Jor-El, the benevolent scientist from planet Krypton, was made famous by two outstanding actors. Russell Crowe gave a knockout portrayal of the comic book character in 2013’s Man of Steel, and legendary icon Marlon Brando was superlative as Jor-El in Richard Donner’s 1978 Superman and Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut. Both actors poured their immense talents into the role and lifted the character to stellar heights. Forever will Jor-El be a revered figure in not only superhero films but across all genres of cinema.

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Marlon Brando as Jor-El

Marlon Brando, the icon of icons, is revered amongst even the best actors. His portrayal of Jor-El in Superman: The Movie is partly why the film became a landmark cinematic achievement. Brando infused Jor-El with wisdom, strength, and benevolence. As Superman’s father, Brando lets audiences understand why the Man of Steel was filled with compassion and wisdom.

Brando was onscreen briefly, but the actor nailed his performance. The director of the two films, Richard Donner, was initially upset that Brando was paid such an enormous salary for his short role. So compelling was Brando in his portrayal of Jor-El that Donner confessed later he felt Brando wasn’t paid enough.

Russell Crowe as Jor-El

Crowe was an icon in his own right and a silver-screen veteran when he appeared in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. Snyder’s Superman reboot differed from the original films in many ways, including the depiction of Jor-El. In Donner’s films, Jor-El is a more distant figure, and he only appears briefly on Krypton and as a simulation in Superman’s Fortress of Solitude.

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This Jor-El is mainly expressed as a scientist and philosopher, whereas Man of Steel sees Jor-El placed in the action in real-time. We see him battling Zod and the Kryptonian Council, and he appears throughout Man of Steel on many occasions for extended lengths of time throughout the film.

In this version, Jor-El is a scientist, philosopher, and a warrior. Crowe’s portrayal is fantastic, and he makes Jor-El compassionate, loving, and wise. Jor-El’s dialogue on Krypton and later as a simulation when speaking to Kal-El is emotionally moving, infused with knowledge and insights that only a great actor like Crowe could accurately convey.

Brando vs Crowe: Who is the Better Jor-El?

Several actors have played Jor-El, most of them noteworthy, but the two outstanding portrayals are undoubtedly Crowe and Brando’s depictions. The talents of both actors helped make Richard Donner’s Superman films and Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel classic movies. Choosing a favourite is difficult as each actor adds compelling and unique aspects to the character.

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Brando was minimalist in his delivery; he was calm, delivering his monologues with subtle emotion and earnestness. Crowe was more animated; his scenes on Krypton precipitated a physicality to the role that was absent in Brando’s portrayal. Crowe’s Jor-El added even more depth to the character by making him a warrior and letting viewers witness Jor-El as a scientist struggling to balance loyalty and fidelity to Krypton with his convictions and knowledge.

Despite the subtle differences, both actors grounded the character with the same wisdom and benevolence. Each successfully adapted Jor-El for a film audience, conveying all the essential components of Jor-El’s character. Choosing a better Jor-El comes down to personal taste and preference.

Some might prefer the warrior Jor-El, as played by Crowe, while others prefer the inspiring and philosophical portrayal of Brando. Whoever you prefer, both were superb as Jor-El, and audiences can be thankful to have had the opportunity to savour such mesmerizing talents in comic book films.

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What do you think? Who is the better Jor-El, Russell Crowe or Marlon Brando? Please share your thoughts below.

Russell Crowe vs Marlon Brando: The Best Jor-El Revealed Written by Neilan Adams for Fortress of Solitude

An alien predator that hunts humans for sport, what a fantastic premise for a science fiction film. Predator is a compelling franchise but has fallen on hard times. Would Alien and Blade Runner director Ridley Scott restore the Predator to its rightful place as a successful and critically acclaimed property?

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The beloved Predator franchise has had its fair share of ups and downs. The first film in the series, 1987’s Predator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, has become revered as one of the best sci-fi action films ever. With a tiny production budget of $18,000,000, the film was financially prosperous at the box office, reaching $98,267,558.

Subsequent releases have had decent box office returns, but they have yet to have the potency and critical acclaim of the original. Hulu’s 2022 straight-to-streaming Predator film, Prey, was well received, while Shane Black’s 2018 The Predator was criticised by critics and fans alike. Overall, the sequels have yet to match the original film’s success, story-wise or at the box office.

Sequels vs The Original Predator

John McTiernan directed the first Predator. The filmmaker is great at action films, directing Die Hard (1988) and 1995’s Die Hard with a Vengeance. With Predator, the director combined horror, action, and science fiction to deliver a fantastic film that gets better with each viewing.

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McTiernan also managed to ensemble a great cast, paying homage to war dramas and stories about soldiers of fortune as in 1967’s The Dirty Dozen. 20th Century Fox released Predator II in 1990. Due to salary disputes, Arnold did not return to the role of Major Alan “Dutch” Schaefer; instead, Danny Glover, playing Lieutenant Mike Harrigan, was cast as the lead.

Predator II was disliked by most critics and achieved the lowest box office in the franchise. However, as time passed, the film gained a cult following, with many now considering it the second-best film in the series. Danny Glover’s performance as Mike Harrigan was fantastic, and contrary to expectations, the actor was a worthy substitute for Arnold. As with the first film, Alan Silvestri’s incredible musical score is the heart and soul of the movie, and he delivers another exceptional listening experience.

It would be over a decade since the second film that a new Predator was released. In 2004, Alien vs Predator debuted in cinemas. It received low reviews and has gained fewer subsequent fans than the preceding films have since its release. Ridley Scott has often expressed his disdain for the two Alien vs Predator films.

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In 2019, he told The Hollywood Reporter that Alien vs Predator was a “daft idea.” The British director felt that creating a cross-over with the two monsters ruined both franchises, and by releasing the films, Fox delayed a standalone Alien sequel by Scott for many years. Ridley would return to Alien eventually with the prequel Prometheus in 2012.

Sigourney Weaver echoed Scott’s sentiments in 2015. Speaking at London Film and Comic-Con, she expressed her disappointment that the Alien franchise was being damaged, saying, “I heard that Fox was gonna do Alien vs Predator, which really depressed me because I was very proud of the movies.” She added, “I’ve nothing against building a movie on a video game, but at the time it was, as Jim Cameron said, I think publicly, ‘Why would you want to do that’? It’s like making Alien meets the Wolfman.”

Post Alien v Predator‘

After the Alien vs Predator debacle, the franchise fared slightly better with 2010’s Predators, which starred Adrien Brody in the lead. Predators faired well at the box office, but as with each sequel before it, the high standards of the original Predator cast a long shadow, and Predators fell short. The bitter taste in the mouth left by Alien vs Predator and Aliens vs Predator: Requiem meant that fans expected a return to form. Thus, while Predators was a decent film, it could have done more to capture the original film’s magic.

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Instead of bolstering the series, Shane Black’s The Predator pulled the franchise back into Alien vs Predator terrain with critics and fans. While Black’s film is not as reviled as the two AvP releases, it put a severe dent in the franchise from a critical standpoint. Afterwards, it felt like the series had nowhere else to go. Film after film failed to live up to expectations.

In 2022, Hulu released a Prey and attempted to put a new spin on the series. The film is a prequel set in the Northern Great Plains of 1719. Instead of a male lead, the film takes inspiration from Alien and places a female as the protagonist. Many felt Prey’s rugged scenery and more character-driven storyline reinvigorated the franchise. It was difficult to gauge from streaming whether Prey was a success compared to previous films, but many felt that the film refreshed the franchise.

A Ridley Scott Predator

Ridley Scott is one of the greatest science fiction directors of our time. His work on Alien and Blade Runner was enough to secure such a title. Despite his lauded status, Ridley can be divisive with his work. His Alien prequels, Prometheus and Alien Covenant, prove as much. While these movies divided fans of the Alien franchise, they are still far superior to most space films. The high standards of the original Alien cast a long shadow the same way the original Predator does, and any additional films in the Alien series will be compared to the original’s success.

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Scott is one of the few directors that could make another classic Predator film. No other film in the series has had a director as qualified as John McTiernan and Ridley Scott would fill that vacuum. The filmmaker’s visionary approach to science fiction is evident in the genre and would be ideally suited to Predator.

The first Alien film set the bar for action set in space. Ridley created suspense and horror without overusing the Xenomorph. McTiernan did precisely that in Predator as well. Most of the time, the Predator and the Xenomorph are invisible, showcasing a masterful use of tension and creating suspense in their respective films.

Ensemble

Ridley is also very good with an ensemble cast with Alien and Predator characterised by dynamic and exciting ensembles. If Scott were at the helm, a new Predator film could once again revolve around a great cast of characters. Shane Black is also known for writing good ensemble characters. Unfortunately, Black leaned too heavily into the ensemble nature of the Predator franchise and inflated it beyond the film’s scope, resulting in a parody version of the original. On the other hand, Ridley could use his skills to re-establish Predator as a vehicle for outstanding ensembles.

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Visuals

Scott is also known for his fantastic cinematography and awe-inspiring visuals. Prometheus, for instance, has exceptional camera work and visuals, and Blade Runner even more so. With Ridley’s high visual standards, a new Predator could not just be a great film but also great from a visual perspective.

If Scott were ever to shoot scenes of Yautja Prime, the homeworld of the Predators, it would be a visual feast. Ridley Scott’s high standards also translate to costume design. The director has a keen eye for apparel, as seen in his filmography. Scott’s take on a Predator suit and armour could also be something to look forward to.

Predator has become part of the canon of science fiction. Despite the merits of the other films, especially Predator II, we have never seen a sequel live up to the highs of John McTiernan’s film. Could Ridley Scott be the key to opening a new era of Predator films? Is Scott the man that can make a Predator that is as compelling as Alien and McTiernan’s masterpiece?

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What do you think about a Ridley Scott Predator film? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Why Ridley Scott Should Direct Another Major Sci-Fi Horror Franchise Written by Neilan Adams for Fortress of Solitude

There isn’t a Harry Potter fan alive who isn’t still holding out hope that their Hogwarts letter just didn’t arrive because the delivery owl got lost or had to cross an ocean to get to them. When given the chance to enjoy and explore Harry and Ron’s first moments of friendship aboard the Hogwarts Express in their first year of becoming wizards and navigating this fantastic world together, who wouldn’t take it? We are no longer relegated to enjoying it in the form of books or movies, as Mattel has gone to extraordinary and significant lengths to bring our favourite characters to life in the form of stunningly articulated Harry Potter collectible dolls in many different scenes throughout the movie. This collection is Harry & Ron on the Hogwarts Express.

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The attention to detail within the box alone is astonishing, as well as all of the components that have been added to bring the scene to life. The scene is referencing a moment in which an elderly woman toting a trolley full of sweets from Honeydukes (hilariously known as The Trolley Witch) knocks on the door in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and offers the boys some sweets, to which Rob replies that he is okay because his mom packed him sweets. He is used to having to make due, and Harry decides to spoil them.

The Honeydukes trolley is included in the toy scene to add props and detail to the toy pack, complete with images of all the available sweets displayed on the shelves and 3D props added on top to match, such as a bucket of gummy snakes, Chocolate Frogs Fizzing Whizzbees, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, Chocolate Flavoured Fudge Flies, and Peppermint Toads.

Other props included in the set are a chocolate frog that has already been freed from the confines of its packaging (which Harry promptly loses out the window), the card he gets from the pack featuring Albus Dumbledore, and Scabbers (nasty rat).

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Of course, the main attraction is Harry and Ron. Mattel has done a fabulous job of bringing a young Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint’s likeness into form with these Collectible dolls, going to lengths to bring even their outfits faithfully to life, including Harry’s clothes that are hand-me-downs and far too big for him, and Ron’s green jacket, knitted pullover, and checkered collar.

Harry is wielding his want throughout the series, the one that is the sister-wand of Voldemort’s. One small discrepancy with Ron’s wand clearly has a slight bend and a notch on the wand. You might remember Ron experiencing some difficulty in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets thanks to his wand constantly backfiring on him after a run-in with the whomping willow, and while it is fantastic that the detail is visible on the want, that didn’t happen until the second movie, but the scene that the toys are depicting happened in the first movie.

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I can forgive a continuity error for all Mattel got right with this stunning scene and doll set. How about you? With articulated dolls that are maximised for play and a scene with props that make it perfect for display and (mostly) accurate to the movie, this is the perfect set to add to any Potterhead’s collection and any Wizarding World kid’s toy collection, too.

What do you think of this fabulous addition to Wizarding World Harry Potter collectible dolls, Harry & Ron on the Hogwarts Express?

All Aboard The Hogwarts Express – Mattel Harry & Ron Collectibles Are Awesome Written by Megan Oosthuizen for Fortress of Solitude

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993) shot Jason Scott Lee, an obscure, unknown actor of Hawaiian and Chinese descent, into stardom. Appearing in the role of Bruce Lee was the opportunity of a lifetime, plastering Jason Scott Lee’s face on movie posters and in a video game based on the film.

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Years before he became a leading man, Jason was a small-time actor appearing in bit parts in Back To The Future II and Cheech Marin’s 1987 satirical comedy Born in East L.A. After a while, the actor’s lucky break came in 1993 when he was chosen for the role of Bruce Lee, Jason’s ticket to fame and mega-stardom. However, instead of becoming a household name, he vanished from the limelight, and his performance as Bruce Lee has been mostly forgotten.

Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee‘s life has been explored in many biographies and documentaries. The actor and martial arts legend has legions of fans who are as obsessed with his mysterious and fascinating personal life as they are with his films. Therefore, any true Lee fan knows that the best biography on the icon was written in 1975 by his wife, Linda Lee Cadwell.

Linda writes with depth and intimate knowledge about her late husband’s life and his tragic early death. The book explores Lee’s personal life as he walked the joyous path of marriage and family life and his experiences in Hollywood, which were often dark and painful.

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The Perfect Biopic

Bruce Lee fans also know that the best film and actor to depict his life was Jason Scott Lee in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story. The film takes much of its inspiration from Linda’s biography and weaves an inspired yet tragic story of the star. The movie is one of the best biopics ever made and was made in the early nineties when biopics were not as fashionable as they are now.

Back then, biographical movies were mainly centred around a particular event in some person’s life, like Schindler’s List and Goodfellas. On the other hand, Dragon revolves around Bruce’s life in America – just after he leaves Hong Kong. From there, the film explores his life as a martial arts instructor and his subsequent success as an actor. Bruce’s romance with Linda Cadwell is also central to the story.

Upon release, the movie was loved by audiences and critics alike. The story was endearing and entertaining, thanks to Rob Cohen’s electrifying directing style. The rest of the praise went to Jason Scott Lee’s fantastic portrayal as one of the most recognisable martial artists ever.

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A Star is Born

Jason Scott Lee (no relation to Bruce Lee) was a relatively unknown actor when he starred in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story and wasn’t the first choice for the lead. The original actor the casting team had in mind was Bruce Lee’s son, Brandon Lee. However, producer Raffaella De Laurentiis thought Brandon didn’t look “Chinese enough” for the role. Additionally, Brandon refused to play his father in a biopic, as he thought it strange to delve into his parents’ love story.

At the same time, Jason Scott Lee was just turned down for a role in The Last of the Mohicans because he didn’t “look Native American enough,” so the chance to star as Bruce Lee was the perfect opportunity to launch his career.

Even though he was a skilled gymnast, Jason had no previous martial arts training. Instead of recasting, the producers decided to retain Jason, rationalising that teaching an actor martial arts was more manageable than teaching a martial artist how to act, thus securing Jason’s talents for the film.

There’s still a chance that we might get to see more of his talents in the future, though. In 2020, Jason acted as the villain for the live-action remake of Mulan. Despite the many controversies the movie faced, there’s no denying that the Böri Khan character, as a replacement for Shan Yu, is one of the few things that the film gets right.

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Emotional Breakdown

Jason’s inspired performance as Bruce Lee was lauded by filmgoers and critics. The actor, however, paid an emotional price for his portrayal of the martial arts star and was mired in self-doubt about portraying the icon. The pressure to accurately embody Lee was immense.

Jason feared fumbling this great opportunity, thinking he might blow his career before it even began. Reflecting on Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story’s 30th anniversary, Jason Scott Lee was interviewed by Yahoo Entertainment and mentioned the turmoil and stress he experienced during the making of the film.

“I had an emotional breakdown while I was training. Everything was too heavy, you know? It was so much pressure and I just fell apart,” Jason said. The actor admitted he was afraid of being mocked if he didn’t live up to expectations, saying, “Looking back now, I can laugh about it, but when I was in the middle of it, it felt like my whole world was collapsing. All I thought was, ‘I’m going to be the one that everyone mocks.'”

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Friends and Family Support

Jason’s ordeals were eased when Bruce Lee’s wife, Linda Lee Cadwell and their children, Shannon and Brandon Lee, assured the Haiwan actor. The Lee family approved of Jason’s casting, with Linda reassuring the young up-and-coming actor his career would not be jeopardised if he played the part of Bruce Lee.

Jason’s most significant support came from a former Bruce Lee student, Jerry Poteet. Jerry, a martial arts instructor, was Jason’s trainer for the film, helping the actor to imitate Bruce Lee’s techniques accurately, especially Lee’s famous martial arts style, Jeet Kune Do.

Jason told Yahoo that Poteet empowered him not to give up. Training together and Poteet’s encouragement helped Jason realise that Bruce Lee never gave up, nor should he.

“Jerry used to tell me that what a lot of people didn’t know about Bruce is that he spent a lot of time in bed, because he’d push himself too hard and injure himself-he was constantly laid up. That’s what he said I’d want to get across that he’s not going to give up. And it was in the training that I felt that…there was a definite transformation,” Jason said.

Poteet’s ability to convey Lee’s martial arts ability convinced Jason he could play the part of Bruce. “I told Jerry, ‘You are the person that can take me to the place where I can perform this and honestly feel like I’m doing the man justice.'”

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Questionable Career Decisions

Lee gave an impeccable performance in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, but Jason’s career nosedived soon after despite the film’s critical and financial success. The actor gradually vanished, making a notable appearance in 1994’s Disney live-action Jungle Book film as Mowgli, alongside Sam Neill and John Cleese.

Jungle Book is one of Disney’s best live-action adaptions; unfortunately, it faded into obscurity despite a decent box office of $70 million and high critical acclaim. Jason’s portrayal of Mowgli was soon forgotten, and he, together with the film, was lost amidst the success of other more significant Disney films like Lion King, also released in 1994.

Jungle Book was the last big live-action film Jason starred in for many years. Shockingly, the actor had plenty of other famous films that were offered to him after Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, which he rejected for various reasons. In 2016, Lee was cast in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon II: Sword of Destiny.

The film’s producer, Bey Logan, was interviewed on YouTube by Viking Samurai and spoke of his time working with Lee. During their time together, Logan said he spent many hours talking to Lee. In their discussions, Jason highlighted some of his career mistakes. He told Logan, ‘In retrospect, I made the same bad decisions as Brandon Lee. I did the Bruce Lee thing – I don’t want to do any more action stuff.’

Logan then cites a few of these egregious mistakes, saying that Lee was offered the role of Kato, Green Hornet’s sidekick, in a reboot of the famous radio series. George Clooney was set to star as Green Hornet, but Jason rejected the part outright. “I already did that,” Jason told Logan, declining the coveted role. Logan said that instead of rejecting action roles, Jason should have continued to appear in a few more action films to secure his burgeoning career.

Jason’s interview with Yahoo Entertainment corroborated Logan’s assertions. The actor told Yahoo,

“There were opportunities that I passed on that maybe I shouldn’t have, you know, that maybe were great opportunities. I don’t know, you know I was just looking at it from a different perspective.” Jason also dropped a bombshell, saying he was considered for Speed; he had the script but declined the role, which instead went to Keanu Reeves.

Another huge film Jason was linked to was 1996’s Independence Day, which eventually landed in Will Smith’s lap. These action films were massive box office hits that, if Jason had starred in them, would undoubtedly have bolstered his career. Instead of helping Lee, they helped Smith and Reeves further their careers in Hollywood.

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What Happened to Lee

Jason’s appearance in Jungle Book a year after Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story was perhaps a career misstep. Fans wanted the actor to star in martial arts and action films, not a family-friendly children’s film. The actor, however, picked his film roles according to his artistic taste, rejecting leading roles that typecasted him. Jason’s meteoric rise and dramatic descent have encouraged curiosity and speculation. What happened? Where is he now, and why did he never become a superstar after Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story?

After Jungle Book, Lee’s career consisted of mainly direct-to-DVD films and minor roles in movies like 2002’s Lilo and Stitch. Some might argue that instead of choosing one genre over the other, Lee could have simultaneously appeared in action and dramatic roles. However, Lee refused to conform to typecasting, telling Yahoo Entertainment that he passed on those big films because they were not ’emotionally driven’.

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True to Himself

Lee is an individual who prefers that his values and principles lead his career decisions. From a purely business angle, Jason squandered unique opportunities, diminishing his success and stunting his potential in Hollywood.

Yet, from a holistic and personal perspective, the actor followed his heart even if that meant stifling his career. Lee was frustrated by Hollywood, but the actor found solace with his wife and children in Hawaii. Jason turned to gardening and farming. “That’s what I have been doing for twenty years,” Lee told Yahoo Entertainment. The actor channelled his talents and is involved in sustainable farming. Lee, the farmer, took the lessons he learned from martial arts and adapted them, serving nature and empowering local Hawaiian communities to grow organic produce.

While Jason Scott Lee didn’t realise his full potential as a film star, he understands that acting is only one part of his journey. The narrow definitions of success we use to judge people are misleading, and acting is only one aspect of a person’s life. Jason might not have become as popular as Keanu Reeves, but he is doing what he loves. On the other hand, Lee is still fit and healthy, and Hollywood can still come knocking and offer him an exciting role that could refresh his career.

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What do you think? Does Jason Scott Lee deserve better roles in Hollywood?

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story Should Have Made Jason Scott Lee A Star Written by Staff Writer for Fortress of Solitude

Everyone knows that Lois Lane is Clark Kent’s love interest. The two iconic DC characters work together at the Daily Planet, with Superman falling in love with the strong woman who believes in exposing the truth. How different could Smallville have been if showrunners had decided to go through with their fleeting thought to change Lois Lane’s character?

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Smallville

The ’90s just wouldn’t have been the same without Smallville. In fact, I feel a little sorry for kids who missed out on the story of Superman and the chance to fall in love with actors and actresses like Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, Kristin Kreuk, Justin Hartley, Laura Vandervoort, and even a young Ian Somerhalder (long before his Vampire Diaries Days).

Smallville started its premiere and reign in 2001 on The WB, and told the story of a young Clark Kent as he grew up in the town of Smallville and took the lens of the Superman story that we knew (that usually starts on his first day at the Daily Planet), and zoomed in to his high school years and what his coming-of-age might have looked like, long before he felt that he had earned the name Superman.

One of the massive benefits of the series, which started in some earlier years, is that we got all the context that made the characters who they were; we got to watch relationships and friendships being formed and going awry, understanding what happened between Lex and Lana.

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An enjoyable addition was that we got to meet some of the Justice League long before we were “meant” to, meeting Arthur Curry (Aquaman) and Oliver Queen (Green Arrow). For the most part, Smallville stuck to the comic books and told us stories established in the lore, but they did change things here and there for some epic twists.

Lois Lane

While Superman has a few popular love interests throughout the comics and all the media we consume about him, there is usually one constant in a beautiful and justice-loving reporter for the Daily Planet, Lois Lane.

In Smallville, Lois Lane was introduced at the end of Season 4, played by Erica Durance, who many believe was the best portayal of the character. Granted, when Lois Lane first met Clark, he was still in high school. The two didn’t become solid love interests until much later in the show, but she arrived, and the chemistry arrived with her.

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How did Lois Lane meet Clark in the first place? The younger iteration was an older cousin of Chloe Sullivan.

Lois Lane Could Have Been So Different

At one point in the show’s progression, the show’s creators, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, were considering creating a mind-boggling twist involving Lois Lane.

That point in the show was the Season 3 episode, “Delete”, where Chloe Sullivan, an aspiring journalist in her own right who feels justice in doing what is right,  uses Lois Lane’s moniker as a byline.

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Instead of introducing Lois Lane as a different character and being played by a different actress, the creators considered having Chloe gradually become Lois Lane. While this clearly didn’t happen, fans caught on that the creators were thinking about making this twist, and theories quickly abounded.

During the rewatch podcast Talkville with Michael Rosenbaum (who played Lex Luthor) and Tom Welling (who played Clark Kent), the creators addressed the speculation about Chloe and Lois and what they had been planning.

Interestingly, while it seemed like a good fit and possibility, the need for the transition from Chloe to Lois was born from their inability to get Lois Lane to be a part of the show, thanks to Warner Bros.

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“The issue, again, was we wanted to get Lois Lane, and they wouldn’t give her to us. Then when she came in in Season 4, there was this huge thing about ‘you can have her for two episodes,’ and then ‘you can have her for three,’ and then ‘you can have her for half the season’, and [Warner Bros. TV head] Peter Roth, to his credit, was like ‘Fuck it, She’s in the show no and she’s just not leaving.’”

The idea of making Chloe Lois was discussed early on in the series, but it had been established that Chloe was Lois’s cousin, not Lois herself.

Chloe Sullivan

Chloe Sullivan is established early in the show as one of Clark’s long-term friends after growing up together in Smallville and attending the same high school. Chloe even had a crush on Clark at one point (I mean, can you blame her?)

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Allison Mack played Chloe throughout her time in the series and played the role perfectly. Chloe wasn’t actually a character who was a part of the DC comics back when the show was created and was attributed as an original creation by showrunners Gough and Millar and later incorporated into Superboy comics by DC.

While the fleeting thought that Chloe could be Lois had an exciting effect on the thoughts of the fanbase, creators shared that really early on, their decision had been made that Chloe would be her own character, and thank goodness they did, because without them having made that decision, we would have never had a badass female character that earned our respect, and even earned the respect of Superman.

TL;DR

• Smallville was a fantastic early 2000s show on The WB that portrayed Clark Kent’s early life and figuring out who he was with his powers.
• Lois Lane was only introduced in Season 4 of the Smallville.
• Chloe Sullivan was almost turned into Lois Lane, but luckily, we got two fantastic female characters instead of just one.

What do you think about Chloe Sullivan almost being turned into Lois Lane in Smallville? Let us know in the comments below.

Smallville’s Original Plan For Lois Lane Included A Huge Twist Written by Megan Oosthuizen for Fortress of Solitude

The megalithic MCU was once a small production company with meagre box office success. The original Blade franchise starring Wesley Snipes was Marvel’s first successful superhero film. In 1998, they released the first Blade film to much fanfare. Critics were not enthusiastic about the film, but fans enjoyed it, and it reaped over $130 million at the box office on a $45 million production budget: big numbers for a superhero film in those early days.

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Blade’s success laid the foundation for superhero films like Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man in 2002 and Fox’s X-Men franchise launched in 2000. Wesley Snipes’ Blade (Eric Cross Brooks) is a dhampir, which in folklore signifies an individual who is half human and half vampire. Blade has all the powers of a vampire without their weaknesses. Snipes’ portrayal of the Marvel comic book character is one of superhero films’ most iconic performances. Snipes was perfect as Blade, a killing machine that uses martial arts and expert swordsmanship to combat and eradicate the world of bloodsucking vampires.

Blade II is the most revered film in the franchise. It has the highest box office of all three movies, achieving an impressive $155 million. The film is notable for being directed by acclaimed fantasy director Guillermo del Toro. Snipes continued his fantastic performance as the day-walking, no-nonsense vampire hunter. Unfortunately, Blade: Trinity, the third film in the franchise, was less successful and most disliked by critics. Snipes’ character was less impactful in the last film, but the actor portrayed Blade convincingly despite the shortfalls of the movie.

After the mediocre third film featuring Ryan Reynolds, rumours about a fourth Blade film kept circulating. In 2015, Snipes told Deadline that he was talking with Marvel about a new Blade film but that things were “up in the air.” Sadly, Marvel seemed to baulk at the idea of Snipes returning to the role. Instead, in 2019, Marvel announced a new Blade film at San Diego Comic-Con. Kevin Feige confirmed that instead of Snipes returning, Oscar winner Mahershala Ali, best known from Moonlight (2016) and Green Book (2018), would star as Blade.

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Snipes vs Ali

Many fans of the original franchise were dismayed that Snipes would not be returning for Blade 4. Despite his disappointment at not being cast, Snipes supported Mahershala Ali in the role of Blade. The veteran action star approved Ali’s casting via social media platform X (formerly Twitter) after fans showed displeasure at the casting.

Snipes said that Ali “would do great” and added, “I support young artists, and I support Marvel in their business decisions” and that Mahershala Ali would have “a heck of a job on his hands,” portraying Blade. Marvel’s rejection of Snipes felt like a punch to the gut for many. For hardcore Blade fans, Snipes was the only actor capable of playing the vampire. Any new actor will be under plenty of scrutiny and naturally be compared to Wesley.

Ali’s Oscar status does give him credibility as an actor, but can the actor be as compelling in the role as his predecessor? Ali is a good actor, but does he have the qualities Snipes has? Snipes is more than just a good actor; he is charismatic in all his roles. As he did in Passenger 57, he can carry an action film and stand toe-to-toe with great action stars like Sylvester Stallone in Demolition Man. Can Ali do the same? Ali is more known for dramatic roles and has yet to prove himself in more action and fantasy-orientated films. His roles in Luke Cage and Hunger Games were not compelling enough to answer this question.

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Snipes’s strength in his portrayal of Blade was the ability to play an anti-hero. Blade was menacing and instilled fear into his enemies. Snipes was able to walk the line between hero and anti-hero with ease. Ali, for all his talents, lacks the charisma and menace which Snipes naturally possesses. Snipes is also a great athlete, and this natural athleticism suited his performance as a sword-wielding vampire with martial arts skills.

What Ali and Marvel Could Do Differently With Blade

Ali’s casting could allow Marvel to make a Blade film that pleases critics and fans. Snipes was great as Blade, but Ali’s ability to show nuance and depth as an actor allows Marvel to write a version of Blade we have not seen previously. Ali could explore Blade’s personality by giving the character more nuance and depth. To show a side of Blade that is not just a killing machine. Exploring Blade’s inner psyche beyond the surface level would allow Ali the chance to make the character his own and create a fresh take on the vampire hunter.

Time will tell if Ali is as capable with a sword as Snipes or even as athletic. Marvel has recently announced that the new Blade film will be released on November 7th, 2025, and Ali has been confirmed in the title role. Snipes is a hard act to follow, but will Ali be able to show a side of himself we have not seen before? Could this role prove naysayers wrong and make Ali an action star in his own right?

What do you think? Please share your views in the comments.

Is Mahershala Ali Better Than Wesley Snipes for Blade Role? Written by Neilan Adams for Fortress of Solitude

When it comes to inspiring filmmakers, only a few names are as notable as Quentin Tarantino and Christopher Nolan. These two undeniable geniuses have provided us with some of the most memorable moments of the last two decades. With their complex characters, razor-sharp dialogue, and penchant for cool visuals, Nolan and Tarantino are true icons of the modern cinematic world.

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From movies that have made us question the fabric of existence to characters that have redefined the meaning of the word “cool,” modern cinema owes a lot to these two visual virtuosos. However, if Highlander taught us a valuable lesson, it’s that “There can be only one!”

At first glance, movies like Interstellar and Reservoir Dogs have nothing in common. That said, you’d be surprised how closely Nolan’s character and world-building mimic the style of Tarantino. At the same time, a sci-fi movie directed by Tarantino – which sounds like the best thing ever – would probably share more than a few similarities with modern science-fiction classics – and Christopher Nolan is the only one leading the charge in the field of awe-inspiring sci-fi flicks.

Put all those things together, and what we have in our hands is a cinematic showdown of epic proportions. They’re both heavyweights, but only one man can claim the title of the best director of the last 25 years.

The Rules

As the title says, we’ll only count movies made in the last 25 years. For Tarantino, that disqualifies two of his greatest films: Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs. Jackie Brown is also out of the competition because it was released 25 years and ten months ago. Christopher Nolan is safe since, unlike Quentin Tarantino, all his movies have been released less than 25 years ago.

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We’ll pair each filmmaker’s top five films, according to Rotten Tomatoes. That leaves us with this lineup:

Tarantino

• The Hateful Eight
• Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair
• Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood
• Django Unchained
• Inglorious Basterds

Nolan

• Insomnia
• Dunkirk
• Memento
• Oppenheimer
• The Dark Knight

Each film will be pitted against its closest competitor – in terms of Rotten Tomatoes score – and a victor will be chosen. Of course, there’ll be some subjectivity – but let’s try to keep things as objective as possible. With that out of the way, let’s get to the movies!

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Round 1 — The Hateful Eight vs. Insomnia

Fittingly, the first bout is between two of the filmmakers’ lesser-known flicks. The Hateful Eight was a movie that almost didn’t happen. The plot leaked online, forcing Tarantino to stop production and nearly abandon the project. Fortunately, The Hateful Eight came through in the end and now holds a divisive 75% on Rotten Tomatoes.

On the other hand, Insomnia is also a claustrophobic thriller. Released early in Nolan’s career, the film follows a veteran detective who investigates the murder of a young girl in a town where the sun never sets. The escalating tension, clever characters, and killer performances by Al Pacino and Robin Williams earned Insomnia a well-deserved 92% on the Tomatometer.

Sadly for Tarantino fans, this is an easy win for Nolan. Insomnia sets the bar high for thriller movies, and in terms of presentation and the overall plot, the movie simply leaves The Hateful Eight buried in the snow.

Still, considering Hateful Eight‘s troubled production, we got just what we wanted out of this movie: another Quentin Tarantino joint where Samuel Jackson plays a badass character. For what it’s worth, Insomnia has none of that.

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WINNER: Insomnia

Round 2 — Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair vs. Dunkirk

Dunkirk accentuated Nolan’s fascination with time above all things. Only someone like him could have made a WWI movie where time was one of the main characters. The movie’s unparalleled sense of urgency and brisk pacing make it one of the most impressive action flicks ever directed by Chris Nolan.

Speaking of action, you couldn’t pack any more legendary action sequences into Kill Bill if you tried. Originally released as two volumes, most Tarantino fans enjoy the movie the way it was meant to be seen: as a Whole Bloody Affair. From timeless characters to iconic setpieces, Kill Bill is easily one of the most influential action flicks produced in the last two decades.

For those reasons, it’s safe to say that Kill Bill comes up on top as the better of the two films. Dunkirk is Oscar-worthy, true, but movies like Kill Bill are the ones you can watch over and over again and always have a blast. Also, Uma Thurman as the Bride – that’s all we need to say.

WINNER: Kill Bill

Round 3 — Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood vs. Memento

Perhaps one of Nolan’s most seminal films, Memento‘s inverted narrative cemented Nolan’s genius as an innovative filmmaker who never plays by the rules. Either that or it established his fascination with confusing audiences with its intertwined narratives and unusual character arcs. I’ll let you be the judge.

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On the other corner, we have Tarantino’s most recent film. Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood pays homage to all things cinema. From stunt doubles to the world of studio television, it’s clear this is the closest we’ve ever got to a love letter from T to Tinseltown. Is it good? No. It’s great.

The undeniable chemistry between Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt turns every scene they’re together into some of the best Tarantino has ever written. While certainly not as “complex” as something like Pulp Fiction, Once Upon a Time has quickly found its place in the pantheon of iconic films directed by Quentin Tarantino.

All that said, we can’t discard Memento just yet. After all, a 94% Tomatometer indicates a near-universal praise. Compared to Once Upon a Time‘s 85%, it’s clear who the critics favoured in this case. It’s a close match, so I’ll let the fans decide this one.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, Once Upon A Time‘s audience score is… 70%. Memento charges in with an audience score of… 94%! Memento is the undisputable winner of this bout, according to cinema fans.

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WINNER: Memento

Round 4 — Django Unchained vs. Oppenheimer

We’re nearing our final bout, and things are decidedly heating up! This time, we have Christopher Nolan’s smashing 2023 hit, Oppenheimer. Though it’s been less than a year since its theatrical run, Oppenheimer has already become a pop culture phenomenon – mostly due to its association with the Barbie flick.

Nolan proves he’s been honing his craft all this time, delivering an amazingly nuanced character study of the man who created humanity’s most powerful weapon of war. Thanks to the outstanding performance of Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer is a film that’s sure to live on as a proper example of how to turn a real-life story into a compelling historical drama.

Django Unchained was Quentin Tarantino’s first attempt at a proper Western. It also examines closely the horrors of slavery, all through a definitively “Tarantinesque” lens. The result is a movie that’s every bit as timeless as the Westerns that inspired it. Jamie Foxx’s performance was great, and so was essentially everyone else in Django Unchained. Also, Leo DiCaprio’s Calvin Candy has become a massive pop culture icon, cementing Django‘s status as one of Tarantino’s most beloved joints.

Again, we face a dilemma. Here are two films whose stories have influenced modern pop culture discourse. It’s safe to say that Oppenheimer might lose this one since it’s had less time to make a dent in pop culture. Both films are exceptionally well-made, too – so the only option seems to appeal to the fans once more.

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First, we have Oppenheimer. While the movie has Django comfortably beaten with its 93% Tomatometer vs. Django‘s 87%, the fans have spoken. According to fans, Oppenheimer gets a 91% fresh score, while Django takes this round with 92%/. It’s as close as you can get and a testament to just how beloved these movies are.

WINNER: Django Unchained

Round 5 — Inglorious Basterds vs. The Dark Knight

This is it. The match that will decide who’s the best filmmaker of the last two decades. Inglorious Basterds vs. The Dark Knight. One of the coolest movies about WWII meets with one of the most fascinating superhero movies ever made. Who will come up on top?

Let’s begin with Inglorious Basterds. Easily one of Tarantino’s most solid performances as a filmmaker, Basterds is as close as you can get to cinematic perfection. The movie spawned the perfect villain with Hans Landa, and also one of the most shocking ending scenes in modern cinema history. The plot twist ending, where the Basterds outsmart the Nazis like you wouldn’t believe, remains one of Tarantino’s best moments.

Still, for all this applause, we can’t talk about “The Greatest Movies Ever Made” and leave The Dark Knight out of the equation. While modern Marvel has done everything in its power to prove superheroes are dum cardboard cutouts paraphrasing the same jokes over and over, Nolan did the exact opposite with The Dark Knight.

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If Hans Landa is the perfect villain, then The Joker is the archetypal bad guy. Menacing, deranged, and truly iconic, Heath Ledger’s performance is the stuff of legends. It elevated Batman beyond its comic book origins, earning the character a well-deserved spot in the select list of cinematic legends.

To be honest, this match-up is a bit unfair. As great as Inglorious Basterds is, you can’t beat The Dark Knight. Not even Nolan could, as none of his other Batman films ranks as high as The Dark Knight.

For becoming a timeless icon of cinema and geek culture everywhere, Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight wins this round.

WINNER: The Dark Knight

Results

Now that we’ve matched all ten films, the winner is clear. While Quentin Tarantino is a beloved icon of cinema and film students everywhere, Christopher Nolan emerges as the most consistent director of the two.

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Tarantino loves to experiment with his films, while Nolan, as adventurous as his concepts are, essentially sticks to his trademark approach. The two directors can rest easy knowing that they’ll undoubtedly enter Hollywood’s Hall of Fame. Still, when it comes to the past 25 years, between Quentin Tarantino and Christopher Nolan, Nolan is the clear winner.

Do you agree that Christopher Nolan is a better director Quentin Tarantino, or would you have scored things a bit differently?

Christopher Nolan vs Quentin Tarantino: Who Is The Best Director Of The Last 25 Years? Written by Tito Pernalete for Fortress of Solitude

Since Coraline came out in 2009, not only has it become one of the most beloved stop-motion films in the industry, but the fanbase has continued to grow year in and year out. Going on 15 years later, there is still no sign of a sequel, but hope remains strong. Here is everything you need to know about our chances of seeing a sequel to the fantastic cult-classic stop-motion masterpiece Coraline.

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Coraline (2009)

If you are reading this article, I doubt that the film or inspirational novella needs any introduction, but on the off-chance that you might find out some new information, allow me to introduce this stunning film.

Coraline is a stunning story about a young girl in the titular role in the film who moves to a new home with her family, only to find that the house has a secret in the form of an alternate world that can only be accessed through a small door. The door leads to an alternate world filled with doppelgangers, perfect copies of the people she knows from her own world, including her parents. The difference between the natural world and the Otherworld is that everything is so much better and colourful in the Otherworld, and everyone has buttons instead of eyes.

Coraline thinks that the Otherworld is so much better than any child would. When she is tempted to stay there for good, she discovers that this alternate reality and her Other parents are hiding a dark secret.

The beloved stop-motion classic was based on the novella of the same name by Neil Gaiman (of American Gods, Good Omens and Sandman fame, to name a measly few). Suppose the film’s dark and equally mysterious and magical look and feel seem familiar. In that case, it is because the film is directed by Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas).

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While the novella is a beloved children’s tale, and the movie is a children’s classic, it is on the darker side of the spectrum for a kid’s film, featuring dark themes and unsettling imagery. While it scared many adults and children, it became a cult classic.

Coraline Was A Critical And Commercial Success

While Coraline might not be boasting a 100% rating on any critic site, it is sitting pretty damn close with a 90% Tomatometer even 15 years later, with reviews from critics around the world calling it “both visually stunning and wondrously entertaining.”

According to Box Office Mojo, Coraline managed to gross $124 million worldwide, a tremendous commercial success considering that the movie started with a $60 million budget. After being shown in over 2000 theatres worldwide, the film aired on TV for children.

With a success story that includes accolades like numerous nominations and wins such as Best Feature at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, Best Character Design, Production Design and Best Music in a Feature Production at the Annie Awards, Top Box Office Films at the ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards and even Best Feature Film at the BAFTA Awards, one would think that the animation studio would be springing on the opportunity to create a sequel, hoping for the same success. No one would blame them, considering how impactful the film has been. So why haven’t they?

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Why Haven’t We Seen Coraline 2?

While Coraline had a happy ending, where she managed to seal the Otherworld away and everything not only returned to normal but was better than it was at the start, it doesn’t mean there wasn’t any room for a sequel.

After the critical and commercial success, and thanks to the fanbase growing almost daily, a Coraline sequel seems like a pretty safe project for the animation studio, Laika, to bet on. Coraline is one of Laika Studios’ best-reviewed titles to date. Still, their work also includes other critical successes like ParaNorman, Missing Link, and Kubo and the Two Strings. It is known as one of the best stop-motion animation giants of our time.

Unfortunately, the studio is also known for its President and CEO’s stance on sequels. Travis Knight, the son of Phile Knight (the co-founder and former CEO and Chairman Emeritus of Nike), opened Laika Studios in 1998 and has seemingly always stayed true to the mentality that follow-ups and sequels are overdone and unnecessary and that sometimes, all we need is to appreciate a creation for the success that it was and leave it there.

In a 2016 interview with Collider, Knight explained his firm stance against sequels and even against fellow filmmakers in the industry who pump out sequels and don’t provide viewers with anything new.

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“I take a firm stand against sequels,” Knight began, “I look at where our industry is going, it’s dominated by franchises and brands, re-dos, re-makes, sequels and prequels, where all these old presents are re-wrapped and offered up as new gifts.”

Knight said that if you approach a project purely as a sequel, you do a disservice to the intellectual property.

“The way we approach our stories is we imagine each film as if it’s the most meaningful experience of our protagonist’s life. If that’s your point of view, your sequel is automatically either going to be a diminishment of that – is it the second most important experience of your protagonist’s life? Or, you’ve got to crank up the volume so much that everything’s sensory overload, and it becomes comical how much you have to ratchet it up to justify its existence.”

Knight succinctly finished his point of view by sharing, “I don’t want to do that. I want to tell new and original stories.” There is always the possibility that a different studio could give us what we want, but let’s be honest. Laika’s animation style and prowess made Coraline such a hit in the first place, so it’s hard to imagine anyone living up to that standard.

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Along with Knight’s reluctance to do a sequel, there is also the problematic point that Neil Gaiman, the author of Coraline, hasn’t written a sequel. This means that even if Laika Studios wanted to make a second movie, they would need a jumping-off point to start in the first place. Gaiman said he would only consider writing a follow-up if he could develop a better idea than the first book. While that at least means that he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a sequel, some stringent requirements need to be met before any of that can happen.

Is there Any Hope For A Sequel?

The short answer here is that there is always hope. An interesting character development moment happened for Travis Knight in 2018 when he helmed Bumblebee, which is essentially a reboot of the Transformers franchise and goes against everything that he said he believes in his 2016 interview.

Now, please don’t think that I’m calling him a hypocrite or that people can’t change and that Knight should never have done a reboot. On the contrary, his willingness to helm a reboot is an excellent thing for any fan of his work, and especially a fan of Coraline like me, because it means that his solid viewpoint might have at least softened enough over the years for him to consider making an exception for Coraline 2.

Neil Gaiman, in particular, has given Coraline fans a bit of hope in recent years, starting with his Twitter (X) post in response to fans asking if there is any hope, saying, “If ever I come up with a story better than Coraline 1” – Neil Gaiman (@neilhimeself) – Jul 7, 2018.

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Even more recently, in 2022, Gaiman spoke to ComicBook.com, saying that he “absolutely wouldn’t rule out” the possibility of a sequel in the future under the right circumstances. “If you’re gonna do something, it needs to be a Toy Story 2 or The Godfather Part 2 level sequel where you’re actually upping your game. So I absolutely wouldn’t rule it out, but would absolutely want to go, ‘Okay, that is the thing that is just even cooler than Coraline.”

Neil Gaiman’s ideals about a future sequel align with what Laika Studios’ Travis Knight hates about sequels, which might make fans worried that we will never see a Coraline Part 2. Still, Neil Gaiman himself said that even he hasn’t lost hope, so there may be a bit of hope that we can hang onto.

What We Want To See From A Sequel

Considering how many fans are clamouring for a sequel, it should be no surprise that fans have been theorising and wondering what a Coraline sequel might look like. With Coraline ending on a relatively happy note, having sealed the door to the mysterious alternate Otherworld and being back home with her family, what room is there for the story to expand?

After dealing with the hand of the Beldam that made its way into the real world, it makes sense that Coraline would have no interest in unearthing it or unsealing the door. Not as a young girl, anyway. But what happens when we grow up? We take the odd events and stories that might have happened to us in our youth and file them neatly away in our brain under “active imagination”, and we never think about them…until something stirs them.

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Picture this. Coraline has grown up and has her own son or daughter. After a tricky situation with the father of her child, Coraline ends up back at her parent’s house, the home where the crazy events she barely remembers as an adult happened.

Now, there are two possibilities for where the story could go. The first is that her child, who is a lot like she was in her youth, explores the house and the grounds and manages to uncover the entrance and gets sucked into the fantasy story of the Otherworld, where the Beldam is performing a compelling and inviting play of Coraline and the child’s father living happily in the house. When Coraline notices her child missing or acting odd and starts seeing clues that remind her of her own experiences in the house, she knows exactly how to face the Beldam.

The only problem with this story is that it focuses more on the child than on Coraline herself, meaning it would better be Coraline’s Child than a Coraline sequel novella.

To remedy that, here’s another idea. At the same time, Coraline and her significant other have split for some reason, and she and her child find themselves back in their parents’ home. Upon arrival, it was the first time that she had had any physical contact with her parents since leaving home a few years prior, and everything seemed fine at first.

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Eventually, she realises that the Beldam has been so hungry for revenge that she has not only survived all these years, but the second Coraline and her child enter the house, she has been transported to the Otherworld, and everything seems completely normal because she is being lulled into a false sense of security. Eventually, cracks in the Beldam’s facade start to appear. Coraline manages to figure out that she is in the Otherworld and must now escape with her child and find out what happened to her natural parent.

This route would be perfect because it still keeps the film’s focus on Coraline while also shifting it and allowing the appearance of a new protagonist in her child. Until the day we actually see a new Coraline movie, we’ll have to wait and see what story lies ahead of it and who had the closest theory.

Are you one of the hopeful fans waiting for a Coraline sequel? If so, what kind of story are you hoping to see?

Will We Ever See A Sequel To The Beloved Stop-Motion Classic Coraline? Written by Megan Oosthuizen for Fortress of Solitude

With loadshedding being the hot topic of the week (excuse the pun), there is some comfort in the fact there are more reliable brands available on the market for your power requirements. Whether you’re looking for a good power bank or a complete solar solution, the more visibility there is for quality products, the better informed the consumer is. We reviewed the Mini UPS from one of those trusted South African brands, Elecstor, a few weeks ago. This time around, we have another product that will prove to be helpful, especially this festive season – the Elecstor Core 314Wh Portable Power Station. 

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Build and Design 

The unit presents a diminutive figure but does much more than its size leads you to believe. In terms of its dimensions, it measures 255x100x200mm. This is quite a compact unit and can be stored away easily when not in use and when charging. Its compact size also makes it ideal for travel. 

When you have limited capacity in your boot as you’re travelling this upcoming holiday season, there’s still plenty of room for the Elecstor Core 314Wh Portable Power Station. Unlike many portable power stations, it doesn’t have a squared design. Instead, its rectangular-shaped design makes it much easier between the bags and the rest of the luggage in the boot or under the seat. 

Although it has a small frame, it is very solid. The unit weighs 3,4 KG. This is on par with the weight of larger units with the exact specifications. This is deceptive due to its size and sometimes feels heavier due to the weight distribution. However, this bulky build and rugged finish make for good viewing. It has a silver finish, a plastic polymer material for the case, and a metallic handle for a more durable finish. This adds to your ease of mind, knowing that the high wear-and-tear areas have a solid build for longevity. 

In addition to its build quality and efficient design, there’s still a matter of its ports to discuss. The front houses all the ports available, an LED numeric battery indicator, a power button and a light. Additionally, there are two USB Type-A ports and one Type-C port. For the more conventional ports, it has a 9/12V DC 10A output, as well as a three-pin AC outlet. While it doesn’t have a dedicated two-pin outlet, it’s nothing an adapter can’t fix if required. This covers most of the leading outlets in use in South Africa, so you won’t be left short-changed when the device is in use. 

Overall, it offers a well-rounded compact design, a solid build quality and sufficient ports to complete the job. 

Elecstor Core 314Wh Portable Power Station Specifications 

As mentioned, the device has sufficient ports to meet most requirements for low-watt appliances. However, you need to know a few more detailed specifications before plugging in any tech you have around the house to avoid any damage to either device. 

As the name suggests, it has a 314Wh battery. More specifically, this is a high-capacity, rechargeable lithium battery. The battery has a capacity of 8,4000mAh, which can easily power a few devices for the standard 2-hour loadshedding slot. 

Regarding its output, the USB ports support 5V 2A, with the DC being a 9/12V 10A option. Furthermore, it has a 300W output total, which means the devices plugged in cannot exceed the 300W power draw at any given time. It has an input of 15V 6A for recharging, which is a bit on the lower scale but nothing too dramatic. 

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Performance and Battery Life

We’ve already seen that the Elecstor Core 314Wh Portable Power Station has you covered in its design, build and interface. However, it’s the ease of use and the performance that determines the true worth of the device. And this power station does just that. 

To start with, we look at the ease of use. It’s pretty easy to set up and use, which is a good sign for any tech device. Keeping the maximum output in mind, you simply need to turn on the power for the device, plug in your devices and turn on the port. It’s that simple. While running, the LED indicator will continue showing its percentage so you know when it’s nearing battery drain. 

Depending on the load you’re using, you can expect differing results. You can expect a battery life of a little over an hour using the maximum output simultaneously. This isn’t ideal and is not recommended. To put things into perspective, you can continually charge your smartphone, which draws around 15W on fast-charge, and eke out about 20 hours of charging. Using your monitor and drawing about 15-20W, this drops to between 15 and 17 hours. When using your laptop, which typically has a 60-70W draw, you can continue to charge for around four hours. This is similar to your TV, with a draw of between 50-70W depending on the size, resolution and the like. 

In addition to the times, there is a minor aspect you also need to pay attention to. The heavier the output draw, the more heat the unit produces. This, then, triggers the fans inside the unit, which adds a fair amount of noise. It’s not deafening, but it is noticeable. This wasn’t an issue for lower draws; it only triggered the fans when using the TV and not the laptop and monitor combination as expected. 

If one aspect of the device needs some improvement, it is its slow recharging time. On average, it takes about four hours to charge from zero. During the testing over two-hour loadshedding periods, I would use about 80-90% to use its capabilities thoroughly. It would take between 3h30m and 4h30m when putting it back on charge. 

Is It Worth Buying the Elecstor Core 314Wh Portable Power Station? 

The Elecstor Core 314Wh Portable Power Station ticks many boxes for a portable power solution. It’s compact and rugged while being relatively lightweight. Additionally, it features all the necessary ports and options for day-to-day use while offering an easy-to-use setup. 

It has a retail price of around R4,000 but is currently on sale at an impressive R2,999 if you are in the market. At either price, the unit is an excellent asset for any household looking at relatively inexpensive power options during loadshedding. 

During stage 4 and stage 6 usage, the unit will be put through its paces quite a bit more. So, if you really need something that will last a four-hour stint and recharge in less than two hours (often the gaps between loadshedding during higher levels), then it may be the only reason you’ll need something more in line. That said, few competing devices on the market can beat it for price and performance. 

REVIEW: Elecstor Core 314Wh Portable Power Station Delivers True Portability  Written by Evan Saunders for Fortress of Solitude

Who had a Robin Hood action-adventure video game on their 2023 bingo card? Well, Gangs of Sherwood brings the infamous outlaw and his band of merry allies to the medium, promising a barrel of action-packed combat and co-op good times. Unfortunately, the results are mixed to say the least, showcasing how the original delay in the game’s release wasn’t enough time to turn this from meh to magic.

Set in an alternate setting featuring high-tech technology, Gangs of Sherwood sees the Sheriff of Nottingham secure the magical Lion Heart stone, which holds immense power and helps to explain the futuristic aesthetic of this world. So, it’s up to Robin of Locksley, Marian, Little John, and Friar Tuck to team up and take down that nasty Sheriff and his stooges. Players choose between the four main characters – each holding their own fighting style and unique personality – and as the game progresses, and players collect more gold, they are able to unlock more customisable options for their character’s combat system. In other words, it’s time to rise and grind, baby!

A new age for Robin Hood

Much like Nacon’s other recent release, RoboCop: Rogue City, Gangs of Sherwood doesn’t possess premium graphics or game-changing cutscenes. This isn’t competing with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 for the most beautiful game of the year, but neither does it try to. Considering this isn’t a title being sold at an ungodly price, the character designs and backgrounds work for the budget and do their job in absorbing players in this carefully constructed and different Robin Hood tale. Hell, football sims all still look like they are stuck in 2014 and certainly have higher budgets than this game, so…

At the same time, credit needs to go out to the dialogue and voice acting, as there are genuinely funny moments scattered throughout the game while the conversations always remain on point and advance the narrative. The character Alan-A-Dale, in particular, proves to be a hoot, and it’s always welcome whenever this minstrel shows his many faces. Taking into account that the story isn’t exactly the most novel or riveting around – since this is all about the action, duh! – it’s important that the dialogue keeps the player invested in the journey, and fortunately, that remains intact here.

Steals from the rich and gives to the mid

At first, Gangs of Sherwood starts off in frenetic fashion with button-mashing being the order of the day, especially as the wave of enemies keep on coming. Players can also make use of environmental attacks, such as trapdoors and poison, to inflict damage on foes and this adds a nice variety to the gameplay. A character like Robin is a safe choice to get used to the controls and settings, since his long-ranged attacks buy the player some time to adapt to the dodging and block system especially in the early mission. To be fair, there isn’t a high barrier of entry for this game, as even low-skilled players will get the hang of it in no time. It’s a simple title intended to be easy enough to play by everyone.

Yet, the simplicity proves to be a double-edged sword, as the gameplay stales incredibly fast. When all the all start merging into one blur and the levels feel familiar, Gangs of Sherwood quickly loses its charm. Throw in the fact that the camera angles have a mind of their own at the worst possible times – i.e., when surrounded by enemies – and the game becomes more frustrating than fun.

Is Gangs of Sherwood worth it?

Gangs of Sherwood demonstrates potential and a good concept, but it struggles to match this in its execution. In a year boasting so many incredible video games, it’s tough to say this title is anywhere in the conversation. Hey, it’s not on the Morbin levels of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, but it still lacks the something special that would make gamers look past all of its weak points.

Review: Gangs of Sherwood Is Not Worth Trying For Written by Sergio Pereira for Fortress of Solitude

Magnus Martens’ There’s Something in the Barn refuses to compromise on the laughs or gore in what’s set to become an instant classic in the Christmas horror comedy genre. Starring Martin Starr, Amrita Acharia, and Kiran Shah, the film finds the perfect balance between camp and a good time, borrowing the best elements of Joe Dante’s Gremlins and combining it with the Nordic folklore of elves. Heck, in our review of the film, we described it as “the right dose of hilarity, heart, and holiday spirit,” which sums it up succinctly.

Leading the film as the original elf is Shah. For over four decades and counting, the Kenyan-born actor has delighted fans of the world’s most beloved franchises, appearing as Abu in Raiders of the Last Ark, Nambi Ghima in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and Ginarrbrik in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. In addition, Shah has also been an in-demand stuntperson, being the double for Elijah Wood’s Frodo Baggins and Martin Freeman’s Bilbo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Now, There’s Something in the Barn allows him the chance to shine in a main role.

Bringing the Christmastime horror cheer

Kiran Shah received the script for the film and knew there was something special from the beginning. “When I read the script, I was laughing my head off in certain points – [the scenes] were quite funny,” Shah said. “Really brilliant the way it was written by Aleksander [R. Kirkwood Brown]; really good.”

The actor didn’t need to audition or read for the part since director Magnus Martens wanted him for the role from the get-go. The two met up in Oslo, Norway, where they discussed the role and tone of the movie further, especially since Shah wouldn’t have a speaking role so they would need to figure out the way to convey his character’s emotions. Once the rest of the actors joined up, Martens explained his vision for the project to them: To make it feel like they were in the 1980s.

In terms of the story, There’s Something in the Barn focuses on both barn and forest elves, as it plays around with elements of Nordic mythology. On top of making use of the mythological experts on set, Shah also did his own research on the topic of elves. “I did [it] over here in London,” he said. “With my brother, I was walking in Kew Gardens and thinking about the movie. We came out of one of the exhibits and in the corridors, they were selling a children’s book about Nordic mythology.” Shah explained how he immediately turned to the section about elves to learn more about the myths of barn and forest elves, even finding out how they made their way from Finland to Norway.

Relating to others

At the centre of the movie is the relationship between Kiran Shah’s elf and Townes Bunner’s Lucas. “Townes was really good to work with,” Shah said, adding how the young actor hadn’t done anything quite like There’s Something in the Barn before and knocked it out of the park. “I spoke to him when we were doing the [screen] test, and I went, ‘Look, I’m not going to be talking to you. But I’m going to do sounds and I’m going to use my hands a lot. I’ll be touching you a lot on your chest or on your face.'” The two actors learnt how to communicate in this unique manner so that their characters could understand each other in their scenes together. Ultimately, it works as their chemistry translates in the final film.

Despite Shah’s history as a stuntperson, he didn’t partake in any stunts this time around. “Magnus would not let me do any stunts,” he said. “Basically, I was there as an actor. And he would say, ‘Kiran, you’re not doing any stunts,’ and I would go back and say, ‘But…’ and he would go, ‘No, you’re not doing any stunts. If you break your bones, what am I going to do?’ I literally didn’t get involved with stunts.” Nonetheless, Shah praised the stunt coordinator and performers for their dedication and execution of the film’s high-risk moments, believing they delivered the goods here.

Generally, these scenes take place in a snowy, cold terrain. However, this wasn’t a case of movie magic and weather machines since the actors were out in freezing conditions. “Minus 25 in Norway,” Kiran Shah revealed the coldest temperature they experienced on set. The film’s third act takes place outdoors in the evening, so the actors spent a lot of time outside in similar conditions. According to Shah, though, they were all looked after with proper thermal wear and body warmers, so they never felt the cold as much as they could have.

There’s Something the Barn 2 – will it ever happen?

The film is also the latest in the line of Christmas-themed horror comedies, such as Gremlins and Krampus, which always find an audience and never seem go out of fashion. But why are these movies so popular to begin with? “It’s a formula that has been tried and tested,” Kiran Shah said. “And that is going to keep on working and working as long as we stick to that. If somebody comes up with a new idea, and new way of doing it, then yeah, we’ll go that way. But at the moment, this formula is working, so why not use it?”

Ultimately, There’s Something in the Barn ends in an open-ended fashion that could easily wrap up the story or explore further sequels somewhere down the line – presumably over Christmastime again (or maybe someone will try to do something over Easter next?). Expectedly, many variables factor into a decision to greenlight a sequel, so it’s a bit too early and premature to get any official announcements. If it does happen, however, count Shah in.

“If they do a sequel and they ask me, of course I’m going to jump back in because this is a good movie,” he said. “It has worked really well. And again, I would love to work with Magnus – and if there’s the same cast and crew, it will be fun.”

There’s Something in the Barn, which stars Kiran Shah, arrives on digital on December 1, 2023.

Interview: Kiran Shah Revels in the Spirit of There’s Something in the Barn Written by Sergio Pereira for Fortress of Solitude

A person can only take abuse for so long before they snap. Everyone wants their privacy respected and to be left alone sometimes. Keanu Reeves, Hollywood’s nicest guy, is usually cool and calm whenever he appears in public, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t get angry. Autograph hunters, fans, and the paparazzi often hound the mild-mannered John Wick star. Keanu is very private, usually accommodating and patient with fans and paparazzi. However, there are moments when Keanu Reeves is forced to take a stand and make his feelings known against the paparazzi who are hounding him. Here are a few times the humble celebrity lost his composure and became rude.

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Hollywood Boulevard

In 2007, the Matrix star was enjoying dinner on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Afterwards, as Keanu was returning to his car, the star was hounded by rude paparazzi who were blinding him with their flashing cameras. The actor was silent for most of the long walk, only holding up his hand to block his face from the incessant flashing lights and to stop the paparazzi getting a good shot of his face.

The invasive crew kept running ahead of Keanu, who eventually responded to the desperate flurry by mocking the photographers as they clamoured to get a good shot. “Run! Run for your lives. This is your job, think about your job!”

The paparazzi were so constant that Keanu Reeves eventually lost his composure, got angry, and swore at them. One of the paparazzi even had the gall to respond to Keanu with indignation, declaring that Keanu was being too “harsh”.

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Restaurants and Paparazzi

Paparazzi love hounding Keanu, especially when he is getting a bite to eat. In 2008, Keanu arrived at Comme Ca in West Hollywood for an evening dinner with Anita Hodson. Reeves and Hodson formed a romantic relationship between 2008 and 2009. Hodson was a personal assistant to Keanu’s mother before their romance.

The star seemed annoyed when pulling up with his Porshe for the dinner date. As Keanu walked toward the restaurant, he covered his face but became fed up with the picture-hunting photographers and gave the middle finger. When Keanu entered the restaurant, he shook his entire body in a symbolic gesture, glad to be free of invasive cameras and vulture photographers.

After dinner, the star left the building with Hodson but was met with a barrage of comments and pestering questions from the obnoxious paparazzi. One particularly rude photographer even mocked the John Wick star by imitating Keanu’s voice and asking if Keanu was bothered that he sounded like the actor.

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Keanu Giving the Finger

Usually, Keanu is patient with photographers and sometimes even cracks a joke with some of them. On rare occasions, he makes his feelings known, and his favourite way to show displeasure is to hide his face or flip photographers the middle finger. Keanu is often spotted around Los Angeles riding a motorbike and, on several occasions, an annoyed and angry Keanu Reeves has flipped the middle finger at paparazzi while on his bike.

Keanu and the Paparazzi

Like all celebrities, Keanu is hounded by the paparazzi and autograph hunters. Recently, Keanu lost his composure in one of his most dramatic outbursts and became unusually rude toward an opportunistic autograph hunter. The star was harassed outside a shopping complex and vented his frustration at the individual and paparazzi, saying, “…I need some f***king time for myself; leave me the f**k alone!” The autograph hunter pestering Reeves responds to his outburst by saying, “I see your point, man.” An exacerbated and highly annoyed Keanu replies, “No, you don’t see the f***king point, man!”

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Keanu’s love-hate relationship with the paparazzi reached a climax in 2007. A paparazzo named Alison Silva brought a civil suit against the Matrix actor. Silva claimed he was knocked to the ground and injured his wrist in March 2007 when he was trying to take pictures of Reeves leaving a house in his Porsche in the affluent Ranchos Palos Verdes area of Los Angeles. The case dragged into 2008, and Keanu was eventually cleared of all charges.

Keanu Reeves is nice, but that does not give the paparazzi the right to abuse his friendliness. Keanu is usually gracious with his time, signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans. Now and then, however, the star is pushed too far, sheds his nice guy image, and lets it be known he has had enough.

Keanu may lose his temper or show a middle finger, but most fans understand that Keanu is just a regular guy. He is a celebrity but carries himself like a gentleman and is polite to everyone. Fans understand Keanu is human, and sometimes even the most likeable guy can lose his cool.

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What do you think about Keanu Reeves? Is he justified when he gets rude to autograph hunters and paparazzi? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Every Time Keanu Reeves Got Angry & Rude In Public Written by Neilan Adams for Fortress of Solitude

Imagine you’re relaxing and scrolling through your favourite streaming service. You see Bridesmaids with Melissa McCarthy and recall that the actress starred in 2020’s Superintelligence. You decide to watch the film and search for the title, but you cannot find it. You think you’re going crazy because you remember seeing it listed in the comedy section not too long ago. You decide to look for another film; this time, you search for Robert Zemeckis’ 2020 remake of The Witches, starring Anne Hathaway, Chris Rock and Stanley Tucci. You saved it to your watchlist a few months earlier, and you keep scrolling but can’t find it either. You enter the title in the search option, and to your dismay, nothing. According to Variety, titles like Superintelligence have quietly been removed from streaming services with no awareness by most paying customers, and Christopher Nolan has the solution to combat this.

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Missing Case

Christopher Nolan recently drew attention to the disappearance of films and series on streaming services. The Washington Post interviewed the Oppenheimer director, who told Post writer Jada Yuan, “There is a danger, these days, that if things only exist in the streaming version, they do get taken down; they come and go.” While promoting Oppenheimer’s DVD release, the Dark Knight director spoke to IGN about owning physical media.

“If you buy a 4K UHD, you buy a Blu-ray, it’s on your shelf, it’s yours, company is gonna break it into your house and take it from you. It’s yours and you own it.”

Christopher Nolan then emphasised how streaming removes personal ownership and leaves the consumer at the mercy of the streaming platform. Nolan said, “That’s never really the case with any form of digital distribution. You’re relying on the continued health of the supplier.”

HBO Max was the party guilty of these films mentioned above. The streaming service quietly removed these and many other films without notification. Streaming platforms, like Max and Netflix, regularly remove titles, but they announce what they are removing well in advance. Not only Max, but Disney + has also started withdrawing original material and adding them onto paid platforms outside the direct-to-customers streaming model.

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Disney angered subscribers recently when it removed the original sci-fi film Crater. According to The Independent, the streaming service pulled the film made by the producers of Stranger Things after only two months on Disney +. Crater is about a boy growing up in a lunar mining colony who travels with his friends to explore a legendary crater before being relocated to another planet. The movie starred Ghostbusters: Afterlife’s Mckenna Grace. Writing in IGN on Crater’s removal, Adele Ankers-Range said,

“Its departure from the platform follows the May removal of more than two dozen shows across Disney Plus and Hulu. Perhaps the most high-profile of these was Willow, which wrapped up its run less than six months earlier. Disney’s new strategic approach to content curation, combined with the mass exodus of content from platforms such as Max, has raised some questions about media preservation. With few receiving physical releases, more and more titles seem fated to disappear from existence entirely.

However, some HBO shows have started to arrive on Netflix under Warner Bros Discovery’s new licensing deal. Insecure was recently added to Netflix’s library for US subscribers, with Band of Brothers, The Pacific, Six Feet Under, and Ballers set to arrive at a later date as part of an agreement co-exclusive with Max.”

Renting is Back

Companies like Max and Disney have been attempting to recoup costs and cover their losses by shelving films before their release. Another tax-break strategy is removing titles from their catalogue and adding them later onto renting sites like Vudu and Amazon.

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Drew Taylor from The Wrap said, “Disney started pulling content from its direct-to-consumer streaming platform Disney+ earlier this year, following the streaming content bubble bursting spectacularly. Now, some of it is beginning to reappear – on paid platforms. Disney didn’t publicise this; they just showed up with as little fanfare as when they were removed in the first place.”

The removed titles now available to rent (for around $4) or buy (for $20) are Artemis Fowl, Better Nate Than Never, Crater, Cheaper by the Dozen, Flora & Ulysses, Stargirl, Hollywood Stargirl, The One and Only Ivan, Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made and the documentary Wolfgang. Disney+ original films that have yet to show up for rental or purchase are Black Beauty, Magic Camp and Darby and the Dead.

Champions of Physical Media

Director Guillermo del Toro shared Christopher Nolan’s sentiments regarding streaming services. Del Toro posted on X and said owning physical media is a responsibility. He also said, “If you own a great 4K HD, Blu-ray, DVD, etc. of a film or films you love…you are the custodian of those films for generations to come.”

The curation of physical media fell off the bandwagon with the death of the DVD. Digital has become all the rage; most viewers have opted to rent or buy online. With the advent of streaming, even fewer customers rented or bought films and series online, instead opting to join a paid subscription to Netflix, Max or Disney +. With the death of the DVD also came the slow death of Blu-ray.

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In many regions, new Blu-ray players are unavailable for purchase. As far back as 2019, Forbes ran a report that said Samsung would be phasing out Blu-ray players from its manufacturing catalogue. In the United States, Best Buy announced they, too, would be phasing out Blu-ray discs and DVDs.

Nolan told IGN that DVD and Blu-rays are an “essential revenue stream”, and he doesn’t understand why studios would undermine the long-term health of the film industry for the short-term financial benefits of streaming. Emma Thompson, Producer on Oppenheimer, also told IGN she thinks the slow death of physical media is a “terrible thing for consumers.” She also believes it’s a terrible thing for filmmakers who want their films to have a life beyond whatever their initial release is.”

Physical media sales were an integral part of a film’s profits. If a film made a loss or broke even at the box office many times, that film could recoup costs and profit with DVD and Blu-ray sales. Nolan’s rallying cry has alerted more people to the disappearing media problem and should wake film fans to the present danger to film preservation.

The Repercussions

Marc C. Scott, a senior lecturer in Screen Media at Victoria University, writes in The Conversation journal that,

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“Content removal raises questions associated with streaming services – and their overarching corporations – wanting to save money. This can be done through the removal of content, which the corporation can write off as losses.

This not only impacts consumer access, but also impacts actors, writers, directors and other creatives involved in the production. This is due to the fact that if the profits are less, then the residual payments (fees paid when TV shows and films are broadcast) made to the creatives involved in the production are also lowered.”

Scott adds, ‘The removal of content is not particular to any streaming service. Hulu wiped shows such as Alaska Daily and The Company You Keep from its service after they were cancelled following a single season. Programs that were removed after being cancelled on Disney+ have included Big Shot, Diary of a Future President, Just Beyond, The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, The Mysterious Benedict Society, The World According to Jeff Goldblum, Turner & Hooch and Willow.”

Scott highlights a significant problem affecting title removal and revolves around original content. “What needs to be considered with many of these is that they are “originals”, meaning they were created by Disney for Disney. The removal of original content from streaming services, in most instances, means they will not be accessible to viewers anywhere,” Scott said.

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He also mentions that removing content penalises creators financially and disables them from using past work as a calling card to get future gigs. Few subscribers or even the creators themselves own physical copies of their work, especially if it was an original release that only exists on a select streaming platform.

The Solution

Most new content on streaming services does not come with physical copies, and the lack of retail companies selling physical media means it’s impossible to curate a physical media library for posterity. Christopher Nolan mentioned that with digital distribution like streaming, the consumer doesn’t own anything, and access to films and media is dependent on the state of the supplier.

Suppliers’ whims and financial decisions could erase many more films and series of significant cultural and personal importance. Marc Scott makes the chilling conclusion that much of our heritage and cultural knowledge could become lost forever without archiving physical media. As time passes and more films and media become exclusively digitised, we can’t even begin to be aware of what films could be lost from the present and future generations.

The solution must be for film studios to be more transparent about what is withheld from the public and why. Directors and writers should also insist that films and series receive a physical media release, even a limited edition printing. Finally, audiences and film fans must realise that streaming is not a utopia. Digital is convenient but not always the best in the long term, and instead of assuming your favourite film will be on a streaming site also, buy a physical copy just in case.

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What do you think about disappearing films on streaming platforms, the death of Blu-ray and DVDs, and Christopher Nolan’s solution? Please share your thoughts below.

According to Christopher Nolan, Movies Are Disappearing from Streaming Services. Here’s The Solution Written by Neilan Adams for Fortress of Solitude

Imagine an upstanding small town called Woodbrook where anthropomorphic animals live in harmony and go about their daily lives. While it might sound cute and cuddly, writer-artist Patrick Horvath turns paradise on its head with a revelation that a serial killer lives among them in IDW Publishing’s Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees. Described as Dexter meets Richard Scarry’s Busy, Busy Town, the comic book series takes every trope and flips it on its head, creating a mystery that will have readers chewing their nails over what happens next.

Fortress of Solitude chatted to Horvath to get more insight into the intriguing decision to turn a bear into a serial killer. The creator opened up about the story’s influences and how the artwork required a specific balance that may not have worked in another way. Horvath also discussed why the Teddy Bears’ Picnic Song might be one of the most sinister songs of all time.

Fortress of Solitude: First off, congrats on the series! How do you plan on responding to the hate mail from some parent who bought Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees for their little one thinking it’s Richard Scarry and finding out it’s not?

Patrick Horvath: Thank you very much! And boy, I sincerely hope that does not happen! [Laughs]. So far, I’m happy to report that I haven’t received any angry letters from parents, so I’m crossing my fingers that nobody has blundered into blindly picking this up for readers that are too young. I’m hoping that the image of Sam dragging the bloody sack behind her was enough of a warning. The cover for the second printing goes even more explicit, so hopefully that helps too. But yeah, man, parents: a little research goes a long way. [Smiles].

The title Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees is inspired by the Teddy Bears’ Picnic Song, right? Why did you choose this title in particular and why this song?

The song itself always seemed sort of sinister to me in its old-timey sound, but the particular lyric, “Beneath the trees where nobody sees, they hide and seek as long as they please,” always struck me. Like, what else are they doing beneath the trees where nobody sees?! I’m sure that’s just a little porthole into the way my mind works, but I’ll often have a flash of a macabre idea that runs parallel to a well-meaning notion, and here we are.

In the first issue of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees, it’s revealed Sam the bear is a serial killer. What made you decide on a bear, though?

The idea for the series came from a drawing I did quite a few years back. I was just doodling for fun and started drawing this anthropomorphic bear wearing overalls and carrying a bloody axe. After looking at it for a couple minutes, the main idea of this bear that was a serial killer hiding in plain sight in a quaint little town just came to me. It all grew out of that, but I did really like the idea that it was a bear. There’s something so wholesome to bears – big thanks to Smokey the Bear, the Charmin Bears, Winnie the Pooh, etc. – but they’re also completely terrifying in the wild. It felt like a perfect dichotomy to lean into.

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For the artwork, what are the considerations you take into account when creating the more brutal and bloody moments in the book?

When I’m drawing the moments of gore, I try to make it fairly grounded. There’s something particularly off-putting in pairing this whimsical, quaint little town with realistic violence. Weirdly, it seems more visceral to me than if we were watching regular people going about their lives and then being attacked. In terms of how far it should go, I don’t have any hard and fast rules. I’m trying to be guided by Samantha’s perspective in all of it: What would she be interested in, what would she think was in excess? So far, I’ve been really lucky in striking a balance with everything.

I pick up a large influence of Dexter lurking in this story as Sam tries to find out who the second serial killer is and how they may unravel her own secrets. You have mentioned in previous interviews how you looked at a variety of serial killer stories. So, let me pose you a different question: Which stories did you look at to find the cute and cuddly side of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees?

As you mentioned earlier, Richard Scarry is definitely a big influence in terms of cute inspiration. I don’t go all-in by any means, but I kept thinking back to what I could remember about Scarry’s Busytown and then tried to place some of those notions onto a small town. I didn’t want the townsfolk to be completely naïve, but their general innocence is a huge part of what defines them for me. It’s sort of an innocence that comes from having lived such a sheltered existence. It also serves Samantha incredibly well and has allowed her to enjoy her little bloody hobby for decades. For the town of Woodbrook itself, it’s sort of an amalgamation of different tiny towns with a lot of Montpelier, Vermont in there.

In terms of the story, do you see a hard stop or is there potential for it to carry on for a long time?

The book was originally conceived as a limited six-issue series, but there’s definitely a lot more that could be told. It depends on how well it’s received by everyone, but fingers crossed I’ll get a chance to take it further.

Ask your comic book store to order IDW Publishing‘s Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees now.

Interview: Patrick Horvath Combines Dexter and Richard Scarry in Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees Written by Sergio Pereira for Fortress of Solitude

For almost 100 years, Disney has been at the forefront of animation. From its earliest ventures into the world of moving pictures, the company has aimed to push the limitation of what animation can achieve. However, at its most basic, Disney films have more often been about telling a compelling and engaging story. With its latest animated title, Wish, the company aims to do just that. 

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Background 

By now, we should all be familiar with the iconic Disney title sequence, which plays out to the “When You Wish Upon a Star“ track. A bit of history behind this is that the song was written by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington for another Disney animated feature, Pinocchio, all the way back in 1940. The song has a rich history and is still a central part of Disney, even some 83 years later. 

For those who don’t yet know, 2023 is a massive year for Disney, or by its official name, The Walt Disney Company. The company celebrated its centenary on 16 October, founded 100 years ago by brothers Walt and Roy in what was then known as Disney Brothers Studio. Its name has changed several times since its last one in 1986, becoming The Walt Disney Company. 

One of its earliest and most popular products was Steamboat Willie. It was released in 1928 as the first synchronised cartoon with sound and the first to have a full post-production soundtrack. The film was a massive hit upon its distribution all those years ago and emphatically launched Mickey and Minnie Mouse on the world stage. While many believe it to be the first appearance of the duo, it was the test screening for Plane Crazy that was the first appearance of Disney’s most famous couple. 

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Now, 95 years later, the copyright for Mickey Mouse (and Minnie Mouse) is set to expire on 1 January 2024. This would put Mickey into the public domain, where anyone could utilise the imagery without the threat of litigation. It is, however, essential to distinguish how far the expiry extends. In this case, it is only the imagery and design of the Steamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse, not any subsequent variants, which are still under copyright protection. In reality, it shouldn’t be too much of an issue for Disney, with its latest version of Mickey only being a few years old, with the best part of 90 years remaining on its copyright. 

Wishing Upon a Star 

The background provides some context for the thought process, design and story behind Wish. Its 100-year archives inspired it, which is evident throughout the film’s 95-minute runtime. Moreover, the film’s creators revealed that their biggest inspirations were Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Sleeping Beauty (1959) in design, music and feel. 

The official premise for the film is a tale revolving around a young girl, Asha (Ariana DeBose), who wishes for a star. However, unlike many other wishes, her wish isn’t for her own but for that of her fellow citizens of the Kingdom of Rosas, who, when they turn 18, give their greatest wish to King Magnifico (Chris Pine). Magnifico, a magician, gains the power to grant the wishes of his subjects and has taken it upon himself to keep their wishes sealed in his observatory. While protecting them, he aims to prevent his subjects from using them for potentially harmful reasons. In taking their wish, they also lose all memory of it, which in turn creates a docile civilisation and one free from aspirations. 

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Upon revealing that not all wishes will be granted, precisely that of her 100-year-old grandfather Sabino (Victor Garber), Asha takes issue with the fact that many will never dream of aspiring to achieve their wishes and seeks to set them free. When a star appears from the heavens to aid her in her quest, Asha and her talking goat, Valentino (Alan Tudyk), seek the help of their friends to defeat Magnifico. 

In short, Wish is a Disney movie based on Disney movies. And it’s not just the look and feel or the premise of wishing upon a star. Scattered throughout the film are many easter eggs to reference, which will be an excellent field day for YouTubers who enjoy covering such content. In some instances, some scenes are almost identical to scenes from its historical archives. 

A Hit and Miss 

Several aspects of the animated feature film make it quite enjoyable. For starters, the leading group of protagonists are fun and endearing. Some friends could be considered forgettable, but Asha, Valentino and the Wishing Star are likeable. 

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Several scenes make the film stand out with a whacky take. It does take a while to push some of the better scenes, as the film packs more songs into its first few minutes, but it eventually does pay off in the end. There is one scene in particular that, even expecting what’s to come next, doesn’t prepare you for what unfolds. Its humour, more than its underlying meaning to its story, ultimately sells Wish. 

While the film, at large, is enjoyable, there are several shortcomings. I will admit that most of these will only be concerns raised by adults, as I’m sure many kids watching it won’t be as nitpicky. 

The first of these is that the film feels formulaic. Yes, this is a standard feature in most Disney movies, especially recently, but it’s pretty overblown here. It almost feels as if Disney crammed its 100-year archival story as input for an AI-driven system, and it coughed up all of the known tropes, coupled with all the throwback Disney jokes in tow. It feels too generic from a story and will not stand out as a feature amongst the hordes of Disney films. 

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Sitting through the first 30-40 minutes of screentime, I counted about four or five songs. By that stage, my annoyance had peaked. Instead of a rich story with humour scattered in between, it felt as if the creators were throwing as many songs as they could onto the proverbial wall, hoping that kids would pick up one that would stick. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see any potential in these, as young kids often require a catchy, repetitive tune they can repeat ad infinitum. Yes, one or two have potent lyrics; they just don’t have that staying power to be a hit – at least from my perspective. 

Make a Wish and Blow Out the Candles 

Although I wouldn’t say Disney has put all its eggs into this basket, Wish is supposed to be the celebration of its 100 years of creating animated dreams come to life. It falls short of creating a unique adventure for Asha and her crew. 

While each character is likeable, with Star and Valentino (the talking goat) having enough behind them to sell plenty of cute plush toys, the entire film didn’t deliver its promise. There are a few good humorous scenes that make it worth the watch as adults, but it is not something you’re going to watch on repeat with your kids if they do pick it up. 

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Review: Disney’s Wish (2023) Is A Hit And A Miss Written by Evan Saunders for Fortress of Solitude

Christopher Nolan has been doing a lot of interviews for the release of his latest blockbuster, and more rumours have started to arise because of it. The Dark Knight director was doing press for the DVD release of Oppenheimer. During an interview with the Associated Press, Nolan was asked if he was involved with a James Bond film. The director squashed rumours, saying, “Sadly, no truth to those rumours.”

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Online chatter has been swirling regarding the filmmaker’s link to the next 007 film. Daniel Craig’s exit from the James Bond role has created incessant debate about who the next James Bond will be and which director would helm a new 007 movie.

Bond Influences

Although Christopher Nolan denied rumours about involvement in a Bond film, his name keeps appearing for the director’s chair. Part of the reason for the association between 007 and Nolan is that the filmmaker admitted his deep affinity for the 007 franchise. At the premiere of Inception, Nolan said, “The Bond influence on the film was very intentional because, for me growing up with the Bond films, they’ve always stood for grand-scale action, all stood for the promise of being taken someplace bigger than you could have imagined.” Nolan said (via BBC).

Cinemagoers have long spotted strong James Bond influences in Christopher Nolan’s films, as early as his work on the Dark Knight trilogy, which has only served to strengthen rumours about the connection. Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne and Batman alter ego was frequently placed in exotic locations worldwide and seemed like a thinly veiled James Bond archetype. Morgan Freeman’s Lucius Fox character was like James Bond’s gadget maker Q. Speaking to Empire (via Den of Geek), Nolan once again related his work to the James Bond franchise. “I’ve been plundering ruthlessly from the Bond movies in everything I’ve done, forever. They’re a huge influence on me,” Nolan said.

Nolan’s “plundering” can be seen, especially in 2010’s Inception and 2020’s mind-altering spy thriller Tenet. Jessica Kiang of The New York Times described Tenet as Nolan’s “time-bending” version of James Bond. Inception features Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom, a dream Extractor who operates in corporate espionage. In this regard, he is like 007; both are spies jet-setting worldwide. Tenet is even closer to a 007 film; John David Washington’s role in Tenet as the Protagonist is Nolan’s most obvious nod to the spy genre and James Bond.

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Tenet shares some of the same themes as Bond films, such as the importance of national security and the danger of global terrorism—both of which feature high-risk action and exotic locations. However, Tenet isn’t just a copy of the James Bond formula. Nolan put his spin on the genre by adding a complex time-reversing plot and amazing visual effects. Tenet is a reinterpretation of the spy genre and is Christopher’s fresh take on James Bond and 007 films.

Will Nolan Ever Make A 007 Film?

Nolan is quite frank about the Bond influences in his films, even admitting in 2017 that it would be a privilege to make a Bond film. He confessed this much on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.

“The influence of those movies in my filmography is embarrassingly apparent, and so there’s no attempt to shy away from that. I love the films. You know, it would be an amazing privilege to do one. It has to be the right moment in your creative life where you can express what you want to express and really burrow into something within the appropriate constraints because you would never want to take on something like that and do it wrong.”

Nolan continued, “You wouldn’t want to take on a film not fully committed to what you bring to the table creatively. So, as a writer, casting, everything, it’s a full package. You’d have to be really needed; you’d have to be really wanted in terms of bringing the totality of what you bring to a character. Otherwise, I’m very happy to be first in line to see whatever they do,” Nolan said.

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In 2017, after the release of Nolan’s Dunkirk, Playboy asked Nolan if he would be interested in doing a Bond film. Nolan was enthusiastic, saying, “A Bond movie, definitely.” Nolan confirmed he was in contact with longtime 007 producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. He said, “I deeply love the character, and I’m always excited to see what they do with it,” he said. “Maybe one day that would work out.”

Interestingly, Christopher Nolan’s exact film after this was Tenet. Nolan’s exuberant tone and openness to the possibility of directing a James Bond film contrasts his recent muted, less exuberant mentions of the Bond franchise. Perhaps Nolan was eager to create a fresh new Bond film, but for whatever reason, it didn’t work out, and instead, he made his own version of Bond, that being Tenet.

What do you think? Should Christopher Nolan finally direct a Bond film? Please share your thoughts below.

Christopher Nolan Shares Insights on James Bond Franchise Amid Rumours Written by Neilan Adams for Fortress of Solitude

Colin Farrell and Matt Reeves’ upcoming Penguin spinoff series for HBO Max has already created plenty of buzz. With the crime drama being compared to films like Scarface and shows like The Sopranos, The Penguin is set to raise the bar for Warner Bros television and superhero series in general.

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Robert Pattinson and Matt Reeves’ The Batman saw Farrell portray Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, also known as the Penguin, based on the character created for DC by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. Farrell was undoubtedly one of the standout elements of the film – which is the main reason his character is getting his own show.

Previous series have had elements of Gotham, but The Penguin will take a deeper dive and let viewers undertake an exploration of Oz, aka Penguin, unlike what we have seen before. Matt Reeves’ The Batman portrayed Penguin as a lower-level henchman under Carmine Falcone at the start of his crime career. The Penguin series is set in Reeves’ Gotham and will continue to explore Penguin’s rise to the top of Gotham’s criminal underworld.

The series will start after the events of The Batman. Colin Farrell returns as the titular Batman villain with Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown as Salvatore Maroni, Michael Kelly as Johnny Vitti, Scott Cohen, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Carmen Ejogo, James Madio, Craig Zobel and Michael Zegen as Alberto Falcone. It will be produced by Matt Reeves, Dylan Clark and Rafi Crohn.

Production on the series was halted due to the WGA strike, and the series will likely miss its intended Spring 2024 release window.

Box Office Dominance

Superhero films have been the dominant box office movies for over fifteen years. The success of Marvel’s MCU meant that film studios have been adding more superhero titles to streaming services. The genre’s popularity has created a wave of television and cinema releases. Many filmmakers and pundits have felt that the genre is eclipsing everything and excluding other genres.

Marvel has been churning many comic book series, some successful like Loki and others unsuccessful, as with Secret Invasion and She-Hulk. However, the more unsuccessful series have been dominating the headlines. Marvel’s box office at the theatre has also been dwindling; the likes of The Marvels and Ant-Man: Quantamania have underperformed, resulting in critics and film analysts proclaiming that superhero fatigue has set in with viewers.

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Superheroes on TV

The Penguin series will be a test for superhero television. Loki season 2 had lower streaming numbers overall than season 1 but was considered a success compared to other series— the recent failures of Secret Invasion, She-Hulk, MoonKnight, etc. However, DC’s failures with the Arrowverse, Titans and Batwoman have highlighted how both DC and Marvel are hit-and-miss regarding TV.

Peacemaker has been a success for DC and Loki for Marvel, but overall, the streaming numbers could have been higher than they were. The failure of Marvel and DC films also feeds into the narrative that superhero properties have overstayed their welcome. The Penguin faces all these challenges, but if it taps into its potential and tells a great story, it could rejuvenate superhero television.

HBO and Max content chief Casey Bloys feels that superhero fatigue is not a cause for concern. Bloys believes a show like The Penguin could be what television and superhero storytelling needs. Speaking to Deadline, he said,

“I don’t know that it’s necessarily tentpole fatigue as much as it is a sameness of storytelling. I think the key, even within DC, is trying to tell different stories in different styles, to not try to do the same show over and over and over again.

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I would say Peacemaker is a very different show tonally than The Penguin. So, there’s not a uniformity to the storytelling, and I think that helps.” Bloys added, “Unfortunately, Marvel, as good as their shows are, there’s probably been a lot of them. That’s one of the advantages we have at Warner Bros. is it’s not just one set of stories. There’s a lot of stories you can go to.”

Bloys might be correct in his assessment. Different stories and characters require a unique template. Marvel has often been accused of using a single style and tone across most films and TV shows. It can work but makes everything too uniform and becomes a problem when a series or film misfires, potentially affecting everything else.

DC is more lenient regarding tone and style; their shows and films have variation and can exist apart from each other, much more so than Marvel. The Penguin series is an example; like The Batman, which was unrelated to the Snyderverse, it can exist in its world, completely separate from other superhero series.

Based on the first trailer, it looks more like a television crime drama and not a superhero show, which could work in DC and Warner’s favour if they balance the fantastical comic book elements with the real-world grit of a mob series.

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Sopranos and Scarface

Colin Farrell’s Penguin was different from Danny DeVito’s fantastical portrayal. Farrell played Penguin like a mobster, like Tony Soprano, Fredo Corleone from The Godfather and Al Pacino’s Tony Montana in Scarface.

The gritty and dark realism of Farrell’s Penguin could help the show become as compelling and gripping as other classic mafia series like The Sopranos. The Penguin producer Dylan Clark feels similar, “We’re doing one with Colin Farrell, as Oswald Cobblepot, seeing Oz rise to power, almost like a ‘Scarface’ story,” Clark said to SFX Magazine.

Colin Farrell also spoke to Entertainment Tonight and explained the nuances of his character.

“We have to get into what made him the man he is and also, it will pick up where this film finished off, I think. I think it’ll pick up a little short time after the last frame of this film,” Farrell said. “We’ll get to go on a little kind of left turn off to the world of Oz and how he’s beginning to kind of dream of filling a potential power vacuum that may exist.”

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Farrell continued, “It’s a lovely, lovely character, and explores vulnerabilities. His violence is apparent, his propensity for violence and his ability to use it as a tool is apparent, but also to see we all have soft spots. Every single person. And to be able to find that location, dig around it would be fun.”

Farrell’s sketch of Oz shows that Matt Reeves and the creators want to make something other than a simple, paint-by-numbers superhero television show. Farrell is a great actor with the repertoire and the ability to render a memorable portrayal of the Penguin. His film role in The Batman proved he could take a comic book villain, giving him a real-world persona with emotions and depth.

Colin’s Penguin

Speaking to Fandom, Batman director Matt Reeves reflected on how he views The Batman spinoff series as a mob story like Brian De Palma’s Scarface. The director said,

“The idea of getting to do the series and really sort of dive into the depths of who this character is and look at that moment where it’s kind of his Scarface moment,” Reeves said. “The moment where everyone’s underestimated him, he’s gonna reach for power in Gotham. Lauren LeFranc, who wrote it and who’s the showrunner, she’s so wonderful. She dug into the character. I kept showing her the movie as she was working on the script, before the movie was ever done.”

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Reeves seems aware that The Penguin series is lucky to have a talented actor like Farrell, who can portray a complex and captivating character. Reeves said to Fandom, “So the idea of us getting to go back in and work with Colin is super exciting,” “He’s so incredible in The Banshees of Inisherin. He’s just an amazing actor. It’s amazing because he’s so different in The Banshees of Inisherin.

But what he has beautifully, even as Penguin, as Oz, is, there is this level of vulnerability that he plays that is such a beautiful part of his soul, and he always finds this way to project into the characters, and I just think he’s really just very special. But more than anything, I just love him as a person.”

Reeves’ admiration for Farrell and comparing The Penguin to Scarface again underscores that series can move outside the superhero genre and cross over into crime drama, thus attracting an audience outside of comic book movies and series. Directors and filmmakers often have a love-hate relationship with comic book material.

The superhero genre comes with much baggage and a set rulebook enforced by fans. When directors cross the line and go too far in reinterpreting comic book material, they are subject to extreme backlash. Hence, filmmakers must work hard to stay true to the source material while adding their interpretation.

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The Penguin has no official release date but will return to production after Thanksgiving and possibly be ready for Fall 2024. Will Matt Reeves and Colin Farrell be able to match Marvel’s streaming success? Can Reeves and Farrell brush off the superhero fatigue mantra? Only time will tell, but based on the first trailer, the show looks excellent visually.

The Penguin might be a new Sopranos and develop into an epic crime saga. The story of Oswald Cobblepot in the capable hands of Colin Farrell might make the Penguin one of the best Batman villains to hit the small screen.

What do you think about Max’s upcoming Penguin series? Please share your thoughts below.

How Colin Farrell’s The Penguin Will Set The Benchmark For Superhero TV Shows Written by Neilan Adams for Fortress of Solitude

2023 was an eventful year for anime movies that has gone by pretty quickly. Before we fully wrap things up, it’s necessary to share some of the best flicks we’ve seen in the past 12 months. There’s a lot of variety here, so it’s best to approach this collection with an open mind and prepare to explore new fantastical worlds, emotionally gripping stories, and, of course, some action-packed adventure along the way!

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10. The Boy and The Heron

An instant classic from Hayao Miyazaki, The Boy and The Heron follows a simple story structure of a young protagonist on an honourable quest. A typical Studio Ghibli experience. Underneath, though, there are layers that deal with some gripping themes like death, escapism, grief, and change.

Watching the young protagonist, Mahito Maki, deal with the loss of his mother and a new life with his aunt, there’s a natural support for him to see some better days. However, the presence of a strange Heron and some fantasy horror elements throw him into a whole new dynamic. One that seemingly promises the return of his mother if he’s able to accomplish his noble goals. It’s an interesting tale that will have you on the edge of your seat, and it’s also sure to provide some lessons for your younger ones if you want to watch it as a family movie. Plus, its one of the best anime movies of 2023.

9. Suzume

With a highly acclaimed director like Makoto Shinkai, there are some high expectations from the anime movie industry each year. In his latest anime film, Shinkai presents a gorgeous country setting filled with lush gardens and an eye for the small details.

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Suzume is a coming-of-age journey that kind of feels like a glass onion compared to a lot of other works from Shinkai. It doesn’t overly rely on mysterious metaphors, and the story is relatively easy to digest. Following an orphaned girl living with her aunt, she comes upon a chance encounter with a stranger that leads her to an alternate dimension. Due to some reasons explained in the plot, Suzume and the stranger must stop a mysterious cat from the alternate dimension from destroying the world. A fun premise that acts as the first layer of a beautiful world that is crafted in a way that eventually hits you with an emotionally fulfilling third act.

8. Sand Land

Based on a manga from over 20 years ago, Sand Land is a story that presents the true genius of Akira Toriyama as a mangaka. This anime movie takes place in a completely different universe from the ones we are familiar with in Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump. Instead, the setting is a wasteland where humans and demons are the main races.

The story follows Beelzebub, a young demon boy, along with Rao, an older human sheriff. The main plot revolves around a search for a water source that could help both humans and demons. Unfortunately, though, the human king wants to keep the water for himself alone and tries to stop the heroes by any means necessary. Sand Land has a simple plot, but it’s a visual feast with some engaging characters and a fun adventure to follow, easily making it one of the best anime movies of 2023.

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7. Alice and Therese’s Illusory Factory

Have you ever imagined living in a world where nobody ages, the seasons remain the same, and your neighbourhood is cut off from the rest of society? Alice and Therese’s Illusory Factory presents that premise here, but it’s also clear that there are a lot of drawbacks to this type of lifestyle, especially when there’s a mysterious explosion at a steelworks factory preceding these events.

The main character here is Masamune, a regular schoolboy who hangs out with his friends and practices his drawing skills every day. Everything changes after the explosion, and Masamune discovers a chance encounter with one of his classmates, Mutsumi, who sneaks him into the factory. Here, he finds a mysterious feral girl, and they begin to uncover the strange effect of the explosion.

6. Sailor Moon Cosmos

Released sometime in July 2023 for US audiences, Sailor Moon Cosmos is an anime movie that explores a mysterious character in the Sailor Moon universe. One that has troubled many fans for years because of the similarities between her and Sailor Moon.

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The film focuses on Sailor Cosmos, a character that was not included in the original anime. Now, she has the chance to shine on the big screen, and some of the mystery surrounding her is finally peeled back. There’s a lot to unpack in the two-part film, and if you’re a casual Sailor Moon fan or one who has read the manga, you’ll be impressed with the visuals and stellar direction presented in this film. It is truly a big deal for fans who have spent years waiting for something like this. The visuals are stunning, the transformations are breathtaking, and the story is amazing. The first part and the sequel are worth watching back to back for the best experience.

5. Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King

With the world of Black Clover ramping up the action in recent years, it’s time to take a look at a film that focuses on an enigmatic figure from its past. Conrad Leto, a former Wizard King who took the evil route, is the main villain here. After being sealed away for rebelling against the country, he has broken free and resurrected three Wizard Kings from the past, and he plans to use their help to burn the kingdom down.

Naturally, it’s up to Asta and friends to save the day. In terms of power scaling, this movie offers an opportunity to see just how much Asta has grown since his last appearance. For a boy with no magic, Asta is able to stand toe-to-toe with Leto in a decisive manner. A truly impressive showing for the young Wizard.

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The animation quality here is nothing to scoff at. It’s well-directed and paced brilliantly.

4. Psycho-Pass: Providence

Psycho-Pass: Providence is an anime movie that calls back to the original Psycho-Pass series’ mysterious atmosphere. Providence is a way for original fans to finally get some answers on mysterious events that took place between the Sinners of the System movies and Season 3.

In this film, we explore Akane Tsunemori’s mission to stop a plot to dissolve Japan’s judiciary system in exchange for the Sibyl System. The film delves into a conspiracy after a scientist who openly criticized the Sybil System is murdered. There’s a lot of depth on an emotional level here, and it is still as captivating as the original series, even after all this time.

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3. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out

This film is a new direction for Hajime Kamoshida’s iconic light novel series. Following the story of Kaede Azusagawa, a girl who struggles with online bullying and amnesia, she attempts to rebuild her life with help from her friends and brother.

The movie focuses on Kaede’s struggles as she attempts to fit in, especially after dealing with childhood trauma and feelings of inferiority following her memory loss of two years. Instead of using supernatural elements to support the plot, this entry in the Rascal franchise focuses solely on Kaede’s journey to recovery.

There’s a sense of unworthiness that she experiences, and the story does a great job of portraying that struggle. By the end, these intense emotions will feel worth it as the story brilliantly presents a message of self-discovery.

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2. Kaguya-sama: Love Is War: The First Kiss Never Ends

Picking up after the events of Ultra Romantic, this movie focuses on the Kaguya and Shirogane’s relationship blossoming. Focusing on Kaguya specifically, the film highlights some of her struggles with desiring a normal relationship while being aware of her own traits that might stop that from happening. It also explores some of the much-needed development that she has been inching towards in terms of vulnerability in her relationship.

A more dramatic showing for this series; there’s enough to digest with the main character along with other side characters. Chika does not have a huge role in this one, but at least we get to see some interesting dynamics in Ishigami’s love triangle.

From a visual perspective, it looks similar to the regular series. However, there are some breathtaking shots here that feel like a whole new perspective of the characters. It’s impressive how well-directed it is. It’s an anime movie with deep exploration and an easy watch for any established fans of the show in 2023.

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1. Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom

Adapted from the manga by Nao Iwamoto, this film is a fantasy romance that follows two kingdoms seeking to mend their relations by sending animals to each other instead of the traditional marriage system.

The story here is already intriguing, but what really makes it work is the character-focused structure it presents. The main characters are interesting to watch, and the overall narrative uses a thousand-year-old backstory to explain the current conflict.

While it’s not perfect, the film does a great job of establishing the stakes in this conflict, and the climax is satisfactory enough to conclude it as a great film to watch. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re bored and looking for something different.

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Which anime movies that came out in 2023 are your favourites and top picks? Let us know in the comments below.

The 10 Best Anime Movies of 2023 Written by Tito Pernalete for Fortress of Solitude

We’ve viewed many of the best Xiaomi products across various categories throughout the year. Their list of smart tech and appliances has featured across home entertainment, cleaning products, smartphones and networking. These were developed to create the perfect smart home with a single interface and connection from anywhere. To round off the year, we look at some of the best Xiaomi deals available this November.

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As we’ve covered previously, the range of products each offers unique capabilities and features to meet a specific requirement in your home. In addition to providing quality products of value, they offer affordable pricing across the range. Now, there’s even more reason to pay attention, with great deals from Incredible Connection and Hi-Fi Corp this November.

The range provides a great offering, creating a solution for your connected household. Having experienced many of these products available, I can attest to the great quality and usefulness of each in an established ecosystem. Adding each Xiaomi product to your existing network is seamless, adding more value for the user. This month, there’s a lot more to celebrate with these Xiaomi deals.

Xiaomi TV Box S (2nd Gen) – PFJ4151EU

First on the list is the Xiaomi TV Box S (2nd Gen). This second-generation streaming device offers great entertainment with 4K Ultra HD resolution. It provides incredibly detailed and vivid picture quality for users to immerse themselves. The unit also offers Dolby Vision® and HDR10+ to provide even more realistic images to enhance your TV.

The immersion is further enhanced with superior audio performance. It supports Dolby Atmos® and DTS-HD Audio for a surround sound performance to provide that cinematic feel in your living room. For anyone looking to upgrade their home entertainment, look no further than the Xiaomi TV Box S (2nd Gen).

WAS R1,199 / NOW R899

Xiaomi TV Stick Media Player – PFJ4098EU

The Xiaomi TV Stick Media Player offers the best solution for a more affordable streaming approach. The unit is powered by Android TV 9.0. As such, it supports both Google Assistant integration and Chromecast. This allows for connectivity from anywhere, including your smartphone or laptop. Apps include Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime and many more.

In addition to its performance and apps, the unit is also extremely lightweight. At just 30g, it makes it easy to transport, even in your pocket. It plugs directly into your HDMI port, making it easy to install.

WAS R949 / NOW R699

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Xiaomi Wireless Router 4C – DVB4231GL

There are plenty of Wi-Fi solutions on the market. Xiaomi offers many great options for users, especially those seeking an easy and affordable setup solution to extend their home network. The Xiaomi Mi 4C provides the best solution in this space with an affordable price point and ease of use.

The Xiaomi Mi 4C is an omnidirectional device thanks to its external antennas. It offers speeds up to 300Mbps and a 5dBi signal. This makes extending network coverage in your home or small offices is a great option.

WAS R349 / NOW R249

Xiaomi WiFi Range Extender AC1200 – DVB4270GL

Another great extender option is the Xiaomi Mi WiFi Range Extender AC1200. The unit pairs well with existing routers to create an optimised network with seamless handover throughout the home.

While the extender increases the Wi-Fi range, it also offers both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz band options. It’s a great solution to eliminate dead spots or poor coverage across your home effectively.

WAS R549 / NOW R349

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Redmi Smart Band 2 – BHR6921AP

The Redmi Smart Band 2 offers a minimalist device for novice users at an incredibly affordable price point. Key features of the unit include an extended battery life, lasting up to six days between charges for heavier and more frequent workouts. For those with more laidback tracking across the day, battery life extends up to 14 days.

The unit has a modern design and quality build. It is lightweight while also offering great after-market customisations despite its entry-level tag. In addition to this, it has over 30 different workouts and activities to select from. Tracking includes sleep monitoring, blood oxygen levels (SpO2) while asleep or awake, and continuous heart-rate monitoring.

WAS R699 / NOW R499

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The Xiaomi Black Friday deals are available at Incredible Connection and Hi-Fi Corp. These deals will run through until 26 November 2023. Hurry and find the perfect deal for your smart home solution.

Amazing Xiaomi Black Friday Deals on Smart Tech this November 2023 Written by Evan Saunders for Fortress of Solitude

2023 has been a bumpy year for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With the real threat of superhero fatigue setting in faster than anyone would have expected, Marvel movies don’t make the same splash at the box office they once did. They’re still bombs, just not in the way Kevin Feige intended.

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With The Marvels being the final film in the MCU’s 2023 slate and no Avengers on the horizon to salvage this franchise, only time will tell what will happen to the MCU come 2024. Still, fans remain hopeful the series will regain its charm with future entries, as some exciting news might reinvigorate the franchise to a state closer to its glory days with Captain America and his mighty companions.

As Marvel Studios keeps working on the overarching themes of the Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars storylines, all fans want to know is when the more niche heroes will take the spotlight. There’s a reason why Deadpool 3 is at the top of the list when discussing the most awaited movie sequel in the MCU.

Disney has also taken an interesting approach to how it distributes Marvel content on Disney+. Marvel shows became even more significant this year for the overarching canvas of the MCU. Still, considering the ongoing controversy surrounding Kang’s actor Jonathan Majors, the Kang Dynasty subplot seems to be going at a slow pace over at the MCU.

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With projects like Armor Wars and the new Fantastic Four movie in the pipeline, it’s safe to say that the new Marvel Cinematic Universe will focus more on varied stories rather than devoting to one single overarching plot like the Infinity Saga did. Without Spider-Man or Loki to spice up new releases, this new chapter in the MCU saga seems rather grim from a marketing standpoint.

Now that we’ve discussed the current state of the MCU, let’s get straight to the facts as we examine this year’s Marvel movie releases – all four of them – and come up with a definitive list of the best of the best and the worst of the worst 2023 had to offer in superhero drama.

WORST – Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Release Date: February 17, 2023)

Sadly, Quantumania was doomed from the start. One of the most divisive movies in all of the MCU, Ant-Man has earned its fair share of naysayers in the fandom. With a more quirky tone compared to other Avengers, this pint-sized hero never fails to deliver some of the most passable films in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. They’re never terrible but never do anything particularly interesting. However, Quantumania broke the mould by being genuinely lousy.

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With a stellar cast that includes legends like Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, and even a surprise cameo by Bill Murray, there was no reason for Quantumania to be this bad. However, its paper-thin plot and weak allusions to better Marvel shows like WandaVision and Loki only served to remind us that there were much better Marvel properties out there.

Even Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror felt underbaked in Quantumania. Instead of introducing him as a new and threatening villain to inherit the MCU after the Endgame era, Quantumania played him as a joke. With Iron Man out of the picture, the MCU is in dire need of a leading personality. If Quantumania made something abundantly clear, it is that neither Ant-Man nor the Wasp are fit for the role.

BEST – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Release Date: May 5, 2023)

The final chapter in the Guardians of the Galaxy saga, Vol. 3 delivered everything fans wanted – and more. James Gunn’s Guardians always were mostly content existing outside the MCU’s larger narrative (for the most part,) and the same applies to this movie.

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This movie represented a closure for Peter Quill and his crew, and it was never intended as some sort of major bridge into the Kang Dynasty or anything like that. For what it was, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 remains the best MCU film released in 2023. You can clearly see Gunn’s creative vision behind every scene – a sight that has now earned him the role of the main visionary behind the DCU and the resurrected Suicide Squad.

As we enter the “Multiverse” era of the MCU, seeing this sort of movies – which are complete strangers to Doctor Strange and his shenanigans – feels like a breath of fresh air coming from the MCU. There’s a reason why the first Guardians of the Galaxy changed the course of the MCU, and it’s easy to see how Vol. 3 puts a lid on the stylish personality of this ragtag team of space mercs.

For better or for worse, the tale of the Guardians is over. It seemed improbable that one of the quirkiest superhero teams to ever emerge from the pages of Marvel comics could have the best superhero flick of 2023 – but they absolutely did.

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WORST – The Marvels (Release Date: November 10, 2023)

While not among one of the worst MCU films according to critics, The Marvels is quickly shaping up to become the franchise’s most disastrous box office flop. The second Captain Marvel outing sees Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers meeting Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel and Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau.

Also returning after Secret Invasion – another MCU flop, this time at Disney+ – is Samuel L. Jackson’s iconic Nick Fury. Sadly, none of that was enough to put audiences in theatres, as The Marvels recorded some of the lowest attendance numbers of any superhero movie ever made – and that includes Morbius and The Flash.

Not even Vallani’s Kamala Khan could liven up The Marvels. Without the advantage of a new Avengers movie to promote, fans simply didn’t display the same enthusiasm for Captain Marvel as they did in 2019.

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The Marvels lacks a sense of purpose within the narrative of the MCU. The saddest part about the movie being as lacklustre as it is is that it soiled what should have been one of the greatest reveals for MCU fans: the introduction of the X-Men into the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe.

With Deadpool 3 introducing Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds’s Merc with a Mouth to the MCU, fans can look forward to mutants finally making their long-awaited debut in the franchise. Is it too little too late for the MCU? Only time will tell.

BEST – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Release Date: June 2, 2023)

One of the most awaited movies of 2023, Across the Spider-Verse (released and produced by Sony – not Disney), continues Miles Morales’ epic Multiverse saga. The film introduced even more Spidey variants to the fold, with Oscar Isaac’s Spider-Man 2099 quickly becoming a fan-favorite. There might be no Venom here, but a selection of iconic villains does appear in this Spider-Verse movie.

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Though it lacked the first movie’s iconic portrayal of Wilson Fisk’s Kingpin, Across the Spider-Verse managed to introduce a more personal story that still feels deeply rooted in what Spider-Man means as a character. Fans can look forward to the inevitable conclusion to the Spider-Verse saga, which is coming sometime in the future. For now, the movie is doing just fine on Netflix – and also giving Disney+ and its MCU a run for its money.

The other Spider-Man-related project slated for 2023, Kraven the Hunter, was mysteriously pushed back to August 2024. We’ll have to wait a bit more before we see Aaron Taylor-Johnson as yet another comic book character, with Kraven being the third “hero” the actor has played in his career.

Also coming in 2024 is Spider-Man: Freshman Year. A new animated series following Spidey in his earliest outings as a vigilante, the show will feature Hudson Thames as Spider-Man along with Charlie Cox’s Daredevil.

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More to Come

It would be unfair to say 2023 was a difficult year for the MCU alone. The SAG-AFTRA strike nearly left the entertainment industry in shambles. Many projects slated for release in 2023 had to be pushed back, and that seems to have affected Marvel the most. Let’s take a look at some of the projects slated for release in 2024 and beyond:

The Thunderbolts

This curious project, helmed by Jake Schreier, was originally set for a Winter 2024 release. However, Thunderbolts will now see the light of day in July of 2025. The team-up movie reunites characters like David Harbour’s Red Guardian, Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost, Wyatt Russell’s US Agent, Olga Kurylenko’s Taskmaster, Sebastian Stan’s Winter Soldier, and Florence Pugh’s Black Widow, aka Yelena Belova.

Blade

The long-rumoured revival of the legendary vampire slayer was slated for a 2023 release, but it fell victim to the strike. Wesley Snipes took the iconic role in the original trilogy, but now, it’s Mahershala Ali’s time to shine. The film will now be released in 2025.

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Captain America: Brave New World

Originally titled New World Order, this will be the first movie where Anthony Mackie’s new Falcon/Captain America will be the leading man. Sam Wilson took the mantle of the Avengers’ leader, and this movie will prove his place in the new MCU. Harrison Ford will also co-star as “Thunderbolt” Ross, one of the Hulk’s iconic villains. Brave New World will be released on February 14, 2025.

Deadpool 3

Starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, Deadpool 3 is one of the most awaited movies in the MCU. Directed by Shawn Levy, the threequel will come to theaters on May 3, 2024.

Ironheart

First appearing in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Riri Williams is back as Ironheart in the titular miniseries. Dominique Thorne returns to play the role of the genius inventor, who might eventually cross paths with Don Cheadle’s War Machine if Armor Wars ever happens.

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Daredevil: Born Again

Reuniting Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock with Vincent D’Onofrio’s brilliant Kingpin, Daredevil: Born Again aims to reignite the love fans had for the Netflix original series. The series aims to be as mature as its predecessor, which might prove challenging for a Disney+ series. We’ll have to wait until 2025 to know how this one will turn out.

Agatha: Darkhold Diaries

Following Kathryn Hahn’s electrifying Agatha Harkness, this Disney+ series will try to keep things weird in the MCU. Originally titled Coven of Chaos, now that the Scarlet Witch is gone, it will be up to Agatha to claim the title of the strongest witch in the MCU. The series will be released in late 2024.

Echo

Coming early in January of 2024, Echo will reintroduce audiences to Maya Lopez, whom we first saw in Hawkeye. Starring Alaqua Cox, the show promises more of Hawkeye‘s unique brand of action/comedy.

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What Marvel Movie are you most looking forward to, and which is your best and worst of 2023?

The Best & Worst Marvel Movies In 2023 Written by Tito Pernalete for Fortress of Solitude