We are at the dawn of a new space age. If you doubt, simply look back at the last year: From SpaceXs historic catch of the Super Heavy booster to the record-breaking number of lunar landing attempts, this year was full of historic and ambitious missions and demonstrations.Were taking a look back at the five most significant moments or trends in the space industry this year. Naysayers might think SpaceX is overrepresented on this list, but that just shows how far ahead the space behemoth is in relation to its competitors. In no particular order:1. Boeings bungled Starliner mission turns into a SpaceX winNASA and Boeing no doubt had high hopes when the Starliner vehicle lifted off for its first crewed test mission in June. But a series of technical malfunctions occurred as the vehiclemade its final approach to the International Space Station, which kicked off a months-long investigation into those problems, with the chief concern being whether the two onboard astronauts could safely use Starliner to come back home.Out of an abundance of caution, NASA officials determined that the two astronauts would stay aboard the ISS for many more months than originally planned, and that they would return using a SpaceX Dragon capsule in the spring. The decision was a major blow to Boeing, which has incurred about $1.6 billion in cost overruns developing Starliner, and may need to conduct another crewed test flight before the vehicle can be certified to fly regularly for NASA. (For what its worth, the capsule performed a flawless touchdown.)Image Credits:NASA (opens in a new window)2. SpaceX catches Super Heavy for the first timeSpaceX made incredible progress in its Starship test program, with the company launching the massive rocket four times in 2024, bringing the total launches to six overall. During the fifth flight in October, the Super Heavy booster flew back to the launch site, and was caught by two large arms jutting out from the launch tower.The space company nailed booster reuse with its workhorse Falcon 9 rocket, with the company successfully recovering 367 boosters to date. These boosters touch down on land or on massive ships at sea using four legs that are autonomously deployed right before touch down. But using a similar technique to recover the Super Heavy is impractical for a number of reasons chiefly its massive size which led SpaceX engineers to develop the booster catch method.Image Credits:SpaceXDuring the most recent launch test in November, SpaceX decided to scrub a second catch attempt, so there is clearly still work to do to hit the kind of launch and recovery cadence the company is aiming for. But the catch marked a historic day in spaceflight not to mention, arguably one of the most incredible engineering feats of the century so far.3. Polaris Dawn crew performs first private spacewalkJared Isaacman has been in the news recently due to his nomination to the role of NASA Administrator by incoming President Donald Trump. But the billionaire founder of payment processing company Shift4 Payments also made headlines this year when he led the Polaris Dawn mission and performed the first commercial spacewalk.Spacewalks are incredibly dangerous: in leaving their vehicle, astronauts expose themselves to risks like micrometeoroids and radiation, not to mention having to rely on the integrity of their spacesuits to provide essentials like oxygen and cooling. Yet the crew of Polaris Dawn, along with their mission partners SpaceX, took on exactly these challenges with the mission. Two of the four crew members, Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis, took turns emerging from the top of their vehicle, a specially equipped Dragon, for about ten minutes each. The pair performed a series of tests on the SpaceX-made spacesuits while connected to the vehicle via umbilical cord.Image Credits:Polaris Dawn (opens in a new window)4. Multiple firms take aim at the moonThis year, two private companies and two nations attempted to touch down on the moon. While the total number of attempts is not a record, the breadth of players certainly is: Japan, China, and two American companies all took their shot at success.intuitive machines odysseus descendingImage Credits:Intuitive Machines (opens in a new window)The outcomes were mixed. Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic had to abort its landing attempt around ten days into the mission. Intuitive Machines and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, meanwhile, both reached the surface but failed to land in an upright position. Chinas Chiange 6 mission, which both landed and returned samples from the far side of the moon, appears to be the only straightforward success.5. The Space Force pays outWed be remiss not to mention one of the space industrys single largest customers the Department of Defense whose priorities and spending shape the ecosystem overall. This year, the Space Force awarded a number of major contracts to commercial providers, signaling that its willing to pay big dollars to commercial entities that can deliver.Some notable contracts include a $733 million, eight-launch contract to SpaceX; a $515 million contract for 18 satellites to Rocket Lab; several contracts to defense startup Anduril for surveillance and other work; and a series of smaller but no less notable contracts for rapid response capabilities to True Anomaly, Impulse Space and Rocket Lab.

Hi everyone,First of all, sorry if my english is bad nad hope you can help me.I have a project where Im making a tornado in a small city. The problem is when i want to render ar Karma sometimes it crashes when i want to go back to OBJ or Karma layer trying to change or add something like a light.I saw at Cache Management that I have 400% at SOP Cache. How can I lower that %?I dont think its my PC problem, have 96 gb RAM and a RTX 3060. Maybe its because Houdini didnt use enough RAM?Need help to stop crashing my file every 5 minutes when I try to make some changes.If you need some more info just tell me!Thanks!

Built in 1892, at the height of the convergence of tastes of the Queen Anne Victorian and more traditional Colonial Revival architectural styles, the Louis E. Robinson House at 60 Stimson Avenue in Providence, Rhode Island, showcases the intricacies and whimsy that can be designed when a house is a blending of styles. The residence was built for Louis Elmer Robinson (not Robertson like so many sources claim), a cotton dealer and merchant, from plans by architect Frank W. Angell of the firm, Gould & Angell of Providence. The Robinson House is a gambrel-roofed mass, set gable end to the street, leaving only the ground story and side elevations in clapboard. The polygonal half-tower attached to the side elevation and its paneled grouping of windows retains the older medieval allusion of the early Queen Anne style, but with a swans neck pediment topping the stair hall window showcased the Colonial influence. I am imagining the home with a more period-appropriate color palette, but it still shines!

Apple AirTags are bulky and not ideal for wallets. This SmartCard, which I tested, is better in almost every way.

Poulty farmer Bill Powers checks on his flock of white turkeys, which have been kept under shelter ... [+] all year to prevent exposure to avian influenza, at his familys farm on November 14, 2022 in Townsend, Delaware.Getty ImagesOver the past year, bird flu has spread far beyond America's avian creatures. Largely concentrated among farm animals, it's also hit zoos, domestic pets and even people.The risk to public health remains very low. But experts are watching the disease closely as it spreads and adapts among animals, in case any changes improve it's ability to infect to humans.What Is Bird Flu?Also known as avian influenza, bird flu belongs to a group of influenza viruses known as H5. It's become widespread among wild birds all over the world in recent years, with outbreaks in poultry and cows bringing it closer to people.In birds, the disease causes symptoms including swelling to the head, watery eyes and unusual movement. It can kill the and is animalsthought to have led to 280 million deaths since 2021. An estimated 127,470,312 poultry have been affected by the disease across 50 states.Cows have also been seriously affected by bird flu. Nearly 900 herds of cattle in 16 states have seen bird flu infections, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.The virus is not well adapted to people, so it usually results in mild disease in humans. Case numbers are still very low, with 66 human infections reported in the U.S so far this year. The disease can't pass between humans, and most cases have been tied to animal exposure.Bird flu has been found in samples of raw milk, leading to recalls of the product over public health concerns. Officials say pasteurized milk is still safe to drink as the process kills the virus.MORE FOR YOUWhat Other Animals Have Caught Bird Flu?Bird flu has infected numerous animals besides wild birds, poultry and cows. Earlier this week, a Washington sanctuary announced the disease had killed 20 big cats died in a Washington sanctuary more than half of the animals in its care.The sanctuary lost one Bengal tiger, four cougars, one African caracal, two Canada lynx, one Geoffroy cat, one Bengal cat, one Eurasian lynx, four bobcats and five African servals. Infections have previously been reported in other big and wild cat species, including Asian golden cats, Amur leopards and clouded leopards."Cats are particularly vulnerable to this virus, which can cause subtle initial symptoms but progress rapidly, often resulting in death within 24 hours due to pneumonia-like conditions," the Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington wrote on its Facebook page.Domestic cats can also catch the disease, with an Oregan house cat recently dying after eating raw, frozen cat food tainted with bird flu. Cases have also been reported in dogs, goats and alpacas, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department for Agriculture. Bird flu was also responsible for the death of a polar bear in Alaska.Over the years, U.S. wild mammals including mountain lions, bears, dolphins, seals, coyotes, foxes, martens, American minks, fishers, otters, raccoons, skunks, opossums, squirrels, mice, cottontails and prairie voles have all caught bird flu.The disease is prominent across the globe, even spreading to the Antarctic, where it's killed significant numbers of penguins, elephant seals and fur seals.What's The Risk of Bird Flu To Humans?Special proteins on the bird flu virus help it bind to sugars on the surface of a host animal's cells. The sugars on different animals have different shapes, some of which are fit the virus better than others.These bird flu proteins are well-adapted for birds and cows, whose sugars are relatively similar in shape. The human equivalent is shaped quite differently, which makes it harder for the virus to get a good hold. This results in generally milder disease and stops bird flu transmitting between people.Experts are watching the virus closely as it spreads and mutates, to see if it develops any adaptations that could make it better at binding to human cells.Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced this week they had found "low frequency mutations" to some of the proteins involved in binding in a sample from the nation's first severe human case.Evidence shows the virus likely mutated within the Louisiana patient, who developed serious illness from their bird flu infection earlier this month. Although it's still "concerning," the CDC states it would be more worrying if this changed had happened prior to this specific infection. There's no evidence the infection spread to anyone beyond this one patient.Experts say the mutation also isn't enough to allow for person-to-person transmission. Is this an indication that we may be closer to seeing a readily transmitted virus between people? No, said University of Minnesota infectious disease researcher Michael Osterholm. Right now, this is a key that sits in the lock, but it doesnt open the door.Mutations are an normal part of the spread of a virus, which replicates itself imperfectly, resulting in the tiny changes. Most mutations will have little impact on the way a virus transmits. Bird flu may never adapt in the way it needs to to be able to pass between humans.But just in case it does, countries including the U.S. and the U.K. have already ordered millions of doses of an H5 bird flu vaccine.

AI is helping to change the future of entertainmentgettyThe media and entertainment industry is known for pushing boundaries of whats possible with art and technology to captivate audiences and create unforgettable experiences. Advancements in technology have transformed the way content is created, edited, consumed, and shared. From advances in video and audio quality, to redefining how we consume content such as videos, music, and movies, the media and entertainment industry is constantly at the forefront of innovation. They have a unique skill of blending creativity with cutting-edge technology to shape the way people connect with stories and experiences.AI is now the latest technology helping to reimagine the industry. AI is transforming media and entertainment, revolutionizing content creation, audience engagement, and augmenting human creativity. Its impacting how content is created, delivered, and consumed and also allowing for personalized content at scale engaging users in ways not possible before.Augmenting Creativity in EntertainmentCreating content such as movies, books, or songs has always been a labor-intensive task. It requires However, now AI tools are lightening the load in ways that were unimaginable a decade ago. Automated systems are helping with brainstorming ideas, writing articles, summarizing information, and even drafting movie scripts. Now, with just a few prompts, LLMs can generate compelling storylines or craft catchy headlines, enabling media professionals to focus on higher-level creative decisions.Visual storytelling is also benefiting from AI. These AI-powered tools are helping to speed up video and image editing by automating tasks like color correction, object removal, and scene transitions. What once took trained professionals lots of time to do, now can be done quickly with AI. Some of these tools are becoming so easy to use that even amateur content creators are benefiting. Its now easier than ever to produce professional-grade visuals in record time.Personalizing Audience ExperiencesIn the age of streaming, personalization has become a welcome and expected part of audience engagement. People now expect and demand personalized content at the exact time they want it, on the exact platform, and with tailored recommendations. And, because of AI, this is now possible. Platforms like Netflix and Spotify use AI to analyze a variety of different data points for each individual including user behavior, personal preferences, and viewing or listening history. AI systems are then able to take this data and provide tailored recommendations keeping audiences engaged and on their platforms.MORE FOR YOUAI is also playing a crucial role in online content moderation. By detecting and removing harmful or inappropriate material in real-time, AI ensures a safer and more enjoyable user experience. This not only alleviates the need for lots of human moderators, but now allows for moderation at scale in real time which isn't possible without the help of AI.Additionally, AI-driven analytics helps companies monitor and analyze audience and user feedback in real-time. By tracking user sentiment and engagement patterns, AI provides invaluable data on what resonates with viewers, allowing companies to refine their strategies and develop content that truly connects.Transforming Decision MakingIn addition to changing how content is created and consumed, AI is also revolutionizing monetizing avenues for companies. For example, AI-powered systems are analyzing user data to deliver hyper-targeted ads. These ads are more relevant to audiences, yielding higher engagement rates and better ROI for advertisers.AI is also helping entertainment and media companies make smarter, data-driven decisions about which projects to pursue. AI can analyze vast amounts of historical data and market trends to help executives better predict the potential success of movies, TV shows, or other content before they even enter production. This predictive power reduces financial risks and ensures resources are invested in projects with the highest chance of success.As AI continues to be adopted in media and entertainment, tangible benefits across the whole process from how content is created to the final output will only continue to be enhanced. Whether its helping brainstorm the concept for the next hit series, analyzing audience preferences, or personalizing every interaction, AI is shaping the future of how we create and consume media.

In brief: The US Federal Trade Commission has spent weeks investigating Microsoft's cybersecurity deals with the federal government. Although the case's fate under the incoming Trump administration remains uncertain, the Commission continues to pursue it, illuminating the tech giant's alleged strategy of locking government customers into its products to block competition. Microsoft has received a subpoena to turn information over to the US Federal Trade Commission amid accusations of anticompetitive behavior. The company's wide-ranging cybersecurity agreement with multiple federal agencies may violate antitrust law.The investigation follows a ProPublica report detailing how the firm convinced the government to convert much of its digital infrastructure to Microsoft products after the 2020 SolarWinds cyberattack. The company is accused of bypassing the traditional contract bidding process, sticking federal customers with expensive subscription fees, and rendering migration to competitors like Google or Amazon prohibitively difficult.Following SolarWinds, the White House summoned the heads of Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and other big tech names to discuss strategies for improving US cybersecurity. In response, Microsoft offered to help various government sectors upgrade to its highest-quality security products.Although using Microsoft's cybersecurity systems was initially free, steep subscription prices were triggered once the trial periods ended. By this point, the numerous divisions using Microsoft's products, including the military, had become so accustomed to them that they paid instead of switching.As reported last month, Microsoft's cloud business, Azure, is a primary focus of the FTC's investigation. Federal divisions that switched to the company's platform eventually bought more products that ran on Azure. A former Microsoft salesperson compared the process to getting a customer addicted to crack. // Related StoriesCritics argue that the arrangement makes the government too dependent on Microsoft, locking out competitors and increasing the potential for a cascade of security failures. A traditional round of bidding followed by a heterogeneous security policy might have lowered prices and boosted cybersecurity resilience.Moreover, the SolarWinds hack occurred due to a vulnerability in Microsoft's software. The company claimed that its higher subscription tiers would have prevented the incident, but it had ignored warnings about the flaw years earlier.Some suspect that Microsoft's free trials might amount to illegal gratuities, but the company considers it a "100 percent discount" added to pre-existing contracts. Assuming the FTC's investigation survives into the oncoming administration, clearly defining the terms of the deal could prove to be a focal point of the case.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsThe problem with Windows HelloA brief history of Face ID on the MacThe best of both worldsWhy Face ID on Macs excites meApple could also adopt this feature from a PCI love my MacBook Pro, but the fact that its gone this long without Face ID still boggles the mind. The feature first came to iPhones in 2017, while Windows Hello facial authentication kicked off in 2015. That means were likely going into 2025 with MacBooks being a full decade behind Windows laptops.So yes, on one hand, Macs are in desperate need of Face ID. On the other hand, based on how Windows Hello has played out on even the best laptops running Windows, I have one big concern about how it might be implemented.Recommended VideosDigital TrendsTo understand what Face ID on the Mac could be like, we dont need to look far. While Microsoft was ahead of the game, that doesnt mean its implementation in Windows was perfect. Far from it. The main problem is with performance. Theres nothing more frustrating than attempting to sign into an operating system, only to get rejected. In my time with Windows laptops that use facial recognition through the IR camera, it happened enough times to put me off.Apple could, in theory, solve that biggest problem with Windows Hello fairly easy namely thanks to the tight integration of hardware and software. That, Im not concerned about. But theres still one area they could stand out: incorporating both Face ID and Touch ID.Although its possible for Windows laptops to have both a fingerprint reader and an IR camera, its become increasingly common for laptops to choose one or the other. In my experience, this is a detriment to the whole experience.While facial recognition undoubtedly has a useful place in computing, a laptop display is often too far from you, especially when using it as a media player. The same applies when using it on your lap on a train, when in a car, or even when placed on a table thats the wrong height.A fingerprint reader solves each of these problems, while also providing a hardware backup if facial recognition fails and you dont want to expose your PIN in public. These arent just hypotheticals: Ive been through each of these scenarios over the past few months, and each time, my thought was the same.The logo for Face ID on a Mac as published on an Apple Support page in September 2024 Apple SupportSince Face ID came to the iPhone X in 2017, Apple has been rumored to be working on bringing facial recognition to the Mac. Each year, we hear more rumors of expected dates, but like AirPower was eventually shuttered despite years of expectation, theres still no guarantee that Apple will actually bring Face ID to the Mac.Either way, we last heard about a Mac with Face ID back in September, with an App Store listing purportedly showing the outline of a Mac with the Face ID icon on it (as seen above). Depending on how you look at it, Apple made a mistake or is trolling its users.Reliable Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman previously revealed that Apple has tested Face ID on the Mac, and it was rumored to be part of the first M-Series MacBook. And yet, four years later, its been a no-show. Lets not forget Touch ID only came to Mac desktops in 2021, a full eight years after first launching on the iPhone.While I do think that Face ID will eventually come to the Mac, when it does, I have just one request: to not get rid of Touch ID. After all, the introduction of Face ID on the iPhone X also meant the removal of Touch ID.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsI use Touch ID on my Mac all the time, and one of its key benefits is compatibility with desktop accessories. Unlike Face ID, which would require your laptop enclosure to be opened. A MacBook Pro with only Face ID would essentially be my current MacBook Pro, except it would miss a feature that I rely on regularly.My MacBook Pro spends 90% of its time in clamshell mode when connected to two 4K monitors, but Ive paired it with a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID. This means I can still use all the biometric security features, but I dont need to disrupt my current workflow. The popularity of this keyboard suggests that many users would also miss these features.Sure, Apple could follow the PC-maker approach and launch a Face ID-compatible external camera thats sold separately, or it could just keep Touch ID and give us the best of both worlds. As I said earlier, while many Windows laptops have chosen either Touch ID or Face ID, not all have made that mistake. The HP Elitebook x360, as an example, has both a fingerprint reader and IR webcam, allowing you to use whichever is more convenient. This is how it should be done.Digital TrendsAs long as Apple keeps the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, I think theres a lot of potential for Face ID on Macs. First, Apples approach to compatibility would solve many of the performance issues with Windows Hello while providing more security.Microsoft has to cater to all PC-makers with Windows Hello, Apple just has to cater to its own needs. This is clear in each companys current approach to facial recognition: Face ID is known for a more advanced map of your face, whilst Windows Hello has a lower barrier to entry making it easier for more companies to use the feature.Microsofts approach also has one frustrating part: some machines using Windows Hello requires an additional confirmation. Instead of a seamless unlock straight through to your home screen like on the iPhone or iPad, your face has to be recognized by your laptop, and then you have to press enter to go to your desktop. This is also repeated with each action that uses facial recognition, making it an extra step thats extremely frustrating.Apple has a proven history of a streamlined approach to new biometric options, and if Face ID on a Mac is as good as it is on the iPhone, it will be a welcome addition to the MacBooks capabilities.Mark Coppock / Digital TrendsBefore switching to the Mac almost 15 years ago, I was a PC guy. Even when using a Mac, I tested a few PCs and helped manage family members machines as well. Each time I used Windows, it served as a reminder of why I preferred the Mac.I say preferred because Windows PCs are now extremely competitive. Where I used a MacBook Air before, I now use a Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x. There are certain apps and experiences that I miss, but for the most part, its a comparable experience for all but the heaviest tasks, biometrics aside.There is one feature the Yoga Slim 7i has that could have a place on a Mac: the camera shutter switch. Apple has never adopted such a feature but such a feature would tie into privacy messaging around Face ID (presumably even more secure) and privacy in Apple Intelligence.Its unclear when or even if well see a Mac with Face ID, but if that time comes, I hope Apple also keeps Touch ID on the Mac. Thats something Id pay a premium for.Editors RecommendationsCopilot+ PCs have a secret skill thats hardly been talked about

Focus FeaturesTable of ContentsTable of Contents10. Shadow of the Vampire (2000)9. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)8. Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966)7. Horror of Dracula (1958)6. Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968)5. Dracula (1931)4. Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922)3. Bram Stokers Dracula (1992)2. Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)1. Nosferatu (2024)Dracula, aka Nosferatu, remains one of the most terrifying and well-known figures in pop culture. Since author Bram Stoker introduced the world to his vampiric vision with his 1897 novel, the character has been adapted into several forms of media over the past 127 years, most recently in Robert Eggerss Nosferatu.There have been multiple movies across different genres that center around the iconic bloodsucker, and it seems like they wont stop coming anytime soon. While the world continues to embrace the terrors of the legendary vampire, here are the best films centered around Dracula/Nosferatu so far.Recommended VideosThis meta-horror film stands out for presenting a fictionalized account of the production of 1922s Nosferatu, with F.W. Murnau inadvertently hiring Max Schreck, an actual vampire, to star in his film as Count Orlok.Such an unconventional remake makes for an excellent satire of the film industry and its vices, with Murnau being the eccentric, demanding director and Schreck the extreme method actor whos too into his character. But like the actual Nosferatu, this film is a dark depiction of obsession and how far one is willing to go to satisfy it.Universal Pictures / Universal PicturesDespite what the films title implies, this horror-comedy classic from Abbott and Costello shows the titular duo encountering Bela Lugosis Dracula and many other iconic movie monsters in addition to Frankensteins monster. The two leads brand of rapid, slapstick humor alone makes this movie a noteworthy watch.However, the movie also does a terrific job of replicating the terror, suspense, and chilling atmosphere of the horror films it parodies. With the way it perfectly balances both horror and comedy, Abbott and Costello Meets Frankenstein revolutionized both genres as it blended them together for a boundary-pushing classic.Hammer Films / Hammer FilmsThe third film in Hammers Dracula franchise, Prince of Darkness shows the evil vampires frightening resurrection after a group of tourists are invited to his castle. Compared to the first film in the franchise, this sequel utilizes more elements from Stokers novel while presenting some unique deviations from the typical Dracula formula.Though Peter Cushings Van Helsing is absent, Andrew Keir fills in quite well with his performance as Father Sandor. Christopher Lee also continues to inject the franchise with sufficient scares with his largely silent, but still terrifying return as Dracula.Hammer Film Productions / Hammer Film ProductionsUnlike the source material, Horror of Dracula does away with Jonathan Harker early, making Doctor Van Helsing the films main protagonist as he investigates his friends disappearance in a plat point thats similar to Alfred Hitchcocks Psycho.Featuring big-screen acting legends like Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, director Terence Fishers adaptation of Dracula launched an entire series of Dracula films featuring Lee as the evil bloodsucker. The characters in this film could be developed more, especially the female ones. Despite this, the film succeeds without relying on gore to create scares, as it oozes creeping suspense and sinister sexuality to get under its viewers skin.Hammer Films / Hammer FilmsIn this sequel to Dracula: Prince of Darkness, Christopher Lees Dracula returns from the dead after a priest performs an exorcism on his castle. Unlike its predecessors in Hammers Dracula franchise, this film features greater personal drama beyond the battle with an evil vampire.As the characters face battles with their own faith and lust, this sequel adds more depth to the existential war with the demonic and vengeful Dracula. Also, with Draculas victims battling to retain their humanity as they succumb to his spell, this movie puts a unique spin on the Renfield archetype and provides greater character development.Universal Pictures / Universal PicturesNot only was this movie the first official adaptation of Dracula, but it was also the first one to utilize sound. This version gives Renfield a greater role in the film, as he takes part of Jonathans role and becomes the lens into Draculas dark world.As a product of classic, studio-era Hollywood, this films visual effects and underdeveloped characters leave much to be desired. However, this adaptation stands out due to its chilling atmosphere and Bela Lugosis benchmark performance as Count Dracula.Film Arts Guild / Film Arts GuildTechnically, Nosferatu was the first Dracula film, as it was an unapproved adaptation of Bram Stokers novel, but with different character names and some plot changes. Though the movie was hit with a plagiarism lawsuit that demanded its destruction, a few prints of the film survived, and cinema was arguably better off for its continued existence.This German expressionist film from director F.W. Murnau was revolutionary in its time, establishing several tropes in the vampire genre while pushing the boundaries of cinema with its inventive shots, creepy atmosphere, and sexual undertones.ColumbiaDirector Francis Ford Coppola achieved the lofty task of adapting Stokers novel in its purest form. Though the film stays true to the source materials plot, characters, and narrative perspective, it stands out for how it expands upon Draculas past, particularly the tragic romance he shares with Mina Harker.All in all, Coppolas version of Dracula is a stylish and erotic nightmare filled with vibrant imagery, jaw-dropping creature designs, and remarkable performances from Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder.20th Century Studios / 20th Century StudiosWhile director Werner Herzogs adaptation derives several elements from 1922s Nosferatu, it retains the character names featured in Stokers novel. However, Herzogs film expands on the source material by emphasizing the tragedy of Draculas lonely, immortal character. It also presents the death and chaos he unleashes on Lucys town in a whole new light, showing how this widespread loss can affect humanity on a spiritual level.This slow-burning 1979 remake is one of the more hypnotic and thought-provoking versions of Nosferatu and Dracula, and it still holds up almost 50 years later.Focus FeaturesAfter revolutionizing horror with The Witch and The Lighthouse, director Robert Eggers fulfilled his lifelong dream of remaking Nosferatu with incredible results. This psychosexual nightmare takes a classic silent film and turns it into modern cinemas version of The Exorcist in terms of terror, artistry, and intensity. Bill Skarsgrd is virtually unrecognizable as the evil Count Orlok, who steps away from the more sympathetic versions of Dracula and Nosferatu as he tortures Ellen and her loved ones to make her submit to him.Meanwhile, Lily-Rose Depp gives a shocking and revelatory performance as her character is tormented and possessed by the evil vampire. Not only does the film take the vampire genre story back to its roots, but it reapplies it for a modern age in one of the most unsettlingly primal, but beautifully made horror movies in cinema history.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsA real American heroVan Dammed if you doFor Raul Julia, It was TuesdaySelect your fighterThe script is unintentionally funnyThe other Street Fighter 2 movieStreet Fighter: The Movie The Video GameThe Legend of Chun LiVideo game movies didnt have a great track record in the 90s, as exemplified by 1993s live-action Super Mario Bros. movie and the ill-fated Double Dragon film. Those two projects were followed in December 1994 by Street Fighter, an adaptation of Capcoms hit fighting game franchise. The Street Fighter 2 game had revitalized arcades three years earlier, which made this film the second-most prominent video game adaptation to that point. It was also far more successful at the box office than either Double Dragon or Super Mario Bros., with $35 million domestically and $99.4 million worldwide.Although Street Fighter did well compared to its predecessors, its also a terrible film that was savaged by critics upon its release. But unlike some other awful movies, Street Fighter is still oddly enjoyable to watch despite its shortcomings and also because of them. For Street Fighters 30th anniversary, Im going to explain why Ive come to love this hilariously bad movie before touching upon the future of the franchise.Recommended VideosUniversal PicturesWriter and director Steven E. de Souza was the screenwriter for Die Hard, Die Hard 2, 48 Hrs., Commando, and The Running Man, all of which were seminal action films in the 80s. De Souza was also a self-professed fan of Street Fighter 2, which is why its so mystifying that his idea to bring it to the big screen was to transform it into a G.I. Joe movie. Instead of featuring fighters in an underground martial arts tournament, the story became something unrecognizable about international peacekeepers attempting to overthrow a would-be dictator in a made-up country called Shadaloo.RelatedAlmost every character in the game was re-imagined through the lens of this premise, and its the biggest reason why some Street Fighter fans hate the movie. This isnt a real Street Fighter film, it just has characters that share names and superficial traits with their video game counterparts. Theres only one actual street fight in the movie between Ryu and Vega and its interrupted before it even gets started. De Souza may have had the best of intentions, but his instincts about how to adapt this property were way off.Universal PicturesJean-Claude Van Damme was still near the peak of his stardom when he was cast in the lead as Colonel William F. Guile. In fact, the majority of the movie revolves around Guile in some way, as he was refocused from a supporting character into a leading man. Guile has a personal grudge against General M. Bison (Raul Julia), and hes so careless about it that he outs one of his closest friends and Bisons hostage Carlos Charlie Blanka (Robert Mammone) which only leads to a lot of pain and suffering for his pal.Van Damme did lend the film some star power and credibility as an action hero, but he actually makes the movie a lot funnier because of his inept delivery. Guile gets a lot of lines that were meant as cheesy one-liners, including Im the repo man and Luckily, Bison has driven me crazy. The jokes dont land as intended, but its almost impossible not to laugh at how the actor says them. Van Damme made the entire film even more campy that way, and its one of Street Fighters saving graces.Universal PicturesThis movie was Raul Julias final role before his death in 1994. He was battling stomach cancer and other health problems during filming, but you cant tell how much pain Julia was in from anything he does on-screen. Instead, Julias M. Bison lights up the entire movie every time he appears, and the actor looked like he was having the time of his life.Bison is gloriously out of his mind throughout the story as he explains his plans to create Bisonopolis, establish a Pax Bisonica, and casually kidnap the queen of England to establish good exchange rate for his Bison bucks. As written, none of that material should have worked as well as it did in Julias hands.Street Fighter (1994) - It Was Tuesday Scene (4/10) | MovieclipsTake, for example, Bisons most famous line in the film For you, the day Bison graced your village was the most important day of your life. But for me it was Tuesday. Somehow, Julia turned that into cinema gold, and its been a popular meme for a long time.Universal PicturesAmong the supporting cast, The Mandalorians Ming-Na Wen comes off well as Chun-Li, even though the film nonsensically turns her into a news anchor instead of an Interpol officer. Edmond Honda (Peter Tuiasosopo) and Gerard Balrog (Grand L. Bush), were inserted as her camera and support crew. Balrog was never a hero in the games, which is why he seems so out of place as a co-conspirator with Chun-Li and Honda in their plot to take down Bison.However, the films biggest mistake is that it takes the games two leading men Ken Masters (Damian Chapa) and Ryu (Byron Mann) and shifts them into supporting roles at best. Instead of martial arts warriors on the Street Fighter circuit, Ryu and Ken were con-men who pretended to be gunrunners. Its ludicrous that de Souza saw their prominence in the games and still decided that theyd be better used as comedic foils. Ken and Ryu can still fight in the movie, its just not their story, and they dont have a personal stake in the battle against Bison.Universal PicturesAs noted above, a lot of Van Dammes lines are only humorous because he didnt say them the right way. Theres a lot of that in this movie, which somehow manages to combine unintended humor with some jokes that are actually funny. Andrew Bryniarski gets a lot of the movies best laughs as Zangief, Bisons dim-witted henchman. His fight with Honda is also a really amusing callback to Japanese monster flicks.Miguel A. Nez Jr. provided some good moments when portraying Dee Jays reactions to Zangiefs lines. They were a good comic duo that way. Some of the other gags were also effective, including the visual of Bisons majestic painting of himself and the previously mentioned Bison bucks that had his face all over them. But when it came time for the rousing speech near the end, Van Damme couldnt have been this funny if he tried.Street Fighter (1994) - Who Wants to Go With Me? Scene (3/10) | MovieclipsAssuming the following speech by Bison was meant to be funny, its once again reliant on Julias immense talent.Greatest Speech In Cinematic History (HD)Theres too much humor in this movie to ever take it seriously as an action flick. But for anyone whos willing to go along with its unique blend of humor and some stupidly funny jokes, its actually a blast to revisit.Toei CompanyA few months prior to Street Fighters theatrical premiere, fans in Japan were treated to Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie, an anime film that did almost everything this movie didnt. The animated flick put Ken and Ryu at the forefront, with Chun-Li and Guile in supporting roles. It also outshined the live-action film with incredible action and fight scenes, as well as a legitimately intimidating take on Bison himself.Unlike the American live-action film, Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie, is still readily available to stream in this country. Its also the movie that was more commonly embraced by Street Fighter fans. There have been a handful of anime follow-up projects, but none have managed to recapture what this one pulled off.Street Fighter: The Movie (PlayStation) Street Battle as GuileJust to bring things full circle, Capcom released an arcade game called Street Fighter: The Movie that used most of the performers from the film to re-create their characters. Because of his health issues, Julias role was filled by Darko Tuscan, while stuntman Mark Stefanich did most of the heavy lifting for Van Dammes Guile.Even Kylie Minogue tagged out for Emma Kearney to play Cammy White in this game, while Ming-Na Wen and others reprised their roles. Visually, Street Fighter: The Movie looked a lot like the original Mortal Kombat, which had become the franchises chief arcade rival by 1994. However, fan response to this title was unenthusiastic, and its been largely unavailable to legally play for nearly three decades.20th Century StudiosIn 2009, Hollywood tried again with Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li. This time, Smallvilles Kristin Kreuk stepped into the title role as Chun-Li attempted to avenge her fathers death at the hands of M. Bison (Neal McDonough). There were some other standouts in the cast as well, including Michael Clarke Duncan as Balrog,Chris Klein as Charlie Nash, and Mortal Kombats Robin Shou as Gen. Regardless, this movie bombed with only $12.8 million worldwide.Because Hollywood never learns its lesson for long, theres another reboot on the horizon. Legendary Entertainment is developing a Street Fighter film, which already has a March 20, 2026, release date. There are plenty of takeaways from the previous Street Fighter movies, but wed be surprised if the third film will finally get it right.Rent or buy Street Fighter on Prime Video.Editors Recommendations