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2049 Will Be Here Before You Know It
Science fiction was redefined with Ridley Scott’s 1982 cinematic benchmark Blade Runner.
Later this year, in October of 2017 (or 2049 in movie years), the highly-anticipated sequel will arrive in movie theaters. Blade Runner 2049s trailers have revealed that Harrison Ford will return to be a prominent player in the new story. Mr. Ford’s portrayal as Rick Deckard is iconic. In the overarching movie universe, Rick Deckard doesn’t receive equal fandom to Han Solo or Indiana Jones. To be fair, Han Solo and Indiana Jones are simply on a higher level. That’s a fact. However, in science fiction circles, Rick Deckard is not only a household name, but a beloved character among fans.
That’s also a fact. With past generations and new generations expected to buy tickets to the sequel this October, Rick Deckard’s cultural influence will only grow with Blade Runner 2049.
The original Blade Runner is a strange, entertainingly wild and curious journey into a world that has inspired science fiction films throughout the past few decades. And yet its stunning visuals and dark city setting in a dystopian future remains distinctly original. Thankfully, the practical effects (when possible) appear to be the storytelling preference for director Denis Villeneuve and his team. Interestingly, Warner Bros. Pictures decided that, in an effort to promote Blade Runner 2049, they would create a nearly 4-minute video that takes fans inside the making of this film.
A recent “making of” video with cast and production team interviews, plus bonus footage, released months before the theatrical release?
What?
The old rules for marketing films has, for sometime now (as explored many times on Jimmy’s Daily Planet), been increasingly dissolved in favor of teasing disclosures and a long, long train of intrigue. Thus far, this extended promotional strategy appears to have worked for recent blockbusters (Interstellar, Jurassic World, Star Wars, etc.). This “Time to Live” featurette for Blade Runner 2049 is, even in the “nothing is private anymore” era, pushing the envelope for cinematic marketing.
Judge for yourself.
Maybe it’s just me, but I feel very strongly about the following:
I want that Frank Sinatra singing hologram machine!
Oh, and Blade Runner 2049 (yes, I’ll say it alongside cast member Dave Bautista) looks better than the original.
Only the future will tell in 2049 on October 6, 2017.
That ’70s Movie
May 25th, 1977.
On this day, 40 years ago, movie fans (equally excited and curious) flocked to theaters across the United States to see this new movie called Star Wars. The end result was the beginning of a cinematic revolution surpassed only by Steven Spielberg’s portfolio of brilliance and influence. While there are seemingly countless characters within the ever-expansive Star Wars universe, there’s one name that rises above the rest.
Thanks to “Heroes Fan Productions” on YouTube, Luke Skywalker has been given a great tribute to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Star Wars: A New Hope’s theatrical release.
It took 40 years to go from a far, far off world’s new hope to its last Jedi. Has any other movie character ever had that long of a dramatic shelf life?
Luke Skywalker is a cinematic force unlike any other.
P.S. Ever wonder what it was like for people when they first saw Star Wars back in 1977?
Star Search: Forcing a Wake-Up Call
Star Wars is everywhere. That’s real life. And since it’s Friday, let’s kick off the weekend with some flashback fun.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens was a spectacular movie, as well as a wonderful first chapter in the franchise’s newest trilogy. But before the force awakened, J.J. Abrams and Co. needed to cast the best young talent to try to do what Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford did in the late ’70s and ’80s with Episodes IV-VI. An impossible feat, but still worth a shot.
SNL created a few laughs with this audition-based set-up in late 2015 before the theatrical release of The Force Awakens. And thank goodness they did.
Believe it or not, the most disturbing audition parodied above for the new Star Wars trilogy was George Lucas. He is not the director the franchise (yes, the very same franchise he created) is looking for these days.
(Cough cough Jar Jar Binks…and Episodes I-III).
A Circle’s Past Perfection is a Modern Imperfection
“When and how should technology be utilized? How much personal information is too much information? Have we crossed the line of no return? Has the human race finally come full circle with its development, innovation and necessity for information technology?”
–“Technology Coming Full Circle?” on Jimmy’s Daily Planet from December 7, 2016
The excerpt above is from a Jimmy’s Daily Planet blog post from December 7, 2016 that was inspired by the first trailer for the movie The Circle that stars Tom Hanks, Emma Watson and John Boyega. Given the ever-increasing dependency (and apparent willingness) on the part of advanced societies to insert technology into seemingly every aspect of our daily lives, the questions above are left wanting at a somewhat alarming rate and moment in time. And The Circle aims to not only cover, but actually answer these critically important inquiries with truths we may not be prepared to discover.
Adapted from the 2013 novel by Dave Eggers with the same title, the two cinematic trailers for The Circle confirm I’m not the only person who fears that innovators (and some fans/consumers) of new technological advancements have possibly never seen any films or read any books related to science-fiction or robots or the rise of machines. I’ve been saying for many years that we’ve been (as shocking as it reads) “big brothering” ourselves. Truly incredible, isn’t it?
Ladies and gentlemen, there’s even a popular CBS show called “Big Brother” that involves recording people interacting in a surveillance house. And it’s a hit show.
It must be stated that many (possibly countless when all of recorded history is concerned) technological inventions can and have greatly propelled us forward to better places. Absolutely no argument there. We need innovative technology to help us. “Help us” are the key words here. However, these select (and amazing, in some respects) advancements do not provide blanket approval for every single new innovation that presents a new camera and form of surveillance. The second trailer for The Circle, released just hours ago online, will present this modern dilemma with, hopefully, consequential introspection.
“Some people simply view a circle as full and some people simply view a circle as empty.
Time will tell for this cinematic Circle.”
–“Technology Coming Full Circle?” on Jimmy’s Daily Planet from December 7, 2016
Let’s see if the second trailer adds clarity for the cinematic destiny of The Circle.
The theatrical release date for The Circle is April 28, 2017. Until then, good luck trying to find all the cameras.
Hint: There may be too many to count…
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