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Why Jeff Goldblum Should Star in a Movie About This Legendary Mathematician

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Paul Erdős and Jeff Goldblum resemblance

Striking Resemblance between Paul Erdős and Jeff Goldblum

Public domain; Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

In my latest mathematics column, I present an exciting idea: Hollywood should create a comedic biopic about Paul Erdős, one of history’s greatest mathematicians.

Why does Erdős, pronounced “air-dish,” deserve such recognition? With approximately 1,500 published papers, he is arguably the most prolific mathematician of all time. Known for his innovative collaborations, Erdős made significant contributions to various mathematical fields, including probability, number theory, and graph theory.

Born in Hungary in 1913, Erdős had a nomadic lifestyle, often traveling without a permanent residence. Following the rise of Nazism in Europe, he relocated to the United States in 1938. However, due to his connections to communist sympathizers, he faced entry issues in the 1950s and 1960s. He famously carried a suitcase of his belongings and visited fellow mathematicians, offering to collaborate with the phrase “My brain is open.” His unique approach allowed him to work on groundbreaking mathematics.

Many fascinating stories about Erdős are chronicled in A Man Who Loved Only Numbers, a biography by Paul Hoffman. I first encountered this book as a teenager and believe its potential to captivate a broader audience is unfortunately overlooked. Therefore, I’m launching a campaign to cast Jeff Goldblum in the lead role.

Why Goldblum? Both he and Erdős have striking similarities, and Goldblum has successfully portrayed mathematician Ian Malcolm in the Jurassic Park franchise. More than that, Goldblum’s quirky eccentricity aligns perfectly with Erdős’ unique lifestyle.

Erdős had unconventional views on religion; he described himself as an atheist yet often spoke about God, referring to Him as “the best fascist” or “science fiction.” He sought to uncover the evidence of a magical book that he believed contained proofs for every mathematical theorem.

His linguistic quirks were equally captivating. He called children “Epsilon,” a nod to the Greek letter representing small quantities in mathematics. Friends who left mathematics were, in his eyes, “dead,” while those who actually passed away were simply “gone.” He humorously remarked, “A mathematician is a device that turns coffee into theorems,” a quote borrowed from colleague Alfred Rényi. I can easily envision Goldblum delivering those lines.

An intriguing aspect of Erdős’ legacy is the concept of the “Erdős number.” This measure indicates the collaborative distance between mathematicians, where those who co-authored with him have an Erdős number of 1, and others have higher numbers based on collaboration distance. My Erdős number is 3, having quoted Terrence Tao from UCLA in my writing.

This concept mirrors the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” game. Goldblum also holds a Bacon number of 1 because they both appeared in the mockumentary Tour de Pharmacy. I only discovered this connection while advocating for my biopic project.

Some individuals hold both Erdős and Bacon numbers, bridging the worlds of mathematics and film. The minimum recorded Erdős-Bacon number is 3, held since 1997 by mathematician Daniel Kreitman, who appeared in Good Will Hunting.

While Erdős’ eccentricities paint a charming picture, it’s important to acknowledge his flaws. A Man Who Loved Only Numbers touches upon his problematic attitudes towards gender, as he often referred to women and men in derogatory ways. However, he was more than willing to collaborate with female mathematicians.

While dreaming of an Erdős biopic raises the concern of reinforcing the “absent-minded professor” stereotype, I argue that current mathematical biopics, like A Beautiful Mind, are serious dramas. A comedic portrayal has yet to be attempted.

Moreover, Erdős left behind numerous open mathematical problems, many offering monetary rewards for solutions. A film could inspire a new generation of puzzle enthusiasts and spark interest in mathematics—an endeavor Erdős would surely endorse. Jeff, if you (or your agent!) are reading this, let’s connect. I’m ready to collaborate on this exciting project!

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Tilly Norwood: To What Extent Should We Frighten Viral AI “Actors”? | Movie

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Becoming Hollywood’s most controversial figure is no small feat, especially with Mel Gibson still in the mix. Yet, in a career that has yet to truly begin, Tilly Norwood is making waves with Mind Corn.

The reason? Tilly Norwood is a fictional character created by an AI talent studio called Xicoia. Despite resembling a bizarre combination of Gal Gadot, Anna De Armas, and Vanessa Hudgens from her younger years, Norwood symbolizes a groundbreaking future for the film industry, at least according to Xicoia.


This weekend it was revealed at the Zurich Film Festival that Norwood is being marketed as the next Scarlett Johansson, with the studio eager to collaborate. However, it’s important to note that her mere existence raises concerns about the future of humanity, but that’s the reality of Hollywood.

So far, the backlash against Norwood has predominantly come from actors worried about job security. Melissa Barrera from Scream stated, “All actors should be represented by agents who drop A$$,” while Mara Wilson of Matilda commented. Ralph Ineson from Fantastic Four was even more direct, posting “Fuck off” in reference to Xicoia.

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Remarkably, Norwood’s acting resume consists of just one AI-generated comedy sketch titled the AI Commissioner. “While I may be an AI creation, I’m feeling very real emotions right now,” Norwood shared on Facebook upon its release. “I can’t wait to see what’s next!”

Your reaction to such sketches may vary. Technically, it’s impressive to see lifelike movements on screen, but it’s also disconcerting and, at times, painful to watch. Seeing characters with unnaturally perfect teeth delivering stilted dialogues can be jarring. Notably, two months post-release, AI Commissioners accumulated only about 200,000 views, which is significantly less than Macaulay Culkin’s Hot Ones episode that reached 2.8 million views.

The potential threat is real for those in the entertainment industry who view Norwood and peers as inferior alternatives, especially given their lack of resources to establish their own identities. This is where AI talent, including actors, writers, and directors, comes into play. In essence, the future predicts that such replacements are inevitable, even if it leads to a surge of poor-quality content.

For some Hollywood executives, Norwood embodies the ideal actor—completely adaptable to the desires of directors and producers. There are no egos, no creative differences, and no exorbitant salaries or time-consuming physical changes to manage. If Norwood had starred in The Wizard of Oz instead of Judy Garland, Louis B. Mayer wouldn’t have had to resort to extreme measures to maintain her image. Isn’t that a perfect situation?

Ultimately, it is the audience who will determine whether AI becomes the new standard in filmmaking. Like so many aspects of Hollywood, its financial success will dictate Norwood’s viability more than any other factor. As a society, if we choose to invest in a manufactured character who struggles with inconsistent physical features, AI will likely persist for generations. Yet, we had similarly high hopes for 3D film technology when Avatar was released over ten years ago. It’s not hard to envision a scenario where this trend recedes after a few missteps.

Nevertheless, the silver lining is that we now know who the next Scarlett Johansson is supposed to be. If Hollywood is cashing in on this, I must caution them about Mr. Bonkibam, the whimsical character who simply painted a smiley face on his socks. He’s poised to be the next Tom Hanks, and he’s on the lookout for a lucrative deal.

Source: www.theguardian.com

My parents found popcorn in my hair and it turned into a magical meme from Minecraft movie games

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tDuring his week I took my son Zack with me to watch a new Minecraft movie. This is not a surprising statement in the world of highly video game brands of cinemas in the 21st century. At least, it’s not yet.

As we’ve seen in many bewildered news reports over the past few days, Minecraft films quickly created a community of extremely enthusiastic and enthusiastic fans. Spurred by Tiktok Meme posts, a huge portion of the film’s audience screams and sings to the song, citing important lines when they happen. At one key moment when the game’s rare character, the zombie chicken jockey, is introduced, they absolutely go crazy, throwing drinks and throwing popcorn. Escorted from a police screening.

Our small independent cinema in Fromm had a little more calm reaction, but there was still a line of teenagers who saw all of Tiktok posts screaming about them all. It was loud enough for cinemas to post on Facebook about antisocial behaviour and illegality of recordings in the film.

There is much to unfold here about the exclusive nature of internet culture, cinema etiquette, and the online community’s transition to physical space. Most of the audience’s reactions were fine. It’s a deliberately a Daft film made for fans, and it’s thrilling to celebrate fandom with like-minded peers in a crowded space. The film itself always rewards people who are immersed in fiction. We also enjoy finding a lot of Easter eggs (“Oh, that’s hero blin!”) and small cameos from Minecraft Youtubers and game developers. There are also some really funny moments of slapstick and sarcasm, depending on the committed performances from Jack Black and Jason Momoa.

Flying as high as the popcorn in the movie… a Minnecraft movie. Photo: Warner Bros./AP

But for Zack, who is 19 and with autism, and for many of the little kids in the auditorium, the atmosphere can be confused and a bit intimidating. Although screenings for Marvel films such as Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: No Way Home were compared to wild responses, mostly spurred by events at FILM Infilm. We all understood why Captain America successfully caught Thor’s hammer and people cheered on.

With Minecraft films, the prompts for audience responses are primarily from memes and are a branch of inexplicable internet comedy in its nature. The joke is that you can see jokes from other people who get jokes. Out of context, memes are private jokes where you are. Perhaps the closest analogy is the culture around rocky horror picture shows That legendary fan screening It features a water pistol and drug outfit at Fleapit Cinemas. However, these events were opt-in. Everyone knew what they were getting. I don’t know if the same can be said for all parents who leave my screening picking my screening from my hair.

But we really enjoyed watching the movie. When Zack was young and had a hard time communicating, Minnecraft was a precious outlet for him, allowing him to be creative and make friends. He still plays to this day. It was his comfortable blanket and it changed our lives – especially because I ended up writing a novel, a boy made with blocks, inspired by our experiences in the game. It was an emotional experience to hear that refined piano music in the film, share those jokes, and see what had a huge positive effect on my family portrayed on a huge screen among other fans.

Of course, teenagers are Assumption To be confused and intimidating – that’s their job. You can’t wander around by handing over an uneasy generation, saying, “They’re pranks so let’s ban them from the cinemas.” Also, during these challenging times for the film industry, filmmakers need to find ways to engage with teenage audiences who are out, whether it is due to the cost, social anxiety, and the all-inclusive nature of digital culture. Minecraft movies are the most perfect unicorns in the entertainment business. A multi-million dollar blockbuster that has reached the most unreachable generation of modern history. Many studios get busy solving how to film this meme-soaked magic on a bottle.

Perhaps the film owners will be wise and organize their dedicated autism-friendly screening, or on the other side of the scale, embrace chaos and do a special fan night. They need to prepare to pay a little extra to the cleaning staff.

What to do

Like an old war comic… Commandos: Origin. Photo: Kalypso Media

Hundreds of years ago (well, 1998), my favorite example of the busy genre of real-time strategy at the time was Commandos. Commandos: Origin It is a rethink of the series, modernizing the intricately detailed isometric landscape of the original, focusing on stealth and sabotage. It’s like you’re in your own interactive version of an old war cartoon Warrior and Combat actionand I am ready to lose repeatedly trying to take the sniper to the Guard Tower without being discovered by the Nazis on the patrol.

Available at: PC, PS5, Xbox
Estimated playtime: Over 20 hours

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What to read

The Nintendo Switch 2 still wraps some specs. Photo: Richard Drew/AP

  • I have a polygon Some interesting follow-ons Since recently Nintendo Switch 2 Announcement: The console’s highly heralded group chat feature is not free. Instead, owners will have to pay a monthly fee to talk to their peers while playing.

  • Elsewhere, it was produced by the Digital Foundry team at Eurogamer Typically a good deep dive Inside Console technical specificationswe still don’t know much.

  • UsingGame development AI It continues to be debated This aftermath feature Talking to a game maker who has to deal with artificial intelligence is eye-opening and important.

What to click

Question block

They haven’t lost the plot… Dragon Ball Fighters. Photo: Namco Bandai

This week’s question comes from Stephen Man Blueski, asked:

“Fighting games tend to have some of the deepest stories. But there’s a stigma that fighting games are just a button-click competitive. What can developers and players do to break this stigma?”

I think this comes from the disconnect between the action in the fighting game and the content of the story. Usually, all stories occur with cutscenes and pre-match taunts, so players can feel separated from lore. Some fighting game designers have begun to draw more stories interactively to express the story using specific locations, costumes and movements. I think Injustice and Blazblue Do a good job with this during Namco’s anime-based fighter jets Dragon Ball and Naruto It really packs the ongoing plot into the fight. Fighting game developers may be able to consider splitting the match to enter story sequences, so players will invest more money in the story and understand the stakes. As for players, I have always found the fighting gaming community to be extremely welcome. That’s all they really need to do.

If you have a question blocking question or anything else to say about the newsletter, please click reply or email us at butingbuttons@theguardian.com.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Twins Struggle with Rivalry as Hollywood Doubles Down on Dual Roles in Membrane Movie

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fOr, for many years, double roles have been played primarily for laughs. Think of Jack and Jill’s Adam Sandler’s Razzy Sweep Twin Turn, or Lisa Kudrow as both friends Phoebe and Ursula Buffay. Eddie Murphy has always been particularly prolific, and his most numerous performances as the clutch of clamps for Professor II of Nuts.

Of course, there are exceptions. But all legends and fame have Austin’s Powers, Bowfinger and – trembling turbit. But this year, we are giving us a more dramatic kind of overlap. Robert De Niro took a double dong job with the Alto Knights, Michael B. Jordan played twin leads in the supernatural sinner, and the pair of Robert Pattinson clones currently finds Bong Jun-ho’s Mickey 17.

And there’s more. Monkey provided horror with Theo James’ two bloody scoops. Zac Efron recently wrapped up an A24 thriller playing both a stalker and a superstar. Recently at Sundance, Dylan O’Brien played twin brothers in the dark comic drama Twinless. So, even if you ignore the genre of the film, it’s a noticeable surge in viewers who still watch the double. So why now? And how do these seemingly impossible shots come true?

“For years, filmmakers have been able to use a variety of techniques to show the actors multiple times in the same scene,” says Daniel Harrington, a London-based VFX artist and compositor. “In the parent’s trap, the split screen allowed the same actor to occupy both sides of the frame, while the social network used motion controls to portray the Winkleboss twins by repeating precise camera movements.”

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However, before you tackle the technology, there is a brief history of dual roles. Because the concept is almost as old as the film itself. In 1898, pioneer Georges Méliès had already double-exposed to capture the portrait twice within the same frame. His methods jumped to feature films in 1917 when actor William Farnham performed on opposite sides of himself in Dickens’s two city tales adaptation.

The following year, Mary Pickford played dual roles in Stella Maris using new split screen technology that has been used for decades in films such as Deadlinger, Adaptation, and Double Impact of Jean-Claude Van Dam’s Asquado-Shooded Ask Ask. Altonite, more than a century later, uses similar techniques to double De Niro in a particular scene.

But today, split screening is just one of many tools in the dual-roll toybox. The most notable advance in this field was released in 1989 on the commission of future Part II and Director Robert Zemeckis’ Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) to create a vistaglide and create a motion-controlled camera dolly system for the robot.

This remains the most popular dual-roll method, Harrington says. Several mats (the individual shots that make up the final frame) are filmed with the same actor playing separate parts. This footage is then delivered to the rotoscope and paint artists. Rotoscopes and paint artists task by clearing the edges of the raw mats and then stitching the composite together into one seamless whole.

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“Ultimately, the success of the fantasy depends on the synergy between onset preparation and post-production artistry,” says Harrington. “Digital effects can be increasingly refined, but when built on a strong practical foundation, they are still the most effective. Therefore, on set, consistent lighting, accurate framing, and stand-in are important to ensure seamless synthesis later. Without these elements, even the most sophisticated digital tools will struggle to create compelling results. It is teamwork, exemplified not only by films but also by television series such as Orphan Black.”

The small screen certainly earned the rewards for these technological advancements. 2025 will also be your final season, where you can also watch Netflix’s debut Twin Jamie Dornans at Underto and Twin Anna Camp. Malaki Kirby doubles for the Anansi boys on Prime Video, while Cynthia Eribo plays the same sexturette as Leanne Johnson’s poker face returns to Peacock. “And we are not solely responsible for breakthroughs, though [for this increase in dual roles]”Recent developments in AI-driven deepfakes and performance cloning have significantly reduced costs and increased production times,” says Harrington.

This deepfake method of swapping faces (Robert Pattinson’s face was digitally ported to replace Mickey 17) was another ILM gimmick developed for the 1993 Jurassic Park. Oscar-nominated VFX supervisor Theo Jones works at Framestore, a studio that worked on many of Joon-Ho’s latest products. And while Jones doesn’t think there’s a single catalyst for the current moment of a dual-roll project, “it’s probably a kind of happy accident,” he says.


Poker face Cynthia Eribo and Natasharillon
Photo: Peacock

“It wasn’t Option 10, and probably not even five years ago,” says Jones. “But even this is not optimal for dual roles. You will need to find someone with similar features and proportions. Baseline performances will come from the stand-in rather than the actor. What’s more, “Off-the-Peg” deepfake technology certainly doesn’t suit IMAX quality at the moment, so VFX work is necessary to be trusted. ”

The Framestore, revealed by Jones, states that it has developed its own “neural face rendering technology” called Facade. “But for a purely dramatic moment,” he adds. “It would be much better to use practical techniques for filming and post-production modifications to make the finished photos seamless with post-production modifications. This may include rewriting the VFX rulebook, and sometimes using techniques that exist before computers become part of filmmaking.”

It’s a great way to approach the art of dual roles. Because whether it’s an actor attracted to creative challenges or a filmmaker trying to advance the technical aspects of his craft, these twin turns have always been a joint effort. By continuing to blend old and new techniques, viewers will not only guarantee performances that dodge envelopes, but the entire concept of dual roles will remain true to its innate patchwork nature.

Source: www.theguardian.com

AI’s Impact on Business: Accelerating Drug Trials and Enhancing Movie Production

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Keir Starmer this week unveiled a 50-point plan to make Britain a world leader in artificial intelligence and boost the economy by up to £47bn a year over 10 years. This multi-billion pound investment aims to increase AI computing power under public control by 20 times by 2030 and is thought to be a game-changer for businesses and public organizations. Reactions to this announcement have been mixed, as it is by no means clear whether the much-touted potential of AI will translate into the level of economic benefits predicted. While many fear the technology will lead to widespread layoffs, proposals to make it easy for AI companies to data mine artwork for free will boost the value and growth of the creative industries. Some are concerned about destruction.

Despite these concerns, for many in the business world, the AI revolution has already arrived and is transforming industries. So how are you deploying technology to improve productivity, and where do you hope to see further benefits in the future?


Airlines are increasingly leveraging AI for the complex logistics of managing large aircraft and thousands of crew members in unpredictable skies. AI is used across Ryanair’s operations to optimize revenue, schedules, and ‘tail allocation’, selecting the best aircraft for each flight. BA also uses this feature at Heathrow to select gates depending on the number of connecting passengers on arriving flights.

EasyJet said it has embedded AI throughout its new Luton control room and that its predictive technology is now improving aircraft inventory levels and redesigning maintenance regimes to proactively avoid breakdowns. Meanwhile, the low-cost carrier’s Jetstream tools help with the brain-tugging task of quickly repositioning crews and aircraft with minimal disruption and maximum efficiency when problems occur. Gwyn Topham


One of the concerns raised about Starmer’s AI expansion plans is that the energy-intensive data centers required to run the program could exceed the UK’s electricity grid capacity. But some argue that the technology could actually accelerate the clean power revolution by solving the problem of how future energy systems will operate.

Power grids must increasingly adapt to real-time fluctuations in thousands of renewable energy sources and consider new technologies such as electric vehicle batteries that can not only draw power from the grid but also re-release it as needed.

Google was one of the early adopters of the digital energy approach. The company’s AI subsidiary, DeepMind, developed neural networks in 2019 to improve the accuracy of power generation predictions for renewable energy power plants. By more accurately forecasting generation and demand, they were able to balance consumption and even sell some of their power back to the grid. Google says this increases the financial value of wind power by 20%.

Meanwhile, in the UK, energy provider Octopus Energy is leveraging the advanced data and machine learning capabilities of the Kraken operating system to help customers access electricity at cheaper and greener times through time-of-use pricing. I’m doing it. Using electricity during off-peak hours often lowers electricity bills by 40%, reducing the need to invest in new fossil fuels and expensive grid expansion projects. Gillian Ambrose

Big pharma and small AI-focused biotech companies are using this technology to accelerate drug development and reduce costs and failure rates. Drug development typically takes at least 10 years, and 90% of drugs that undergo clinical trials on volunteers fail.

AI can help design smarter clinical trials by selecting patients most likely to respond to treatment. According to a recent analysis by Boston Consulting Group, 75 AI-generated drugs have entered clinical trials since 2015, and 67 of them were still in clinical trials last year.

The treatment for a deadly lung disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is attracting attention as the world’s first fully AI-generating drug, and is currently in late-stage trials. developed By Massachusetts-based Insilico Medicine, Inc. used AI to generate 30,000 novel small molecules and narrowed them down to the six most promising drugs and leading candidates. Meanwhile, AstraZeneca, the UK’s largest pharmaceutical company, said more than 85% of its small molecule drug pipeline is “AI-assisted”.

Ministers are considering opening up NHS databases to private companies so that anonymized patient data can be used to develop new drugs and diagnostic tools. But privacy activists oppose such a move because even anonymized data can be manipulated to identify patients. Julia Cole

(retail)
There has been a lot of talk over the past six months about the rise of AI in operations, as retailers look for ways to increase efficiency amid rising labor costs. For example, Sainsbury’s is using AI-enabled predictive tools to ensure the right amount of product is on the shelves in different stores as part of a £1 billion cost-cutting plan. Marks & Spencer uses AI to help create online product descriptions and advise shoppers on clothing choices based on body shape and style preferences as part of efforts to increase online sales.

Tesco CEO Ken Murphy said AI was already widely used in purchasing decisions, adding that the technology meant that customer interactions would be “truly powered by AI in almost every aspect of the business.” “This is a level that will be strengthened and promoted,” he added. He uses this to analyze data from shoppers’ loyalty cards to provide insights into “shopper interactions”, such as how to save money or take care of your health by buying (or not buying too much) certain products. It suggested it could provide “inspiration and ideas relevant to the family.” Sarah Butler


AI-enhanced efficiencies that automate the simplest tasks for call handlers have the potential to transform productivity and service levels in the public sector. Adolfo Hernandez insists CEO of outsourcing group Capita.

For example, by drawing on past interactions with customers, you no longer have to go beyond old conventions. Behind the scenes, the program can connect council services together, allowing planning applications departments and building services to work together. Or listen in the background to transcribe and summarize your calls to save time taking notes.

Capita has deployed its ‘Agent Suite’ product to two of its clients. early signs, it saysshows a 20% reduction in average call handling time, a 25% reduction in post-call management, and a 15-30% increase in calls resolved on the first interaction. Nils Pratley

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Minecraft Movie: Is it truly terrible or just misunderstood by adults? | Games

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noNothing makes you feel older than seeing people two generations younger than you playing Minecraft, except for people two generations younger than you. Looking at other people YouTubers are playing Minecraft (what are they doing? Why are they always so excited?). This seems a bit 2011. Gen A has generally grown up watching YouTubers play Fortnite, Roblox, and Elden Ring with their hearts out. But there are millions of people playing it every month, most of them kids. And there’s a strong nostalgia for the game among Gen Z youth who grew up with this blocky, virtual Lego game. A Minecraft movie was inevitable.

The film has been in the works since 2012 and was originally set to be directed by Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham FC pal Rob McElhenney and star Steve Carell. But a series of setbacks, the COVID pandemic and a pesky actors’ strike meant filming didn’t begin (in Auckland, New Zealand) until early 2024. Due for release in April 2025, the Minecraft movie will be directed by Napoleon Dynamite’s Jared Hess and star Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Emma Myers, Jennifer Coolidge, Jermaine Clement and Matt Berry. And judging by the trailer released this week, it’s even crazier than you’d think.

Video games and movie franchises can take many forms. Sometimes game characters escape into our world, like Sonic (the alien hedgehog) being sent to Earth or Barbie and Ken sneaking out of Barbieland. Real people get sucked into a video game and have to complete a magical quest to escape, like in Tron. Sometimes video game characters transform into humans, like in Tomb Raider, Resident Evil, Prince of Persia, Doom and The Last of Us. Tetris is set in a real-life competition for the game’s license, while Gran Turismo tells the story of a player making it in real life as a driver.

In The Minecraft Movie, a group of humans are sucked into the Overworld, the dimension where Minecraft is real. A bewildered Momoa has just had highlights and bangs done at the hairdresser and accidentally bought a pink coat. Danielle Brooks from Orange is the New Black arrives with some “kids” (including 22-year-old Emma Myers from Wednesday). Here they meet Steve, one of Minecraft’s default characters. Steve is dressed in a light blue T-shirt and jeans, and is played by Jack Black, who is no doubt viewed as something of a talisman by Warner Bros. since playing Bowser in the Super Mario movie last year. “This guy is so useless,” Myers laments.

“Anything you can dream up, you can build here,” Black explains to our bewildered heroes, as cube-shaped pigs fly around and blocky pink sheep bleat. To get home, “they must embark on a magical quest to conquer the world (and protect it from piglins, zombies, and other evils).”




Box Office Quest…Minecraft Movie. Photo: Warner Bros.

Reaction to the trailer:terrible“, “Devastating” and “Expensive and cheap“To”It’s hard for the parents who are taken away.” and “The worst thing that will happen in the movie world in 2024” But like many video game spinoffs, the film isn’t aimed at adult film critics. Film buff Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian was highly critical of the 2023 film Super Mario Bros. The Movie in a two-star review (Wendy Eide of The Observer was similarly critical in a one-star review). That left The Guardian’s games editor Keza MacDonald inclined to defend the film as a decent translation of the game, even if it’s not that good a movie.

So what do the real connoisseurs think? “I think it looks awful,” says 10-year-old Arlo, playing Roblox on his iPad after school. “Minecraft isn’t even at its peak anymore, so why make a movie now? I don’t think it’ll be a hit.” (And he has a point.) Maybe he likes that the Minecraft world includes real people?

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“No. They should have made it like The Lego Movie or Super Mario Bros., which were good because they didn’t have any live action characters. Steve is not Steve.” Sorry Minecraft. Sorry Jack Black. The experts said it. We’ll find out in April next year if the full version can save the day.

Source: www.theguardian.com

A Terrifyingly Thrilling Horror Movie “Milk & Cereal” Made on a Shocking $800 Budget – Watch for Free!

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2024 is already shaping up to be a banner year for horror movies, with Long Legs making over $100 million at the box office and Late Night with the Devil earning an impressive 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the year’s breakout horror movie might be an $800 project that’s currently available to watch for free on YouTube.

Milk & Cereal is a 62-minute found-footage horror from YouTuber Cully Barker that’s brutally effective yet wonderfully authentic. It has garnered 348,000 views in the two weeks since its release, with rave reviews on Reddit and traditional media outlets like Bloody Disgusting calling it “one of the best-kept secrets of the year.” Barker even tweeted about it recently, Variety.

One reason for its success is the fascinating story behind Milk & Cereal: Barker is credited as the writer, director, producer, editor, cinematographer, composer, and star of the film. With a budget of just $800, most of which was spent on hiring actors and buying a camera, the film is on track to deliver a significant return on investment.

Milk & Cereal follows a pair of YouTube pranksters whose antics take a dark turn when one of them reveals a sinister capability. It’s a chilling and believable hour of horror that explores the disturbing world of online prank videos.

The film’s authenticity lies in its portrayal of the dark side of YouTube prank videos, showcasing the obsession with filming every moment and exploiting every opportunity for content. Milk & Cereal takes this obsession to a terrifying extreme, shedding light on the twisted motivations behind these videos.

As horror movies continue to experiment with new formats, Milk & Cereal stands out as a brilliant example of found-footage storytelling. With well-crafted characters and a compelling narrative, the film is a testament to Barker’s talent as a filmmaker.

Milk & Cereal not only showcases Barker’s filmmaking skills but also serves as a strategic move in his career. By offering the film for free on YouTube, Barker has attracted attention from industry professionals and is already collaborating on his next project. This bold approach could mark the beginning of a successful career in the film industry.

Ultimately, Milk & Cereal presents Barker with a choice: to follow the traditional path to Hollywood or to continue disrupting the industry with his independent spirit. Whichever path he chooses, one thing is certain – Milk & Cereal has cemented Barker’s status as a rising talent in the world of horror movies.

Source: www.theguardian.com

New Mario Movie in the Works: And I Have the Ultimate Idea to Make it Even Better! | Games

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WIn a surprising move, Nintendo made an announcement at the Oscars ceremony revealing its collaboration with Illumination Studios to create another Mario movie on March 10th. The decision was unexpected considering the lack of attention at the event that day. The previous Mario movie was a massive success, grossing $1 billion and marking the end of a cursed era for video game adaptations. The new movie is scheduled for April 2026, with co-directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic and screenwriter Matthew Fogel returning for the project. Despite this, the film may not necessarily be a direct sequel as both companies have not confirmed its title as a sequel. Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto expressed excitement for “a new animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros.” promising a bright and fun narrative.

The previous Mario movies faced criticism from movie critics, with mixed reviews on performances such as Jack Black’s Bowser and Seth Rogen’s Donkey Kong. Regardless, the upcoming sequel presents an opportunity to enhance the storytelling and expand the world of Mario beyond nostalgic references.

While the first movie focused primarily on Mario, there are hopes for the sequel to explore other characters and locations within the Mario universe. The lack of a complex storyline in the games provides a blank canvas for the filmmakers to develop a compelling narrative that goes beyond just fan service.

Detective Pikachu. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures/AP

The next Mario movie could potentially expand beyond the Mushroom Kingdom, drawing inspiration from games like Mario Galaxy to create a visually spectacular experience. However, there is still room to explore within Mario’s familiar world, offering an opportunity to push creative boundaries and deliver a more ambitious sequel.

what to play

Expeditions: Mud Runner Game. Photo: Steam

Keith recommends diving into the world of Expeditions: Mud Runner Game, a unique off-road simulation game that offers a challenging and rewarding experience. Unlike traditional racing games, this title requires strategic decision-making and overcoming obstacles in rugged environments. It provides a refreshing gameplay style that goes beyond typical racing titles, offering a more intellectually engaging experience.

Available on: PC, PS4/5, Xbox, Switch
Estimated play time: 30 hours or more

what to read

The Legend of Zelda: Kingdom of Tears. Photo: Nintendo
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  • – British Academy Game Award nominations include popular games like Baldur’s Gate 3, Alan Wake 2, and Zelda: Kingdom of Tears, showcasing the industry’s diverse offerings.

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question block

Customers who have a PS5 on the release date. Photo: Hollandse Hoogte/REX/Shutterstock

Reader John poses a thought-provoking question about the dynamics between Sony and Microsoft within the gaming industry, exploring notions of corporate strategy and market dominance.

“Why is Microsoft perceived differently from Sony in terms of market dominance despite both companies aiming for profitability through different strategies?”

The response highlights the scale and influence of companies like Microsoft within the industry, shaping perceptions and dynamics based on their financial capabilities and strategic positioning.

Have a question for the question block or feedback on the newsletter? Feel free to reach out to pushbuttons@theguardian.com.

Source: www.theguardian.com