Back in 2008, a music video landed on YouTube — then still largely in its infancy and mostly dominated by amateur video footage — and caused a bit of a stir, amassing a cult following and 1 million views. More than 15 years on, the video has morphed — extremely slowly — into a full-length feature film.
Chris Dane Owens’ upbeat love song “Shine on Me” was already a catchy slice of rock with some heavy ’80s inspirations. But it was the epic accompanying video — which he made for $70,000, no small sum in today’s music video world — that proved to be the real hit, largely for squeezing into its four minutes practically every clichéd trope and inspiration from popular swords-and-sorcery fantasy entertainment. “The Princess Bride” features prominently, but then there are elements of “Xena,” “The Lord of the Rings,” “The Chronicles of Narnia,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Dungeons and Dragons” and many, many more.
Among a...
Chris Dane Owens’ upbeat love song “Shine on Me” was already a catchy slice of rock with some heavy ’80s inspirations. But it was the epic accompanying video — which he made for $70,000, no small sum in today’s music video world — that proved to be the real hit, largely for squeezing into its four minutes practically every clichéd trope and inspiration from popular swords-and-sorcery fantasy entertainment. “The Princess Bride” features prominently, but then there are elements of “Xena,” “The Lord of the Rings,” “The Chronicles of Narnia,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Dungeons and Dragons” and many, many more.
Among a...
- 4/22/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
After the disaster that was M. Night Shyamalan‘s adaptation of Nickelodeon’s brilliant animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender. Netflix is here with another adaptation and the hopes for this one are kind of high because the last Netflix live-action adaptation of One Piece was loved by new and existing fans of the IP. Avatar: The Last Airbender follows the adventures of a young boy named Aang, who is the world’s only hope to defeat the tyrannical Fire Nation. To do that he has to master all of the elements and in this adventure, he is helped by Katara and Zukko. While, Netflix’s live-action adaptation is not a direct adaptation of the animated series, as it is much more of a dramatic and visual feast than the comedic animated adventure like the animated series. The fans seem to love the live-action adaptation, and if you also loved...
- 2/22/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
As an ardent devotee of the written word and an avid connoisseur of cinematic storytelling, I’ve always been enthralled by the experience of witnessing beloved fantasy novels come to life on the screen.
The result is enchanting when ink and imagination merge into a visual symphony. The tales that have captured my heart and imagination have found new dimensions when adapted for television or film.
Related: Top 10 Best TV Series of All Time, Ranked by Viewers
From the gallant quests to the fantastical creatures, these adaptations transport us to mystical realms where the unimaginable becomes a reality.
I invite you on a journey through ten epic fantasy series that have undergone a magical transformation from page to screen, immersing us in worlds of wonder, peril, and unparalleled adventure.
A Personal Quest into Enchanted Worlds
Ever since I was introduced to the spellbinding allure of fantasy novels, I’ve been...
The result is enchanting when ink and imagination merge into a visual symphony. The tales that have captured my heart and imagination have found new dimensions when adapted for television or film.
Related: Top 10 Best TV Series of All Time, Ranked by Viewers
From the gallant quests to the fantastical creatures, these adaptations transport us to mystical realms where the unimaginable becomes a reality.
I invite you on a journey through ten epic fantasy series that have undergone a magical transformation from page to screen, immersing us in worlds of wonder, peril, and unparalleled adventure.
A Personal Quest into Enchanted Worlds
Ever since I was introduced to the spellbinding allure of fantasy novels, I’ve been...
- 10/8/2023
- by Pia Vermaak
- buddytv.com
The Wheel of Time is Prime Video’s attempt at making a sweeping epic fantasy adventure series and for the most part, they are pretty successful in making The Wheel of Time a brilliant series that is an honest interpretation of the source material. The fantasy series has everything working for it from a brilliant cast to great creators and a storyline containing a story about a world-ending threat and a fight between good and evil. The Wheel of Time recently concluded its second season, so while you wait for any updates to come out on Season 3. Here are some similar shows you could watch until then.
The Witcher (Netflix) Credit – Netflix
Synopsis: Netflix, “The Witcher” is an epic tale of fate and family. Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts. But when destiny...
The Witcher (Netflix) Credit – Netflix
Synopsis: Netflix, “The Witcher” is an epic tale of fate and family. Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts. But when destiny...
- 10/6/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is the latest spin-off of the hit series The Walking Dead and it was created by David Zabel. The AMC series is based on The Walking Dead character of the same name and it follows Daryl Dixon as he leaves The Commonwealth and washes ashore in France where he gets mixed up with a religious movement and ends up taking on a huge responsibility. Norman Reedus returns to play the iconic character and Melissa McBride, Clémence Poésy, Adam Nagaitis, Laika Blanc Francard, and Louis Puech Scigliuzzi star in supporting roles. So, if you loved The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon here are some similar shows you could watch next.
The Walking Dead Credit – AMC
Synopsis: The AMC Original Drama Series The Walking Dead, the worldwide phenomenon and television’s most-watched drama, tells the story of the months and years that follow after a zombie apocalypse.
The Walking Dead Credit – AMC
Synopsis: The AMC Original Drama Series The Walking Dead, the worldwide phenomenon and television’s most-watched drama, tells the story of the months and years that follow after a zombie apocalypse.
- 9/10/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece is finally here. Based on the popular managa of the same name by Eiichiro Oda story of One Piece follows Luffy (Iñaki Godoy), who is inspired by his childhood idol “Red-Haired” Shanks (Peter Gadiot) he makes his own crew and names them Straw Hat, and together they go out on an adventure to find the One Piece treasure which will make the King of the Pirates. Created by Eiichiro Oda and Steven Maeda, One Piece also stars Emily Rudd, Mackenyu, Taz Skylar, and Jacob Gibson. So, if you loved the live-action adaptation of One Piece here are some similar shows you could watch next.
One Piece
Synopsis: Monkey D. Luffy refuses to let anyone or anything stand in the way of his quest to become king of all pirates. With a course charted for the treacherous waters of the Grand Line, this is...
One Piece
Synopsis: Monkey D. Luffy refuses to let anyone or anything stand in the way of his quest to become king of all pirates. With a course charted for the treacherous waters of the Grand Line, this is...
- 8/31/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
From the pages of novels to the screens of our televisions, these fantasy series have captured all our hearts – offering an escape to extraordinary worlds filled with wonder and adventure.
This article will delve into twelve binge-worthy fantasy epics that have received acclaim and admiration from fans and critics alike.
Get ready to embark on unforgettable journeys to fantastical realms!
1 ‘Game of Thrones’ (2011-2019)
This incredible series is based on a book series written by George R.R Martin. “Game of Thrones” is one of television’s most iconic and influential fantasy epics.
Related: “House of the Dragon” vs. “Game of Thrones” (5 Major Differences)
The show took viewers on a complex journey through Westeros’s treacherous and politically charged land, where noble families vied for power and control of the Iron Throne.
With its gripping plotlines, intricate character development, and unexpected twists, “Game of Thrones” captivated global audiences, making it a cultural phenomenon.
This article will delve into twelve binge-worthy fantasy epics that have received acclaim and admiration from fans and critics alike.
Get ready to embark on unforgettable journeys to fantastical realms!
1 ‘Game of Thrones’ (2011-2019)
This incredible series is based on a book series written by George R.R Martin. “Game of Thrones” is one of television’s most iconic and influential fantasy epics.
Related: “House of the Dragon” vs. “Game of Thrones” (5 Major Differences)
The show took viewers on a complex journey through Westeros’s treacherous and politically charged land, where noble families vied for power and control of the Iron Throne.
With its gripping plotlines, intricate character development, and unexpected twists, “Game of Thrones” captivated global audiences, making it a cultural phenomenon.
- 8/7/2023
- by Pia Vermaak
- buddytv.com
Philip Pullman’s Golden Compass trilogy has stood the test of time, becoming beloved young adult fantasy novels. HBO saw enough promise in the story that they picked up a television adaptation after sister company New Line Cinema failed to ignite a fervent following with their singular film. Season One\ got things off to a good start while Season Two stumbled a little.
After pandemic delays, the third and final season of His Dark Materials arrived earlier this year and is now available on home video from HBO Home Entertainment. The final eight episodes loosely adapt the third book in Pullman’s trilogy The Amber Spyglass and does so in a satisfying enough way that we will miss the series, this world, and the fine ensemble that brought the characters to life.
The focus remains on Lyra (Dafne Keen) and her growing relationship and Will (Amir Wilson). First, they have...
After pandemic delays, the third and final season of His Dark Materials arrived earlier this year and is now available on home video from HBO Home Entertainment. The final eight episodes loosely adapt the third book in Pullman’s trilogy The Amber Spyglass and does so in a satisfying enough way that we will miss the series, this world, and the fine ensemble that brought the characters to life.
The focus remains on Lyra (Dafne Keen) and her growing relationship and Will (Amir Wilson). First, they have...
- 5/4/2023
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
X2: X-Men United Adapted The God Loves, Man Kills Marvel Comic Arc, But It's Missing One Key Element
"X2: X-Men United" was released 20 years ago, and it remains easily the best of the original "X-Men" trilogy and one of the first hints that superhero movies were a Hollywood heavyweight. Even so, "X2" isn't free of the sin that many adaptations commit. Namely, not honoring the source material's spirit.
The most influential "X-Men" writer is Chris Claremont. He wrote the series from 1975 to 1991, rescuing the comic from obscurity in the process. He also gave the setting the political backbone for which it's now known. Stan Lee retroactively claimed he based Professor X and Magneto on Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, but read his "X-Men" stories and you won't find credence for that or much of a bite at all. Lee was, in the words of "Marvel Comics: The Untold Story" author Sean Howe, "a master fence-sitter."
Claremont, though, had a firmer spine. Magneto being a Holocaust survivor?...
The most influential "X-Men" writer is Chris Claremont. He wrote the series from 1975 to 1991, rescuing the comic from obscurity in the process. He also gave the setting the political backbone for which it's now known. Stan Lee retroactively claimed he based Professor X and Magneto on Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, but read his "X-Men" stories and you won't find credence for that or much of a bite at all. Lee was, in the words of "Marvel Comics: The Untold Story" author Sean Howe, "a master fence-sitter."
Claremont, though, had a firmer spine. Magneto being a Holocaust survivor?...
- 5/3/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
“The Bachelor” creator Mike Fleiss is exiting the reality TV franchise after 20 years, TheWrap has learned.
Following Fleiss’ exit, two former showrunners of “The Bachelor,” Claire Freeland, who previously served as showrunner of Canada’s “The Bachelor” franchise, and Jason Ehrlich, who previously showran several seasons of “The Bachelor,” as well as longtime executive producer Bennett Graebner will step in as executive producers and showrunners for “The Bachelor” franchise. The team has already been working on new season of “The Bachelorette,” led by Charity Lawson.
Monday’s finale of “The Bachelor” Season 27, headed by leading man Zach Shallcross, marked Fleiss’ last season with Bachelor Nation.
“First and foremost, congratulations are in order for Zach and Kaity. I wish them a long and happy life together,” Fleiss said in a statement, provided to TheWrap on Tuesday. “I want to thank Wbtv and ABC for 21 extraordinary years. They’ve found the perfect...
Following Fleiss’ exit, two former showrunners of “The Bachelor,” Claire Freeland, who previously served as showrunner of Canada’s “The Bachelor” franchise, and Jason Ehrlich, who previously showran several seasons of “The Bachelor,” as well as longtime executive producer Bennett Graebner will step in as executive producers and showrunners for “The Bachelor” franchise. The team has already been working on new season of “The Bachelorette,” led by Charity Lawson.
Monday’s finale of “The Bachelor” Season 27, headed by leading man Zach Shallcross, marked Fleiss’ last season with Bachelor Nation.
“First and foremost, congratulations are in order for Zach and Kaity. I wish them a long and happy life together,” Fleiss said in a statement, provided to TheWrap on Tuesday. “I want to thank Wbtv and ABC for 21 extraordinary years. They’ve found the perfect...
- 3/28/2023
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
The BBC is reportedly developing a new historical crime series that is being billed as a “spiritual successor” to Peaky Blinders.
Set in early 20th-century Soho, London, the high-budget series would be based on the non-fiction book Dope Girls: The Birth of the British Drug Underground by Marek Kohn.
According to a report in Deadline, the BBC is looking to commission a six-episode series, produced by Bad Wolf Productions, previously responsible for the broadcaster’s adaptation of Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy.
The outlet also reports that Polly Stenham (The Neon Demon) and Alex Warren (Eleanor) are in the process of writing the series.
It is claimed that the series will blend historical fact with storytelling invention, and will focus on the criminal underbelly of old Soho.
At the centre of the story, claims the report, is conservative single mother Kate Meyrick, who builds a nightclub and criminal empire from the ground up.
Set in early 20th-century Soho, London, the high-budget series would be based on the non-fiction book Dope Girls: The Birth of the British Drug Underground by Marek Kohn.
According to a report in Deadline, the BBC is looking to commission a six-episode series, produced by Bad Wolf Productions, previously responsible for the broadcaster’s adaptation of Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy.
The outlet also reports that Polly Stenham (The Neon Demon) and Alex Warren (Eleanor) are in the process of writing the series.
It is claimed that the series will blend historical fact with storytelling invention, and will focus on the criminal underbelly of old Soho.
At the centre of the story, claims the report, is conservative single mother Kate Meyrick, who builds a nightclub and criminal empire from the ground up.
- 3/20/2023
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
Gary Lineker’s army of supporters has grown to include a Nobel literature laureate and comedian amid his BBC impartiality row.
The former England striker is at the centre of a public debate about impartiality at the BBC, after he compared a video unveiling the government’s asylum policy to rhetoric used in Germany in the 1930s.
On Friday (10 March), the BBC said it had “decided” the former England star would take a break from presenting the highlights programme until an “agreed and clear position” on his use of social media had been reached.
Following this, the BBC’s sports scheduling descended into chaos on Saturday (11 March) with Match of the Day going ahead without presenters or pundits after both Ian Wright and Alan Shearer pulled out in “solidarity” with Lineker.
Football Focus and Final Score were both pulled from TV schedules at the last minute that day, along with Radio 5 Live’s sport coverage.
The former England striker is at the centre of a public debate about impartiality at the BBC, after he compared a video unveiling the government’s asylum policy to rhetoric used in Germany in the 1930s.
On Friday (10 March), the BBC said it had “decided” the former England star would take a break from presenting the highlights programme until an “agreed and clear position” on his use of social media had been reached.
Following this, the BBC’s sports scheduling descended into chaos on Saturday (11 March) with Match of the Day going ahead without presenters or pundits after both Ian Wright and Alan Shearer pulled out in “solidarity” with Lineker.
Football Focus and Final Score were both pulled from TV schedules at the last minute that day, along with Radio 5 Live’s sport coverage.
- 3/12/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has joined in the criticism of changes made to classic works by Roald Dahl which came to light over the weekend. Titles like James and the Giant Peach, The Bfg, Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory have been altered by modifying words that are now deemed offensive.
Publisher Puffin Books, an imprint of Penguin Books, said edits were made so the stories “can continue to be enjoyed by all today.”
Sunak’s official spokesperson told local media, “When it comes to our rich and varied literary heritage, the prime minister agrees with the Bfg that we shouldn’t gobblefunk around with words. I think it’s important that works of literature and works of fiction are preserved and not airbrushed. We have always defended the right to free speech and expression.”
Also speaking out against the changes is author Salman Rushdie. “Roald Dahl was...
Publisher Puffin Books, an imprint of Penguin Books, said edits were made so the stories “can continue to be enjoyed by all today.”
Sunak’s official spokesperson told local media, “When it comes to our rich and varied literary heritage, the prime minister agrees with the Bfg that we shouldn’t gobblefunk around with words. I think it’s important that works of literature and works of fiction are preserved and not airbrushed. We have always defended the right to free speech and expression.”
Also speaking out against the changes is author Salman Rushdie. “Roald Dahl was...
- 2/21/2023
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
John Cleese has issued an “apology” for rebootingFawlty Towers with his daughter, Camilla Cleese.
It was recently announced that the Monty Python’s Flying Circus actor – who starred in the original series as hotel owner Basil Fawlty – is making the reboot in collaboration with Spinal Tap filmmaker Rob Reiner.
Cleese, 83, and Camilla, 39, will write and star in the revival, which is currently in development.
The actor told fans that the forthcoming series – which follows Basil discovering he has a secret daughter and struggling to navigate the modern world – won’t be an “anti-woke nightmare”. He also ruled out BBC hosting the series.
News of the reboot divided fans of the original series, with many critics urging that Fawlty Towers should be left alone.
Cleese responded to the criticism with a sarcastic apology posted to Twitter on Monday (20 February).
“I must apologise,” he wrote. “I had no idea that the idea...
It was recently announced that the Monty Python’s Flying Circus actor – who starred in the original series as hotel owner Basil Fawlty – is making the reboot in collaboration with Spinal Tap filmmaker Rob Reiner.
Cleese, 83, and Camilla, 39, will write and star in the revival, which is currently in development.
The actor told fans that the forthcoming series – which follows Basil discovering he has a secret daughter and struggling to navigate the modern world – won’t be an “anti-woke nightmare”. He also ruled out BBC hosting the series.
News of the reboot divided fans of the original series, with many critics urging that Fawlty Towers should be left alone.
Cleese responded to the criticism with a sarcastic apology posted to Twitter on Monday (20 February).
“I must apologise,” he wrote. “I had no idea that the idea...
- 2/21/2023
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - TV
Aubrey Plaza explained herself after admitting she once stole a note from US President Joe Biden’s desk.
Both famous Delawareans, the Emily the Criminal star and Biden have met several times, before Plaza was famous and before Biden was president.
In conversation with The New Yorker, Plaza remembered the first time she met the then-us Vice President at a “Joe Biden youth-leadership conference” and “had a stare-down with” him.
“I was really angry about the conference – and, in fact, I had a stare-down with Joe Biden from the audience, because he asked how it went, and I raised my hand immediately, and I was, like, ‘It’s bulls***. This conference sucks. You didn’t let us talk. This was supposed to be about the students,’” she recalled.
“I was always trying to rabble-rouse at that point. And he did not like it. I remember his face got really red.
Both famous Delawareans, the Emily the Criminal star and Biden have met several times, before Plaza was famous and before Biden was president.
In conversation with The New Yorker, Plaza remembered the first time she met the then-us Vice President at a “Joe Biden youth-leadership conference” and “had a stare-down with” him.
“I was really angry about the conference – and, in fact, I had a stare-down with Joe Biden from the audience, because he asked how it went, and I raised my hand immediately, and I was, like, ‘It’s bulls***. This conference sucks. You didn’t let us talk. This was supposed to be about the students,’” she recalled.
“I was always trying to rabble-rouse at that point. And he did not like it. I remember his face got really red.
- 2/20/2023
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - Film
John Cleese has issued an “apology” for rebootingFawlty Towers with his daughter, Camilla Cleese.
It was recently announced that the Monty Python’s Flying Circus actor – who starred in the original series as hotel owner Basil Fawlty – is making the reboot in collaboration with Spinal Tap filmmaker Rob Reiner.
Cleese, 83, and Camilla, 39, will write and star in the revival, which is currently in development.
The actor told fans that the forthcoming series – which follows Basil discovering he has a secret daughter and struggling to navigate the modern world – won’t be an “anti-woke nightmare”. He also ruled out BBC hosting the series.
News of the reboot divided fans of the original series, with many critics urging that Fawlty Towers should be left alone.
Cleese responded to the criticism with a sarcastic apology posted to Twitter on Monday (20 February).
“I must apologise,” he wrote. “I had no idea that the idea...
It was recently announced that the Monty Python’s Flying Circus actor – who starred in the original series as hotel owner Basil Fawlty – is making the reboot in collaboration with Spinal Tap filmmaker Rob Reiner.
Cleese, 83, and Camilla, 39, will write and star in the revival, which is currently in development.
The actor told fans that the forthcoming series – which follows Basil discovering he has a secret daughter and struggling to navigate the modern world – won’t be an “anti-woke nightmare”. He also ruled out BBC hosting the series.
News of the reboot divided fans of the original series, with many critics urging that Fawlty Towers should be left alone.
Cleese responded to the criticism with a sarcastic apology posted to Twitter on Monday (20 February).
“I must apologise,” he wrote. “I had no idea that the idea...
- 2/20/2023
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - TV
The 1975’s frontman Matty Healy has mocked Yungblud after the musician called him out over controversial comments he made on a podcast.
Earlier this month, Healy, 33, appeared on an episode of The Adam Friedland Show with comedians and podcast hosts Friedland and Nick Mullen.
The musician came under fire after he and the hosts appeared to make a number of derogatory remarks about women. He also mocked the indigenous Scots language, and Chinese and Hawaiian accents.
Healy also encouraged the hosts to do impressions of Japanese people working in concentration camps, later joining in himself. Healy’s representative did not respond to The Independent’s request for comment.
In a now-viral tweet, Yungblud – Dominic Richard Harrison – appeared to call out Healy for the comments.
“Love listening to three privileged white dudes sit around and objectify a young black female artist who’s blowing up. Welcome to your thirties I guess,...
Earlier this month, Healy, 33, appeared on an episode of The Adam Friedland Show with comedians and podcast hosts Friedland and Nick Mullen.
The musician came under fire after he and the hosts appeared to make a number of derogatory remarks about women. He also mocked the indigenous Scots language, and Chinese and Hawaiian accents.
Healy also encouraged the hosts to do impressions of Japanese people working in concentration camps, later joining in himself. Healy’s representative did not respond to The Independent’s request for comment.
In a now-viral tweet, Yungblud – Dominic Richard Harrison – appeared to call out Healy for the comments.
“Love listening to three privileged white dudes sit around and objectify a young black female artist who’s blowing up. Welcome to your thirties I guess,...
- 2/20/2023
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - Music
Broadcaster Dan Walker has said he is “glad to be alive” after being hit by a car while cycling.
The 45-year-old former BBC Breakfast presenter shared a series of images of his bloodied face while sitting in an ambulance, alongside a selfie with the NHS staff who were caring for him.
Walker tweeted: “Bit of an accident this morning. Glad to be alive after getting hit by a car on my bike. Face is a mess but I don’t think anything is broken.
“Thanks to Shaun and Jamie for sorting me out and the lovely copper at the scene. This is my smiling. Thankful for our NHS.”
A number of Walkers’ colleagues and fans shared their well-wishes with him after his post.
“Oh wow! Get well soon,” Strictly Come Dancing star Motsi Mabuse replied.
ITV’s Sally Biddulph wrote: “So glad you are Ok Dan, what a shock. Rest up and feel better soon.
The 45-year-old former BBC Breakfast presenter shared a series of images of his bloodied face while sitting in an ambulance, alongside a selfie with the NHS staff who were caring for him.
Walker tweeted: “Bit of an accident this morning. Glad to be alive after getting hit by a car on my bike. Face is a mess but I don’t think anything is broken.
“Thanks to Shaun and Jamie for sorting me out and the lovely copper at the scene. This is my smiling. Thankful for our NHS.”
A number of Walkers’ colleagues and fans shared their well-wishes with him after his post.
“Oh wow! Get well soon,” Strictly Come Dancing star Motsi Mabuse replied.
ITV’s Sally Biddulph wrote: “So glad you are Ok Dan, what a shock. Rest up and feel better soon.
- 2/20/2023
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - TV
Making a movie requires a lot of time, effort, and talent. But more importantly, making a movie requires a lot of money. No filmmaker wants their movie to flop, but none more so than studios whose very existence depends on their releases putting butts in seats. While studios have always put their bets on tentpole movies to produce good profit margins, because of the popularity of superheroes and other big-budget franchises, it seems that studios are putting less focus on smaller films that would ensure they wouldn't suffer too much due to their modest budgets (even if they failed). As budgets have gotten bigger, so too has the pressure for these films to not only break even but to break box office records.
Filmmakers face serious career problems when their movies flop with audiences, as a failure or, worse, a string of failures, could lead to a dream project being squashed.
Filmmakers face serious career problems when their movies flop with audiences, as a failure or, worse, a string of failures, could lead to a dream project being squashed.
- 2/4/2023
- by Joe Garza
- Slash Film
Mayfair Witches is now a few episodes in on AMC, and fans are loving the Anne Rice adaptation. The series stars Alexandra Daddario as Dr. Rowan Fielding, a neurosurgeon who discovers that she’s part of a powerful family of New Orleans witches known as the Mayfairs. New episodes are available every week, but if you just can’t get enough of the supernatural drama, check out these shows like Mayfair Witches.
Alexandra Daddario as Rowan Fielding in ‘Mayfair Witches’ | Alfonso Bresciani/AMC ‘Interview With the Vampire’
Mayfair Witches is the second series in the Anne Rice Immortal Universe on AMC, following closely behind Interview With the Vampire. Both shows stand on their own and tell different stories, but Mayfair Witches and Interview With the Vampire do share a character. The creators have even discussed some future crossovers between the projects.
Interview With the Vampire follows a vampire named Louis...
Alexandra Daddario as Rowan Fielding in ‘Mayfair Witches’ | Alfonso Bresciani/AMC ‘Interview With the Vampire’
Mayfair Witches is the second series in the Anne Rice Immortal Universe on AMC, following closely behind Interview With the Vampire. Both shows stand on their own and tell different stories, but Mayfair Witches and Interview With the Vampire do share a character. The creators have even discussed some future crossovers between the projects.
Interview With the Vampire follows a vampire named Louis...
- 1/28/2023
- by Elise Nelson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
This post contains spoilers for "His Dark Materials" season 3.
"His Dark Materials" aired its epic conclusion last night, wrapping up the show's third and final season with two episodes. Based on the trilogy by Philip Pullman, the series may begin and end with Lyra (Dafne Keen), but one of the most consistently brilliant aspects of this show has undeniably been Ruth Wilson's Marisa Coulter. Lyra's mother is a complex character, both in the books and in the TV series, but Wilson added so many new dimensions to Marisa.
The indomitable Mrs. Coulter finally meets her end in episode 7 much in the same way she does in "The Amber Spyglass," through self-sacrifice. It's a far cry from the woman we've known throughout "His Dark Materials," but season 3 saw Marisa go through major changes — I certainly wouldn't call her a hero, but she is incredibly complex, and much of that nuance...
"His Dark Materials" aired its epic conclusion last night, wrapping up the show's third and final season with two episodes. Based on the trilogy by Philip Pullman, the series may begin and end with Lyra (Dafne Keen), but one of the most consistently brilliant aspects of this show has undeniably been Ruth Wilson's Marisa Coulter. Lyra's mother is a complex character, both in the books and in the TV series, but Wilson added so many new dimensions to Marisa.
The indomitable Mrs. Coulter finally meets her end in episode 7 much in the same way she does in "The Amber Spyglass," through self-sacrifice. It's a far cry from the woman we've known throughout "His Dark Materials," but season 3 saw Marisa go through major changes — I certainly wouldn't call her a hero, but she is incredibly complex, and much of that nuance...
- 12/27/2022
- by Jamie Gerber
- Slash Film
The TV world is filled with many successes and many duds.
That especially rings true for the Science Fiction/Fantasy genres, as they are very easy to mess up.
Luckily, 2022 brought us a lot of high-quality entertainment under the umbrella!
From HBO to Netflix, there were a bunch of different Networks that aired these high-quality series.
Check out what made our list below!
House of the Dragon (HBO)
The first Game of Thrones spin-off to see the light of day started slow, but our patience was rewarded in the second half of the season.
A deep-dive into the downfall of House Targaryen made for a more focused narrative than the original series.
The casting was on point, and we don't think any other show comes close to it in terms of production values.
The second season should be even better now that the Dance of the Dragons is underway.
Wednesday...
That especially rings true for the Science Fiction/Fantasy genres, as they are very easy to mess up.
Luckily, 2022 brought us a lot of high-quality entertainment under the umbrella!
From HBO to Netflix, there were a bunch of different Networks that aired these high-quality series.
Check out what made our list below!
House of the Dragon (HBO)
The first Game of Thrones spin-off to see the light of day started slow, but our patience was rewarded in the second half of the season.
A deep-dive into the downfall of House Targaryen made for a more focused narrative than the original series.
The casting was on point, and we don't think any other show comes close to it in terms of production values.
The second season should be even better now that the Dance of the Dragons is underway.
Wednesday...
- 12/27/2022
- by Michael T. Stack
- TVfanatic
Warning: contains finale spoilers for His Dark Materials season 3.
In the closing moments of Bad Wolf’s majestic adaptation of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, a caption on screen tells us what lies ahead for Lyra and Will. After freeing the ghosts from the Land of the Dead and returning healing Dust to the ailing multiverse, the teenagers weren’t granted a happy ever after. Instead, they faced a stark reality: stay together and be complicit in the death of the multiverse, or save it and separate forever.
Dust was leaking out of the worlds into nothingness through the many windows cut between the multiverse by previous knife bearers. Some was escaping in the form of Spectres, and the loss of Dust was destroying the worlds (as seen with the Mulefas’ dying seedpod tree). The flow of Dust had to be stopped by closing every window but one.
In the closing moments of Bad Wolf’s majestic adaptation of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, a caption on screen tells us what lies ahead for Lyra and Will. After freeing the ghosts from the Land of the Dead and returning healing Dust to the ailing multiverse, the teenagers weren’t granted a happy ever after. Instead, they faced a stark reality: stay together and be complicit in the death of the multiverse, or save it and separate forever.
Dust was leaking out of the worlds into nothingness through the many windows cut between the multiverse by previous knife bearers. Some was escaping in the form of Spectres, and the loss of Dust was destroying the worlds (as seen with the Mulefas’ dying seedpod tree). The flow of Dust had to be stopped by closing every window but one.
- 12/27/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Network: HBO
Episodes: 23 (hour)
Seasons: Three
TV show dates: November 4, 2019 -- December 26, 2022
Series status: Ended
Performers include: Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, Anne-Marie Duff, Clarke Peters, James Cosmo, Ariyon Bakare, Will Keen, Lucian Msamati, Gary Lewis, Lewin Lloyd, Daniel Frogson, James McAvoy, Ian Gelder, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Georgina Campbell, Mat Fraser, Geoff Bell, and Simon Manyonda.
TV show description:
A fantasy mystery series that's based on the novel series by Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials is set in an alternate world where humans have animal companions that are the manifestation of the human soul.
Young Lyra Belacqua (Keen) is an orphan who lives with scholars at Jordan College, Oxford. Placed there at the request of her...
Episodes: 23 (hour)
Seasons: Three
TV show dates: November 4, 2019 -- December 26, 2022
Series status: Ended
Performers include: Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, Anne-Marie Duff, Clarke Peters, James Cosmo, Ariyon Bakare, Will Keen, Lucian Msamati, Gary Lewis, Lewin Lloyd, Daniel Frogson, James McAvoy, Ian Gelder, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Georgina Campbell, Mat Fraser, Geoff Bell, and Simon Manyonda.
TV show description:
A fantasy mystery series that's based on the novel series by Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials is set in an alternate world where humans have animal companions that are the manifestation of the human soul.
Young Lyra Belacqua (Keen) is an orphan who lives with scholars at Jordan College, Oxford. Placed there at the request of her...
- 12/26/2022
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Bookmark this page because TV Insider is providing you with a handy weekly list. With so much on TV — including new and standout episodes in primetime, streaming premieres, movies, and specials — we’re hoping to make it a bit easier for you to keep track of everything you don’t want to miss. Every Monday, on our Shows page, we keep track of the 25 shows that excite us for the week ahead. Read on for what to watch the week of December 26-January 1. It may be a light week for new TV with the holidays, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still plenty to enjoy. Topping our list is His Dark Materials (December 26 on HBO), with the two-part series finale, but will this be the end for lovers of Philip Pullman and his Lyra? Meanwhile, Yellowstone will be airing its midseason finale to kick off the new year...
- 12/26/2022
- TV Insider
Warning: contains spoilers for His Dark Materials episodes 3.5 and 3.6.
It’s unkind to revel in someone else’s failure, but what a gift that this is The Amber Spyglass adaptation we got. It’s hard to imagine New Line Cinema’s defunct film trilogy getting anywhere near so much so right.
The Mulefa, the Land of the Dead, Marisa Coulter’s transformation… all of Philip Pullman’s weirdest and most beautiful ideas have been cradled on their way to the screen by this extraordinary creative team and cast. His story’s been translated in a way that loses nothing and heralds its most vital message: the transformative and rebellious potential of love and storytelling.
If that last part sounds at all hokey to you, know that it’s rendered here with zero schmaltz. Episode five ‘No Way Out’ is a horror movie with a surrealist setting, and actual monsters. There...
It’s unkind to revel in someone else’s failure, but what a gift that this is The Amber Spyglass adaptation we got. It’s hard to imagine New Line Cinema’s defunct film trilogy getting anywhere near so much so right.
The Mulefa, the Land of the Dead, Marisa Coulter’s transformation… all of Philip Pullman’s weirdest and most beautiful ideas have been cradled on their way to the screen by this extraordinary creative team and cast. His story’s been translated in a way that loses nothing and heralds its most vital message: the transformative and rebellious potential of love and storytelling.
If that last part sounds at all hokey to you, know that it’s rendered here with zero schmaltz. Episode five ‘No Way Out’ is a horror movie with a surrealist setting, and actual monsters. There...
- 12/20/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Jeremy Clarkson has issued a statement following his inflammatory comments about Meghan Markle in a column for tabloid The Sun.
On Monday, the “Clarkson’s Farm” presenter shared a statement on social media, saying he is “horrified to have caused so much hurt.”
“Oh dear. I’ve rather put my foot in it,” Clarkson tweeted. “In a column I wrote about Meghan, I made a clumsy reference to a scene in Game of Thrones and this has gone down badly with a great many people. I’m horrified to have caused so much hurt and I shall be more careful in future.”
In Clarkson’s Dec. 16 column, titled “One day, Harold the glove puppet will tell the truth about A Woman Talking B*ks,” the former “Top Gear” presenter wrote of Markle: “I hate her. Not like I hate [Scottish National Party leader] Nicola Sturgeon or [British serial killer] Rose West. I hate her on a cellular level.
On Monday, the “Clarkson’s Farm” presenter shared a statement on social media, saying he is “horrified to have caused so much hurt.”
“Oh dear. I’ve rather put my foot in it,” Clarkson tweeted. “In a column I wrote about Meghan, I made a clumsy reference to a scene in Game of Thrones and this has gone down badly with a great many people. I’m horrified to have caused so much hurt and I shall be more careful in future.”
In Clarkson’s Dec. 16 column, titled “One day, Harold the glove puppet will tell the truth about A Woman Talking B*ks,” the former “Top Gear” presenter wrote of Markle: “I hate her. Not like I hate [Scottish National Party leader] Nicola Sturgeon or [British serial killer] Rose West. I hate her on a cellular level.
- 12/19/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Ipso has received thousands of complaints over Jeremy Clarkson’s column about Meghan Markle in The Sun.
Speaking to BBC News, a representative for Ipso – the independent press standards organisation – said that the complaints are being assessed in accordance with its standard procedure.
In an op-ed for The Sun, published on Friday (16 December), Clarkson, 62, wrote that he despises the Duchess of Sussex on “a cellular level”.
He continued by writing that he dreams of the day Markle is made to parade naked through Britain while the crowd chants “shame” and throws “excrement” at her.
The former Top Gear presenter claimed that “everyone who’s my age thinks the same way”.
His comments have sparked widespread backlash. Public figures including John Bishop, Carol Voderman, Philip Pullman and his daughter Emily have expressed their horror at Clarkson’s rant.
Bishop tweeted that Clarkson’s remarks are a “blatant appeal to incite humiliation...
Speaking to BBC News, a representative for Ipso – the independent press standards organisation – said that the complaints are being assessed in accordance with its standard procedure.
In an op-ed for The Sun, published on Friday (16 December), Clarkson, 62, wrote that he despises the Duchess of Sussex on “a cellular level”.
He continued by writing that he dreams of the day Markle is made to parade naked through Britain while the crowd chants “shame” and throws “excrement” at her.
The former Top Gear presenter claimed that “everyone who’s my age thinks the same way”.
His comments have sparked widespread backlash. Public figures including John Bishop, Carol Voderman, Philip Pullman and his daughter Emily have expressed their horror at Clarkson’s rant.
Bishop tweeted that Clarkson’s remarks are a “blatant appeal to incite humiliation...
- 12/19/2022
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - TV
When Philip Pullman published The Amber Spyglass in 2000, it was hailed as a landmark of children’s literature. The 500-page tome was the first novel for children to be longlisted for the Booker prize; a remarkable recognition of what the author had achieved with the His Dark Materials trilogy, which ended with that book. Now it arrives on screens as the third and final part of the BBC’s adaptation of the series, complete with metaphysical musings on life and death, heaven and hell.
As the story resumes, Will (Amir Wilson) is searching for Lyra (Dafne Keen), unaware that her tricksy mother, Marisa Coulter (Ruth Wilson), has her drugged and imprisoned. Mary Malone (Simone Kirby) is on the run through the dimensions, eventually rocking up in the land of the mulefa (strange wheeled beasts that the production designers clearly had great fun rendering). Meanwhile, James McAvoy’s Lord Asriel is...
As the story resumes, Will (Amir Wilson) is searching for Lyra (Dafne Keen), unaware that her tricksy mother, Marisa Coulter (Ruth Wilson), has her drugged and imprisoned. Mary Malone (Simone Kirby) is on the run through the dimensions, eventually rocking up in the land of the mulefa (strange wheeled beasts that the production designers clearly had great fun rendering). Meanwhile, James McAvoy’s Lord Asriel is...
- 12/18/2022
- by Nick Hilton
- The Independent - TV
Several celebrities and public figures have fiercely condemned Jeremy Clarkson’s “vile” and “hateful” rant against Meghan Markle in a newspaper column.
In an op-ed for The Sun published on Friday (16 December), Clarkson wrote that he loathes the Duchess of Sussex “on a cellular level” and wants people to “throw lumps of excrement” at her.
“Everyone who’s my age thinks the same way,” Clarkson added.
Now, several prominent figures – from comedians Kathy Burke and John Bishop to Countdown star Carol Vorderman – have criticised Clarkson’s comments.
Bishop tweeted that the remarks were a “blatant appeal to incite humiliation and violence on a woman”.
He added: “Some have excused it as dark humour. There is no joke here Jeremy Clarkson, and no excuse.”
Vorderman’s Twitter comment began: “No Jeremy Clarkson. Not on any level, in any circumstance, is it Ok to write this stuff about any woman and absolutely...
In an op-ed for The Sun published on Friday (16 December), Clarkson wrote that he loathes the Duchess of Sussex “on a cellular level” and wants people to “throw lumps of excrement” at her.
“Everyone who’s my age thinks the same way,” Clarkson added.
Now, several prominent figures – from comedians Kathy Burke and John Bishop to Countdown star Carol Vorderman – have criticised Clarkson’s comments.
Bishop tweeted that the remarks were a “blatant appeal to incite humiliation and violence on a woman”.
He added: “Some have excused it as dark humour. There is no joke here Jeremy Clarkson, and no excuse.”
Vorderman’s Twitter comment began: “No Jeremy Clarkson. Not on any level, in any circumstance, is it Ok to write this stuff about any woman and absolutely...
- 12/18/2022
- by Maanya Sachdeva
- The Independent - TV
Every role I’ve done seems to be something where my dad has to die,” says Amir Wilson, wincing a little. His characters have certainly been through a lot. As plucky would-be knight Tiuri, he didn’t have much to laugh about in Netflix’s fantasy series The Letter for the King, in which his adoptive father dies trying to protect him. Or when he played Simba, scion of a famously soon-to-be-trampled-upon Mufasa, in the West End production of The Lion King. And if his character’s father isn’t dying, he’s absent, as in Sky’s whimsical adaptation of The Secret Garden, in which he played Dickon opposite Colin Firth and Julie Walters.
Then there’s his breakthrough role as Will Parry in His Dark Materials, which we’re here to talk about today. That morbid theme continues in the BBC’s complex take on Philip Pullman’s...
Then there’s his breakthrough role as Will Parry in His Dark Materials, which we’re here to talk about today. That morbid theme continues in the BBC’s complex take on Philip Pullman’s...
- 12/18/2022
- by Roisin O'Connor
- The Independent - TV
John Cho and Katherine Waterston will headline Sony-Blumhouse-Depth of Field’s They Listen, directed by Chris Weitz. A theatrical release of Aug. 25, 2023 has been set; it’s the only wide release that weekend. You’ll remember the Cho thriller Searching debuted in late summer and was a microbudget hit grossing over 26M stateside, and north of 75M WW off a less than a million production cost.
They Listen reps the eleventh collaboration between Cho and Weitz and the plot is under wraps. Cameras are rolling here in LA.
Jason Blum, Chris Weitz and Andrew Miano are producers on the film. Bea Sequeira, Dan Balgoyen, Britta Rowings and Paul Davis are EPs.
Cho recently starred in Amazon Studios’ father-daughter dramedy, Don’t Make Me Go, the live action Netflix series, Cowboy Bebop. His work in Searching garnered him an Independent Spirit Award nomination in the category of Best Male Lead. His...
They Listen reps the eleventh collaboration between Cho and Weitz and the plot is under wraps. Cameras are rolling here in LA.
Jason Blum, Chris Weitz and Andrew Miano are producers on the film. Bea Sequeira, Dan Balgoyen, Britta Rowings and Paul Davis are EPs.
Cho recently starred in Amazon Studios’ father-daughter dramedy, Don’t Make Me Go, the live action Netflix series, Cowboy Bebop. His work in Searching garnered him an Independent Spirit Award nomination in the category of Best Male Lead. His...
- 12/16/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
This post contains spoilers for "His Dark Materials" season 3.
"His Dark Materials" hasn't wasted any time getting to the meat of the last book in Philip Pullman's trilogy, "The Amber Spyglass." The plot has only thickened in episodes 3 and 4 of the show's third and final season, with Will (Amir Wilson) and Lyra (Dafne Keen) entering the Land of the Dead to rescue her friend Roger. In order to do that, they first need to restore the subtle knife, which was broken in episode 2. Luckily, they know just the bear for the job.
Of course, a living person can't just head into the afterlife without suffering any consequences, and for Lyra, the price is indeed a steep one. In order to make the trip, she must part with her daemon, Pan. Anyone familiar with "His Dark Materials" knows that this is tantamount to being separated from your soul, and the scene is absolutely heartbreaking.
"His Dark Materials" hasn't wasted any time getting to the meat of the last book in Philip Pullman's trilogy, "The Amber Spyglass." The plot has only thickened in episodes 3 and 4 of the show's third and final season, with Will (Amir Wilson) and Lyra (Dafne Keen) entering the Land of the Dead to rescue her friend Roger. In order to do that, they first need to restore the subtle knife, which was broken in episode 2. Luckily, they know just the bear for the job.
Of course, a living person can't just head into the afterlife without suffering any consequences, and for Lyra, the price is indeed a steep one. In order to make the trip, she must part with her daemon, Pan. Anyone familiar with "His Dark Materials" knows that this is tantamount to being separated from your soul, and the scene is absolutely heartbreaking.
- 12/13/2022
- by Jamie Gerber
- Slash Film
It's been two years since His Dark Materials last graced our screens but the Philip Pullman adaptation returns this week with the third and final instalment, and we have star Amir Wilson on the show to talk Daemons, dimension-hopping and waging war on heaven.
Plus, we see if National Treasure: Edge Of History can live up to the movies’ legacy, and watch David Tennant re-enact a political assassination in Litvinenko on Itvx. Oh and it’s Boyd’s birthday as well. All together now: “For he’s a jolly good fellow…”
Listen to the episode in the player above, or on your podcast app of choice.
Plus, we see if National Treasure: Edge Of History can live up to the movies’ legacy, and watch David Tennant re-enact a political assassination in Litvinenko on Itvx. Oh and it’s Boyd’s birthday as well. All together now: “For he’s a jolly good fellow…”
Listen to the episode in the player above, or on your podcast app of choice.
- 12/12/2022
- by James Dyer
- Empire - TV
James McAvoy has said that two authors have said he was miscast in adaptations of their work.
In a new interview, the actor, 43, revealed that not all writers that he has worked with have been happy to see him cast in film or TV adaptations of their work.
McAvoy stars as Asriel in the BBC adaptation of Philip Pullman’s books His Dark Materials. Season four will be released on 18 December.
Speaking ahead of the fourth season’s release, McAvoy told The Guardian that he had never spoken to Pullman because he was worried the actor would say: ‘“Hmmm, you’re not really my Asriel!’”
McAvoy went on to say: “I’ve had that with a writer, and it’s just not nice. I’ve had that with two writers, actually.”
Asked for the names of which authors disapproved of casting, McAvoy said it was not Irvine Welsh or Stephen King.
In a new interview, the actor, 43, revealed that not all writers that he has worked with have been happy to see him cast in film or TV adaptations of their work.
McAvoy stars as Asriel in the BBC adaptation of Philip Pullman’s books His Dark Materials. Season four will be released on 18 December.
Speaking ahead of the fourth season’s release, McAvoy told The Guardian that he had never spoken to Pullman because he was worried the actor would say: ‘“Hmmm, you’re not really my Asriel!’”
McAvoy went on to say: “I’ve had that with a writer, and it’s just not nice. I’ve had that with two writers, actually.”
Asked for the names of which authors disapproved of casting, McAvoy said it was not Irvine Welsh or Stephen King.
- 12/11/2022
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - Film
Much like Philip Pullman's original novel trilogy, "His Dark Materials" started off playing things close to the vest, so far as it concerns Lord Asriel (James McAvoy) and his endgame. Come season 3, however, the show is done hiding Asriel's true mission and its actual plot behind vaguely religious metaphors. Lyra's bad dad is on a mission to literally slay God in a retelling of John Milton's "Paradise Lost" that features angels, weapons capable of cutting the very fabric of reality, and, most importantly of all, talking polar bears.
Initially, the plan was to bring viewers up to speed on Asriel's doings since the season 1 finale — you know, that whole thing where he sacrificed Lyra's poor friend Roger to create a bridge to another world — with an episode centered on the character in season 2. This one-off outing was penned by head writer Jack Thorne and would've included brand-new...
Initially, the plan was to bring viewers up to speed on Asriel's doings since the season 1 finale — you know, that whole thing where he sacrificed Lyra's poor friend Roger to create a bridge to another world — with an episode centered on the character in season 2. This one-off outing was penned by head writer Jack Thorne and would've included brand-new...
- 12/6/2022
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Warning: contains spoilers for ‘The Enchanted Sleeper’ & ‘The Break’
Season three of His Dark Materials is the twist of the kaleidoscope that drops the glittering elements of this mad tale into their final shape. Here’s when it stops setting up and solving mysteries and solidifies into a story about the fight between independence of mind and religious tyranny. You know, all that silly fantasy stuff.
There was zero room for silliness in this opening double-bill, which was a solemn two-hours filled with weighty pronouncements and grave discussions. Dafne Keen’s Lyra being unconscious for most of it, plus not much Mary, and no Lee Scoresby (for obvious reasons) made it a very serious affair lacking warmth or humour. Well, what’s warm or humorous about killing God?
That’s Lord Asriel’s plan. After proving the existence of Dust and the multiverse – both of which are hypocritically denied by...
Season three of His Dark Materials is the twist of the kaleidoscope that drops the glittering elements of this mad tale into their final shape. Here’s when it stops setting up and solving mysteries and solidifies into a story about the fight between independence of mind and religious tyranny. You know, all that silly fantasy stuff.
There was zero room for silliness in this opening double-bill, which was a solemn two-hours filled with weighty pronouncements and grave discussions. Dafne Keen’s Lyra being unconscious for most of it, plus not much Mary, and no Lee Scoresby (for obvious reasons) made it a very serious affair lacking warmth or humour. Well, what’s warm or humorous about killing God?
That’s Lord Asriel’s plan. After proving the existence of Dust and the multiverse – both of which are hypocritically denied by...
- 12/6/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Fans of Philip Pullman's classic book series "His Dark Materials" have been through a lot. Originally published in 1995, the fantasy saga didn't see a big screen adaptation until 2007. Chris Weitz's "The Golden Compass" got mixed reviews and failed to capture the magic of Pullman's text -- plus, it cut out some of the novel's more pointed religious commentary. It's no surprise, then, that fans of the Pullman books can be a bit precious about making sure the latest on-screen adaptation, the BBC and HBO Max series "His Dark Materials," hews close to the text.
Those fans apparently include one of the show's actors himself. James McAvoy spoke with /Film's Jamie Gerber ahead of the show's third season, and explained that on set, he was willing to go to bat for Pullman's novels to make sure the source material was adapted correctly. McAvoy says that the season 3 scripts included...
Those fans apparently include one of the show's actors himself. James McAvoy spoke with /Film's Jamie Gerber ahead of the show's third season, and explained that on set, he was willing to go to bat for Pullman's novels to make sure the source material was adapted correctly. McAvoy says that the season 3 scripts included...
- 12/5/2022
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
"His Dark Materials" Season Three, based on Philip Pullman's fantasy novel "The Amber Spyglass", takes place across a fantasy multiverse, starring Dafne Keen ("Logan") as 'Lyra Belacqua' and James McAvoy ("X-Men: Days of Future Pas") as 'Lord Asriel Belacqua', streaming December 5, 2022 on HBO Max:
"...'Lord Asriel' builds an army to combat the 'Authority'…
“…gathering the greatest from every world to help him wage war..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...'Lord Asriel' builds an army to combat the 'Authority'…
“…gathering the greatest from every world to help him wage war..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 12/5/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
After two long years, the adaptation of Philip Pullman’s riveting fantasy series His Dark Materials returns to HBO for its wrap-up third season. There are eight episodes airing two each Monday, premiering on December 5. The final season is emotional, philosophical, and action-filled and offers lots of answers and climatic moments starting with Lord Asriel (James McAvoy) gathering an army to take down the Kingdom of Heaven and its regent Metatron (Alex Hassell), whose repressive minions rule the show’s multiverse. McAvoy and star actors Ruth Wilson (Marisa Coulter), Dafne Keen (Lyra), and Amir Wilson (who plays Will) and executive producers Jane Tranter and Dan McCulloch spoke about the season with TV Insider. McAvoy previews that this season, the obsessed Asriel’s goals are “revolution and the emancipation of the human spirit from the oppressive institutional forces of moral judgment.” Also: “multiverse domination and complete submission, ” he playfully adds, mocking his narcissistic character.
- 12/5/2022
- TV Insider
We've waited two long years to see how HBO's adaptation of "His Dark Materials" will wrap up Philip Pullman's epic trilogy, and the show finally returns tonight with the fate of multiple worlds hanging in the balance. The series has a tough task in taking on "The Amber Spyglass," making for an incredibly ambitious third and final season. None of Pullman's books are built for an easy adaptation, but the last installment of this trilogy is particularly large in scope, with more fantastical worlds and heady concepts than ever.
Executive producers Jane Tranter and Dan McCulloch are well aware of the time and space needed to properly tell this story. /Film was able to speak with them about season 3 overall and the way they approached something so difficult to take from page to screen. Both seemed quite excited about the new episodes and the opportunity to not only adapt Pullman's work,...
Executive producers Jane Tranter and Dan McCulloch are well aware of the time and space needed to properly tell this story. /Film was able to speak with them about season 3 overall and the way they approached something so difficult to take from page to screen. Both seemed quite excited about the new episodes and the opportunity to not only adapt Pullman's work,...
- 12/5/2022
- by Jamie Gerber
- Slash Film
After a two year wait, "His Dark Materials" finally returns to HBO tonight. The series, which is based on Philip Pullman's trilogy, is back for its third and final season, and it looks to be the most epic one yet. Fans of the books may have an idea of what's coming, but there will still be some surprises in store as things come to a head. What began as a coming of age tale about a young girl in a fantastical world has evolved into an all-out war on God to save free will itself. On the front lines of this battle are Lord Asriel and Marisa Coulter, played by James McAvoy and Ruth Wilson, respectively.
After being almost entirely absent from the show's sophomore outing, McAvoy makes his triumphant return this season. As for Wilson, she has taken her character, Mrs. Coulter, on quite a journey, making her more compelling than ever.
After being almost entirely absent from the show's sophomore outing, McAvoy makes his triumphant return this season. As for Wilson, she has taken her character, Mrs. Coulter, on quite a journey, making her more compelling than ever.
- 12/5/2022
- by Jamie Gerber
- Slash Film
Warning: contains spoilers for His Dark Materials season two.
It’s time to return to Philip Pullman’s fantasy world of dust, daemons and Asriel’s quest to free the worlds from religious tyranny. His Dark Materials is back for its third and final season, to tell the story of The Amber Spyglass. US viewers will be able to watch the season in double-bill instalments on HBO between Monday the 5th and 26th of December, while in the UK, all episodes will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer on Sunday the 18th of December, as well as airing on BBC One.
The last time we saw Lyra on screen in December 2020, she was under threat from the Magisterium who had learned of the Eve prophecy. Will had lost his father Jopari, and Lee Scoresby had gone out a hero in a season finale dramatic shoot-out. After a season’s absence,...
It’s time to return to Philip Pullman’s fantasy world of dust, daemons and Asriel’s quest to free the worlds from religious tyranny. His Dark Materials is back for its third and final season, to tell the story of The Amber Spyglass. US viewers will be able to watch the season in double-bill instalments on HBO between Monday the 5th and 26th of December, while in the UK, all episodes will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer on Sunday the 18th of December, as well as airing on BBC One.
The last time we saw Lyra on screen in December 2020, she was under threat from the Magisterium who had learned of the Eve prophecy. Will had lost his father Jopari, and Lee Scoresby had gone out a hero in a season finale dramatic shoot-out. After a season’s absence,...
- 12/5/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
It's been two years since Will (Amir Wilson) and Lyra (Dafne Keen) were separated at the end of "His Dark Materials" season 2. The show, which is based on Philip Pullman's novels, returns today with a third season that promises to be more intense than anything we've seen thus far. At this point, the stakes couldn't be higher: The two teens are caught up in an all-out war between the forces of Lyra's father, Lord Asriel (James McAvoy), and basically, God.
"His Dark Materials" may have given way to a monumental battle to save free will itself, but at its core, this was always a story about Lyra — and, of course, Will (once he shows up). They are what ultimately anchor this story. /Film had the opportunity to speak to Keen and Wilson about the show's final season and what it's been like to grow up with these characters.
This...
"His Dark Materials" may have given way to a monumental battle to save free will itself, but at its core, this was always a story about Lyra — and, of course, Will (once he shows up). They are what ultimately anchor this story. /Film had the opportunity to speak to Keen and Wilson about the show's final season and what it's been like to grow up with these characters.
This...
- 12/5/2022
- by Jamie Gerber
- Slash Film
Warning: contains spoilers for His Dark Materials Season 2
This is where it’s all been leading. Lyra, daemons, Will, the discoveries about Dust and other worlds… everything has been building towards this point, when Lord Asriel’s army of rebels will try to take down the oppressive Authority and replace the Kingdom of Heaven with a Republic. Season three will adapt Philip Pullman’s expansive and inventive third novel in the His Dark Materials trilogy, The Amber Spyglass. We’ll meet Gallivespians, Mulefa, Angels, Harpies and the Almighty himself. We’ll travel all the way to the Land of the Dead. Prepare for things to get weird.
If needed, here’s a reminder of the major season one action, and below are the broad strokes of season two.
Both of those seasons are currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK and on HBO Max in the US,...
This is where it’s all been leading. Lyra, daemons, Will, the discoveries about Dust and other worlds… everything has been building towards this point, when Lord Asriel’s army of rebels will try to take down the oppressive Authority and replace the Kingdom of Heaven with a Republic. Season three will adapt Philip Pullman’s expansive and inventive third novel in the His Dark Materials trilogy, The Amber Spyglass. We’ll meet Gallivespians, Mulefa, Angels, Harpies and the Almighty himself. We’ll travel all the way to the Land of the Dead. Prepare for things to get weird.
If needed, here’s a reminder of the major season one action, and below are the broad strokes of season two.
Both of those seasons are currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK and on HBO Max in the US,...
- 12/5/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
"His Dark Materials" Season Three, based on Philip Pullman's fantasy novel "The Amber Spyglass", takes place across a fantasy multiverse, starring Dafne Keen ("Logan") as 'Lyra Belacqua' and James McAvoy ("X-Men: Days of Future Pas") as 'Lord Asriel Belacqua', streaming December 5, 2022 on HBO Max:
"...'Lord Asriel' builds an army to combat the 'Authority'…
“…gathering the greatest from every world to help him wage war..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...'Lord Asriel' builds an army to combat the 'Authority'…
“…gathering the greatest from every world to help him wage war..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 12/2/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Here’s what’s coming to HBO Max this December, starting with the third and final season of His Dark Materials (12/5), based on “The Amber Spyglass,” the final novel in Philip Pullman’s award-winning trilogy. Gossip Girl (12/1) is leaving no stone unturned in her effort to control the scandalous lives/spin the scandalous lies of Manhattan’s elite in […]
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- 12/1/2022
- by Rob Bayne
- Cinelinx
It’s been nearly three years since we’ve seen any new episodes from HBO‘s Philip Pullman fantasy drama adaptation, His Dark Materials. But the eight-episode third and final season is finally almost here (premiering December 5) and we’re about to get the epic multi-world conclusion that fans have been waiting for. Some of the series’ cast and executive producers — including EPs Jane Tranter and Dan McCulloch and stars James McAvoy (Lord Asriel) and Amir Wilson (Will Parry) — visited the TV Insider suite during New York Comic Con to tease what’s ahead in the highly-anticipated final round as the drama prepares for an all-out battle. That battle will see McAvoy’s Lord Asriel, who was largely absent for Season 2, waging a war against the Authority. For now, he’s gathering troops and help from all over, including the angels we see him meet in Season 2’s conclusion. “Ultimately,...
- 11/29/2022
- TV Insider
Plot: Based on “The Amber Spyglass,” the final novel in Philip Pullman’s award-winning trilogy, in the final chapter of this epic fantasy series, Lyra (Dafne Keen), the prophesied child, and Will (Amir Wilson), the bearer of The Subtle Knife, must journey to a dark place from which no one has ever returned. As her father’s great war against the Authority edges closer, they will learn that saving the worlds comes at a terrible price.
Review: Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials has always been a bigger series overseas than in the United States. When the first season of the HBO fantasy saga premiered, it pulled in over seven million viewers in the U.K. as compared to less than a million in the U.S. Similar to the cinematic adaptation of The Golden Compass, American audiences have struggled to appreciate the deep issues at the core of this...
Review: Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials has always been a bigger series overseas than in the United States. When the first season of the HBO fantasy saga premiered, it pulled in over seven million viewers in the U.K. as compared to less than a million in the U.S. Similar to the cinematic adaptation of The Golden Compass, American audiences have struggled to appreciate the deep issues at the core of this...
- 11/29/2022
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
"His Dark Materials" has finally come into its own. It took a few stumbles and big swings, but the fantasy series has reached the heights that it was reaching for throughout its first and second seasons — and it only took a little divine intervention.
"His Dark Materials" was always a show that looked before it leapt — perhaps a fitting trait considering its notoriously brash heroine, Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Keen). It was eager to leave behind the YA trappings of "The Golden Compass" with its first season, to the detriment of the show's pacing and its own protagonist's character arc, with a vast scope and crowded ensemble threatening to overshadow poor Lyra. It was eager to establish itself as an adult fantasy show in the wake of the end of "Game of Thrones," to the detriment of the story's own inimitable qualities. And it was eager to give more screentime to its biggest star James McAvoy,...
"His Dark Materials" was always a show that looked before it leapt — perhaps a fitting trait considering its notoriously brash heroine, Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Keen). It was eager to leave behind the YA trappings of "The Golden Compass" with its first season, to the detriment of the show's pacing and its own protagonist's character arc, with a vast scope and crowded ensemble threatening to overshadow poor Lyra. It was eager to establish itself as an adult fantasy show in the wake of the end of "Game of Thrones," to the detriment of the story's own inimitable qualities. And it was eager to give more screentime to its biggest star James McAvoy,...
- 11/28/2022
- by Hoai-Tran Bui
- Slash Film
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