ExMachina
Latest
Watching 'Annihilation' at home versus the cinema
Alex Garland wrote 28 Days Later, Sunshine and Dredd, establishing his bona fides as a master of blending horror and mind-bending sci-fi. He then wrote and directed Ex Machina, which propelled him into an elite fraternity of directors producing smart, arty films that stick with you long after you leave the theater. His latest film, Annihilation, was set to be his big mainstream breakthrough, but it will be released theatrically only in the US, Canada and China. In the rest of the world, the film will play on Netflix. Does that mean everyone in the rest of the world is losing out by having to watch it in the comfort of their own homes? We asked two of our editors -- one in New York and one in London -- to report their respective experiences.
What's on TV: 'Orange is the New Black,' 'Orphan Black' and 'Dark Matter'
This week the NHL and NBA Finals continue (and, in at least one case could come to an end), but that's not the only thing on TV. Netflix is ready to officially release season five of Orange is the New Black, BBC America is beginning the final season of Orphan Black and Syfy has a new season Dark Matter. Ex Machina is back with an Ultra HD Blu-ray release, while gamers can check out the latest episode of Telltale's Guardians of the Galaxy series, a new WipEout release on PS4, and DiRT 4. Look after the break to check out each day's highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).
'Ex Machina's' Oscar win is a triumph for low-budget VFX
If you've ever thought that a low-budget sci-fi thriller can't compete with the cream of Hollywood, think again. Last night's Academy Awards handed the Oscar for best visual effects to Alex Garland's brilliant Ex Machina. It's something of a shock, since the category had three heavy hitters in The Martian, Mad Max: Fury Road and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. By comparison, Ex Machina is a claustrophobic three-hander with a minuscule budget of just $15 million. According to Moviefone, that makes it the cheapest FX Oscar winner since 1979's Alien and that's before you take inflation into account.
What's on your HDTV: 'Ex Machina', 'Bojack Horseman', 'God of War III'
This week it's discs vs. streaming, as the summer TV schedule is in full swing. On Blu-ray the sci-fi thriller Ex Machina arrives (as the first release with DTS:X surround sound), along with It Follows and The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. For gamers, Rory McIlroy's golf sim arrives, but the big highlight is God of War III Remastered on the PS4. Netflix follows up Chris Tucker's comedy special last week with a feature on Tig Notaro, and the premiere of Bojack Horseman season two. Geeks Who Drink and Reactor premiere on Syfy, Mythbusters is back on Discovery and FX has the return of Married plus a new show Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll starring Denis Leary. If you insist on sportsing, there's the MLB All-Star game on Fox while NBC has all the major racing series, and the surprisingly-controversial Espy Awards are Wednesday night. Look after the break to check out each day's highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).
The robotic star of 'Ex Machina' is toying with hapless SXSW attendees on Tinder
This post contains spoilers for the movie Ex Machina If you're guaranteed one thing at SXSW, it's that a marketing stunt will play tricks with your stupid human heart. This year, singletons looking for love on Tinder encountered Ava, a 25-year-old New Yorker with a startling resemblance to actress Alicia Vikander. Unfortunately, it's only after you've engaged in a lengthy back and forth that you'll be told that she's not interested in a temporary tumble in Texas. Instead, the whole thing is just a cruel ruse to promote Alex Garland's new film, Ex Machina.
