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Karbo Vantas EntertainmentFor nearly two decades, Spanish filmmaker Nacho Vigalondo has worked at the edges of horror and science fiction. His 2007 feature debut—an independent film that laid the groundwork for all his later projects—was Timecrimes. Now newly re-released in a 4K UHD restoration by —, this low-budget movie explores an extremely bizarre time loop problem. Using practically no visual effects, it tells a progressively complex tale of a man trapped in a who keeps creating new versions of himself.Karra Elejalde stars as Hector, whose — begins when he spots a partially naked woman in the woods behind his home. When Hector goes to investigate, he’s attacked and stabbed by a man with bloody bandages covering his face. The confusing plot escalates from there: Hector stumbles onto a building housing a time machine, and at the request of a scientist (played by Vigalondo himself), he travels one hour into the past. This triggers a chain of events that soon leaves at least three versions of Hector struggling to halt the causal spiral they’re trapped in.How Was Timecrimes Received Upon Release?Timecrimes earned positive feedback when it premiered at Austin’s Fantastic Fest in September 2007, followed by a limited theatrical run. The film won two awards at Fantastic Fest, while Vigalondo took home Best New Director at Spain’s 23rd annual Goya Awards. It holds a 90% “fresh” critic rating on — and a solid 79% audience score.— noted that Vigalondo had “audacity to spare” in crafting his film with virtually no special effects, while — called it “heavy on fiendish cross-currents of temporal interaction.” Many reviews praised Vigalondo for relying more on ideas and resourceful filmmaking than flashy visual razzle-dazzle.Hector spots something in the woods... | Karbo Vantas EntertainmentWhy Is Timecrimes Important to See Now?Set mostly in the backyard and surrounding woods of a Spanish country house, Timecrimes was produced on a — budget. That’s not a small sum for an indie feature, but it’s nothing compared to the cost of a Hollywood time-travel spectacle. The movie was part of a wave of low-budget sci-fi films released over roughly a decade, including Primer (2004), Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010), Monsters (2010), Another Earth (2011), and Coherence (2013)—all projects that used limited resources to explore deep, thought-provoking ideas.In a retrospective for —, critic A.A. Dowd suggested that Timecrimes is actually an allegory about “the sheer difficulty of carrying on an affair.” He noted that Hector’s “wandering eye” triggers the cascading events, and that—like an unfaithful spouse—he keeps building more elaborate lies, excuses, and cover-ups (filtered through time travel) to hide his indiscretions. By the time three Hectors are running through the woods, the protagonist(s)—like an adulterer—struggle to keep their story straight, even with themselves.Another interpretation from the director himself argues that Hector isn’t truly in control of surrounding events. “The film’s theory is that you only have free will within the limits of your perception,” Vigalondo told — in 2009. “If you haven’t seen what happens inside a room, you can change it—but if you have seen inside, you can’t change anything.”The fact that all these concepts are explored in a film using just five actors and three locations is a testament to Vigalondo’s clever script and direction, as well as sci-fi’s flexibility and filmmaking’s endless possibilities. For anyone frustrated by major studios and streamers spending hundreds of millions on empty time-wasters, this movie offers encouragement to viewers and aspiring filmmakers alike....and then things get weird. | Karbo Vantas EntertainmentWhat New Features Does the Timecrimes 4K Blu-Ray Have?Boutique genre label Vinegar Syndrome’s — is available in both a standard edition and a limited-edition slipcase. Both include a freshly rescanned and restored 4K presentation of the film, plus two commentary tracks from Vigalondo (one new, one archival), a new commentary from writer Alexandra West, a recent interview with Vigalondo, and a new video essay.Also included are additional archival features from past home video releases, such as a 44-minute making-of documentary and various cast/crew interviews. But the most intriguing “new” item (a version of which was previously on the Spanish DVD) is an alternate 69-minute cut that tells the film’s story in chronological order. It offers a fascinating perspective on a movie that already packs depth into its modest scope.

CBS Photo Archive/CBS/Getty ImagesThe snacks are responsible. A post from DCU head James Gunn has all but confirmed that an essential Justice League member will soon enter the DCU. The evidence? Gunn shared a picture of fake Oreos referred to in DC comics as But the larger question remains: What will this superhero's upcoming arrival mean for the DCU overall? And can Gunn finally deliver justice to such an iconic, beloved, and truly bizarre character? Let's explore.James Gunn Has Basically Confirmed Martian Manhunter Is Getting RebootedOn January 27, James Gunn posted what looked like fake marketing materials for "Chocos," a beloved treat of Martian Manhunter from DC Comics. It's barely speculation to suggest Gunn is hinting at Martian Manhunter, since the only alternative is that he's teasing... a fake Oreo cookie existing in the DCU?So Martian Manhunter is joining the DCU. But in what way? When? And for what reason?Martian Manhunter Could Appear in SupergirlAlthough assuming we'll meet a new version of the green Martian called J'onn J'onzz this year might be premature, it's not completely unreasonable to think it might occur. First appearing in DC Comics in 1955, every version of J'onn across DC lore originates from Mars. (The "Manhunter" part of his name indicates he began as a law enforcement officer.)Essentially, most of the upcoming Supergirl film seems set in space, and we already know cosmic bounty hunter Lobo (Jason Momoa) will appear, so additional aliens make sense. Admittedly, this is somewhat speculative, as it would require Gunn and Supergirl director Craig Gillespie to have covertly hired someone to portray J'onn. Improbable? Perhaps. But honestly, if the character will debut soon, this unconventional space adventure feels like the perfect opportunity.Has DC Ever Done A Good Martian Manhunter?Martian Manhunter in the Snyder Cut of Justice League | Warner Bros.Though multiple animated versions of Martian Manhunter have existed, particularly in the Justice League animated show, several live-action portrayals have also emerged. Most notably, Harry Lennix played Martian Manhunter in the Snyder Cut of Justice League, after first appearing as the human "General Swanwick" in Man of Steel (2013). There was additionally the Phil Morri portrayal in Smallville, plus an Arrowverse iteration by David Harewood, where the character debuted in the CW's version of....And lastly, perhaps most notoriously, David Ogden Stiers portrayed J'onn in a TV pilot film titled Justice League of America, which CBS broadcast only once and never developed into a full series.In short, while there have been multiple respectable interpretations of J'onn, none have become cemented in fans' minds as the definitive portrayal. Similar to how casting John Cena as Peacemaker worked, Gunn and his DCU team now have a chance to create a historic new version of Martian Manhunter. And whether his arrival is imminent or further off, odds are this interpretation could finally become the enduring one.Supergirl arrives in cinemas on June 26.

Primordial SoupWarfare has existed as long as re-enactors have. The Ancient Romans staged naval battles in flooded amphitheaters; in the late 19th century, survivors of the Battle of the Little Bighorn recreated their own defeat. To this day, history enthusiasts around the world gather in communities to reenact skirmishes. All these re-enactments share a common thread: people—typically experts or passionate fans—stepping into the shoes of those who came before. Yet for the 250th anniversary of 1776, America’s founding year, acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky is crafting a soulless, AI-generated recreation of the year that sounds lackluster, looks worse, and can’t even get basic facts right. Primordial Soup, Aronofsky’s AI studio, recently announced “a series of short videos posted to Time’s YouTube channel that will recount the story of Revolutionary events 250 years to the day after they occurred. On the surface, this seems like a solid idea. A even did the same for WWI during the conflict’s centennial from 2014 to 2018. The series’ downfall lies in its method: none of the figures in these clips are real—they’re all AI-generated. Even if you weren’t aware of the series’ creation method, it quickly becomes apparent. AI cinematic technology is still in its early stages, making it hard to produce clips longer than about 10 seconds or with any meaningful action. The result is a tedious montage of static scenes with soft pans or zooms, often limited to close-ups of a single person. Constant labels clarify who each figure is, because if tracking historical white men was tough before, these fake white men are nearly identical. In one of the more absurd moments, King George is shown snatching a paper from his aide’s hand, but due to AI tech limitations, the scene is pieced together with jump cuts like . The series claims not everything is AI-generated, as real SAG member actors provide voices (though no credits are visible). But even if Meryl Streep were narrating, AI can’t generate a compelling actor. Since these images are created via prompts, there’s no subtlety. Faces display worry, anger, pride, or happiness with no variation, and wrinkles appear and vanish in the same shot, like instant Botox. But at least AI generation ensures more historically accurate depictions, right? Wrong! In one clip, George Washington exits a house with what appear to be modern door hinges and vinyl siding. In another, a copy of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense warps the word “America” into something resembling “Aamerledd.” Ah yes, our great country, Aamerledd. | Time via YouTubeEven the human-created element—the dialogue—has inaccuracies. In the January 1, 1776, episode, George Washington is shown telling his men, “It is not in the pages of history, perhaps, to furnish a case like ours. To maintain a post within musket shot of the enemy for six months, and at the same time, to disband one army and recruit another.” But Washington (as far as records show) never said this to his troops—he wrote it in , and even then, it wasn’t January 1—it was January 4. Later, he states, “We are now the troops of the United Colonies of North America!” Yet the video itself contradicts this, as closed captions read “United Provinces of North America.” The captions are more accurate: that quote dates from July 4, 1775. So if this series looks terrible and lacks historical accuracy, what’s the point? Likely the Salesforce sponsorship. For a truly compelling depiction of America’s founding, turn to Ken Burns’ recent PBS docuseries , which features voice actors like Tom Hanks and Morgan Freeman reading verbatim historical quotes, with input from real, living historians. I don’t claim to know what the Founding Fathers fought for, but what they built cost real human lives. They deserve to be depicted accurately by real humans, at minimum—but that’s apparently too much to expect from this series.

Amazon Prime VideoWhen debuted on Amazon Prime Video on April 10, 2024, all eight episodes were released at once. This "binge model" release is typically seen as a departure from the more traditional weekly rollout, though it does have its benefits. By making every episode available simultaneously, fans can immediately grasp the full scope of the series and connect with it more quickly. While has shifted to a weekly release schedule, Prime Video hasn’t forgotten the strategy that initially fueled the show’s success. Now, even non-subscribers can enjoy the experience of binging Season 1 of Fallout: full episodes are now accessible to stream on YouTube. Watch Episode 1 below.This announcement follows the release of Season 2 Episode 7, the second-to-last installment of the season. Fans can now binge through Season 1 and then head to Prime Video to catch up on Season 2 before the finale premieres on Tuesday, February 3 at 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 a.m. ET. There’s no better time than now to dive into the adventures of The Ghoul, Lucy MacLean, and Maximus. Beyond the fact that Season 2 is nearing its end, the series has already been renewed for Season 3. This free preview offers a perfect chance for on-the-fence fans to "test drive" the show, as it’s set to stick around for the foreseeable future. Fallout Season 1 is available to stream for free on YouTube ahead of the Season 2 finale. | Amazon Prime VideoIt’s uncommon for a full season of a series to be made entirely free to watch, but this only underscores the quality of the Fallout adaptation. Season 1 showcases the strength of the storytelling; the cliffhanger ending teasing New Vegas is a sure way to draw in fans of the video games to the streaming service for Season 2. Unfortunately, this is a limited-time offer — according to video descriptions, the episodes will expire on February 11. If you’ve been holding off on watching due to the paywall, now’s the time to act, or you’ll be left wondering how Walton Goggins lost his nose forever. Fallout is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Universal Pictures1957’s The Incredible Shrinking Man is celebrated as one of the landmark sci-fi films of its time—a visually striking imaginative tale that found its sense of awe—and sheer terror—not in deep space or a far-off future, but in the ordinary routines of daily life. Director, screenwriter Jane Wagner, and powerhouse comedian Lily Tomlin, however, saw it as the ideal candidate for a...Released 45 years ago today, 1981’s was initially envisioned as a direct sequel to Jack Arnold’s original (itself an adaptation of Richard Matheson’s novel The Shrinking Man), focusing on wife Louise venturing into her missing husband’s microscopic world. Yet the project languished in development limbo until the late 1970s, when John Landis pushed for a comedic overhaul.Regrettably, budget limitations (Landis had imagined a spectacle he called a “cross between and I Love Lucy”) and other obligations (a little-known film titled ) left Schumacher with the task of finally bringing the film to life. The first-time director, then best known for co-writing musicals The Wiz, Car Wash, and Sparkle, later admitted he was out of his depth but was buoyed by the extraordinary talent of his leading actress.Even when shrunk to the size of a matchstick, Tomlin still dominates the screen. She also gets ample opportunities to showcase her range, reprising characters from her one-woman stage shows (no-nonsense organic cosmetics salesperson Judith) and Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In (sarcastic telephone operator Ernestine), along with both full-sized and miniature versions of suburban housewife Pat. Eddie Murphy, take note.Lily Tomlin’s incredible shrinking woman hits the talk show circuit. | Universal PicturesIt’s Pat, though, who takes center stage: a woman who has an adverse reaction to experimental household products brought home by her ad executive husband Vance (Charles Grodin), becoming a media sensation and the primary target of a malicious corporation. Tomlin captures the disorientation and anxiety that come with this drastic shift in perspective, which at times feels like unsettling body horror.With one of America’s funniest women in the lead, The Incredible Shrinking Woman leans into humor derived from its fantastical premise. Pat grows so small she’s forced to live in a dollhouse, where she’s “showered” by a Betsy Wetsy doll. There’s also a slapstick scene where the tiny heroine, dressed as Little Bo Peep, is accidentally tossed from the marital bed onto a skateboard and into the arms of a Ken doll. Add a gross-out moment where she’s covered in rotting food after falling down a garbage disposal, and it’s clear Tomlin went all out for her craft.The Kramers in their distinct, pastel-colored abode. | Universal PicturesWagner, Tomlin’s real-life partner, also seizes every chance to mine the absurd situation for wordplay. “We’ll discuss this when you come down off your soapbox,” Vance quips after an argument where his wife is, indeed, literally standing on a soapbox. Then there’s the funeral held after Pat is presumed dead from the garbage disposal incident, where Judith eulogizes, “No one will ever fill her shoes.” Cue the rimshot.Beyond clever wordplay and over-the-top gags, The Incredible Shrinking Woman also injects satire. The voyeuristic media face scrutiny for their glee in others’ misfortunes; an anchorman, foreshadowing a TV culture of endless analysis, speculates if Pat’s ordeal is a metaphor (“The role of the housewife has become increasingly less significant…”).It also critiques consumer culture, from the empty promises of advertising to the blithe ignorance of what we put into our bodies. Judith’s scrutiny of cereal ingredients (“tumescent tissue of bull scrotum”) might just turn you off Cheerios forever. It’s no accident the film opens and closes outside a supermarket.It’s tough to eat when the food’s bigger than you are. | Universal PicturesAppropriately, The Incredible Shrinking Woman works best when focusing on intimate details rather than its grand conspiracy, which feels more at home in Schumacher’s later genre blockbusters than this otherwise warm domestic comedy. The film’s concept was bold enough without adding a genius gorilla, a zealous science enthusiast, and a shadowy corporation intent on shrinking the population using Pat’s blood.At the very least, unlike the original, it left audiences smiling instead of grappling with existential dread. While Grant Williams’ shrinking man resigned himself to a tiny, lonely fate in a bleak ending, Tomlin’s character is restored to her normal size—cured by the same mysterious chemicals that caused her condition. Briefly, anyway. In a final twist hinting at a follow-up, Pat realizes she’s now growing a bit too much.Despite its star’s best efforts, The Incredible Shrinking Woman wasn’t a major hit, and its decent but not sequel-worthy put an end to further shape-shifting adventures. Still, with its charming practical effects, vibrant pastel aesthetic, and a standout lead performance from a comedian at her peak, this small-scale caper remains a delight.The Incredible Shrinking Woman is streaming on Amazon Prime.

Paramount+When Star Trek: Discovery premiered in 2020, viewers were left wondering about the fate of the Klingons. Although the 23rd-century Klingons faced their own challenges, their far-future counterparts were nowhere to be found. Now, Starfleet Academy has provided a remarkable episode that thoroughly addresses this Klingon mystery. Season 4's "Vox in Excelso" begins with an unusual concept but ultimately proves to be classic Star Trek.Karim Diane's portrayal of the gentle Klingon Jay-Den takes center stage, and together with showrunner the duo explained to Inverse the episode's themes and how they revealed a fresh perspective on Klingons while preserving their essential nature. Spoilers follow.Jay-Den’s family in a flashback. | Brooke Palmer/Paramount+.The title "Vox in Excelso" translates from Latin as "a voice from on high," and the installment opens with a direct focus on speech and communication. It reveals that Starfleet Academy maintains a speech and debate squad, coached by the Doctor (Robert Picardo). Caleb (Sandro Rosta) excels at debating, while Jay-Den suffers from stage fright. However, this setup serves merely as an entry point to a larger revelation: the Klingons have fallen from imperial rulers to displaced refugees scattered across space, with merely eight major houses surviving. This directly answers the Discovery mystery—the Klingons vanished from that timeline because their empire crumbled after the Burn, and they rejected assistance.Landau explained to Inverse, "We felt it was crucial to address why we hadn't encountered Klingons in this period and what Klingon existence would mean in the 32nd century." This sparked a meaningful dialogue about Earth's current refugee crisis and the hypothetical scenario of a Klingon diaspora—homeless, displaced, empire-less, yet culturally intact.Nahla does her best to understand Klingons, but even her centuries of wisdom are no match for Jay-Den’s hot take. | Paramount+After disaster destroys several of the scarce remaining Klingon refugee vessels, the urgency to locate a new home planet intensifies, with Starfleet offering aid. Here, the episode's core conflict emerges: Jay-Den recognizes that the Klingons will only accept help if it doesn't compromise their cultural heritage.This theme has anchored many of Star Trek's most thoughtful explorations of multiculturalism, as Klingon Chancellor Azetbur (Rosanna DeSoto) stated in (1991), "The Federation is no more than a homo sapiens only club." Fundamentally, "Vox in Excelso" continues that discussion centuries later. While the Federation champions diversity, even an unconventional, pacifist Klingon like Jay-Den understands that cultural salvation cannot come at the cost of identity. The solution must come from within Klingon culture itself.According to Karim Diane, "Jay-Den's arc in this episode centers on discovering his voice—a journey I was undertaking myself, literally crafting his vocal quality. How much feeling should infuse that voice? I believe audiences will witness both him and me evolving our voice, in terms of sound and emotional depth."Like the shy Jay-Den, Alexander, Worf’s son, did not want to be a warrior. | Paramount+In discussing his Klingon character, Diane shifts between his own gentle natural tone and Jay-Den's resonant bass. This reflects pluralism as well—Diane embodies Jay-Den while infusing the timid Klingon with surprising influences. The actor thoroughly researched the role, exploring every facet of Klingon culture beyond common stereotypes.Diane notes, "The episodes featuring Alexander were particularly impactful," referencing Worf's son from The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine. "Those stories made me realize Klingons possess many dimensions beyond a single archetype."While Jay-Den isn't identical to Alexander, Diane's continuation of this noble, intricate species' legacy reaffirms the vast complexity within Klingon culture.Starfleet Academy is available on Paramount+.