The 25th James Bond Movie, just may be the best chance to help theaters that are struggling in a post-pandemic recovery. According THR, ahead of the UK World Premiere on Sept 28, there has been a spike in presale tickets and overall excitement is building as people are tearing to see the film, not at home but in a real live movie theater.
For the U.S. market, the film will be released soon, on October 8th, with the option to stream on the Paramount Plus platform 45 days after cinema release. Craig’s final Bond movie can easily be said to be one of the most anticipated movies this year (given the bigger build up that was started and re-started due to the continued postponements due to pandemic).
The trailer for “No Time to Die” first emerged back in 2019. The film’s plot will continue on from events of “Spectre”, and, this time, it looks like betrayal could be at play, especially with Madeline Swann. We hear 007 in the trailer react and say; “We all have our secrets…. we just didn’t get to yours yet”.
James is recruited to rescue a kidnapped scientist, but finds himself hot on the trail of a mysterious villain armed with a dangerous new technology.
Alongside Daniel Craig, cast includes a long list of incredible actors: Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux, Judi Dench, Christopher Waltx, Helena Bonham Carter, Mark Strong Naomie Harris, Ana de Armas, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw and Jeffrey Wright.
Apple’s tweet, presumably, to avoid a collision course with the iPhone 13 arrival day (big!) says it all. A sudden, last minute escalation of the time frame for this highly anticipated new series:
From @Foundation_’s epic debut to @TedLasso’s Emmy-winning antics, watch the latest episodes from Apple TV+ three hours earlier this week. Streaming begins Thursday at 9pm EST/6pm PST.
Apple TV tweet
Perhaps a planned sudden breaking news update to the years long scheduling for this big sci-fi event? Hard to say – maybe the iPhone 13 arriving in stores and for some folks arriving by UPS is more of a distraction than expected, in the eyes of the Apple TV+ big-wigs?
Of course, that’d be a good thing since it would mean that the futuristic phone has just too much juice for the venerated classic book series come-to-life as a streaming series on Apple TV+. Hooray for both, I suppose. If you are starting to become enamored with Apple TV+ shows after having fun with Ted Lasso or other recent hits (really a hit, seems so according to the Emmys ) that are perhaps the early beginnings of a trend…
And last, but definitely not least, is the long-awaited sci-fi adaptation of the timeless classic “Foundation” by Isaac Asimov.
click to see “Foundation” and help Lynxotic and independent bookstores. Also available on Amazon.
The first 3 episodes of Apple TV’s “Foundation” will be live tonight (!) and will ultimately have a total of 10 episodes in total when all is said and done.
From @Foundation_’s epic debut to @TedLasso’s Emmy-winning antics, watch the latest episodes from Apple TV+ three hours earlier this week. Streaming begins Thursday at 9pm EST/6pm PST. pic.twitter.com/vxkkAEUuOe
That’s not all. Apple TV+ is also bringing us an extraterrestrial extravaganza. On October 22nd (when the first 3 episodes will be released), sci-fi fans can experience what it would be like to live through an alien invasion. Joy!
A string of upcoming dystopian sci-fi will be hitting the streaming platform
What does a post-apocalyptic earth, a robot, a dog and Tom Hanks all have in common? That would be the new Apple TV+ film called “Finch”. This project marks Hank’s 2nd Apple TV+ outing, his first appearance on the streaming platform was “Greyhound” which was met with mucho critical acclaim.
This time around, this family friendly film futuristic cashing into the feel of a mash-up between ‘Wall-E’ and ‘The Martian’ and based on the trailer looks to be an oddball thing: bleak futuristic fun for all ages.
A massive solar flare nearly destroys Earth, Hank, who plays a robotics engineer named Finch and has only survived because he has been living in an underground bunker for the past decade. During his time in a post-apocalyptic Earth he befriends a stray dog which he names Goodyear (shades of Wilson?. Hanks decides to utilize his expertise by building a robot to help take care of Goodyear when he is gone.
“Finch” premieres on Apple TV+ this November 5.
Check out the trailer below:
We Aren’t Alone – Invasion:
That’s not all. Apple TV+ is also bringing us an extraterrestrial extravaganza. On October 22nd (when the first 3 episodes will be released), sci-fi fans can experience what it would be like to live through an alien invasion. Joy!
Enter the Galactic Empire – Foundation:
And last, but definitely not least, is the long-awaited sci-fi adaptation of the timeless classic “Foundation” by Isaac Asimov.
The first 3 episodes of Apple TV’s “Foundation” will be released on September 24 and will ultimately have a total of 10 episodes in total when all is said and done.
The official trailer for “Spencer” has been released, starring Kristen Stewart who looks like an absolute ringer for Princess Diana.
There have already been rave reviews since the film had its debut at the Venice Film Festival. Stewart is said to be an Oscar Award top contender for Best Actress.
The movie is set over a single weekend and focusing on how Princess Diana contemplates ending her marriage to Prince charles.
According to Neon, the official synopsis reads:
“December, 1991: The Prince and Princess of Wales’ marriage has long since grown cold. Though rumors of affairs and a divorce abound, peace is ordained for the Christmas festivities at Sandringham Estate. There’s eating and drinking, shooting and hunting. Diana knows the game. This year, things will be a whole lot different.”
The movie will be released in theaters later this fall on November 5, 2021. Check out the official trailer, below, for the upcoming biographical drama:
House Bill Would Blow Up the Massive IRAs of the Superwealthy
Legislation currently making its way through Congress would take a sledgehammer to the massive individual retirement accounts built up tax-free by a select group of the ultrawealthy.
The proposal, which is part of the infrastructure and tax package advancing in the House, targets the jaw-dropping IRAs accumulated by multimillionaires and billionaires such as tech investor Peter Thiel, which were first reported by ProPublica earlier this year. Those accounts — Thiel’s alone was worth $5 billion in 2019 — have allowed some super-wealthy Americans to turn their Roth IRAs, tools meant to incentivize middle-class retirement saving, into supersized tax shelters.
The proposed reform, put forward by House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal, D-Mass., would effectively cap the total amount someone could hold in a Roth at $20 million and compel the holders of the giant accounts to withdraw anything over that limit. Separately, individuals would have to add up the balances of their retirement accounts — including Roths, traditional IRAs, 401(k)s and 403(b)s — and every year withdraw half of any amount over $10 million. The provisions would only apply to individuals with taxable income of over $400,000 or couples making over $450,000.
The reform wouldn’t affect the overwhelming majority of Americans, whose retirement savings (if they have any) are far more modest — the average Roth was worth just $39,108 at the end of 2018.
“Incentives in our tax code that help Americans save for retirement were never intended to enable a tax shelter for the ultra-wealthy,” Neal said earlier this year. “We must shut down these practices.”
Should the bill pass, it could have profound implications for PayPal founder Thiel, whose gargantuan Roth stunned lawmakers, spurring Neal to vow a crackdown. Thiel wouldn’t owe any tax up front and no early withdrawal penalties would apply, but he’d be required to move billions out of the tax-advantaged account. And any gains on investments made with that money would no longer be sheltered from taxes, potentially creating hundreds of millions of dollars in future tax liabilities.
Above: “I’ll Take Your Questions” book on inside secrets of the Trump final days, by Stephanie Grisham for aide to both Trump and Melania
The great appeal of the Roth IRA is that once money is inside it, any income generated — such as capital gains from selling a stock, investment interest or dividends — is tax-free, as long as the holder waits until he or she is 59 and a half to withdraw it. (Thiel hits that mark in 2027.) In a traditional IRA, by contrast, money that’s withdrawn counts as income and is taxed.
The IRA reforms are part of a slate of proposals designed to eliminate loopholes and boost tax rates on rich individuals and corporations.
Several of the changes address revelations contained in The Secret IRS Files, a series of ProPublica stories published this year that are exploring the ways the very richest Americans avoid paying taxes. Usually such efforts remain secret, but ProPublica has obtained a trove of tax records covering thousands of the country’s richest people. The records reveal not only the diverse array of tax-avoidance techniques used by the rich, but also that some of the very richest have consistently found ways to avoid taking income, so they pay little or no taxes, even as their wealth multiplied to historic levels.
The current House plan falls short of President Joe Biden’s more ambitious proposals to combat wealth inequality through the tax code. But experts say it would significantly increase the taxes paid by high-income Americans. Among other things, it would all but eliminate a major deduction created by President Donald Trump’s 2017 tax law that, as ProPublica recently reported, showered massive tax breaks on some of the richest families in the country.
Given the stakes for a small group of wealthy and powerful Americans, it’s unclear whether the IRA proposal, along with the rest of the package, will become law. It must pass the House and make it through the Senate, where it will likely need the votes of all 50 Democratic senators to pass. Capitol Hill staffers say the bill remains fluid and provisions could still be cut, added or modified.
For now, however, the proposal has alarmed those who stand to lose the most. Three tax lawyers told ProPublica that clients with giant IRAs have reached out to them, worried about the potential reforms. Already a lawyer and an accountant are offering a paid webinar that pitches strategies to help owners of large IRAs get around the proposed rules.
A spokesman for Thiel didn’t respond to a request for comment.
The tax proposals have drawn opposition from Republicans on Capitol Hill. “This is very bad news for the U.S. economy,” said Ways and Means Committee ranking member Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, in an interview this week.
A budget analyst at the anti-tax Heritage Foundation specifically criticized the IRA reform proposals as “stifling retirement savings and decreasing the economy-wide investment in future productivity.”
Neal announced his plans to curb the size of mega IRAs in July following ProPublica’s story revealing how Thiel and other billionaires had amassed giant retirement accounts using techniques largely unavailable to most taxpayers. Other wealthy investors with giant retirement accounts included financier Michael Milken, Warren Buffett and executives from investment giant Bain Capital.
Neal joined his Senate counterpart, Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who had been pushing for reform of mega IRAs for years without much support from his peers.
With a multibillion-dollar tax-free account on the line, a wealthy investor might try to keep his income below the $400,000 threshold set by the proposal. In Thiel’s case, it’s not clear if that would be possible, given that he’s long reported tens of millions of dollars on his tax returns from capital gains, interest and dividends on investments he holds outside of his Roth IRA. And even if he has to withdraw billions from his Roth, he will never have to pay taxes on years of growth inside the account.
ProPublica has previously reported that several billionaires have had very little taxable income in certain years, including Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk. Musk did not respond to questions for that story and Bezos’ representatives would not designate someone to accept questions related to that story.
The proposal would also add restrictions in areas that congressional investigators have said are ripe for abuse by the wealthy: The owners of IRAs would be barred from using the accounts to either purchase certain nonpublic investments or buy stakes in companies in which they are an officer.
Thiel launched his Roth IRA by purchasing so-called founder’s shares of PayPal in 1999 when he was chairman and CEO of the company, according to tax records and a financial statement Thiel included in his application for residency in New Zealand. Securities and Exchange Commission records show he bought 1.7 million shares for $1,700, or a tenth of a penny per share. (The maximum contribution to a Roth that year was $2,000.) PayPal later told the SEC the shares were sold “below market value.”
The practice has become popular among the founders of Silicon Valley companies, who tuck shares of their startups into IRAs, often after buying them at bargain prices. This can sidestep IRA contribution limits and generate massive tax-free growth if the value of their companies explodes.
The proposal would also shut down the so-called backdoor Roth. ProPublica found that billionaires like Buffett had taken advantage of a maneuver, known as a conversion, that allows the wealthy to sidestep existing income caps to create a Roth IRA. In a conversion, the owner of a traditional IRA can transform it into a Roth by paying one-time tax on the money. Once the account is converted into a Roth, no additional income taxes are ever due. The new provision would bar conversions for individuals with income over $400,000, though the ban would not go into effect until 2031 for budgetary reasons. (Buffett previously didn’t respond to questions about his IRA.)
The proposal also has implications for the holders of giant traditional IRAs, who could suddenly owe a hefty tax bill. Money withdrawn from a traditional IRA counts as taxable income. Milken, the 1980s junk bond king who went to prison for fraud and was later pardoned by Trump, had traditional IRAs valued at $509 million at the end of 2018, according to tax records. If the law passed, Milken could face a tax bill of roughly $100 million, depending on the current size of his account. A spokesperson for Milken declined to comment.
Separately, another part of the bill would tackle the generous business income deductions granted by Trump’s 2017 tax law.
As ProPublica previously reported, the drafting of the deduction was marked by last-minute changes and a rush of lobbying dollars from corporations and the superrich. The result of its passage, confidential tax records show, was a windfall for billionaires such as media mogul Michael Bloomberg, packaging tycoons Dick and Liz Uihlein, and the Bechtel family, owners of a global engineering and construction firm.
Bloomberg received a deduction of roughly $183 million in 2018 alone as a result of the provision, while the Uihleins netted around $118 million.
Under the House proposal, the deduction would be capped at $400,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a couple, virtually wiping it out for the very rich. If such a cap had been in place in 2018, for example, the Uihleins would have gotten a deduction worth just $500,000 instead of $118 million. A competing Senate proposal unveiled by Wyden in July would go even further. A spokesperson for the Uihleins declined to comment on the proposed reforms.
On a broader level, the House plan would spell a significant tax hike on Americans earning more than $400,000, raising their individual income tax rates as well as bumping up the corporate tax rate, the first such hikes in a decade.
But despite the proposal’s ambition, critics say it misses a rare opportunity to capture the massive untaxed wealth of some of the richest individuals in history, including Bezos and Musk, who have often found ways to keep their income low.
As ProPublica reported, they and other billionaires have managed to pay little to no taxes in the past. Some have done so by pursuing the so-called buy, borrow, die strategy. By holding on to his Tesla stock but borrowing money to finance his lifestyle, Musk, for example, can avoid income that is taxable under current law. If he sticks to this strategy till death, the income tax liability on his fortune will evaporate for his heirs.
Some Democrats and policymakers had aspired to even bolder tax code changes that would have targeted the stratospheric increases in the ultrawealthy’s riches. One idea, championed by Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., would be to levy a so-called wealth tax on billionaires’ overall holdings. Another, pushed by Wyden, would tax the annual gains billionaires logged, even if they hadn’t sold the assets. Both ideas foundered, with concerted opposition from billionaires and skittishness from Democratic centrists. Some critics point out that wealth taxes have often failed in other countries. And many policymakers believe it would be too logistically difficult to measure assets properly and enforce such a sweeping rule on gains.
Originally published on ProPublica by Justin Elliott, Patricia Callahan and James Bandler and republished under Creative Commons.
This time, however, could be especially telling, as the top-secret memoir is coming from ex-Trump and Melania aide, Stephanie Grisham. According to Axios, who was first to report of the upcoming text, cited from a publishing source that the book would reveal “surprising new scandals”.
From candid comments it appears that is a gross understatement. One close associate of Grisham’s told Axios:
“When I heard this, all I could think about was Stephanie surrounded by a lake of gasoline, striking a match with a grin on her face.”
former West Wing colleague, quoted in Axios
Grisham has served as aide to former First Lady Melania Trump, as Chief of Staff, and as an aide to Trump as his White House Press Secretary and Communications Director.
Her job in the White House as a press person was to make sure she was in the know of what was happening and therefore got to see the personal side of the Trumps’ that rarely any staffers get to see.
Again, a former West Wing colleague, quoted in Axios: “There isn’t enough water on earth to contain the fire she could set to all of Trump world, including parts like the first lady’s orbit, which not many people are in a position to illuminate.”
Based on sources given to CNN, Grisham’s book will most likely include some of the bigger Trump headlines like the allegations of sexual misconduct and effects of the Stormy Daniels case.
In this new release, Sally Rooney harnesses Friendship and Coming of Age
Her new novel follows young Alice, Felix, Eileen and Simon. Alice is a young novelist who meets a warehouse worker Felix and on a whim invites him to travel to Rome alongside her.
Alice’s best friend Eileen is reeling over a recent break-up, while also flirting with Simon, whom she has known since childhood.
The four young adults are going through the motions but life is catching up with them, the book is largely based on email correspondence between the friends as they talk about life and all things relationships: love, sex, breakups, betrayals, ect.
The author that brought readers Normal People and Conversation with Friends, “Beautiful World, Where Are You” are sure to bring the drama that easily comes along with growing up.
Rooney’s book is out starting September 7, 2021 and is available at Bookshop or Amazon.
What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow
The new episodes will be based on the best-seller fantasy series of the same name (15 books in total) by author Robert Jordan. His first book came out back in 1990 and longtime fans of series have been excited to finally see the screen-adaptation come to life.
Within the trailer you can hear the opening words that are found in Book # 1 of the series “ The Eye of the World”, which emphasizes the cyclical nature of the world (events circle again and again on the wheel of time with important characters reincarnated/reborn through out different times).
“The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again…”
Amazon Prime Video released its official teaser trailer and now there is finally action related to this beloved theme!
In the short video clip, fans are swept into the dangers that await the characters, and we see magic, particularly lots of women (a group named the Aes Sedai) using magic, which is called the ‘One Power’ that helps to keep the world in place.
The Aes Sedai, let by the powerful sorcerer played by Rosamund Pike arrive in a town called Two Rivers where they embark with small group to find the Dragon Reborn, whom is prophesied to be the one who will either save or destroy humanity.
Showrunner Rafe Judkin describes the upcoming series as a the “connective tissue between Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones”. I think even “Shadow and Bone” kind of vibes as well as I watched.
Also there are rumors circling that Amazon Prime will not likely be the only place where fans will get a taste of “The Wheel of Time” , there are also reports that a movie, or rather set of movies (trilogy) is also in the works called “Age of Legends” and will complement the series as a sort of prequel to the novel saga.
Amazon Prime Video plan is currently for a scheduled release of “The Wheel of Time” on November 19.
The Western novel The Power of the Dog is set in the 1920’s in Montana. The story follows the domestic drama of two brothers, one of which has a wife and young son and is arriving back to his brothers ranch.
The novel is intense, brutal, and author Thomas Savage does an amazing job at holding the readers captive and on the edge of their seat (couch, beach?, Bed?), desperately wanting to know what will happen next.
Ultimately the triangle makes for intense romantic drama, likely why it was such a successful choice for the adaptation into a full length feature motion picture and attracted such marquee star power in Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst, not to mention a fabled director, Jane Campion.
Even before the debut screening in Venice the film had buzz and respect, in large part due to the stature of the original novel and the choice of director and cast tapped to bring the story and characters to life. The project has been hailed as an example of how successful streaming platforms, such as Netflix, HBO Max, etc, can contribute to the future history of bonafide feature length cinema in the Hollywood tradition.
The 2001 classic that includes an afterword from Annie Proulx due to be released this fall both in theaters and to stream on Netflix. One in which recently was shown on September 1, 2021 at the 78th edition of the Venice Film Festival and met with a 4 minute-plus cheering and applause-filled standing ovation.
We recommend you take the opportunity to enjoy the book and celebrate the theatrical release on November 17, or in anticipation to the release by streaming platform Netflix which is slated to go line on December 1st, 2021.
High quality streaming fare is rising in focus with theatrical releases uncertain…
A 4 minute standing ovation was the result of the first screening of “Power of the Dog” at the 78th edition of the Venice Film Festival on September 1st, 2021. Thunderous applause and cheers erupted at the end of the debut screening for the romantic drama that features Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst.
Based on the novel by Thomas Savage set in Montana in the 1920s, the performance, partly perhaps the ability of Cumberbatch to overcome his “Sherlock / Dr. Strange” image via the power of acting along with top flight writing and directing, appears to be the impetus for the Oscar buzz that’s already building.
It’s not uncommon for that to happen with a strong showing at the Venice Film Festival and, though this is a streaming / Netflix production, awards for quality films financed by streamers is also no longer unusual.
Previously, Cumberbatch got the nod from the Academy in 2014 for his work in The Imitation Game, and, although the award ultimately went to Edward Redmayne for ‘The Theory of Everything’, the nomination itself put a big spotlight on his career.
‘Culturally, it’s really important for streaming services to help nourish the cinema experience,’
Benedict Cumberbatch commenting on “Power of the Dog”
Naturally, it’s always great when an actual actor becomes a movie star. Benedict Cumberbatch has been in a myriad of productions recently such as “Doctor Strange“, “The Mauritanian”, “The Courier”, “Avengers” and on and on, with nearly 100 actor credits and that doesn’t even touch on his work as an executive producer.
Running the gamut from the Multiverse to spy thrillers and serious suspense his ability to portray depth and intelligence has stood him in good steed.
Going all the way back to “Tinker Tailor Solider Spy” and “The Imitation Game” (not to mention his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes) a solid body of work is has been established which hopefully will not turn into a house of cards as a result of inevitable over-exposure.
Cumberbatch’s newest role is as a rancher from Montana named Phil Burbank. “The Power of the Dog” is based on a novel by the same name. Set in 1925, Phil “inspires fear and awe in those around him”. When his brother (Jesse Plemons) brings home a new wife (Kirsten Dunst), Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to… the possibility of love.
Netflix gave viewers a little taste with the official teaser trailer for the film. The movie will be released initially in theaters on November 17 and will debut on the streaming platform the 1st of December.
The Caldor Fire had burned 204,390 acres and 20%-contained
The raging Caldor Fire that has already forced thousands of people to evacuate, is now becoming a critical threat to the popular tourist location, South Lake Tahoe. Reports of more than 34,000 structures are at risk.
There are approximately 4,000 firefighters and 1,000 California National Guard members that are helping to fight off the growing fires.
A spokesperson for California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services told CNN that over 53,000 people have been placed under evacuation orders.
The fire has already burned more than 300 square miles and destroyed hundred of residential structures. The city is facing wind gusts blowing at 35 miles per hour and stronger which continues to help the fire spread further down into the Tahoe basin.
Devastating Wildfires – continued reminders of the Climate Crisis
Greta Thunberg, the vocal climate crisis activist retweeted the below the video of the fires in California. There is so much confusion over the question of exactly which of the many, many “extreme weather events” as they are now called, are directly attributable to climate change, global warming and Co2 in the atmosphere.
This is, for Greta Thunberg and anyone reading this with an ounce of sense, a moot point. The larger overarching point is that the threat of total world destruction as a result of buying fossil fuel and other human impacts on the environment has been long settled as a very dangerous and rapidly worsening reality.
Splitting hairs by constantly questioning alternative origins for extreme events, that clearly are increasing in their number and severity, is a kind of “climate denial-lite” that is as ridiculous as it is dangerous. Ultimately it is the perspective of those like Greta, that must be adopted and understood by the millions (billions), before it is too late. Only then, when the threat is faced head on, is there a chance we might prevent a rapid slide into oblivion.
Thunberg tweeted this week “Wildfires, floods, droughts, heatwaves and other (un)natural disasters rage all over the world. Many now ask “What will it take for people in power to act?”. Well, it will many things, but above all it will take: massive pressure from media and massive pressure from the public.”
In new release, Sally Rooney harnesses Friendship and Coming of Age
Her new novel follows young Alice, Felix, Eileen and Simon. Alice is a young novelist who meets a warehouse worker Felix and on a whim invites him to travel to Rome alongside her.
Alice’s best friend Eileen is reeling over a recent break-up, while also flirting with Simon, whom she has known since childhood.
The four young adults are going through the motions but life is catching up with them, the book is largely based on email correspondence between the friends as they talk about life and all things relationships: love, sex, breakups, betrayals, ect.
The author that brought readers Normal People and Conversation with Friends, “Beautiful World, Where Are You” are sure to bring the drama that easily comes along with growing up.
Rooney’s book is out starting September 7, 2021 and is available at Bookshop or Amazon.
#BrutalMasks created by iPad are a setup for singer’s AI reality in newest music video
The young and top chart-leading pop star of 2021, Olivia Rodrigo, has debuted her album SOUR. Her first song “brutal” on the album, first released back in May was met with 26.7 million streams its first week.
This week, the artist released her new music video for the song and, incredibly, it was produced exclusively on an Apple iPad. Incredible because of the way it turned out, showing how Apple is aggressively positioning itself, particularly with the iPad Pro, iPadOS 15 and the upcoming iPhone 13 as a full professional production option that will only get better with each software / hardware iteration.
Promotions leading up to her video had fans create their own #BrutalMasks to share on TikTok.
The 30 second video breaks down how some of the custom masks that are featured throughout the video were made with the FacePaint feature on the Procreate app using the Apple pencil.
https://youtu.be/Z6_J8KxIlmI
This isn’t the first time Apple has partnered with musical celebrities, other stars that have worked alongside the company include Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, and Billie Eilish. With the new direction in marketing and even designing updates to lean more and more towards a pro orientation, expect more major artists, as well as new upcoming ones that can benefit most from the lower cost of top flight production values to get a bump this fall. And the proliferation of creative visual and musical expression will hopefully follow…
33 Anticipated TV Shows coming out, but there’s not enough time to watch them all!
There will be no shortage of new series and movies one can stream this fall. Netflix just announced its influx of movies (42) to watch. Next comes an avalanche of new TV series, 33 already scheduled for release during the rest of 2021, including new seasons of established shows.
With what feels like the countless number of streaming platforms (Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Paramount+, Peacock, Showtime, you get the point), there are almost too many options to know where the heck to start!
Don’t worry, though, the launching new streaming options won’t end in Fall, your TV watching bonanza will be far from over as the holiday season approaches. The gift of streaming will be seemingly boundless, in particular, due to the release of two upcoming Marvel series: “Hawkeye” and “Ms. Marvel” in addition to Netflix’s “The Witcher”.
The future overall looks bright in the digital entertainment realm, at least with regard to “choice” and seemingly endless options, viewers have so much to watch, even as many of us are also already waiting for the long-planned currently-in-production status of Game of Thrones spinoffs and Lord of the Rings TV series to wrap up and finally come to our screens.
In the meantime, below we picked the top 5, out of a total of 33, not including the 42 upcoming movies, that should definitely be on your list to consider for your screens this Fall.
Succession: Season 3 – HBO – October dates and times TBA:
Streaming platform heading for a strong finish with tons of new content for the rest of ’21
Netflix has pumped up the volume for the remainder of 2021! There are 42 films slated to drop, spread across the next 4 months, that’s an average of 10 releases a month!
Get ready to see tons of star power on your screens, including big names like: Meryl Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio, Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock, and Jennifer Lawrence and those are just Oscar award winners. Ryan Reynolds, The Rock, Michael Keaton, Idris Elba, Melissa McCarthy, Gal Gadot and so many more are also set to appear in the Fall lineup of movies (read “soon”).
There are also heavy hitters scheduled in November and December that we will report back on, once trailers have been released. Already, however, they also look to have awesome potential: “Red Notice” with The Rock, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot, “Don’t Look Up” with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence and “The Power of the Dog” with Benedict Cumberbatch.
Below are several that do have already released trailers – these are not all but our hand-picked favorites from the many on deck for your consideration:
September 3 – Worth:
October 29 – Army of Thieves:
November 3 – The Harder They Fall:
November 11 – Tick, Tick…BOOM!:
December 1 – The Power of the Dog:
December 3 (Theater) December 15 (Netflix) – The Hand of God:
Warner Bros. is set to release its next big horror movie. The film is helmed by James Wan. If that name doesn’t strike a cord, one of his many many scary movies like “Saw”, “The Conjuring”, “Annabelle”, “Demonic” “Lights out”, “Insidious” or “The Curse of La Llorna” probably will.
This time around, the director wants to deviate from what he is most known for, mastering the jump scare, you know that moment when something crazy scary pops up on the screen and you are immediately jerked, or in my case, scream like an insane person. He promises that “Malignant” will be a different kind of horror movie from his past endeavors.
And I’m always trying to find new ways to reinvent myself so that I don’t get stale, so to speak… Part of the reason, too, why I wanted to make Malignant was that I want people to know that this is not a jump scare film.”
-James Wan / Malignant
In the film, “Madison is paralyzed by shocking visions of grisly murders, and her torment worsens as she discovers that these waking dreams are in fact terrifying realities.”
The cast includes Annabelle Wallis, Maddie Hasson, Mckenna Grace, Jake Abel, George Young, Ingrid Bisu, Michole Briana White and Jacqueline McKenzie. “Malignant” will be released simultaneously in theaters and HBO Max (for 31 days) on September 10.
At sound of a whistling in teaser video evokes an eeriness and tension between characters….
It’s always great when an actual actor becomes a movie star. Benedict Cumberbatch has been in a myriad of productions recently such as “Doctor Strange“, “The Mauritanian”, “The Courier”, “Avengers” and on and on, with nearly 100 actor credits and that doesn’t even touch on his work as an executive producer.
Running the gamut from the Multiverse to spy thrillers and serious suspense his ability to portray depth and intelligence has stood him in good steed.
Going all the way back to “Tinker Tailor Solider Spy” and “The Imitation Game” (not to mention his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes) a solid body of work is has been established which hopefully will not turn into a house of cards as a result of inevitable over-exposure.
Cumberbatch’s newest role is as a rancher from Montana named Phil Burbank. “The Power of the Dog” is based on a novel by the same name. Set in 1925, Phil “inspires fear and awe in those around him”. When his brother (Jesse Plemons) brings home a new wife (Kirsten Dunst), Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to… the possibility of love.
Netflix gave viewers a little taste with the official teaser trailer for the film. The movie will be released initially in theaters on November 17 and will debut on the streaming platform the 1st of December.
The MCU dispatches a wave of villains from different timelines and also welcomes back some known entities
The official trailer for “Spider-Man: No Way Home” is here and after over a year of fans desperately trying to speculate the ultimate plot twists, the video clip confirms that viewers will get a multiverse-ial one.
Tom Holland is back as Peter Parker and Spider-Man. In the final moments of the most recent Spider-Man sequel “Far from Home“, Peter Parker’s identity is exposed. In “No Way Home” Parker is now fully unmasked, no longer able to separate his normal life from being a super hero, spinning his world into some serious chaos.
Peter attempts to find a solution to being exposed by asking Doctor Strange for a spell to reverse and set things back to how they used to be, but instead, the magic plunges the two into the multiverse.
Holland is joined by Zendaya as Mary Jane, Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds and Marisa Tomei as Peter’s Aunt.
Villains from previous Spider-man franchises that we currently know of are Doctor Octopus (played by Alfred Molina), Electro (Jamie Fox) and the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe).
Twists, turns and easter eggs…
There was even some rumors that Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield could make a return for some sort of weird cross-universe encounter, but that is pretty unlikely (or is it?!).
Fans even have gone so far as to attempt to analyze each individual frame in the trailer, with some thinking that they saw Daredevil character Charlie Cox (arm!) hidden in the proverbial weeds (frames), although this is still very unconfirmed.
Only time will tell, when fans watch “Spider-Man: No Way Home” which is currently scheduled for theatrical release (only!) this winter, December 17, 2021.
At the end of Tesla’s AI Day presentation, Musk revealed an unexpected new product, the Tesla Bot.
The humanoid robot would be 5’8″ tall and its main purpose, according to Musk, would be to eliminate dangerous, repetitive, and boring tasks. The prototype is expected to be available some time next year.
The CEO also made a typically bold statement about the future and AI, saying “Essentially, in the future, physical work will be a choice. If you want to do it, you can, but you won’t need to do it.”
Elon finished with an invitation for engineers to join the Tesla team to build the robot.
Greg Abbott, the Republican Governor for Texas tested positive for Covid-19. The news comes in the middle of the legal battles over banning vaccination and mask mandates in the state, despite opposition from both local officials and school districts.
According to NBC News, Abbott is fully vaccinated, there are reports he also received a 3rd booster shot and is currently receiving Regeneron’s antibody treatment (usually exclusive to those with compromised immune systems). Per his communication’s director, he is “in good health, and currently experiencing no symptoms.”
“Governor Abbott is in constant communication with his staff, agency heads, and government officials to ensure that state government continues to operate smoothly and efficiently”
-Mark Miner, the governor’s communications director
Perhaps a “bit” hyprocritcal? Abbott has access and benefits from any and all possible medical services necessary. Unfortunately the same privilege is not available to most ordinary Texans, where currently the state is experiencing a surge of new cases and hospitalizations
There’s a storm brewing and tech mega-monsters like Amazon, Google & Facebook know it
Practically since the day that Lina M. Kahn was appointed chair of the FTC, big tech giants have shown that they are worried. Both Amazon and Facebook filed suits asking that she recuse herself almost immediately.
Khan’s famous 2017 article; “Amazon’s Antitrust Paradox“, published in the Yale Law Journal was both the obvious initial catalyst to her becoming chair of the FTC and also Amazon being unhappy that she would be at the helm of the FTC while antitrust actions are being brought against them.
The idea of removing her would have obvious appeal for those that fear her dedication to a new antitrust stance at the FTC, one that no longer allows digital behemoths to skate, monopolize and grow unchecked. But there is likely little chance that they can get her off their metaphorical backs that easily.
As per the Guardian: “Khan does not have any conflicts of interest under federal ethics laws, which typically apply to financial investments or employment history, and the requests [for her recusal] are not likely to go far.”
The recently released book “Power Play” begins with some detailed accounts of Tesla’s rocky beginnings. The book is said to showcase behind-the-scenes anecdotes and allow readers to get an exact account of just how unusual Elon Musk is.
Musk also appeared to respond to various media activity related to the book, and accounts of his alleged behavior, via Twitter, confirming that Walter Isaacson will be penning his biography.
In his tweet, he said “If you’re curious about Tesla, SpaceX & my general goings on, @WalterIsaacson is writing a biography”. Isaacson is responsible for writing biographies on Benjamin Franklin, Einstein, Henry Kissinger, as well as Steve Jobs.
If you’re curious about Tesla, SpaceX & my general goings on, @WalterIsaacson is writing a biography
Power Play: Tesla, Elon Musk, and the Bet of the Century
Author and WSJ tech and author reporter Tim Higgins pens the inside story of Musk, which includes some already leaked controversial stories.
Back in the good ole days, aka as the 2000’s, fast, sexy (s3xy) electric vehicles were a new concept, a novelty, one that lead to the rise of Tesla and Elon Musk’s colossal fortunes. For more check out “Power Play“.
