Written by John Edward Betancourt One particular aspect of storytelling that the Transformers franchise outright excels at, is worldbuilding. Simply because over the course of its illustrious run on film and television, we’ve been treated to incredible stories that flesh out this universe. Wherein we’ve been able to travel to stunning locales and meet amazing new Transformers and learn their stories. Which has made for an enriching experience that truly captivates the imagination and leaves us eager for more. But while that has made for quite the enjoyable ride through the galaxy, it has also… done the franchise a great disservice. Mainly because, it hasn’t allowed for the franchise to dive deep into its own mythos. For we know little of Cybertron before the Cybertronian Wars, and of course… we know little of how our heroes and our villains chose their respective side. We just know that Optimus Prime is the leader of the Autobots and will do what he must to stop Megatron and the Decepticons. But somewhere along the line, someone noticed this gap in the story and opted to speak up, allowing for at long last… a Transformers story to come to life that looks at how good and evil came to be in this universe in Transformers One. A feat that this film accomplishes by transporting us to Cyberton, long before sides were formed to introduce us to a pair of hard-working Transformers that are eager for more in life. For Orion Pax and D-16 are best friends, that aren’t happy with just being everyday Energon miners, they want to do something worthwhile and be seen and contribute to a world of that is outright struggling. For Energon, the power source for their species, is in short supply and life is hard for all after a brutal battle, with a brutal enemy. But an impromptu decision to be seen, puts them on an incredible path that will indeed change their lives forever. One that will force them to choose opposing sides courtesy of a shattering truth that has been hidden for far too long. All of which brings forth, an amazing exploration of the mythos and the world that gave life to this franchise in the first place. Wherein we are privy to incredible lessons about the planet’s history, its troubles and more importantly, we learn how the past shaped the future and gave life to Optimus Prime and Megatron, and their two factions, and that leads… to a powerfully tragic tale. One that is steeped in lessons about interpersonal relationships and how hard it is to understand, at any age, that not all of our friends will be our friends forever. Some will come, some will go, and some will indeed become enemies because of differences in ideological beliefs, because we grow apart or because we simply were in each other’s lives for a specific reason in a specific moment. Which is a lovely lesson to find here, one that adds newfound depth to the franchise for certain. But while the origin story of the two biggest names and factions in the franchise makes it seem as though this is a vastly different kind of Transformers movie, make no mistake about it… the stuff we love is present here as well. For there is a grand sense of adventure present in this feature, courtesy of the fact that we get to explore Cybertron like never before, and there is plenty of high-stakes action for the hardcore fan as well. In fact, the action sequences are so well thought out and so well executed that you simply cannot take your eyes off the screen, and the wonder of this film doesn’t end with the fact that it is filled to the brim with action and adventure and plenty for us to chew upon when it comes to interpersonal relationships. For it is also, lighthearted when it needs to be. For there are jokes that break the tension perfectly, and it also features… some stellar voice acting. Thanks in large part to the fact that this film netted some huge names to play some iconic characters, and they really do incredible work here. With Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry leading the charge as Orion Pax and D-16, and they supported by such talents as Scarlett Johansson (Elita-1), Keegan-Michael Key (B-127), and you’ll even hear the talents of Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne and John Hamm in roles we won’t reveal here. Because you need to experience the brilliance of this amazing film, firsthand, and the good news is you don’t have to wait much longer to do so. For Transformers One hits theaters this Friday, and we here at NTG hope you give it a look, for this really is a magnificent entry in this storied franchise.
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Written by John Edward Betancourt Something that is genuinely interesting about our modern world, is how much we have come to cherish vacations and adventures. Which isn’t a bad thing by any means, simply because such a shift speaks to the needs of the worker, who for a long time now, has suffered under the weight of corporate interests by being overworked and underpaid. So, a booming vacation business is indeed a beautiful thing. In fact, it’s grown so much in the past decade or so, that in many ways, you’re almost an outlier in life now if you haven’t bought a vacation package to Mexico or jumped on a cruise, especially since cruises have become so incredibly affordable, and attractive, and popular. After all, they not only offer incredible rates, but they harbor on board parties and other entertainment, and they also happen to be host to mountains of food that you can enjoy around the clock, with a good old-fashioned tropical drink. Not to mention, they will drop you off in exotic locales and allow for you to experience the wonder of your destination, before you return to your cabin and sail away to the next city. Which is something that should be extremely joyous for the city in which a cruise ship docks, since a three-hour stay should kick up some dough for the local economy. Or does it? Because let’s be honest, we’ve been so obsessed with vacations and self-care that as a culture we haven’t really pondered upon whether or not our escape benefits the places we go. Well, with the popularity of cruises at an all-time high, it should come as no surprise that someone decided to explore that very question, and it just so happens that PBS is now home to a new documentary that explores such matters in Cruise Boom. Which was filmed in the small Alaskan town of Sitka, shortly after it was decided by a private citizen/private financier that their dock would become the port for a new Royal Caribbean cruise stop. To help the town with its financial windfalls via tourism money, despite no one else in Sitka being good with this. But that setup, gives rise to a powerful and fascinating documentary. One that explores from beginning to end, what goes into becoming a cruise tourist town and if it is helpful for these cash strapped cities, in quite the incredible manner. For this is… that rare documentary that is 100% unbiased. Despite being put together by a citizen of Sitka. For director Ellen Frankenstein calls this place home, but truly wanted to offer up an objective view of such matters and present all sides to us. Which allows for us to hear about how and what Royal Caribbean offers to the citizens of towns where it sets up a port, and yes… there are benefits. Since there are opportunities for entrepreneurs to receive prime placement stores near the docks and of course… having people in a new town does prompt them explore, spend some money and showcase what a lovely place it is on social media. The latter of which, is never a bad thing. But there was mention that we see both sides of the story here, and the negatives of such a move are indeed on display here. Since this film also points out… how companies like Royal Caribbean only contribute so much before just letting things be, and there is little that can be done to control the corporate takeover of a town. Since there is nothing to stop Starbucks from opening up twelve franchises in the area and muscle out some local businesses in the process. Not to mention, hundreds of thousands of people come through Sitka and other towns like it, giving rise to incredible foot and vehicle traffic that infrastructure might not be able to handle, not to mention… there’s a carbon footprint factor too. Because every busload of tourists that head to a local sanctuary, make use of vehicles to get there, and there are… some other facts and surprises about cruise companies that we don’t know about that will shock you when you watch this documentary, and you absolutely should see it. Because Cruise Boom asks a lot of the tough questions we need to, when it comes to our desire to get away from it all as a rebellious response to corporate culture in the 21st Century. Such as, do we understand that we are supporting major corporations in our attempt to rebel against them? Since they do control our entire escape. Not to mention, are these throngs of tourists good for a local economy or nothing more than the burden some worry they will be? But above all, is this the right way to showcase beautiful corners of the world? Because of the demand put upon them, and there are no easy answers here. For this feature offers education and presentation of some very real issues and that does make this, a must-see documentary. Because it is really does start some powerful and necessary discussions about a growing issue that impacts lives, and precious places in our world. Watch ‘Cruise Boom’ on PBS and Kanopy. Written by John Edward Betancourt Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Maya and the Wave’. For the most part, sports stories/documentaries that focus upon an athlete that has to overcome great odds to succeed or come back from an incredible setback, follow a fairly specific formula. In that, they introduce us to the athlete in question, so we can learn who they are and what drives them to succeed… before showing us their struggle and their strife, briefly, so that the story can focus on their journey to the top. And they follow this formula, because it is super inspiring. Because it is powerful to see someone dig deep and push forward to achieve their goals, or overcome stunning odds to be the best, and we truly associate athletes as people that can achieve such feats, and their story does indeed make us feel as though we can take on the world. But while that formula works well and truly does send our spirits soaring, there is a problem that accompanies constantly presenting that to the world. In that, it doesn’t show the complete picture. Because coming back from a setback isn’t the smooth process we see in these stories, and sometimes, fighting for our goals requires far more work than we ever knew. Which is why it is so supremely refreshing when we encounter a sports documentary that offers that kind of honesty. That is willing to showcase how hard the battle to be the best can be, and it just so happens that a new documentary, one that features an incredible story that needs to be told, breaks from the normal sports documentary mold, to give us that honest look at what it takes to succeed, and that is why Maya and the Wave, outright needs to be celebrated. Which this film accomplishes by introducing us to quite frankly, the best surfer in the world, Maya Gabeira. Who holds the Guinness World Record twice over for surfing the biggest waves on the planet. But… getting those records did not come easy, and that is where this story separates itself from others in this genre. Because Director Stephanie Johnes chronicles every waking moment of Maya’s rise to the top, and that allows for us to see that she had some early career struggles, despite being something of a prodigy on a surfboard, and we are also privy to the horrible sexism that often stood between her and the wave, accolades, and competitions that could have done so much more for her career. But truly, what makes this journey so powerful and so different… is Maya’s darkest hour. For a stunning encounter with a brutal wave, badly injured her. To the point where she required incredible medical care for quite some time and well… this is when we really see what she is made of, and where the story truly shocks and surprises you. Because Maya’s fight back from injury is put on full display here. To the point where we are privy to the tears, privy to the pain and that is all hard to watch. In part because we are conditioned to expect otherwise in these stories, but also because… it is as real as it gets. Because this… this is what the road back looks like for an athlete that has suffered through great injury and this, makes for a far more inspiring tale than one might expect. Because you’re not being fed nonsense… you’re bearing witness to the power of the human spirit. Which brings forth an incredible second half of the film, where you see Maya fight hard to come back and do her best to cope with pain and do what must be done, medically, to be free of it, and yet… there’s still so many powerful elements to explore in this tale when it comes to her journey back from injury. For there are moments where Maya clearly battles a touch of PTSD, something we NEVER see in these films, and she has to face that, and overcome it if she remotely wants to surf again. Which means we are privy to a story that does more than inspire, it takes the time to explore in shocking detail, how we heal, physically and emotionally from hardships in life, and how we face that which sets us back so we can conquer it and find peace. Giving rise to a story that inspires the very core of our soul. Because if Maya can overcome fear, and physical pain to be the absolute best in her field, what then… is holding us back from rising to the top? All of which makes, for a stunning and moving documentary. One that truly brings you to tears of worry and tears of joy, courtesy of the most intimate exploration of an athlete’s life to ever be put on film, and that makes this an absolute must-see feature. Simply because, this is that rare story, that not only paves the way for a new type of documentary to come to life, but truly captures the wonder and the glory of the human condition and informs us… that there is nothing we cannot achieve when we apply our minds, our hearts, and our very soul… to the goal we so desire. To watch ‘Maya and the Wave’ purchase your tickets at the Village East by Angelika website. Written by John Edward Betancourt
It is definitely safe to say that M. Night Shyamalan is enjoying quite the resurgence right now. For he’s back behind the camera, sending unique new stories our way that feature his patented twists and some wonderfully twisted black humor and well, he’s doing everything he can to make sure he sends amazing new movies our way For M. Night is also big on producing right now to make sure the multiplex is filled with fresh new stories for everyone to enjoy and one that caught his eye is going to debut soon on MAX.
For recently, the streamer let it be known that Caddo Lake, a mystery/thriller, written and directed by Celine Held and Logan George, and produced by Mr. Shyamalan, will debut on the network on October 10, just in time for spooky season, and it certainly fits the vibe. Courtesy of a unique and engaging plot that clearly caught the eye of a living horror legend, and it is a plot we will share with you now, along with some first-look photos a teaser trailer for the film. As we begin the countdown to what should be quite the chilling MAX Original. ‘The inspiration for CADDO LAKE was sparked after filmmakers, Celine Held and Logan George, came across a photograph of the real Caddo Lake online, leading to many visits to the cypress forest that rests on the border of Texas and Louisiana. The film was shot in late 2021 and 2022 in and around Karnak, Texas. The Plot: When an eight-year-old girl mysteriously vanishes, a series of past deaths and disappearances start to link together, forever altering a broken family’s history. Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Eliza Scanlen, Diana Hopper, Caroline Falk, Sam Hennings, with Eric Lange, and Lauren Ambrose. Credits: CADDO LAKE is written and directed by Celine Held & Logan George; produced by M. Night Shyamalan, Ashwin Rajan, Kara Durrett and Josh Godfrey; executive producers Kimberly Steward, Harrison Huffman, and Will Greenfield.’ First Look Photos
Teaser Trailer
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