Category: TV

Categories
entertainment news TV

Dior comes to TV

The New Look

The New Look, a collection that revolutionized the fashion world. After years of fabric rationing during and after War World 2, clothing conditions were based on functionality, practicality. In 1947 a French designer broke away from the past by setting a new course. Christian Dior introduced a collection based on long skirts flowing from tiny waists. Apple TV+ will stream an original show based on Dior’s pieces as well as examining the creative rivalry with fashion designers Coco Chanel and Balmain. “Wearing clothes by a man who doesn’t know a women, never had one, and dreams of being one”, Chanel’s infamous quote on The New Look.

The New Look
The New Look
The New Look

Starring Ben Mendelsohn and Juliette Binoche, The New Look from Todd A. Kessler streams February 14, 2024. I am looking forward to it.

Categories
entertainment entertainment news Feature TV

When Sci-Fi goes Unearthly

Scavengers Reign

Scavengers Reign, the new animated science fiction series on Max, goes the extra mile depicting life and survival on another planet. Creators Joseph Bennett and Charles Heuttner crafted an artwork of images bridged with guess the next moment storytelling.

After their space cargo ship is destroyed, three sets of survivors must figure out how to survive on an uncharted yet beautiful planet filled with perils.

Scavengers Reign
Scavengers Reign
Categories
Cinema TV

Do I like It or Not?

LOTR

I managed to watch Amazon’s Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power. A lot of people out there are not happy about the reinterpretation of the classic fantasy epic. My first reaction: I give the new series a B. Why? Stay tuned for my full review.

LOTR from Amazon
Categories
Cinema podcast TV

Streaming NOW

Chat Cinema Streaming Now

The Chat Cinema podcast episode discusses the latest big titles from the streaming services. These shows and a movie have taken the world by storm. Is the hype deserved? One says “yes” while the other cohost is not 100% convinced. You decide.

Click below to see the episode.

Categories
Cinema TV

YOU NEVER KNOW!

I interviewed Josh O’Connor at the Berlinale. The actor was new in the business. He has come along way. Mr. O’Connor stars in The Crown on Netflix.

Categories
TV

My “Primal” Binge

Yes! I am a cartoon, or should I say animation fan. Once in a while I binge watch a series here or there. I came across Adult Swim’s Primal by accident while searching over a site.  The story of a Prehistoric Man’s friendship with a Tyrannosaurus Rex.  Spear and Fang have one extraordinary adventure after another involving mystical creatures in hostile environment  My favourite episode from season 1,Terror Under a Blood Moon.  Genndy Tartakovksy has created a gem with original storytelling, aesthetic and sound. 

  • Spear and Fang
Categories
Fashion Feature Interview TV

Yves Saint Laurent Museum Opens

 

Categories
TV

MIPTV

MIPTV

There are different arms races happening here at MIPTV 2017.  The first is the battle for content in the form of dramas and formats.

Television viewers are living in a Golden Age of Drama.  Producers and Platforms are searching for the next big 52 min show, another Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, or Madmen.   Television Productions have stepped up their game with higher quality production values wanting to appeal to international audiences.  From Turkey there is The Last Emperor, Japan presented Crisis, Russia, The Day After. 

Genre programing is coming to your small screen.  The overall trend is Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Mystery plots with twists.  Disney continues to mine its Marvel Comics Treasure with a new show titled, Inhumans. airing this September.   Another fantasy Genre reworking aimed at Generation Z is a show around killer mermaids.  YES!   First, Vampires then Werewolves, now Mermaids!   Will Shonda Rimes have another hit on her hands with a new legal drama in the works? I would not bet against her.

On the technology front, the battle lines are being drawn.  Virtual Reality versus 360 degree formats feel like the Beta-VHS War all over again.    The eco systems are not compatible.  Potential customers would be hard pressed adapting to multiple viewing  technologies on their screens.   Which will win consumers hearts?  Both systems offer immersion qualities along with a degree of viewer interaction depending on the content.  The downside is the hardware is expensive for the average YouTube Producer.  Facebook, Google, and Apple have VR platforms.

Long format shows in VR are still questionable but producers are exploring filming short form and teasers using the technology.

The other technology on display is 4K HDR.  The picture quality is superb with 400 pixels.  I saw this format at IFA in September 2016.  The consumer and broadcasting industry is adapting this standard.

Black and Paper report from MIPTV 2017 in Cannes.

Categories
Technology TV

MIPTV

MIPTV April 2017

Dramas and Virtual Reality are dominating the television landscape at the world’s biggest television fair in Cannes.   Is there another Downton Abbey or Game of Thrones on the horizon?  A program from Germany has caught the eye of fair, Berlin Babylon, a period crime, mystery period piece set in the Wilmar Republic years of the city.  An ambitious 16 episode series production with a large budget, the show centers on the corruption, decadence, and moral decay of 1929 proceeding Hitler’s raise to absolute power told from the point of view of drug addicted Police Inspector Roth played German actor by Volker Bruch.

Babylon Berlin won the Screenings Grand Jury Prize.

Is Virtual Reality the future of entertainment?  Tech companies seem to think so.  After attending a press event co-chaired by Google I learned     Google has a platform for VR content titled Google Daydream. A place where produces can upload new material but mostly geared towards professional makers.

There are two types of immersive VR content; interactive and passive form of entertainment where the viewer is experiences the technology as a virtual voyeur.

I repeat, is VR Technology the future? Although the potential is there, the compelling reason and consumer desire is not.  After all, these companies told us wearables are the future. Is anyone out there bragging about their iWatch? Remember Google Glasses?   These items have passed into the realm of tech ill relevance.

The equipment is still bulky and expensive.  The resolution is not so sharp.  Early adapters and tech geeks may love it but the general public may look at this like a hula hoop.  VR has been the great could be for decades but never caught the wave.   It feels like a product still waiting for the surf that will never come.

Black and Paper at MIP TV Cannes, stay tuned for more reports.