An anonymous reader quotes a report from BleepingComputer: A new script allows you to install Windows 11 on devices with incompatible hardware, such as missing TPM 2.0, incompatible CPUs, or the lack of Secure Boot. Even better, the script also works on virtual machines, allowing you to upgrade to the latest Windows Insider build. This new script was released as part of the extremely useful Universal MediaCreationTool wrapper, a batch file that allows you to create an ISO for any version of Windows 10, with Windows 11 support added last week. While the main script of this open-source project is the 'MediaCreationTool.bat' used to create Windows ISOs, it also includes a script named 'Skip_TPM_Check_on_Dynamic_Update.cmd,' which configures the device to bypass compatible hardware checks.
When Windows 11 was first announced, Microsoft released the operating system's new system requirements, which included a TPM 2.0 security processor, Secure Boot, newer CPUs, and at least 64 GB of hard drive space. As Microsoft realized that many people, especially those in the enterprise, would be testing Windows 11 preview builds on virtual machines, they exempted them from the system requirements (PDF). However, Microsoft is now requiring compatible hardware even on virtual machines and taking a firm stance on its system requirement, going as far as to say that people who install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware may not get security updates.
A new ransomware family called Colossus has snagged at least one victim in the United States as of last week, according to security researchers at ZeroFox.
Targeting Windows systems, the Colossus ransomware was used in an attack on an automotive group of dealerships based in the U.S., with its operators threatening to leak 200 GB of stolen data.
Microsoft on Monday published a blog post detailing a piece of malware used by the threat actor behind the SolarWinds attack to exfiltrate data from compromised servers.
Thomas Claburn writes via The Register: Microsoft Exchange clients like Outlook have been supplying unprotected user credentials if you ask in a particular way since at least 2016. Though aware of this, Microsoft's advice continues to be that customers should communicate only with servers they trust. On August 10, 2016, Marco van Beek, managing director at UK-based IT consultancy Supporting Role, emailed the Microsoft Security Response Center to disclose an Autodiscover exploit that worked with multiple email clients, including Microsoft Outlook. "Basically, I have discovered that it is extremely easy to get access to Exchange (and therefore Active Directory) user passwords in plain text," he wrote. "It doesn't necessarily require any breach of corporate security, and at its most secure, is only as secure as file level access to the corporate website." His proof-of-concept exploit code, which affected Outlook (both Mac and PC), default email apps for Android and iOS, Apple Mail for Mac OS X, and others, consisted of 11 lines of PHP, though he insisted the exploit probably could have been reduced to three lines.
Microsoft acknowledged on August 11, 2016, that it had reproduced the issue in van Beek's report. Then on August 30, 2016, the Windows titan responded to van Beek by saying the report doesn't describe a genuine vulnerability: "Our security engineers and product team have reviewed this report and determined that it is not a security issue to be serviced as part of our monthly Patch Tuesday process. 'Never accept an SSL certificate without a matching host name' is already recommended for clients in the doc cited by your report: [link]. Before you send a request to a candidate, make sure it is trustworthy. Remember that you're sending the user's credentials, so it's important to make sure that you're only sharing them with a server you can trust. At a minimum, you should verify: That the endpoint is an HTTPS endpoint. Client applications should not authenticate or send data to a non-SSL endpoint. That the SSL certificate presented by the server is valid and from a trusted authority."
"This response casually forgets to consider that a hacked web server still retains a perfectly valid certificate -- it just happens to use that trusted tunnel to serve up problems," said van Beek. "Also, I have only found one Exchange client so far which actually checks the hostname against the certificate, which is Microsoft's own test tool." Van Beek said he thought it was incredible that Microsoft confirmed the behavior he reported within hours but does not consider it to be a problem. He suggested three mitigations: changing the order of operations so that DNS gets checked first; never accepting an SSL certificate without a matching host name; and reviewing why and when clients respond to authentication requests. When asked if the company plans to take any steps to address credential exposure and whether it believes its guidance adequately addresses the problem, a Microsoft spokesperson said: "We are continuing to investigate the specific scenario shared by the researcher."
The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have published today technical guidance on properly securing VPN servers used by organizations to allow employees remote access to internal networks. From a report: The NSA said it put together the nine-page guide [PDF] after "multiple nation-state advanced persistent threat (APT) actors" weaponized vulnerabilities in common VPN servers as a way to breach organizations. "Exploitation of these CVEs [vulnerabilities] can enable a malicious actor to steal credentials, remotely execute code, weaken encrypted traffic's cryptography, hijack encrypted traffic sessions, and read sensitive data from the device," the NSA said today in a press release announcing the guide's publication. "If successful, these effects usually lead to further malicious access and could result in a large-scale compromise to the corporate network," the agency added.
Fans of the anime series "Cowboy Bebop" were thrilled to see the opening credits for the live-action Netflix adaptation matched the original's jazzy, colorful style. Now, Netflix decided to show off just how closely they were able to mimic the original anime intro, by posting a side-by-side comparison video to their Still Watching Netflix YouTube channel.
Keeping Bebop Jazzy
The original "Cowboy Bebop" series debuted in Japan in 1998. In 2001, the anime series was the first to debut on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block, which introduced it to American audiences. The series has a massive worldwide fanbase, and is considered one of the most popular and successful anime of all time. While the live-action version's showrunner, André Nemec, has said that the show will remain loyal to the canon, concerned fans might still worry. (After all, most live-action anime adaptations are absolutely terrible.)
The side-by-side comparison of moments from the new opening sequence with the original shows just how seriously the creative forces behind the Netflix adaptation are taking things. When they can't create a direct shot-for-shot remake, they still manage to maintain the series' style. We already knew that John Cho would be absolute perfection as the stylish space cowboy Spike Spiegel, but seeing him lit in silhouette while lighting a cigarette cements it. We also get to see Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) and Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir) re-enacting some of their most memorable looks in the opening credits. Perhaps the most important thing, though, is that we get a chance to see the live-action version of Ein, the crew's genius Welsh Corgi. Who's a good boy? Ein is!
One other neat thing to note is that original series composer Yoko Kanno is also writing music for the Netflix series. The intro also uses the anime's classic theme song, "Tank!" by the band Seatbelts.
See Ya Soon, Space Cowboy
So what is "Cowboy Bebop" anyway?
Here's the official synopsis for Netflix's upcoming "Cowboy Bebop" series:
"Cowboy Bebop" is an action-packed space Western about three bounty hunters, aka "cowboys," all trying to outrun the past. As different as they are deadly, Spike Spiegel (John Cho), Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir), and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) form a scrappy, snarky crew ready to hunt down the solar system's most dangerous criminals — for the right price. But they can only kick and quip their way out of so many scuffles before their pasts finally catch up with them.
I'm a fan of Kenji's Cooking Show on YouTube because he shows you how to make delicious food and he explains the science and chemistry of cooking while he does it. In his latest video he shows how to cook boiled eggs to minimize the chances of having the shells stick to the eggs when you peel them. — Read the rest
As far as I'm concerned, the release of "Spider-Man: No Way Home" means that Marvel has exactly one job to do: don't embarrass yourselves in front of Sam Raimi. It's one thing to turn the third "standalone" Spidey movie into a multiversal free-for-all, but it's quite another to dip into the pre-MCU past and bring back established villains (and heroes, if you believe the rumors/leaks) from Raimi's classic "Spider-Man" movies. The grand return of Alfred Molina's de-aged Doc Ock at the end of the "No Way Home" trailer almost singlehandedly broke the internet and, thankfully, Marvel can count Raimi among the very happy fans.
For better or worse, it seems like CGI de-aging technology has become ubiquitous throughout the movie industry in record time. Not that anyone's asking me, but I'd say that there's only been very few instances where the effect has worked anywhere near as effectively as the filmmakers hoped for -- namely, the reappearance of Sean Young as the replicant Rachael in "Blade Runner 2049." And that only worked because the entire point was that she was supposed to appear uncanny and just a little too-perfect. So you can count me among the killjoys who weren't exactly impressed by our first look at Alfred Molina's dead-eyed Doc Ock in the trailer for "Spider-Man: No Way Home."
Raimi Weighs In
But what does any mere mortal's opinion matter when compared to that of esteemed filmmaker Sam Raimi? Speaking to Syfy Wire, the filmmaker behind "The Evil Dead," "The Quick and the Dead," and "A Simple Plan" shared his thoughts on seeing his own villainous creation brought back from the dead and thrown into the MCU:
"That was beautiful. He looks great, the animation's great. I'm assuming it's not puppeted because when we did Doc Ock, we had puppets and animation for his octopus tentacles. But it was smooth and powerful and I loved his costume they kept [from the original]. I think it's gonna be a great movie."
As scandalous as it would've been for the "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" director to have completely disowned "No Way Home" in the most brutally public way possible, we'll simply have to content ourselves with Raimi taking the boring high road and the optimistic approach. It'll surely be fun to see Alfred Molina and Willem Dafoe back in character as Doc Ock and Green Goblin respectively ... but here's hoping that the final product will be exponentially less distracting from a special effects point of view.
"Spider-Man: No Way Home" swings into theaters on December 17, 2021.
This is the first post in a four-part series on the NOBELIUM nation-state cyberattack. Microsoft started telling the industry about this extremely advanced cyberattack in December 2020. The NOBELIUM blog series—which mirrors Microsoft’s four-part video series “Decoding NOBELIUM”—will pull the curtain back on the world of threat detection and showcase insights from cybersecurity professionals on the front lines, both Microsoft defenders and other industry experts.
In many ways, the NOBELIUM nation-state cyberattack realized the deepest fears of United States cybersecurity experts, according to Microsoft 365 Security Corporate Vice President Rob Lefferts. It was a supply chain attack. It was methodically planned and executed. And it impacted multiple world-class companies with strong security teams. Perhaps, your company was one of them—or perhaps you know someone who works at a company that was affected. As we begin Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, the far-reaching nature of such attacks is ever-present on our minds, which is one reason why more than 3,500 Microsoft security experts actively defend and protect organizations from cyberattacks every day.
Nation-state attacks are malicious cyberattacks that originate from a particular country and are an attempt to further that country’s interests. Numerous organizations were impacted by the NOBELIUM attacks. Such attacks are fueled by geopolitical competition and a desire to gain an advantage over other nations, such as by stealing intellectual property for economic benefit or supporting traditional espionage.
In December 2020, Microsoft began sharing information with the cybersecurity industry on what would become widely recognized as the most sophisticated nation-state cyberattack in history. NOBELIUM, a group of Russia-based hackers, gained access to multiple enterprises through vulnerable software code, stolen passwords, compromised on-premises servers, and minted SAML tokens.
In this supply chain attack, hackers were able to access the SolarWinds code, slip malicious code into a piece of the software, and use the vendor’s legitimate software updates to spread their malware to customer systems. Successful attacks gave NOBELIUM hackers high-level permissions on the downstream compromised systems.
Why should enterprises worry about nation-state attacks?
Historically, nation-state actors directly targeted infrastructure, think tanks, and governments of other countries. However, as organizations improve their defenses, sophisticated actors look for new ways to gain access to their targets through the vendors, software, and networks they rely upon. Enterprises are also increasingly at risk of attacks as nation-state actors expand their objectives to pursue intellectual property theft. As a result, enterprises are often targeted by nation-state actors attacking the networks of their customers, partners, or vendors through their own network or software. The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center, which collects billions of data points to gather threat intelligence, has observed that enterprises are increasingly at risk of these attacks.
Consider these statistics, which show the magnitude of security threat from nation-state attacks:
35 percent of all nation-state attacks are targeted at enterprises, according to the CSO article, “Nation states: Cyberconflict, and the Web of Profit.”1
78 percent increase in attacks on supply chain vendors, according to the CPO Magazine article “HP Study: Nation-state Cyber Attacks Double Between 2017 and 2020 as World Edges Toward Open Cyber Warfare.”2
13,000 nation-state attack alerts emailed to customers during the past two years, according to the September 2020 Microsoft Digital Defense Report.
Unlike other types of cybercriminals, who exploit a vulnerability and move on, nation-state attackers are persistent and determined to achieve their objectives. They invest serious time profiling their targets and probing their network for vulnerabilities and are continually adding more tools and skills to their capabilities. Any organization—regardless of size—could be a potential target.
Another reason the NOBELIUM attack matters to the enterprise is that state-sponsored attackers often have unlimited monetary and technical support from their countries, giving them access to unique, modern hacking techniques and tactics.
“Nation-state actors are hard because they effectively have infinite funding and they’re above the law – at least in their country,” said Roberto, Principal Consultant and Lead Investigator of the Microsoft Detection and Response Team. “They have very good technical resources, so it’s not like they’re going to give up. It’s one of the reasons we put in the 80-hour weeks.”
NOBELIUM’s long-term impact
How did the NOBELIUM attack unfold and how has it changed cybersecurity? In the first episode of our four-part video series Decoding NOBELIUM: When Nation-States Attack, security professionals share behind-the-scenes details and weigh in on the lasting impacts of the NOBELIUM attack on cybersecurity. Watch the episode to learn security strategies you can implement in your organization, like which vulnerabilities to patch.
Microsoft is committed to helping organizations stay protected from cyberattacks, whether cybercriminal or nation-state. In particular, nation-state adversaries have significant expertise and resources and will develop new attack patterns with the specific intent of furthering their geopolitical objectives. Consistent with our mission to provide security for all, Microsoft will continue to use our leading threat intelligence and global team of dedicated cybersecurity defenders to help protect our customers and the world. Just two recent examples of Microsoft’s efforts to combat nation-state attacks include a September 2021 discovery and investigation of a NOBELIUM malware referred to as FoggyWeb and our May 2021 profiling of NOBELIUM’s early-stage toolset compromising EnvyScout, BoomBox, NativeZone, and VaporRage.
For immediate support, reach out to the Microsoft Security Response Center. Keep an eye out for future posts in the NOBELIUM nation-state attack series. In these posts, we’ll share the story of how we discovered the attack, how we fought the threat, and how the attack has shaped the future of cybersecurity.
To learn more about Microsoft Security solutions, visit our website. Bookmark the Security blog to keep up with our expert coverage on security matters. Also, follow us at @MSFTSecurity for the latest news and updates on cybersecurity.
Known for his larger-than-life creations and unique filmmaking style, director James Cameron is in a league all of his own. With his genre-spanning work, lofty ambitions, and unrestrained energy, Cameron has carved out a name for himself in Hollywood as an artist willing to do anything to see his vision come true. Whether he's retelling a historical event or taking us on an adventure to a sci-fi kingdom, there's no denying that Cameron is an influential figure who continues to dominate the movie world.
Yet, with many successful productions on his resume, it can be hard to decide which of Cameron's feature-length theatrical films are the best of the best. From his action-packed blockbusters to his equally epic documentaries, filmgoers have a wide array of Cameron flicks to choose from. While some would argue that such a ranking seems pointless when it comes to Cameron's films, consider this list a stroll through this great director's body of beloved work. These are the movies that define James Cameron's ever-changing career.
Piranha II: The Spawning
Known for its ridiculous gore and cheese, James Cameron's work on "Piranha II: The Spawning" certainly made a mark on the filmmaker's career. He was initially hired as the film's special effects director, yet as drama between the original director, Miller Drake, and the film's executive producer, Ovidio G. Assonitis, spiraled out of control, Cameron was handed the keys to the cinematic kingdom, making "Piranha II" his feature film debut. However, as principal photography began, Cameron's vision for the sequel was muddled by budget limitations and Assonitis' aggressive involvement.
But despite the behind-the-scenes turmoil, "Piranha II" remains fascinating. Not only does this sequel transform its central monsters into gene-spliced flying creatures, but the film's gratuitous use of blood, guts, and nudity puts it right in line with the horror films of the late 70' and early '80s. While it's hard to tell which scenes Cameron directed and which ones Assonitis took over, it's impossible to ignore the well-filmed underwater sequences, something that would become a Cameron specialty as time went on.
Aliens Of The Deep
One of Cameron's two theatrically released documentaries, "Aliens of the Deep" explores the complex ecosystem that exists in the depths of the sea. With stunning cinematography that spotlights strange and beautiful creatures, Cameron takes audiences on a thrilling dive that goes to places very few have explored, especially on celluloid. The undersea worlds are fascinating, as is Cameron himself, who appears on camera and shows audiences his quirks as both an explorer and a filmmaker.
But "Aliens of the Deep" gets somewhat gimmicky when it comes to sea life on worlds other than Earth. With some unfortunately dated and cheesy early '00s CGI, the film wonders if an underwater city exists on the moon Europa. While that is a fascinating question in the world of fiction, the documentary is so compelling on its own that this addition feels more like an excuse to add 3D elements to augment its original theatrical release than an attempt to add something engaging to the final product.
Ghosts Of The Abyss
Leveraging the hype from James Cameron's "Titanic," "Ghosts of the Abyss" takes audiences on another undersea expedition, this time focusing on up-close looks at the doomed ship at the center of Cameron's blockbuster. With the narration from Cameron's buddy Bill Paxton along with some incredible IMAX 3D cameras, Cameron and a crew of scientists take viewers on a tour of the massive man-made creation, including never before seen looks inside of the "ship of dreams."
While it sported some impressive technology for the time and some fascinating insights by Paxton, whether you find "Ghosts of the Abyss" compelling really depends on your interest in the topic. If one is already invested in the story of the Titanic, then it's easy to be enchanted by this documentary. However, if you aren't already a Titanic nerd, "Ghosts of the Abyss" won't change that, especially not the awkward recreation scenes laid on top of footage of the ship.
Avatar
James Cameron's "Avatar" is far from a perfect piece of cinema. Cameron began working on the film in 1994, waiting nearly 15 years for the technology to catch up with his artistic vision. The result is a movie that tells a common story: A young man explores a beautiful, mysterious planet, falls in love with an alien princess, tries to protect her people from greedy humans, and learns an environmentally-conscious lesson. Though people have made countless jokes about how familiar Cameron's creation feels, it still managed to become the highest-grossing movie of all time.
Yes, "Avatar" sports some fantastic technology that changed the filmmaking landscape in jaw-dropping ways. But even with all of its technical achievements, the story of "Avatar" has been told multiple times. As audiences become more aware of the tales Hollywood tells -- and how it tells them -- it's fascinating to see how the cultural perception of "Avatar" has changed over the years. At least "Avatar" spawned one of the best Disney theme parks of all time -- if you like those yummy Satuli Canteen protein bowls and hamburger pods, you have Cameron to thank.
True Lies
Based on the 1991 French film "La Totale," Cameron's "True Lies" proves that the director can incorporate his favorite cinematic tools (water and the color blue) into just about any project. And when you have Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis playing an unlikely (but entertaining) couple, the final product is movie magic.
"True Lies" centers around a married man, Harry (Schwarzenegger), whose wife, Helen (Curtis), thinks he's just a regular salesman; he's actually one heck of a secret agent. As you can probably guess, a setup like this leads to plenty of chaotic, comedic, action-packed goodness.
While "True Lies" does have its slower scenes (in particular, the subplot in which Harry thinks that Helen is having an affair) and awkward moments (the seduction sequence), the center of the movie is the chemistry between Schwarzenegger and Curtis. Cameron does a great job of building their relationship as the film progresses, even making audiences forget the incredible action sequences featured in the movie's first act. When Schwarzenegger and Curtis' skills are combined with a fun script, Tom Arnold's hilarious comedic energy, and a memorable supporting cast, "True Lies" makes for a great addition to both Cameron and Schwarzenegger's filmographies.
The Abyss
Featuring what would become Cameron's signature color palette and aesthetic style, "The Abyss," tells the story of a ragtag US search and recovery group on a mission to find an American submarine that sank into the Caribbean ocean. As their journey progresses, the team (including an estranged couple, played by Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) discovers that it's far from alone in the depths of the sea, leading to an encounter with an alien life-force that has abilities beyond the adventurers' imaginations.
With its troubled production, "The Abyss" was considered a critical and financial flop. Yet, as time has passed, the film has garnered a special status among viewers, with some fans calling it the secret gem on Cameron's filmography. When considering the pioneering technology that went into the film's incredible effects, its memorable finale, and the rest of its strengths, it's easy to see why viewers have come to embrace the flick over the years.
The Terminator
Launching one of the greatest movie franchises of all time, the first entry in the Terminator series is legendary. The plot focuses on Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), a college student who works as a waitress when an android from the future (Arnold Schwarzenegger) tries to kill her -- see, Sarah will be the mother of the hero of humanity, who will lead the Resistance against the evil machines of Skynet. Now, it's up to Sarah and another mysterious figure from the future, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), to outsmart the T-800 before it kills Sarah and changes the course of time.
While its pacing and story structure isn't as tight as its sequel's, "The Terminator" remains one of the most iconic pieces of pop culture ever created. From the memorable one-liners that audiences love to this day to Arnold Schwarzenegger playing his signature character, it's not hard to see how important "The Terminator" is in the world of cinema. However, perhaps its most significant achievement was proving James Cameron's potential as a director -- "The Terminator" is the film that made him a household name.
Titanic
One of the highest-grossing and most beloved movies of all time, James Cameron's "Titanic" is easily one of his best films, simply because it defied the odds. With problems stemming from budget overruns and Cameron's intense on-set behavior, "Titanic" wasn't easy movie to make, but it all came together in the end, creating a romantic fantasy rooted in reality, with a sprinkle of cinematic wonder on top. It also features one of the most memorable pieces of music ever created, thanks to the talents of James Horner, Will Jennings, and vocalist Céline Dion -- basically, there's no question why "Titanic" became the iconic piece of pop culture that it is today.
Yet, as the decades have passed, opinions on the film have fluctuated. With complaints about its lengthy runtime, observations that certain characters could have easily fit onto pieces of floating furniture, and jokes about its melodramatic nature, "Titanic" is no stranger to modern-day criticism. But those talking points aside, "Titanic" is a legitimately remarkable achievement -- one that, despite its large budget, has a humble, earnest center. Even with all of the jokes the internet loves to throw its way, "Titanic" demonstrates that Cameron is truly capable of everything he can imagine, including bringing the ship of dreams back to life.
Terminator 2: Judgement Day
Not every movie on Cameron's resume is flawless, but "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" comes pretty darn close. Not only does it elevate its predecessor narratively, but it also raises the stakes in terms of action, suspense, and the filmmaking techniques on display. Even better, it does so while enriching the original film's characters, cementing their status as Hollywood fixtures for decades to come.
With Linda Hamilton's career-defining performance as a more rigid and intense Sarah Connor, Robert Patrick as the terrifying T-1000, and the groundbreaking visual effects, there's a lot to love about this sequel. However, the most remarkable aspect of "Terminator 2" is how Cameron beautifully mixes terror and heartfelt emotion, and how that balance is represented by Schwarzenegger and Edward Furlong as the Terminator and John Connor, respectively. Throughout the film, Cameron carefully builds their relationship -- both actors give the best performances of their entire careers. Along with the film's other successes, this all adds up to a sequel that surpasses the original in more ways than one.
Aliens
Creating a sequel to one of the most successful horror and sci-fi movies of all time is no easy task. But as this list proves, James Cameron is never one to back down from a challenge, especially when it comes to making sequels that somehow equal or surpass their predecessors. That's a description that certainly applies to "Aliens." The film follows franchise heroine Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), who finds herself returning to the moon where she first encountered the Xenomorphs, this time to protect a human colony now living there.
While it's filled with quotable one-liners and some of the most fantastic characters in genre filmmaking, the best part of "Aliens" is how James Cameron makes this movie all his own. While it would have been easy to replicate Ridley Scott's basic beats in an "Alien" sequel, Cameron pushed the franchise in a whole new direction, one that focuses more on bold action moments than creeping tension but still delivers a heart-pounding cinematic experience. With an Oscar-nominated performance by Weaver at its center, along with a cast made up of talented character actors, "Aliens" deserves all the praise it gets -- and more.
JK Simmons has big plans to unleash his inner villain in the upcoming thriller, "The Woods." Starring alongside Allen Leech ("Downton Abbey"), Fernanda Urrejola ("Cry Macho"), and Isabelle Anaya ("Donny's Bar Mitzvah"), Simmons plays a murderous sociopath on a rampage. Earlier this year, he flexed his muscles in "The Tomorrow War" and has previously shown some sociopathic tendencies in "Whiplash," so this feels like a pretty solid fit for JK Simmons, a man with a certain air of intimidation surrounding him.
"The Woods" centers a teenage girl struggling with anxiety due to a tragic event from her past. The film sees her hunted through the woods by asociopath on a murderous rampage, that Simmons promises will be his scariest role yet. In a quote to Deadline, he hinted at the terror to come, saying:
"I didn't want to play any truly scary bad guys when our kids were young, partly because of how it might affect them if they saw the film and also because I didn't want to bring that energy home with me after an intense day on the set."
With his kids all grown up and off to college, Simmons won't be holding back. "The Woods" comes from director and co-writer Michelle Schumacher, who previously helmed the 2017 drama, "I'm Not Here." Schumacher is also Simmons' wife and will be directing her husband for a second time, following his starring role in her previous film. Schumacher co-wrote the film with "Recruited" writer Carolyn Carpenter.
JK Simmons Continues To Terrify
JK Simmons seems like a wonderful man but he's also a liar. He claims to have avoided "truly scary" roles in the past, but we all know the truth — that man doesn't need a horror movie to terrify the masses. Most of us are still scarred from his performance as Terence Fletcher in Damien Chazelle's 2014 psychological drama "Whiplash." True fact: he was so scary that Oscar voters had no choice but to vote for him on the ballot. If other people were nominated, they were much too scared to remember: Simmons went home with his well-deserved award. As the ruthless jazz instructor, he made the energy in the room unbearably uncomfortable and probably gave everyone involved a lot of stress nightmares. And it definitely wasn't the only time.
This past year, he voiced Omni-Man, the super-powered protector of earth in the Amazon Prime Video series, "Invincible." Like a bizarro world Superman, Omni-Man secretly comes from a powerful alien race way more advanced than Earthlings can imagine. Though he initially seems to be the wonderful, amazing hero people believe in, he later shows his true colors. And they're soaked in blood. I guess it helps that Simmons' face wasn't involved in the characters' horrific actions, but it was definitely his voice delivering those brutal lines. It's hard to imagine Omni-Man being so intimidating if not for the familiar, terrifying voice of JK Simmons. Don't let the goofiness of J. Jonah Jameson fool you, JK Simmons is scarier than he seems.
Microsoft is opening up its own app store in Windows even further today, inviting third-party app stores to integrate into the Microsoft Store. It's a significant change that will see both Amazon and Epic Games Store discoverable in the Microsoft Store in the coming months. From a report: "Just like any other app, third-party storefront apps will have a product detail page -- which can be found via search or by browsing -- so that users can easily find and install it with the same confidence as any other app in the Microsoft Store on Windows," explains Giorgio Sardo, general manager of the Microsoft Store. "Today, we are sharing that Amazon and Epic Games will bring their storefront apps to the Microsoft Store over the next few months, and we look forward to welcoming other stores as well in the future." The news comes months after Microsoft announced some major changes to the Microsoft Store. Not only is the store being overhauled for Windows 11 and eventually Windows 10, but Microsoft will also let developers keep 100 percent of the revenue from apps if they use alternative payment platforms. The only exception is that this doesn't apply to games.
Paul Thomas Anderson has blessed us with another fun LA romp which will undoubtedly slide its way onto everyone's Summer 2023 mood board. Not to get into it before we get into it, but mark my words, you're going to find so many "You've come a long way, baby" DIY t-shirts on Depop. Anyway, the adorably named "Licorice Pizza" stars Cooper Hoffman (son of Phillip Seymour!) as Gary Valentine and Alana Haim (sister of the other two Haim sisters!) as Alana Kane as they grow up, find love, and f*ck around LA in the '70s. While this isn't Haim's first acting role, it is the first time we've seen Hoffman in a film, proving it really is the perfect time for the sons of famous actors.
The movie will have a limited release on November 26, 2021, and will be released nationwide on December 25, 2021. But before you start lining up at your cute local cinema, let's get nice and cozy with this trailer.
Life On LA?
The very first thing we get hit with is the melancholy, and yet also celebratory, keys of David Bowie's "Life on Mars?" Bowie soundtracks the entire trailer, and the highs and lows of this jam perfectly reflect the sort of languorous chaos PTA is throwing at us in the trailer.
We catch Haim walking through what looks like the hallways of a perfectly manicured California school, where Hoffman immediately spots her in the crowd. She looks cool and bored and we get a weird (but also hilarious) dig on her character via Bowie's lyrics. As the camera cuts to a tight shot of Haim with her brunette hair delicately floating in the breeze, Bowie croons "It's a God-awful small affair/To the girl with the mousy hair."
As a woman who triumphantly refers to her hair color as "muskrat brown," I think I feel seen?
Everyone Looks Like A Baby
Right after Bowie roasts Haim, we cut to a sweet and youthfully confident scene where Hoffman leans in to whisper to one of his friends, "I met the girl I'm going to marry one day." And we get some fun and sexy shots of them wandering around together at night, as well as shots of Haim experiencing some classic teen angst in the form of her parents yelling at her (presumably for hanging out with a boy). It's important to note here that everyone's outfits look fantastically vintage, and the youthfulness of this film is off the charts. It makes you wish you could spend all night drinking homemade Slurpee rum and Cokes on the hood of your best friend's car while you fight about who gets the aux. Or in this case, the 8-track.
And yet, PTA is able to dial up the youthfulness from 10 to 11. Between the quick shots of Hoffman sitting in a waiting room with a row of incredibly dapper kids and a shot of him surrounded by child actors on a stage, it becomes pretty clear that Hoffman himself is/was a child actor ... who is becoming a man actor?
In a very adult, dimly lit restaurant, Haim asks Hoffman point blank, "So how'd you become such a hotshot actor?" and Hoffman confidently, but also a little sarcastically responds, "I'm a showman, that's what I'm meant to do." These short burst of scenes do an excellent job at characterizing Haim and Hoffman very quickly; she's mature and unaffected while he's unabashedly confident with himself and his life.
We Can't Stop Thinking About Bradley Cooper's Hair
Everything changes when Bradley Cooper comes out of nowhere with a haircut I won't be able to stop thinking about. His beard is writing a check those bangs won't be able to cash.
Of course, right out of the gate Cooper is asking Hoffman, "Do you know who I am?" which is delightfully followed up with "Do you know who my girlfriend is?" Which brings us to an awkwardly fun scene where Hoffman is incapable of pronouncing the name "Barbra Streisand" who Cooper's character is dating.
Considering everything that's going on with his hair, Cooper is actually playing Jon Peters, a hairdresser and film producer who started dating Streisand before producing the 1976 version of "A Star Is Born" (which starred Streisand). We don't know exactly how Cooper's character comes to meet Hoffman's, or how much power he'll hold, but that's the least of our worries. I'm more concerned that this is this Cooper's way of telling us that he can't let go of "A Star Is Born."
Why Is Sean Penn Here?
Like a portent of the apocalypse, Cooper's appearance leads us into a series of scenes that throw a little shade on this LA summer romance. Hoffman is seen making eyes with another girl at what honestly looks like a child's pizza party, while Haim is caught all cozied up with a smarmy-looking Sean Penn in the corner booth of a dimly lit restaurant. She sticks out her tongue at Hoffman, who looks like he's just across the room, and you get the sense that this summer flirtation might have become a summer competition, with the two one-upping each other when it comes to how much hurt they can cause.
While this trailer doesn't have many scenes that get much room to breathe, it does a great job at making the case for Hoffman and Haim's chemistry. They come off as the sort of people who are obsessed with each other but are also terrified of letting the other person know that. Her coolness mixed with his general enthusiasm makes for a fun (and probably sad) combination.
"Do You Really Want To See My Boobs?"
And speaking of scenes that get a little breathing room, we catch Haim (in a very cute velvet red dress) marching up the street like she's on a warpath. She knocks on Hoffman's door, and when he answers in one of his many striped shirts, Haim asks, in an accusatory way, "Do you really want to see my boobs?" She pulls down her dress, Hoffman stares, and he awkwardly asks, "Can I touch them?" Which causes Haim to slap him across the face and walk away while yelling, "See you tomorrow."
As much as I love PTA, this feels like the kind of scene only an old man would write, one who has forgotten what it's like to be young and also has no idea what it's like to be a woman. Maybe it fits in perfectly with the film and will get a big laugh in the theater, but it comes off as stilted and trying too hard for a laugh in the trailer.
"Do You Think It's Weird...?"
That brings us to a quick run of scenes that highlight Haim's and Hoffman's carefree chemistry while also illustrating the fact that they're in different places in their lives. In the fading sunlight, Haim even questions one of her friends, asking, "Do you think it's weird I hang out with Gary and his friends all the time?" She follows that up with, "I think it's weird that I hang out with Gary and his 15-year-old friends all the time."
But we don't get very long to ruminate on the relationship between Haim and Hoffman before things take a darker turn beyond their complex, and possibly souring, relationship. As David Bowie sings "Take a look at the lawman/Beating up the wrong guy," we see Hoffman get tackled and arrested by cops at some sort of pageant. As he's dragged into the back seat, Haim runs after him, hands pressed against the windows. Throughout the trailer, there's been this sense that Hoffman's career isn't exactly where he wants it to be, or perhaps he's growing out of it, and this seems like a confirmation that things aren't going well for him.
There's also a quick shot of Benny Safdie (director of "Uncut Gems") shaking a man's hand as he wears the most '70s tie you can imagine. Whether he's playing a director or one of those film-adjacent LA guys, we don't know yet, but it'll be interesting to see what happens there.
The Best Scene In The Trailer
While all of the chaotic love scenes are clearly the heart of this trailer, the soul is a quick clip where we get to watch Bradley Cooper (he's back!) smash a bunch of car windows with window squeegees. It is absolutely unhinged, and considering his character immediately came off as off-kilter and washed up, this scene feels perfect. I hope it is so much longer than what we see in this trailer. This is Cooper's Nicolas Cage moment.
Speaking of the deep roster that is the "Licorice Pizza" supporting cast, Tom Waits shows up out of nowhere. He's smoking a cigarillo, wearing glasses, and yelling things like, "Roll sound," and "Roll camera A," and "Roll camera B," as he throws a beer can into a swimming pool.
It's more fun than you would imagine watching incredibly successful people pretend to be incredibly unsuccessful. Maybe their fear of things tilting the opposite way at any time makes it easier to harness those emotions? Either way, we also get a quick shot of Maya Rudolph giving the camera an incredulous look. She doesn't say anything, but she doesn't have to say anything — she's Maya Rudolph.
Love And Hate
As "Life on Mars?" finally crescendos and comes to a close (and we're treated to a flash of Sean Penn jumping a motorcycle over a fire), the trailer ends with Haim and Hoffman running straight into each other's arms. Then the vintage as hell "Licorice Pizza" logo blooms over their heads.
With its old school LA vibe, it's hard not to compare this film to PTA's other ode to Los Angeles, "Inherent Vice," or even non-PTA movies like "Almost Famous." There's clearly a lot of push and pull, between success and failure, between love and hate, and between growing up or staying the same.
The Nintendo Switch OLED is due to hit store shelves on October 8th, and we’ve been able to get some face-to-face time with the new hardware. Our Kris Naudus says the new machine is beautiful in a way previous pieces of Nintendo hardware have never been.
Obviously the biggest feature worth discussing is that gorgeous new 7-inch OLED display, which is brighter, crisper and lovelier than its predecessor. Then there’s the new kickstand that stretches across the back of the device for better balance, reliability and adjustability.
At the same time, Naudus got to play Metroid Dread, a de-facto launch title for the refreshed console. The 2D-side scroller is heavy on horror, and one of the best tactics the main character, Samus Aran, can employ to survive is to just run the hell away from whatever unspeakable monster attacks.
To get on, Samus uses some new tech, including a spider magnet that lets her cling to ceilings. Oh, and she’s now packing a cloaking device so she can sneak past those unquenchable horrors — but she can only use it in short bursts.
Facebook is “pausing” work on Instagram Kids to consult with parents, experts and policymakers. The project, which politicians on both sides of the aisle agree is a terrible idea, has come under sustained criticism since its existence was revealed. Instagram head Adam Mosseri said the pause really is a pause, since Facebook knows there is a real problem of tweens lying about their age to access the full-fat version of the app.
This will not, however, placate critics of the company and the effects its platforms have on younger children. The volume of which has intensified after WSJ reported Facebook’s own internal research said Instagram had a toxic effect on kids’ mental health. (Facebook claims the data, while true, has been misrepresented and has pledged to release more of its own internal research to counter.)
Corporate wrangling over cash makes cord-cutting so relaxing.
NBC Universal and YouTube are now publicly fighting about how much cash NBC gets from YouTube TV’s service fees. The pair are recruiting users to aid their causes, with NBC saying YouTube TV users risk losing NBC, USA, Bravo, CNBC and Telemundo (among others) if the Google-owned video service doesn’t pay up. YouTube, meanwhile, has told users it’ll cut the monthly price by $10 a month if those channels do wind up going.
IK Multimedia’s first Uno Synth was a surprise, coming as it did from a company with a pedigree in MIDI controllers rather than synthesizers. It didn’t get it entirely right the first time, but there was enough promise in IK’s premise for it to justify a second go. Managing Editor Terrence O’Brien has spent some time with the improved Uno Synth Pro Desktop, a $400 replacement for the original model. There’s plenty of detail in his full review, but it seems that while IK hasn’t buffed out all of the original’s faults, the sounds are so good, you won’t care.
The CW has started work on a potential reboot of seminal ‘90s TV series Babylon 5 with original creator J. Michael Straczynski back running the show. Originally airing between 1993 and 1999, Babylon 5 helped build the world of Peak TV as it exists today. If you thought Game of Thrones invented long-running plot lines, tireless internet speculation and a lengthy, novelistic series of plot arcs, think again. And Babylon 5 managed to do this on a budget that would have made the makers of General Hospital reconsider if it was worth getting out of bed in the morning.
Of course, you might argue some of B5’s plot lines were a little bit fantastical, even for a sci-fi series. One of the biggest story arcs the series ran was the takeover of the Earth government by a xenophobic and paranoid president who was aided by a shadowy foreign power. Escapism! This may also go some way to redressing the way (parent company) Warner Bros treated B5 both during its original run and in its digital second life, which I’ve covered pretty extensively over the last few years.
Yesterday we wrote about the backlash over "The Phantom Menace," so it seems only fitting that today we focus on another fanboy lightning rod: 2016's "Ghostbusters" reboot. Director Paul Feig's gender-swapped retelling of the title team's origins as a Manhattan ghost entrapment business starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones was met with profoundly toxic hostility from its announcement, with many fans outraged that the studio would want to reimagine their beloved sci-fi comedy franchise while three of the four original 'busters still walked the earth ... discounting that all of them made supportive cameos in the film. And then you had the mostly male "fans" (in this case, a four-letter word) who were incensed simply because they didn't want a version with women, a group that included a certain then-Presidential candidate.
By the time the actual "Ghostbusters" reboot movie was released five summers ago, its actual quality was almost incidental compared to the firestorm that erupted. When the movie bombed out at only $229 million worldwide, and the studio promptly canceled plans for a followup with its four female principles and opted to go with Jason Reitman's direct follow-up "Ghostbusters: Afterlife." But the hate and vitriol the 2016 version had to endure still clearly rankles Melissa McCarthy.
'I Just Don't Get It'
During a chat with Yahoo's Kevin Polowy to promote her new drama "The Starling," McCarthy responded to the backlash against the "Ghostbusters" reboot, which was so severe that the film was rebranded as "Ghostbusters: Answer the Call" for home video.
"There's no end to stories we can tell, and there's so many reboots and relaunches and different interpretations, and to say any of them are wrong, I just don't get it. I don't get the fight to see who can be the most negative and the most hate-filled. Everybody should be able to tell the story they want to tell. If you don't want to see it, you don't have to see it."
The case McCarthy makes here is inarguable. No franchise is worth getting so upset over that you make racist comments and death threats over it, or harass the cast members on social media. That should just be common sense. You can, as an adult, make a conscious decision to ignore a sequel if it doesn't align with your tastes, and more often than not if a new installment is truly terrible it quickly fades from the public consciousness. Movies like "Caddyshack 2," "Blues Brothers 2000," and "Son of the Mask" don't tarnish the legacy of the originals one iota, they simply become relegated to unanswerable trivia questions or asterisks.
But the fact remains that even through all the negative noise and the $70 million loss "Answer the Call" generated for Sony, it has amassed a large cult following, especially among young women. Kate McKinnon's performance as the quirky Egon-substitute Dr. Jillian "Holtz" Holtzmann seems to have a devoted fanbase all on her own. The following is so fierce that Jason Reitman actually got a backlash of his own when he used clumsy language like handing the franchise "back to the fans" to describe "Afterlife." Ultimately history will judge whether the quartet will ever get another chance onscreen, but the slime of the internet that feeds on bad vibes will always be insatiable.
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: LiquidVPN's business model was a fierce one, thriving on the fence of the law. In webpages seen by Ars, the VPN company boasted itself as "the best VPN for torrenting" that would also let you "unblock ISP banned streams," otherwise restricted due to copyright takedown requests. Furthermore, LiquidVPN customers were really in for a treat with "High Quality Popcorn Time Streams" thrown into the mix. And, of course, this was all a "DMCA Free Zone," since, much like any logless VPN provider, Liquid did not have the ability to forward DMCA notices to users downloading infringing content. Except, Liquid listed all of these features on its website explicitly and glamorized all of the possibilities. And imagine doing all these things seven days of the week without the risk of getting caught by your ISP or anyone else, reassured the VPN provider with a "full-refund" guarantee. Transparency can be a good thing when presenting your product, except when your marketing claims surpass the legal gray area.
Unsurprisingly, in March this year, several filmmakers filed a lawsuit with the Florida District Court against LiquidVPN. This month, these plaintiffs are asking the court to issue a default judgment against LiquidVPN for the defendant's failure to plead or show up at the most recent court hearing. According to court documents (PDF), movie production firms argue LiquidVPN should not be extended "safe harbor" protections, as the defendant didn't establish a repeat-infringer policy or appoint a registered DMCA agent. The ask for $9,900,000 comprises the maximum statutory damage amount of $150,000 for each of the 66 works listed in the complaint. Additionally, $1,650,000 has been sought against LiquidVPN for "secondary liability as to DMCA violations." The asks don't stop there, however. The list of demands extends for LiquidVPN to permanently suspend accounts of repeat infringers, dismissing their "no log" policy. But the face of the LiquidVPN website is already nowhere to be seen. For weeks, the homepage has been unreachable, although the client area remains accessible.
Frank Herbert's "Dune" is a dense, monumental sci-fi tome with several feature film disasters to its name. David Lynch's 1984 "Dune" was such a critical and commercial bomb that the filmmaker disowned it. Alejandro Jodorowsky's failed attempt to adapt the sci-fi classic was so infamous that the entire thing was chronicled in an acclaimed 2013 documentary by Frank Pavich. For a while there, it seemed like "Dune" was destined to be given the label "unfilmable" and left to rot on the shelves of Hollywood's never-made productions. That is, of course, until Denis Villeneuve's upcoming "Dune," which has already racked up heaps of praise and hype through the film festival circuit.
However, unbeknownst to many of the American public, Syfy (back then known as the Sci Fi Channel) had already done it — they had made a successful adaptation of "Dune." Actually, they made two successful adaptations: the 2000 miniseries "Frank Herbert's Dune" and the 2003 sequel, "Frank Herbert's Children of Dune." Both three-part miniseries won several Emmy Awards and were some of the highest-rated programs to ever be broadcast on the network.
Notably, the latter miniseries, "Children of Dune," which adapted Herbert's two sequels "Dune Messiah" and "Children of Dune," starred a young, baby-faced James McAvoy before his Hollywood breakout in films like "The Chronicles of Narnia" or "Atonement." And he remembers it all, though "that was a long time ago," he told me in an interview to promote the audio drama "The Sandman Act II." And though he's far removed from the days of playing one of the titular "Children of Dune," McAvoy could not be more excited about Villeneuve's take on the film, or for Timothée Chalamet's performance as his character's father.
From Son Of Dune To Fan Of Dune
James McAvoy knows a thing or two about donning those piercing blue melange-laced eyes and doing some crazy fight choreography in the desert. He starred as Leto II Atreides in the three-part miniseries "Children of Dune," which aired on what was then called the Sci Fi Channel. The miniseries has some of the limitations of a sci-fi cable show (it doesn't look nearly as epic in scope as Villeneuve's film does), but the TV adaptation was mostly praised for turning what a dense, complex story into something a bit more palatable. Even so, as with any sci-fi or genre project that the actor has tackled, McAvoy said that, "this stuff is hard, because it's so bonkers, you know what I mean?"
But even while he doesn't have any specific advice for Chalamet as a former "Dune" star ("He's a cracking actor," McAvoy gushed) he does have advice for starring in a heady sci-fi project like "Dune." McAvoy explained:
"I was in an adaptation of the second and third books. He is in the first book. And he's playing a character who ultimately becomes my father, in terms of the character dialogue. So, no. I've got no advice for him. And he doesn't need any advice from me, he's a cracking actor.But I'll tell you what's one really good piece of advice that was given to me once, was by the cast of ... what was the show called again? Farscape. And it was at the L.A. premiere of Children of Dune, and they said to me, that the thing with this sh*t, i.e. science fiction, is that you have to believe it more than you believe good writing. Good writing, you can just do. It's easier. But this stuff is hard, because it's so bonkers, you know what I mean? And I've really, I've always remembered that advice and taken it to heart. It's so kept me going really, through a lot of science fiction and fantasy work that I've done. Because it was Claudia Black that said it. And I think that's just good advice for any actor doing any kind of science fiction and/or fantasy, you know?"
"It's Dead Exciting."
For the time being, McAvoy is content to move past his days as a son of "Dune" and become a fan of "Dune," particularly of Villeneuve's upcoming adaptation of Herberg's 1965 classic novel and, hopefully, their "bonkers" sequels.
"It's dead exciting," McAvoy said. "Those were a bunch of books, I mean, I've read them all cover to cover, and I love those books. They're crazy. As they get into their final two or three books, I mean, the level of bonkers is unparalleled. But I love them. And so I'm dead excited to see what he does. He's a brilliant filmmaker. A brilliant maker of science fiction. And I do love my science fiction, as well as fantasy. So yeah, I'm whetting my lips."
Hmmmmmm writes: A growing power supply crunch in China is triggering blackouts for households and forcing factories to cut production, threatening to slow the country's vast economy and place even more strain on global supply chains. Companies in the country's industrial heartlands have been told to limit their energy consumption in order to reduce demand for power, state media has reported. And supply has been cut to some homes, reportedly even trapping people in elevators.
An "unexpected and unprecedented" power cut hit three northeastern provinces on Monday, according to the Global Times, a state-run tabloid. The newspaper reported Tuesday that power rationing in Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces has "resulted in major disruptions to the daily lives of people and business operations." Power shortages have also hit the southern province of Guangdong, a major industrial and shipping hub. Local officials said Monday that many firms are trying to reduce demand by working two or three days per week. China's State Grid Corporation said Monday that it would "go all out to fight the tough battle of power supply," making every effort to secure residential consumption.
China was hit by a similar power crunch in June, but the situation is getting worse because of a perfect storm. Its industries are facing huge pressure from soaring energy prices, and from Beijing to tackle carbon emissions. The world's biggest polluter is trying to meet a pledge that its carbon emissions will peak before 2030. That requires its provinces to use less fossil fuel for each unit of economic output, for example by burning less coal to generate power. At the same time, demand for Chinese-made goods has surged as the global economy emerges from the pandemic. The result: not enough power to go round. The shock is even prompting economists to cut growth expectations this year for the world's second largest economy.
