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Skydance proposed takeover of Paramount gathers pace

Skydance proposed takeover of Paramount gathers pace

I’ve not been following the story, but it seems Skydance are is the final stages of it intended takeover of Paramount. For a few days I’ve seen strong speculation of change at the top of Paramount, and I look forward to any deal landing so the dust can settle and we find out the intention going forward. Deadline has an update, suggesting a final offer has been submitted and we should expect big…

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Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes comes to UK cinemas a day early

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes comes to UK cinemas a day early

I’ve not seen any of the modern generation of Planet of the Apes films, though rate Charlton Heston’s original as true classic. I also enjoyed Pierre Boulle’s original novel and today learned he also wrote The Bridge Over the River Kwai. That all said, the latest film, The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes comes to the UK on May 9 (the poster says otherwise, I have no idea why we are first. If…

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Dead Boy Detectives season 1 — some thoughts

Dead Boy Detectives season 1 — some thoughts

Short review — I binged and would watch a second season. I suspect there’s every chance Dead Boy Detectives will get renewed. Long review — carry on reading! By way of tracking public opinion, Rotten Tomatoes currently has 91% critics, 83% audience. The latter doesn’t seem to be from a particularly large pool, so expect the numbers to change. For now it’s Certified Fresh. Context I thought I’d…

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Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations — a recommend blog

Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations — a recommend blog

If you want a blog with a lot of posts on science fiction (and other suspect) ruminations, focused entirely on Reviews of Vintage Science Fiction (1945-1985), can I recommend this site? I have no affiliation with the site or its creator, but do find it fascinating to dive into. I also envy the creator the time and budget to collect such an extensive range of titles, never mind read and blog…

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Scaler 2.9 released

If you’re a Scaler user, check out your account as version 2.9 has been released. As ever, it’s packed with new features and free to users. A version 3.0 may be on the horizon (later this year?), until then this video will walk you through the new features: Scaler 2.9 new features

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BBC confirms renewal of Beyond Paradise and Christmas special

BBC confirms renewal of Beyond Paradise and Christmas special

The BBC has confirmed the renewal of Beyond Paradise as well as another Christmas special. I’d found compelling evidence of this a couple of days back, but nice to see it in writing. I thought ratings would be enough, but still would like to see more episodes in series 3. I’ll pull some thoughts together soon(-ish) but have to say I felt the writing in series 2 a lot stronger as well as the show…

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9 to 5 being reimagined by Jennifer Aniston

9 to 5 being reimagined by Jennifer Aniston

Variety reports Jennifer Aniston is reimagining the classic 9 to 5 for 20th Century Studios. The film is currently in development, with Diablo Cody working on the latest draft . The original 9 to 5 follows three female office colleagues who decide to exact revenge on their sexist, egotistical boss. Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Dabney Coleman starred in the 1980 office satire,…

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Beyond Paradise series 3 is happening!

Beyond Paradise series 3 is happening!

With no word from the BBC, and a concern from fans Beyond Paradise might end with Humphrey and Martha’ wedding, I did a bit of digging. The audience figures are strong, so there’s every reason to renew. I know fully expect the show to be back in 2025, and probably Christmas. Here’s why… Series 3 of Beyond Paradise is in pre-production! According to the March 11 2024 update on the Production…

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Chess Master — new show coming to the BBC

Chess Master — new show coming to the BBC

The BBC has commissioned a new factual show Chess Masters. I’ll avoid the is chess a sport or a game debate by filing under both and just mention a few facts (co the BBC’s announcement): Chess is the fastest growing sport in the world, was the most watched game on Twitch in 2021, and the most downloaded app from the iPhone store in February 2023. With six million regular players in the UK, 605…

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Death in Paradise — time for a Ghost to play the DI?

Death in Paradise — time for a Ghost to play the DI?

With Ralf Little’s departure, fans are feverishly guessing who might be the next DI on St Marie, and scouring for clues. I’ve no more insight than anyone else, but if I make enough guesses I might strike it lucky then I can mention it needlessly for years to come! While I’d like it to be Diane Morgan, or even Craig Charles (reuniting with Danny John Jules), I’m looking at comedy actors who might…

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Wednesday season 2 adds Thandiwe Newton to the cast

Wednesday season 2 adds Thandiwe Newton to the cast

Variety reports Wednesday season 2 has added Thandiwe Newton to the cast. Newton joins Steve Buscemi as a newcomer to the show (reported here). We’ve no details as to the role, my guess (based on nothing at all) is the new head teacher at Nevermore Academy! Newton has appeared in numerous shows / films, including Westworld (pictured) and Line of Duty. As we are getting ‘leaks’ of casting, I’m…

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A Good Girl's Guide to Murder — the Netflix guide

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder — the Netflix guide

The BBC introduced us to Emma Myers in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder some time ago, now it’s the time of Netflix. The show is a BBC commission from Netflix, hence the duplication. Here’s the Netflix version. I’ve not compared in any detail; here’s the Netflix summary: Emma Myers, who portrays Wednesday Addams’ werewolf roommate Enid Sinclair on Wednesday, will star as the smart and…

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Beyond Paradise — who might turn up for the wedding?

Beyond Paradise — who might turn up for the wedding?

This Friday (26 April 2024) sees the final episode of Beyond Paradise series 2. Last time round the end of series was followed with confirmation of a second series. Will we see the same again, or is this the end of the road, given Humphrey and Martha end up (I assume) married? Talking of weddings, who might turn up from St Marie? Last week we had Harry the Lizard (sort of), and last series…

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The Naked Sun — some thoughts

The Naked Sun — some thoughts

My Isaac Asimov reread continues with the sequel to Caves of Steel — The Naked Sun. We return to the covered city of Earth long enough for our hero, Elijah Baley, to be given a new assignment — investigate a murder on a Spacer World! What’s the story of The Naked Sun? Here’s a blurb from the version I just finished: On the planet of Solaria, Spacers live in almost complete isolation, tended by…

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Rebel Moon Part Two: The Scargiver — still not going to watch

Rebel Moon Part Two: The Scargiver — still not going to watch

Netflix has released Rebel Moon: Part 2 — The Scargiver to considerably less publicity than Part One. As I said in that write-up, a painful 15 minutes was ample to persuade me to abandon Zack Snyder’s film, and nothing since has persuaded me to waste time on the sequel. In scanning around for some reaction, the Hollywood Reporter review is representative of the comments I’ve seen — poor plot…

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Sunny — new thriller coming to Apple TV+ in July

Sunny — new thriller coming to Apple TV+ in July

Apple TV+ has set July 10 as the date for new series Sunny. It’s described as a 10-episode mystery thriller with a darkly comic bent, but as you’ll see below there’s a science fiction element as well. I’ve now lost count of the number of science fiction shows on the streamer — long may it continue. From the press release I learn: Created by Katie Robbins, who also serves as showrunner, and…

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Netflix — Q1 2024 numbers show growth and signal change

Netflix — Q1 2024 numbers show growth and signal change

Netflix has weathered the post-Covid financial storm and seems to have clear waters ahead. Password sharing crackdowns and subscriber growth have worked their magic, adding 9.3 million customers in Q1, bringing its total number of subscribers to almost 270 million. In their letter to shareholders, the company also said its profits in the first quarter jumped to more than $2.3bn…