to see that plan materialize.
Outside of the MCU, Disney's biggest upcoming stories include the live-action remake of »Lilo & Stitch«, which is already being received far better than the recent »Snow White«, as well as »Tron: Ares« featuring Jared Leto in a major role, and the third installment of James Cameron's »Avatar« series titled »Avatar: Fire and Ash«, which will show us a fire tribe and an air tribe of the Na'vi.

Today we want to take you on a little journey back in time, to 1960. Looking back, it was a very good year for horror films since four groundbreaking masterpieces of the genre were released. Mario Bava's »Black Sunday« gave Italian Gothic its first major exclamation mark, and Barbara Steele emerged a female icon. Georges Franju's »Eyes Without a Face« brought the poetry of horror to the screen, and Alfred Hitchcock's »Psycho« is arguably one of the most influential horror films in film history. Today, however, we want to talk about »Peeping Tom«.

Today, Michael Powell's film is considered a masterpiece, but things were very different in the days of its release. There were more than just bad reviews. Critics practically hated it. They said it was a film best flushed down the toilet. And audiences were also shocked. »Peeping Tom« quickly disappeared from theaters, and Michael Powell's career was virtually over. The same applies to its leading actor, Karlheinz Böhm. Seeing Sissi's Emperor Franz Joseph in the role of a psychopathic serial killer was probably just too much for audiences in 1960.

Böhm plays the shy Mark Lewis, who works as a camera assistant in a film studio. No one suspects that he was abused as a child by his father for psychological experiments. The psychology professor regularly woke his son up at night, terrified him and documented his reaction with a camera. The trauma caused by this did not go without consequences. Mark Lewis makes his own films now. He lures prostitutes or extras from his day job in front of the camera under various pretexts and places a blade against the neck of the defenseless victims. During this scenario he captures their agony and their final look, facing their death.

We experience a sympathetic serial killer, for whom we feel empathy, while the subjective camera puts us in the place of the murderer. As we sit in the darkness of the cinema, we are not just voyeurs, but become accomplices. Michael Powell himself played Mark's father and Columba Powell, the director's son, embodied the young Mark. Thus, the abuse in the story was also attributed to Powell, although nothing happened to the son of course. However, the unpleasant scenes and the brilliant production led many to project the fictional character's behavior onto the director, seeing him as the monster he portrayed. In this way the celebrated director of »The Red Shoes«, »Black Narcissus« and »The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp« almost became persona non grata.

But the film's story did have a happy ending, all thanks to Martin Scorsese. He loved »Peeping Tom«, showed it at the 1979 New York Film Festival and arranged a re-release. That's the reason it finally became known to a wider audience and found its place in the pantheon of great horror films.

Yesterday, Universal Pictures released the first full-length trailer for »M3GAN 2.0«. In line with the usual practice of modern trailers, these 2¾ minutes once again reveal far too much of the plot. If you want to be surprised, don't watch the trailer - and don't keep reading, to avoid spoilers.
https://youtu.be/IYLHdEzsk1s

After M3GAN was shut down at the end of the first film, her consciousness is now housed in a harmless, talking plastic toy. In the previous installment, she slaughtered Gemma's coworker Kurt in the elevator. We learned in passing that he had been selling trade secrets to the competition. This idea now seems to be picked up, as there's a rogue android named Amelia who was built using M3GAN's blueprints. This android is killing everyone involved in her creation, putting Gemma and Cady in danger as well. To protect them, M3GAN is brought back with an upgrade …

The plot structure is strongly reminiscent of »Terminator 2«, and visually, the film borrows heavily from »Alita: Battle Angel«. Is M3GAN the good android now? And is it really a good idea to make her stronger, faster, and bigger - given that it was already difficult to take down the small version?

The blatantly borrowed plot elements don't exactly make »M3GAN 2.0« look original. And the philosophical underpinnings seem to be as flat as a slice of toast. But the trailer has a solid pace, the story doesn't seem to take itself too seriously, and so we're expecting a piece of easily digestible popcorn cinema with plenty of slashing.

How time flies! Today marks exactly 50 years since »Monty Python and the Holy Grail« premiered in British cinemas. We take this as an opportunity to pay tribute to the brilliant comedy troupe Monty Python.

The group, consisting of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam, produced four seasons of the BBC series »Monty Python's Flying Circus« from 1969 to 1974. The show featured sketches and animated sequences, and the world had never seen anything like it before. In many ways, Monty Python's sketches were revolutionary. Their humor was absurd, subversive, often pitch-dark, and they didn’t bother with punchlines. The comedy lay in the absurdity of the situation itself.

After their Flying Circus years, the troupe turned to filmmaking. While »And Now for Something Completely Different« (1971) was produced during the show's run and consisted of re-enacted scenes from the first two seasons as a best-of anthology, »Monty Python and the Holy Grail« (1975) was their first work with a continuous storyline. It tackled the legend of King Arthur and the quest for the Holy Grail, parodying medieval films with typical Monty Python humor.

Their masterpiece came with »Life of Brian« (1979). This tale of mistaken identity during the time of Jesus satirized religious and political dogmatism, angering both Christian and Jewish groups, who vehemently protested its release.

In 1982, »Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl« followed, and the next year saw the release of »The Meaning of Life«. That same year, the group temporarily disbanded. Their last performance with all six members took place in 1989 for the anniversary compilation »Parrot Sketch Not Included – 20 Years of Monty Python«.

Graham Chapman succumbed to cancer on October 4, 1989. The remaining Pythons attended his funeral, where Cleese and Palin gave moving eulogies. The gathered mourners then sang »Always Look on the Bright Side of Life« from »Life of Brian«.

In 2014, the surviving members reunited one final time, though they didn't present any new material. With their last show on July 20, 2014, the group officially disbanded for good. Terry Jones passed away on January 21, 2020.

Monty Python's influence on subsequent generations of comedians remains undeniable. We say thank you for all the crazy ideas — and, last but not least, for some wonderful songs that still echo in our ears today.

And as a final note for collectors: In 2002, Sideshow released a cool 1/6 scale series featuring 14 characters from »The Holy Grail« and two figures from »Life of Brian«. With a bit of luck, these figures can still be found on the secondary market today.

This week sees the release of two films worth mentioning. But let's be upfront: neither of these new releases has truly captivated us so far. Originally, the second part of Kevin Costner's epic Western opera, »Horizon: An American Saga«, was also set to premiere today, but the release was canceled at short notice. According to our information, there is no new release date yet.

The live-action adaptation of the cult game »Minecraft«, aptly titled »A Minecraft Movie«, transports Jason Momoa and Jack Black into a CGI-heavy blocky world. Unfortunately, the trailers didn't win us over at all, and Momoa's pink leather jacket almost gave us a mild retinal burn. Then again, we have to admit that we're probably not the target audience for this flick. We've read here and there that it's supposed to be quite funny, but we'll likely skip this one. For all the gamers and fans out there – here's the trailer:
https://youtu.be/wJO_vIDZn-I

Even though the preview clips for »Eden«, Ron Howard's new film, already gave away a bit too much for our taste, the cast — featuring Jude Law, Vanessa Kirby, Daniel Brühl, Sydney Sweeney, and Ana de Armas — has definitely piqued our interest. »Eden« tells the mysterious true story of eight expatriates who, in the 1930s, attempted to live out their personal utopia on the uninhabited Galápagos island of Floreana — an endeavor that ended fatally for some. So if you don't mind being spoiled by the trailer — here you go:
https://youtu.be/3EVXjJWauko

Whether it's the Batmobile, Ecto-1, K.I.T.T., or DeLorean, many manufacturers attempt to create 1/6 scale models of iconic vehicles from film history. Blitzway is known for their exceptional eye for detailed replicas. Now, they've proven it once again with their surprising rendering of the DeLorean Time Machine from »Back to the Future Part II«.

The DeLorean is equipped with a variety of light, sound, and mechanical effects. Among other things, the doors can be opened and closed automatically using a magnet – unlike the 2022 version by Hot Toys, which required collectors to open them manually. The magnet also allows for automatic horizontal positioning of the wheels when the DeLorean is placed on its base. Combined with the spectacular lighting effects, this makes for a film-accurate recreation of the Time Machine's hover mode. To quote Doc Brown: "Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads." The chassis is made of cast metal, allowing the front axle to be moved via the steering wheel. Pressing the brake pedal also illuminates the brake light, and the turn signals can be activated using a lever on the steering wheel. The extent of Blitzway's attention to detail is particularly evident in the interior, for example, in the flux capacitor, the gearshift, and the genuine leather seats.

We're already amazed and feel like Blitzway's team of artists has done an incredible job making every BTTF fan and collector's dreams come true. Here you can fulfill your wish of owning your own (little) DeLorean:
https://www.space-figuren.de/Filme/Zurueck-in-die-Zukunft/1-6-Scale-DeLorean-Time-Machine-Ultimate-Masterpiece-Series-Back-to-the-Future-2::28636.html

"The way is ... shut. It was made by those who are dead ... and the dead keep it. The way is shut."

Once cursed by Isildur as an oathbreaker, the King of the Dead waited a long time to atone for his sins so that he could rest in peace with his undead subjects. The ultimate opportunity came when Aragorn sought him out in the mountains. He promised the King of the Dead that he would lift his curse if he fulfilled his oath and led his army of the dead into battle on the Pelennor Fields ...

These scenes from »The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King« were extremely impressive and still give us goosebumps today - just like this epic rendering of the KING OF THE DEAD STATUE by Weta Workshop! The New Zealand manufacturer, that was also involved in the adaptation of the film trilogy back then, has truly created a masterpiece here 👑.

Standing, or rather almost floating, on a base of skulls, the king's expression is determined, terrifying and commanding at the same time, and Weta has captured his striking appearance perfectly and with great attention to detail. His crown, armor, and sword have long since rusted, yet the luster of former days can still be seen. The manufacturer has meticulously incorporated the many intricate details and small textures (and that's certainly not easy in 1/6 scale). For the first time, Weta Workshop uses a special transparent resin to create a replica as close to the original as possible. Anyone who dares to look directly into the face of the King of the Dead will see his skeleton shimmering through. The figure's impressive overall appearance, especially with the elaborate paintwork on the flowing cloak and armor, almost gives the impression that it's glowing – incredible!

The King of the Dead statue is limited to just 700 pieces worldwide – and we expect the entire edition to be sold out very soon. Cheers to Weta on this impressive release and congratulations, Your Majesty, on being named 💥 Product of the Month 💥 April 2025!

Last weekend, from March 28th to 30th, cosplayers, collectors, and nerds gathered in Anaheim, California. WonderCon, essentially the little sister of San Diego Comic Con, once again offered all sorts of new things to discover. The collectibles section featured a limited but nevertheless interesting range of new releases and announcements.

In a panel, Todd McFarlane himself presented a whole range of new products from McFarlane Toys that we can look forward to in the coming months. These include numerous DC and Marvel action figures and statues in various scales. The manufacturer is also releasing new figures for »Mortal Kombat« and the Turtles. Particularly noteworthy among the announcements are the 7 inch action figures (as a so-called Theatrical Deluxe Edition) for »Batman Returns« – not only do we get new versions of Batman, Penguin, Catwoman, and Max Shreck, but also a super-fun set of Penguin Commandos figures in full rocket gear! And of course, there will also be collectibles for the new Superman film that's coming out this summer.

In our opinion, Mondo made the biggest splash in the collectibles section. It seemed like there were a ton of new releases, both at the booth and in their panel. We were extremely impressed by the 1/6 scale Mumm-Ra, the second figure in Mondo's »ThunderCats« series. He will likely be followed by Cheetara, whose first concept art was shown. In the 1/6 MOTU section, we can soon look forward to a new take on Man-E-Faces. In all her glory and vibrant color, She-Ra with Swiftwind was one of the eye-catchers at the Mondo booth. Strictly speaking, the biggest MOTU hit is only half the size: the brand-new 1/12 scale »Masters of the Universe« line from Mondo! It debuted at WonderCon with an unpainted prototype of the 200X He-Man and the concept arts of Clawful, Skeletor, and Man-At-Arms shown in the panel. This could be really cool!

Speaking of 1/12 scale: The Cereal Mascots 1/12 scale figures from Jada Toys brought a wide, cavity-ridden grin to our faces. Jada brings out the iconic Kellogg's Frosties tiger Tony, among others - all without artificial colors or flavors, of course ;)!

When the news broke in mid-January that Diamond Comics Distributors, whose collectibles division also includes Diamond Select Toys and Gentle Giant, had filed for bankruptcy, it was a shock for collectors and, of course, for us as retailers. Now there's news of the bankruptcy proceedings.

A few days ago, it was announced that Alliance Entertainment would acquire the comic book giant. The company had made the highest bid for the acquisition. However, approval from the bankruptcy court is still pending. The purchase would also include Diamond Select Toys. Gentle Giant, however, is not mentioned in the press release. It remains unclear whether the manufacturer will be considered part of Diamond Select Toys or treated separately.

Alliance Entertainment is a global wholesaler specializing in music, film, video games, and collectibles, among other things. Therefore, the company's decision-makers saw significant cross-selling potential with Diamond's comics, games, merchandise, and collectibles.

The increase in their revolving credit facility, which will allow Alliance Entertainment to finance the takeover, is expected to be completed in April – assuming the bankruptcy court approves the purchase.

Of course, we hope that the acquisition goes as smoothly as possible and that collectors can continue to be supplied with collectibles from Diamond and Gentle Giant in the future. We will keep you updated on further developments.

Exactly 20 years ago, the first »Sin City« film, based on Frank Miller's graphic novel series, premiered in Westwood, California. On this occasion, our Tim is looking back on the film:

The night in Sin City: The streets flooded with cannibalistic cardinals, corrupt cops, prostitutes, serial killers, sex offenders, alcoholics and the Yellow Bastard – their dark stories intertwined in four episodes that glide through the city like shadows.

As a huge »Lord of the Rings« fan, I originally went to the cinema at the age of 15 just to see Elijah Wood (our small-town cinema wasn't too strict about age ratings) – and I was blown away. The dense atmosphere, the radical stylistic choices, and the uncompromising look left a deep impression on my understanding of cinema. »Sin City« carved out a cinematic niche that I still adore and that ignited my passion for the comic noir genre. Naturally, I devoured every one of the Frank Miller comics I could find in our local library afterward.

What makes it so fascinating is that the comics themselves were inspired by classic film noir, but the film directly reinterpreted the comic's style, animating the static images and creating a visual experience that felt like a graphic novel come to life. The rigid figures, the abrupt cuts, the high-contrast black-and-white with selective splashes of color, and above all: the all-encompassing CGI. It was proof that the era of computer-animated elements in live-action films had truly arrived. »Sin City« propelled the neo-noir genre into the spotlight and ushered in a new, darker era for comic adaptations – far removed from the bright and colorful aesthetics of the '90s. Without »Sin City«, we probably wouldn't have received masterpieces like »Watchmen« (2009), and I dare say that Christopher Nolan's »Batman« trilogy wouldn't exist without this trailblazer.

And then there was the cast: Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller assembled an ensemble that reads like a game of musical chairs with every A-lister from the early 2000s, where they simply cast everyone who grabbed a seat. Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Rosario Dawson, Benicio del Toro, Jessica Alba, Mickey Rourke, Josh Hartnett, Michael Clarke Duncan, Tommy Flanagan – each one a true character actor, perfectly fitting into this dark world. And of course, Elijah Wood, whose role as the pain-immune cannibal Kevin was so far removed from the friendly Frodo we knew that it was clear he was determined not to be typecast (see also the brutal Nazi-hooligan drama »Green Street Hooligans«, released the same year – highly recommended!). Fun fact: As a favor for Robert Rodriguez composing the music for »Kill Bill: Vol. 2«, Quentin Tarantino directed a scene in »Sin City«.

That »Sin City« only cost 40 million dollars is almost impossible to believe nowadays (especially after recent films like »The Electric State«). Almost ten years after its release, in September 2014, the film adaptation of Frank Miller's second »Sin City« volume, »A Dame to Kill For«, was released. Unfortunately, it lacked the impact and emotional depth of the first film and became a flop. Nevertheless, »Sin City« is and remains a pioneering work that changed not just cinema but also me.

A whole series of new trailers have dropped on YouTube in recent days, which whet our appetites for upcoming film and series releases. We've selected a few appetizers to present to you here:

Warner Bros. is serving us a new trailer for »Final Destination: Bloodlines«, the sixth installment in the popular horror series. This time, young Stefani's family is haunted by death, and the preview gives us a glimpse of the creative traps the Grim Reaper sets for them. You can quench your thirst for blood in theaters starting May 16th.
https://youtu.be/UWMzKXsY9A4

On Disney+, however, the Doctor's adventures continue on April 12th, when the second season of »Doctor Who« starts streaming, starring Ncuti Gatwa in the title role. Soon, you'll be able to travel through space and time with the Time Lord and his new companion.
https://youtu.be/IN7nAyeeN5Q

It'll be less wholesome, but bloodier, when »Clown in a Cornfield« hits the big screen on May 9th. The first trailer already piqued our interest about a month ago, and the new one promises a truly terrifying slasher. We're excited to see if Frendo can join the ranks of iconic killer clowns.
https://youtu.be/8tBSOKyyZT8

A real highlight from the Star Wars universe awaits us starting April 22nd: the second (and final) season of »Andor«! The new episodes on Disney+ continue the story of the beginnings of the Rebel Alliance. The trailer impressively shows what's at stake and really stokes our anticipation for Season 2!
https://youtu.be/duN-KQgOjYs

Lionsgate gives us another glimpse into »Ballerina«, the spin-off to the »John Wick« series. Ana de Armas plays the eponymous dancer, who, after the death of her parents, is trained to be an assassin and embarks on a bloody campaign of revenge – and encounters a familiar face along the way. The action film will be in theaters starting June 6th.
https://youtu.be/yNN2PoilSp4

Finally, Marvel is upping the ante and releasing the fourth trailer for their upcoming mega-blockbuster »Thunderbolts«, which opens on May 2nd. And the fast-paced trailer is really building up hype for the MCU's new anti-hero squad!
https://youtu.be/bqnRzjPfb5A

"They don't make films. They make movies."

The first season of the series »The Studio« premieres today on Apple TV+ under the creative direction of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

Film geek Matt Remick (Seth Rogen) has reached his dream as the newly appointed head of Continental Film Studios. But how do you produce captivating and modern films? How does he manage the balancing act of realizing creative visions while simultaneously fulfilling the studio's commercial interests? In an attempt to please everyone, Matt's big dream quickly turns into a nightmare.

For film buffs, movies and shows that take a look behind the scenes of a film production are, of course, a special treat. It wasn't that long ago that the HBO series »The Franchise« took a look at the production of a superhero blockbuster, unfortunately with a rather disappointing result, as the series turned out to be unfunny and the characters were all unlikable. If the initial reviews are to be believed, things seem to be quite different with »The Studio«. There is a lot of praise for the satirical view on the film business, the sense for the absurdities of Hollywood and the accurate humor. Part of this is likely due to the many Hollywood celebrities who make fun of themselves. We meet Charlize Theron, Ron Howard and Martin Scorsese, among others. Unlike in the series »Entourage«, the cameos here aren't an end in themselves, but rather drive the plot forward, according to the reviews.

We're also particularly excited about Bryan Cranston's appearance as studio CEO Griffin Mill in the pilot episode, which is available on the streaming platform as of today, together with episode 2. The remaining 8 episodes will follow weekly.

The sci-fi adventure »The Electric State« premiered on Netflix on March 14. Tim watched the film and shares his impressions here:

Sometimes it's astonishing how massive film projects can just pass you by, even when you’re deeply immersed in the subject, constantly on the lookout for new trailers, working with collectibles from current blockbusters, spending almost all your free time watching series and movies, and even heading to the cinema every few weeks. That's exactly what happened to me and the entire S.P.A.C.E Crew with »The Electric State«. I vaguely remember hearing that Simon Stålenhag's book was getting a film adaptation a few years ago, and I recall thinking, "Oh, cool!" – but somehow, I completely lost track of it. That is, until a few months ago when I saw the trailer once as an ad before another trailer, promptly forgot about it again, and then suddenly, on March 14, the film appeared out of nowhere on my Netflix page. But more on that in a moment.

Simon Stålenhag's illustrated novel is one of those defining artworks of an era – in this case, the Photoshop era. His haunting, 1990s-inspired retro-futuristic dystopian imagery is the epitome of digital painting, heavily influenced by game concept art, the digital revolution, and environmental disasters. They are also reminiscent of Lovecraft, if the Gothic author's monsters were robots instead of biological. The images feel eerily familiar, whether it's because the machines resemble mechatronics from our childhood or because these giant metallic beasts loom over an otherwise ordinary nighttime gas station. And that’s precisely what makes them so unsettling. This aesthetic perfectly fits into the internet world of backrooms and creepy pastas.

This fascination must have inspired the Russo brothers to acquire the film rights to the book and attempt the second adaptation of a Stålenhag work. In 2020, Prime Video released the series adaptation »Tales from the Loop«, which is definitely worth checking out. Here’s the trailer:
https://youtu.be/1htuNZp82Ck

And now we get to the film's genuinely eerie story: it is Netflix's most expensive production ever. Roughly 320 million dollars (!) were spent on this film, placing it among the top 10 most expensive movies of all time. Current mega-stars like Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Giancarlo Esposito, Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, and Anthony Mackie were cast in the lead roles. Incredible work went into the cinematic design and CGI for Stålenhag's metallic creations, and Avengers blockbuster directors Anthony and Joe Russo helmed the project. How did such a colossal project fly under our radar - especially when you compare it to Netflix’s last big sci-fi film production, Zack Snyder’s awful Star Wars knockoff »Rebel Moon« (166 million dollars for both films), whose promotion you simply couldn’t escape before, during, and after its release?

Unfortunately, I don't have an answer for that. Maybe they just ran out of money when it came to marketing. The posters didn't do the movie any favors either, they are as stupid and generic as the ones for »Borderlands«. Nevertheless, the film has climbed to the top of the streaming charts, and I watched it too. I can already tell you this much: it’s DEFINITELY not as bad as the »Rebel Moon« films, but was it worth the 320 million? Probably not – though that depends a bit on what you value.

Visually, »The Electric State« is absolutely stunning. I love the design of the robots and the world, which sticks closely to the aesthetics of the source material. Honestly, I would have been satisfied if they had just left out the story altogether and made a dystopian atmospheric documentary instead. Unfortunately, the storytelling doesn’t come close to matching the visuals. Instead of the book's atmospheric horror, we get an action-comedy – popcorn cinema (without the cinema) that wouldn’t feel out of place in the current MCU. Chris Pratt's character is annoyingly unfunny, but his companion Herman (voiced by Anthony Mackie) has quite a bit of charm and makes up for it in places. I liked the connection between Millie Bobby Brown's Michelle and the robot Cosmo, though Cosmo's speech pattern, filled with cartoon references, heavily reminded me of Bumblebee from the »Transformers« series. The film's climax is a chaotic CGI battle lacking any depth, and the social and technological criticism is as on-the-nose as can be, carefully avoiding offending any particular group. The "robot messiah child" trope was executed far better in »The Creator« two years ago.

Conclusion: The film is perfectly fine for a casual movie night. At least you won’t constantly get frustrated with unbearably dumb protagonists, like I did with »Rebel Moon«. Did I expect much more from an adaptation of the book? ABSOLUTELY, but fans of »Transformers« and Marvel movies like me will still enjoy it. Just don’t expect any depth – and certainly no horror. That element only surfaces in a single, far-too-brief scene where you already know in advance that there are no stakes at all. Was this a way too long and complex review for a mediocre film? Probably ;).

Watch the trailer for »The Electric State« here:
https://youtu.be/KpN98z8Kf5E

Last weekend, a very special game series celebrated its 20th anniversary. The first »God of War« game was released on March 22, 2005 in North America. The game revolutionized the action-adventure genre, scoring points with a fantastic mix of riddles, intense boss battles, a dark atmosphere and - by the standards of the time - high-quality graphics. For the publisher Sony and the developers at Santa Monica Studio the first part of the series was already a huge success, selling more than 4.6 million copies. The franchise's popularity hasn't waned since then, with newer titles also playing in the higher leagues.

At the center of the story, as well as the entire video game series, is the Spartan Kratos. Basically, we're dealing with a classic antihero, who often favors violence and resorts to unfair means in war. But the nefarious son of Zeus plunges into deep grief after falling victim to a ruse and murdering his own wife and daughter. It quickly turns out that not everything's black and white in »God of War«. Especially through flashbacks as cinematic cutscenes, the player learns about Kratos' demons from the past.

To forget these gruesome events, Kratos obliged himself to the Olympian gods, so they'd stop the flashbacks. Armed with the Blades of Chaos, the weapons of the god of war, Ares, to whom he once sold his soul, he must kill him on behalf of the goddess Athena. This fits well with Kratos, since Ares is indirectly responsible for the death of his family. Revenge is not only a central theme in the first »God of War« part, but it runs through the series as a common thread.

In 2010, the »God of War Collection« was released for PlayStation 3, which includes the first and second parts of the game series in reworked HD graphics. This makes it worth playing again, even after 20 years, to nostalgically slaughter monsters from Greek mythology.

Of course, we also have figures and statues from »God of War« in store. The 1/3 Kratos statue from Prime 1 Studio's Elite Masterline from the latest title »God of War: Ragnarok« is currently available for pre-order. The love for detail and a considerable amount of equipment will make the hearts of diehard fans and newcomers alike beat faster. Here you'll find the collectibles!

Sometimes we see a trailer and add the film to our watchlist in capital letters, bold, underlined, and with exclamation marks. »The Ugly Stepsister«, Norwegian author and director Emilie Blichfeldt's debut film, is one such case.

It tells the Brothers Grimm's Cinderella story as a biting satire and deals with ideals of beauty and gender roles in a fairytale-like, not very squeamish way. Like »The Substance«, the film delves deep into body horror. Blichfeldt cites Cronenberg and Argento as two of her sources of inspiration. The film garnered considerable attention at this year's Sundance Film Festival and in the Berlinale Panorama section.

Watch the trailer and tell us if you're hooked like we were:
https://youtu.be/5vZ1_Yxjwzs

A bit of anime, a pinch of gaming, plus some »Lord of the Rings«, »Star Wars«, and old Hollywood classics, and a touch of samurai flair to boot: Sven and Tobi present you with a colorful potpourri of collectibles in episode 26 of 💫 NEUES AUS DEM FIGUREN UNIVERSUM 💫. There's a lot to see in this episode - from the Witch-King Mini-Statue from Weta to the high-quality 1/6 scale figures from Kaustic Plastik to a fantastic replica of the Master Sword from »The Legend of Zelda« (including a musical interlude 😉). Don't miss out!

You can now watch NADFU episode 26 on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/uAcMJ7_bndM