Charlie Brooker
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‘Black Mirror’ finds new life in our modern hellscape
Season six of Black Mirror is the series at its best: Shocking, incisive and often hilarious.
A new 'Black Mirror' season is in the works after a long hiatus
Casting is underway for the upcoming episodes, according to 'Variety.'
‘Cat Burglar’ works as a cartoon, but fails to nail the whole "game" part
Netflix's Cat Burglar is a fun interactive cartoon, but not much of a game.
'Black Mirror' team's 'Death to 2020' special hits Netflix on December 27th
The mockumentary 'tells the story of the dreadful year that was.'
'Black Mirror' has nothing left to say
The scariest thing in Black Mirror season five is Nine Inch Nails' song "Head Like a Hole" transformed into a teenybopper tune by Miley Cyrus. It's inherently unsettling, as if we're peering into an alternate universe where Trent Reznor's gloomy lyrics have been transformed into anthems of positivity. ("I'm filled with ambition and verve, I'm gonna get what I deserve.") Like many ideas thrown around during the season, the song makes an impact, but Black Mirror fails to build on it. Instead of digging deeper into our relationship with technology and how it's transforming our society (something the series managed effortlessly in its earlier seasons), creator Charlie Brooker too often leans on surface-level observations.
Charlie Brooker's 'Black Mirror' could become a Netflix exclusive
Only seven episodes of Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror have been made, but their dark and unsettling depictions of the future have garnered a sizeable cult following. Now, Radio Times is reporting that the show has attracted the attention of Netflix, and that the streaming service is keen to pull the show away from British broadcaster Channel 4. The show debuted in the UK in 2011, but it wasn't until last December that it landed on Netflix in the US. The last six months will have exposed the series to a massive audience -- at the same time, the streaming service is looking for popular shows to add to its growing "Originals" initiative. Charlie Brooker has previously confirmed that a third series is in the works, but so far we've only been treated to a Christmas special. If Netflix can persuade Brooker to switch allegiances, it would be another critically acclaimed show to slip in between seasons of Daredevil, Orange is the New Black and House of Cards.
You should watch 'Black Mirror: White Christmas' on Channel 4 tonight
Tonight, Charlie Brooker's acclaimed Black Mirror returns for a Christmas special. The 90-minute episode will feature three interwoven stories dripping in the show's trademark dystopian tech. It stars Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Rafe Spall (Prometheus, The Shadow Line), and Game of Thrones' unlucky bride Oona Chaplin. The exact plot of the show is unknown, but it's set in a world where people have the ability to "block" others, Facebook style, from their entire lives. Black Mirror: White Christmas airs tonight at 9PM on Channel 4 (you'll also be able to catch it later on 4oD) and is described as "the most mind-bending episode" of the show to date.
Sniper Elite 3 will give UK satirist chance to snipe himself
When most people really, really like a game, they might display it prominently via posters, collectibles or even a stand for the game itself. When British satirist and former games journalist Charlie Brooker really likes a game - in this case, the Sniper Elite series - he gets invited to appear in Sniper Elite 3 by developer Rebellion. Before you get too jealous, it sounds like Brooker's cameo will be as an NPC, and Brooker will more likely be a snipe-ee than a sniper. Rebellion founder Jason Kingsley spoke highly of Brooker in an associated press release, and said his inclusion will be a way to thank Brooker for being such a vocal fan. "At one stage it seemed like Charlie mentioned Sniper Elite every few weeks in his Guardian columns and we're incredibly grateful for his support, so this seemed like the perfect way to say 'thanks,'" Kingsley said. "We really appreciate Charlie championing a British-made game series." Lest that sound like celebrity endorsement money talking, Kingsley was quick to downplay such corporate motivations. "You can buy endorsement all you want, but gamers can tell the difference between a genuine fan and a celeb that is happy to get a payday." [Image: Rebellion]
