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Oh, Poor Atlas, Why Must A.I. Be Challenged?

That’s because with this film starring J Lo, the agenda is to create another franchise that feels like Terminator and Warhammer combined. Had Atlas played by some other rules, it might work.

Netflix Atlas Movie Poster Humanity’s distrust of artificial intelligence is lightly examined in Atlas, a movie that’s more about a woman bearing this name. She’s a data analyst and to say she hates robots is the least of her problems. Jennifer Lopez not only is the lead but also one of three producers hopeful that this A-lister can become the next Linda Hamilton.

When this tale had its version of Terminator’s Judgment Day, thankfully, not every city was blown up. Instead, an all out war gets waged and she’s somehow involved in how it started. I suspect that’s why this film is named as it is. The weight of the world is upon her shoulders, and unless she fixes what’s right, this battle will continue.

Although this film does not have a direct correlation with the Greek Titan, I had to wonder. Instead, it’s about an android, Harlan (Simu Liu) hell-bent on total annihilation of humanity. Thankfully, there’s G.I. Joe to the rescue; the space rangers did a fantastic job at defeating the enemy and when he delivered a moment worthy of Cobra Commander when he calls for a retreat, I laughed!

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Slash is Back with Orgy of the Damned, and a Look at the Making of 4

After Making of 4 and Orgy of the Damned, just what will Slash the auteur will dream of next has me excited!

slash is pure gold Anyone who doesn’t know Gibson as a guitar maker, will get to discover them as a documentary producer with the Making of 4, available to freely view on YouTube (and also Slash’s latest album Orgy of the Damned). The Gibson Films label is official, and while this work is no different from the other videos on this streaming channel, what’s offered shows higher production values and even bigger names getting involved in this venture. Some of my favourite musicians use Gibson guitars, and their signature sound really makes a different. From the classic years, I’d say Chuck Berry helped make this instrument iconic. And as a Blues music aficionado, I have to mention that Robert Johnson’s most famous photo sees him holding an L-1 Acoustic.

This feature length work takes viewers into a look back at how Slash put together his band, why he continues touring, and what Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators (SMKC) feel while on stage with this legend. I’d say he’s the face of Gibson back when GnR was still together. After parting ways with this band (and returning), he formed other groups to collaborate with to keep on rocking. After working with this particular crew for over a decade across four albums, we see what they’ve been up to during the pandemic years. These recordings (edited to music video standard) represent their best tracks! Although I wanted to know more about Myles and the group, what’s presented is a fair balance between them and who Slash is before taking up the guitar.

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Apparently, Limbo Exists Somewhere in Australia’s Savage Outback

When people are lost in desolation, Limbo isn’t a state of mind, but is just a place to be.

Bunya Productions
Now Available to Stream on Amazon Prime

The Australian outback is not a place of Limbo as this movie’s film title suggests. Instead, it’s a world of isolation. Here, crimes can go unsolved for years, and by the time authorities get wind of a situation, rushing to a commune named after this place of purgatory to catch a criminal is often too late.

In this movie’s case, Travis Hurley (Simon Baker) comes to this migrant hovel to look at a homicide left to rot. Charlotte went missing. She didn’t go on a walkabout, as hinted in the opening moments, otherwise she’d be back. Had she been a person of European descent, I’m sure the authorities would’ve been on the case sooner. This detective came here to investigate. But when not everyone wants to talk, I wonder what they are hiding. This work isn’t like Twin Peaks by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m sure Ivan Sen got some ideas from this cult classic.

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The Last Movie Ever Made Honours Something Else Few Would Expect During the Apocalypse

Is it possible to not quote a certain song from REM in another end of the world movie? In this case, the answer in The Last Movie Ever Made is yes, but I still have to refere to it anyways.

Available to view on Amazon Prime and Apple TV

The Last Movie Ever Made is a humorous film that’s more about the joy of making a fan film than anything else. And here, I suspect the story takes inspiration from various sources, including Star Trek. And when considering writer/director Nathan Blackwell created the web series Voyage Trekkers, the carryover is very evident.

In this film, everyone has heard the telepathic message that the world will end and there’s nothing they can do about it other than prepare for the end of days. While some will panic and others will stand in the middle of the street holding a sign, “The Apocalypse is here,” what’s presented is a slice of Americana taking it in stride, and just think about what do they want to do in the thirty days remaining.

The threat feels very much like a riff on how Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy started. While nobody is even going to have a chance to leave the planet, I did have to wonder how the rest of the world was reacting. As for what Marshall (Adam Rini) believes is best is to do something meaningful with his life–to finish making that movie that he thought of back when he was a teen. The people whom he gets to join in this endeavour includes his old chums, Lance (Ryan Gaumont) and Arthur (Craig Curtis) along with his ex-wife Audrey (Megan Hughes Rini).

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Alex Proyas’ The Crow 30 Years Later. Just ‘Knowing’ is Half the Battle.

Whether we need a reboot of The Crow depends on who you ask, but while we’re waiting for that Summer release, fans can enjoy the classic.

The Crow 30th Anniversary Steelbook Collection — **Available to purchase on Amazon USA**

To say when a home video release can reach me in advance to review depends on how fast the crow flies to bring me that gift. But often, the last mile is at truck’s (a snail) pace. The reference is apt to describe why I wanted to see The Crow again in 4K; fans of this cult film will want the steelbook and the bling that comes with. It’s excellent and the package is well designed. Myself, I really wanted to check out the new bonus material.

What’s provided is definitely a fond look back. And when this year marks this film’s 30th anniversary, there’s a reason to celebrate! Not only are we remembering Brendon Lee‘s passing but also acknowledging this movie’s contribution to trying to make movies a safer place. There were protocols that weren’t adhered to which resulted in this actor’s death. As for whether this accident could’ve been avoided, it’s possible when considering the details revealed during the trial.

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TheNFB’s May Release Schedule Celebrates More Than Asian Heritage Month.

And we offer a recap on titles we reviewed some months ago, and include a look at what’s coming, our top picks and trailers of a few TheNFB works too (where available).

TheNFB National Film Board of Canada LOGO Spring is in the air, and there’s lots happening over at the National Film Board of Canada. Not only are they also celebrating Asian Heritage Month, but also recognising new talents in the medium of animation and storytelling. It’s great to see that there’s some Asian talent being recognised in this TheNFB’s Hothouse program.

Here’s a list of what’s here and coming soon:

Starting May 1
Asian Heritage Month AT THENFB

Following a multi-award-winning festival run, Toronto creators Thao Lam and Kjell Boersma’s animated short doc Boat People uses a striking metaphor to trace one Vietnamese family’s flight across the turbulent waters of history. Our review can be read here, and it’s a strong piece to bring awareness about those grandparents who gave up a lot to give their children, and their kids a brand new life. (disclaimer: some of the video attachments are geolocked to Canada)

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