When A Quiet Place announced a third instalment, I was cautiously optimistic. The first two films—especially the original—stood out despite a few flaws and a hefty reliance on suspension of disbelief. What made them shine was their tight storytelling, with action that felt like it followed a logical thread, not just a spectacle for spectacle’s sake. So when I heard the new movie would be a prequel—and, worse, John Krasinski wasn’t directing—I was worried. You know how prequels go in Hollywood. They rarely end well.
But A Quiet Place: Day One did what I didn’t expect. It completely won me over. Not only is it the best film in the series, but it might just be one of the best films of the year. What’s clever is that it manages to be different in tone, style, and scope while still feeling like part of the same universe. Credit for that goes to Michael Sarnoski, who directs the hell out of this movie. He knows how to balance the big spectacle with the intimate moments that make this franchise what it is.
The film expands the world in a way we haven’t seen before, throwing us right into the chaos of an alien invasion in New York City. You’ve got these massive set pieces, people running for their lives, and the tension is dialled up to 11. It’s hard not to be blown away by the scale of it all. But Sarnoski doesn’t let the action overwhelm what matters most—the characters.
Where this film shines is in the quieter moments. It’s not just about aliens attacking; it’s about the people trying to survive. The chemistry between Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn is unreal. They don’t need many words to convey what they’re feeling, and that’s what makes their performances so powerful. It’s in those moments of silence, of stillness, where the film finds its heart.
Sure, there are jump-scares—they’re effective—but this film is more than just about making you jump. It’s about building suspense and making you care about the people on screen. And that’s why this film works. It takes a story that could have easily been another forgettable prequel and turns it into something smart, emotional, and thrilling. A true standout, not just in the franchise, but in the genre.
Few survival stories hit the sweet spot of action, horror, and character development like this. Day One reminds us that, in the end, it’s the people that matter more than the monsters.
A Quiet Place: Day One is out on 4K, Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital Download now.
Martyn is joined by none other than Academy Award-winning director Josh Cooley (Toy Story 4) and legendary Hollywood producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura (Transformers franchise).
The Transformers franchise has been a cultural phenomenon for 40 years, captivating audiences with its unique blend of action, humour, sci-fi, and nostalgia. From animated series to blockbuster films, Transformers has maintained a significant place in pop culture. Now, with the highly anticipated prequel “Transformers One”, directed by Toy Story 4 director Josh Cooley and produced by Hollywood producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, the franchise is set to take a bold new direction. In this interview, we’ll dive deep into exclusive insights from Cooley and di Bonaventura about their vision for the film and how it will expand the Transformers universe.
A Fresh Take on Transformers:
Transformers One marks a new chapter in the franchise, focusing on the origin story of the beloved Autobots and Decepticons. Set on Cybertron, the movie promises to explore the backstory of Optimus Prime and Megatron, long before they became the leaders of their respective factions. This unique angle on the Transformers lore has fans excited to see familiar characters in a fresh light, and both Cooley and di Bonaventura are eager to deliver.
Josh Cooley said: “We wanted to create something that stands apart from the other Transformers films while still paying homage to the rich history of the characters,” he explained. “This is a story about how Optimus Prime and Megatron were once friends, and how they ultimately ended up on opposing sides. It’s a story of betrayal, friendship, and the complexities of leadership.”
For fans who have always been curious about the deeper mythology of Cybertron and the origins of the iconic war, Transformers One promises to deliver in a big way. Lorenzo di Bonaventura, who has been a producer for the Transformers live-action films since the first installment in 2007, sees this project as a chance to explore themes that were previously only touched on in the franchise.
The Challenge of Reimagining Beloved Characters
One of the most exciting—and daunting—challenges for Cooley and di Bonaventura was reimagining characters that have been beloved for generations. Optimus Prime and Megatron, in particular, have become iconic figures in pop culture, and portraying their younger, more vulnerable selves required a delicate balance between respect for the characters’ legacy and injecting fresh storytelling elements.
“Optimus Prime is the epitome of a strong, just leader, but even he wasn’t always perfect,” Cooley explained. “In this film, we see a younger version of him—someone who hasn’t yet become the Optimus Prime we all know. He’s still figuring things out, and that adds a layer of depth to his character.”
On the flip side, Megatron’s transformation from a well-intentioned leader to a ruthless tyrant is a key focus in Transformers One. “We’ve always seen Megatron as the villain, but there’s a deeper story to tell,” di Bonaventura said. “We wanted to explore what motivates him, what pushed him to make the decisions that eventually led him down the path of destruction. It’s not just black and white; there’s complexity there.”
This nuanced portrayal of these iconic characters is a major selling point for the film. Rather than simply being another action-packed installment, Transformers One aims to give fans a deeper understanding of the characters’ motivations and the emotional stakes behind the war on Cybertron.
Building the World of Cybertron:
One of the key differences between Transformers One and previous entries in the franchise is its setting. While past films have primarily taken place on Earth, this movie is set entirely on Cybertron, the home planet of the Transformers. This shift in setting allows for a more in-depth exploration of Cybertronian society, politics, and culture.
Josh Cooley expressed his excitement about building out the world of Cybertron: “We’re creating a completely new visual language for the planet. Cybertron is this massive, living world with its own history, architecture, and ecosystems. It’s been an incredible experience working with the design team to bring this world to life in a way that feels both familiar to fans and entirely new.”
Lorenzo di Bonaventura added, “Fans have been asking for a Cybertron-focused story for years, and we knew that if we were going to do it, we had to go all-in. This is Cybertron like you’ve never seen it before—there are political factions, different regions with their own unique environments, and so much history that informs the characters’ actions.”
The production team has worked closely with long-time Transformers lore experts to ensure that the portrayal of Cybertron remains true to the franchise’s roots while still introducing new elements to keep the story fresh and exciting.
A Star-Studded Cast:
A major draw for Transformers One is its star-studded voice cast. Chris Hemsworth lends his voice to the young Optimus Prime, bringing a fresh energy to the character. Hemsworth’s ability to balance strength and vulnerability makes him a perfect fit for this version of Optimus, and fans are eager to hear his take on the role.
Meanwhile, Brian Tyree Henry voices Megatron, giving a performance that’s expected to showcase the character’s complex journey from hero to villain. Henry’s ability to convey deep emotion and inner conflict will be essential in bringing Megatron’s arc to life.
The supporting cast includes Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, and Laurence Fishburne, among others, all of whom bring their considerable talents to the world of Transformers. Each actor has been carefully chosen to reflect the unique qualities of the characters they portray, and their performances are expected to elevate the film’s emotional and narrative depth.
Animation-Pushing the Boundaries:
Unlike the live-action Transformers films, Transformers One will be an animated feature. This decision was made in part to allow for greater creative freedom in bringing Cybertron to life and in depicting the Transformers themselves in their early, more idealistic forms.
Josh Cooley, having worked in animation for years, sees this as an opportunity to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the medium. “Animation allows us to do things that would be impossible or prohibitively expensive in live-action,” he explained. “We can create massive, sweeping environments, have the characters move in ways that feel more true to their robotic nature, and really get creative with the visual storytelling.”
The animation style, while not fully revealed, is expected to blend cutting-edge technology with a more classic Transformers aesthetic. Cooley has emphasized that the team is working hard to strike the right balance between paying homage to the original designs and updating them for a modern audience.
What Transformers One Means for the Future of the Franchise
With Transformers One, the creative team is not just looking to add another chapter to the franchise—they’re hoping to create a new starting point for future stories. By focusing on the origins of the Autobots and Decepticons, Cooley and di Bonaventura are laying the groundwork for potential sequels and spin-offs that could delve even deeper into the rich mythology of the Transformers universe.
Lorenzo di Bonaventura hinted at the broader implications of the film: “This is a movie that opens up a lot of possibilities. There’s so much untapped potential in the Transformers lore, and Transformers One is just the beginning. We’re excited to see where the story can go from here.”
Transformers One is out in the UK & Ireland on 11th October 2024.
Written by Alvarez and collaborator Rodo Sayagues, Alien: Romulus tells a story set between the first two films, beginning with the wreckage of the Nostromo floating through space as a crew we don’t know investigates the area, eventually finding the creature expelled from the shuttle by Ripley at the end of the first film, making the mistake of bringing it aboard. From there, we move to a colony inhabited by Weyland-Yutani workers and meet Rain (Spaeny), a young woman whose parents died from mining-related illnesses, and whose only companion is the synthetic Andy (Jonsson), reprogrammed to always prioritise her well-being. Believing her contract with the corporation is about to end, allowing her to leave the colony, Rain is shocked to learn that the agreement has been extended, meaning she must stay for several more years.
It’s then that her ex-boyfriend Tyler (Renaux) reveals the existence of an old, decommissioned ship in orbit around the planet, with cryogenic chambers that could enable the escape of a group that also includes his sister Kay (Merced), his cousin Bjorn (Fearn), and Bjorn’s girlfriend Navarro (Wu).
Production designer Naaman Marshall crafts a landscape that looks like absolute hell, all whilst maintaining the aesthetic of the originals. Every piece of equipment has large, buttons and systems that load user photos slowly. Ships, tools, and weapons display dirty, old, and irregular surfaces. The colony-planet is depicted as an industrial nightmare, where life is cheap and the workers live in darkness, and exhaustion, under constant threat of illness or death.
Alvarez and cinematographer Galo Olivares have learned from the originals that horror is often heightened by what we don’t see, plunging parts of the sets into heavy shadows. The filmmaker also brings new ideas to the franchise, such as the terrifying X-ray image and the zero-gravity sequence. The sound design is also flawless, opting for silence at key moments.
If I have any criticisms, it’s that apart from Rain and Andy, the rest of the group feels a bit one-dimensional, though an extended cut on Blu-Ray could potentially address this. Despite this, every actor delivers an outstanding performance, with special mention to David Jonsson, who masterfully adjusts Andy’s character throughout the film without losing its essence.
This is the best Alien instalment in nearly 40 years, although your enjoyment may hinge on how you feel about the use of CGI to resurrect a dead actor. However, it is worth noting they had full permission from his widow, who loved and thought her husband would be happy with the result.
It’s no secret that the MCU has fallen by the wayside lately, with even its most die-hard fans losing interest. A lot of pressure and expectation rest on “Deadpool & Wolverine,” and while it’s a fun ride, it’s not quite the fix Marvel needs.
That’s not to say it’s a bad film—far from it. “Deadpool & Wolverine” is a very good “Deadpool” film, certainly better than “Deadpool 2.” Ryan Reynolds’ love for the character and source material shines through, and everyone involved cares.
The setup is intriguing: a TVA suit, known as Mr. Paradox (Matthew MacFadyen), has been tasked with tidying up all the dead-end timelines. He either lets the universes fade away or puts people into The Void, where these discarded souls come under the power of Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin), the telepathic evil twin of Charles Xavier.
We catch up with Wade Wilson, who has long since retired as Deadpool and is working as a used car salesman with Peter (Rob Delaney). Wade is then kidnapped by Mr. Paradox, who offers him a place in the MCU if he helps him close Wade’s universe. With this universe’s Wolverine having died in “Logan,” Wade decides to find another version of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) to help him defeat Mr. Paradox and save his world.
The film is fast-paced, foul-mouthed, and an absolute joy. As a lifelong comic book fan, it had me grinning from ear to ear. Team-ups happened constantly in the comics, and “Deadpool & Wolverine” is filled with familiar faces from the MCU and Marvel-adjacent stars. Even some fan-casted actors jump in for a slice of the action.
Every few minutes, the audience in my screening burst into cheers and applause as another famous face appeared. It was like “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” but with an added 26 years’ worth of nostalgia.
The problem with stuffing all that fanservice into a 2-hour movie is that it doesn’t leave much room for the story to breathe. Balancing all those cameos in a 2-hour film makes them feel underserved. Giving each character the time they deserve would result in a 4-hour movie, which would feel too much.
I’ll end my review here, as I don’t want to spoil any surprises. If you want to see this spoiler-free, do yourself a favour and see it this weekend.
The lovely people at Paramount have given us a set of 10 tickets to give away for a fan screening of Transformers One, happening on 25th of July in London. Exact location and time to be confirmed.
To be in with a chance of winning answer the question either on Twitter or via email info@badwilf.com
Question: In the Transformers universe, what is the name of the ancient artifact that can harness and control the power of the Transformers and is sought after by both the Autobots and Decepticons?
**Terms and Conditions**
1. **Entry:** To enter the competition, participants must correctly answer the competition question. Only one entry per person is allowed.
2. **Prize:** Each winner will receive one (1) ticket to the screening of Transformers One. A total of ten (10) tickets will be given away.
3. **Winner Selection:** Winners will be selected at random from all correct entries received. The draw will take place on Monday 22nd July 2024.
4. **Notification:** Winners will be notified via X/Twitter. If a winner cannot be contacted, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.
5. **Prize Claim:** The prize must be claimed as instructed in the notification message.
6. **Conditions:**
– One ticket per winner.
– Travel and accommodation are not included.
– The prize is non-transferable and no cash or other alternatives will be offered.
– The prize is subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice.
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11. **General:** www.badwilf.com’s decision in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Join us as we explore this new era of Doctor Who and provide our insights on the latest adventures of The Fifteenth Doctor.
“Boom” is the highly anticipated third episode of the fourteenth season of the iconic British science fiction series, Doctor Who. Written by acclaimed writer Steven Moffat, former showrunner from 2010 to 2017, and directed by the talented Julie Anne Robinson, this episode was broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom on May 18, 2024, and made its debut on Disney+ in the United States on May 17, 2024.
In this gripping episode, the Fifteenth Doctor, portrayed by Ncuti Gatwa, and his companion, Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson, find themselves on an alien planet embroiled in a massive war. The Doctor accidentally steps on a landmine, creating a tense and thrilling scenario where he must devise a way to disarm it without moving. Adding to the excitement, the episode features a surprise guest appearance by Varada Sethu as Mundy Flynn, ahead of her expected debut in the following series.
“Boom” has been widely praised, attracting an impressive 3.57 million viewers and receiving positive critical acclaim for its intense storyline and standout performances.
“73 Yards” is the riveting fourth episode of the fourteenth season of the beloved science fiction series, Doctor Who. This episode, penned by the renowned Russell T Davies and directed by Dylan Holmes Williams, first aired on BBC One in the United Kingdom on May 25, 2024, and was released on Disney+ in the United States on May 24, 2024.
The storyline takes a dramatic turn as the Fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, vanishes off a cliffside in Wales after disturbing a fairy circle. His companion, Ruby Sunday, portrayed by Millie Gibson, embarks on a desperate search for him while being trailed by a mysterious woman who maintains a constant distance of 73 yards. Russell T Davies describes this episode as a venture into folk horror, adding a chilling layer to the Doctor’s adventures. Notably, “73 Yards” was the first episode of the fourteenth series to be filmed, with production occurring in various picturesque locations across Wales in late 2022 and early 2023.
“73 Yards” captivated an audience of 4.058 million viewers and garnered positive reviews from critics. Millie Gibson’s performance, in particular, received widespread acclaim.
“Dot and Bubble” is the fifth episode of the fourteenth season of the acclaimed British science fiction series, Doctor Who. Written by Russell T Davies, who originally conceived the idea for the sixth series, and directed by Dylan Holmes Williams, this episode first aired on BBC One in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2024, and premiered on Disney+ in the United States on May 31, 2024.
In this thrilling episode, the Fifteenth Doctor, portrayed by Ncuti Gatwa, and his companion, Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson, face the daunting task of saving the city of Finetime from a horde of human-eating slugs. They primarily communicate with Lindy Pepper-Bean, depicted by Callie Cooke, through social media to coordinate their efforts and assist the beleaguered residents of Finetime.
“Dot and Bubble” delves into profound themes such as the impact of social media on society, racism, and elitism. Both Russell T Davies and critics have drawn comparisons between this episode and the thought-provoking anthology series Black Mirror. The episode was met with positive reviews, praised for its insightful commentary and engaging narrative.
“The characters are famous. It’s not false modesty. No, we don’t draw them. We don’t write them. But there is something about the soul and the voice, and I think the two, in this instance, are absolutely, inextricably linked. And when it’s done well, when you have people like Steven Spielberg all the way down, who are the best of the best, top of the line. Then you really have to work to screw it up.” – Rob Paulson.
Recorded at the recent MCM London Expo, this unforgettable episode features a sit-down with voice acting legends Rob Paulsen and Jess Harnell. Dive into the fascinating world of animation with the voices behind iconic characters like Yakko Warner, Pinky, and Wakko Warner from “Animaniacs.”
The conversation is filled with humour and camaraderie as Paulsen and Harnell share their industry experiences and discuss the impact their characters have had on multiple generations of fans.
They reflect on the joy of making people smile through their work and express their gratitude for being part of something that brings happiness to so many.
Whether you’re an animation enthusiast or an aspiring voice actor, this episode is packed with inspiration and entertainment. Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to hear from two of the industry’s most beloved talents! Tune in now!
Rob Paulson: is a voice actor known for his work in various animated series and films. He has lent his voice to iconic characters such as Yakko Warner in “Animaniacs,” Pinky in “Pinky and the Brain,” and Raphael in the original “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” series. With a career spanning over 40 years, Paulson has become one of the most recognisable voices in the industry.
Jess Harnell: is a voice actor and singer known for his work in animated series and films. He is best known for his role as Wakko Warner in “Animaniacs” and Ironhide in the “Transformers” franchise
This week, we’re excited to share our thoughts on the first two episodes of the new season: Space Babies and The Devil’s Chord, written by Russell T Davies and starring Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson. Without any major news to cover, we jump straight into our review and discussion.
Join us as we explore this new era of Doctor Who and provide our insights on the latest adventures of The Fifteenth Doctor.
In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the Spengler family returns to where it all started – the iconic New York City firehouse – to team up with the original Ghostbusters, who’ve developed a top-secret research lab to take busting ghosts to the next level. But when the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second Ice Age.
Amazon Prime has released the first trailer for Ricky Stanicky.
When three childhood best friends pull a prank gone wrong, they invent the imaginary Ricky Stanicky to get them out of trouble! Twenty years after creating this ‘friend,’ Dean, JT, and Wes (Zac Efron, Andrew Santino, and Jermaine Fowler) still use the nonexistent Ricky as a handy alibi for their immature behavior. When their spouses and partners get suspicious and demand to finally meet the fabled Mr. Stanicky, the guilty trio decide to hire washed-up actor and raunchy celebrity impersonator “Rock Hard” Rod (John Cena) to bring him to life. But when Rod takes his role of a lifetime too far, they begin to wish they’d never invented Ricky in the first place. From director Peter Farrelly and featuring additional cast members including William H. Macy, Lex Scott Davis, and Anja Savcic.
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