Connect with us

Technology

Heretic’s directors on crafting their new horror villain: ‘This has to be Hugh Grant’

Published

on

Heretic’s directors on crafting their new horror villain: ‘This has to be Hugh Grant’

When codirectors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods started thinking about who could play the antagonist in their new horror flick Heretic, they knew he had to have a few specific characteristics. The film is about a man who lures missionaries into his home, eventually turning a pleasant chat about religion into a nightmare scenario. So he had to be able to disarm with charm and humor, before switching gears to become intense and terrifying. “He had to have these moments of feeling dangerous, of feeling safe, contradictory traits that had to coalesce into something,” says Beck.

Early on in the casting process, the pair landed on a surprising name — and they couldn’t let it go. “As soon as we thought about him we were like: ‘This has to be Hugh Grant,’” says Beck. “That’s the only person we could see in this role, because he checked all of those boxes.”

The idea of putting you at ease is pivotal to the movie and character. Heretic starts out with two young Mormon missionaries — Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) — who approach the wrong house while proselytizing door-to-door. At first, Grant’s Mr. Reed seems completely harmless. He wears a cozy cardigan, stumbles over his words, makes silly jokes, and offers his guests Cokes. His home is filled with the smell of a baking blueberry pie. But eventually, the cracks start to show, and Reed shifts to preaching his own beliefs before moving in a much more sinister direction.

The character was inspired by a mix of real-world figures, including notable atheists like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens as well as the cult leader Keith Raniere. The directors spent around four months emailing back and forth with Grant, as he picked apart the character, peppering them with questions about Reed’s origins and beliefs. “I think through those conversations the character started getting clearer and clearer to all of us,” Woods explains.

Advertisement

Raniere, in particular, influenced Grant’s take on Reed. Grant “was interested in the word salad that Raniere is capable of conjuring in a way that makes him almost feel smarter than he actually might be,” says Woods. “He also responded to the way he creates the illusion of listening, which makes him seem less threatening.”

The directors believe that Grant’s past work, particularly his early career as a bumbling romantic comedy star, help set the expectation that this isn’t a character to be feared. “Early in his career… he didn’t feel threatening at all in any of those roles,” Beck says. “But as soon as you’re putting him into a movie that has the aspect of a suspense thriller, and he’s starting to challenge in a way that you’ve never quite seen, it weaponizes what we otherwise know of him.” Woods adds, “We’re leaning heavily on his charisma and charm and all the things we know and love him for.”

In a lot of horror movies, it’s hard to believe characters will stick around in a dangerous situation. But in Heretic, you can understand it; the warning signs are subtle at first, and once they become more overt, well, it’s too late. And that’s due to Grant’s ability to showcase both sides of the character so convincingly, making his guests — and viewers — feel initially comfortable.

“We’re leaning heavily on his charisma and charm and all the things we know and love him for.”

Advertisement

“He’s funny and open-minded, he wants to hear what they have to say,” Woods says of the initial dynamic between Mr. Reed and the two missionaries. “There’s this feeling of two young women that are talking to an older man who appears to be very knowledgeable about their religion and all religions. So we buy that they are sitting there and engaging in this topic. And their best play is to politely listen to him and then extricate themselves from the situation.”

There’s another aspect to Grant’s character that makes him scary, something that will be familiar to anyone who spends much time on the internet: he’s a debate bro. The film is about Reed convincing Barnes and Paxton of his own beliefs. Without spoiling the specifics, he holds a particular disdain for nearly all organized religion. The conversation with the missionaries is almost a game. He has studied for a lifetime so that he can anticipate their questions and defeat them with logic. Reed doesn’t have much interest in hearing what the sisters really have to say — he just wants to prove himself right, using all of the characteristics that Grant embodies so well.

“What scares us the most is somebody that approaches something with so much certainty that they’re unwavering,” says Beck. “The great thing about discourse and debates is that you’re actively listening. Something about the movie that we’re excited about is that we can throw in all of these questions and conversation pieces, and Reed can feel like that guy on Reddit.”

Heretic is in theaters on November 8th.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Technology

Google puts Nvidia on high alert as it showcases Trillium, its rival AI chip, while promising to bring H200 Tensor Core GPUs within days

Published

on

Google puts Nvidia on high alert as it showcases Trillium, its rival AI chip, while promising to bring H200 Tensor Core GPUs within days

  • Trillium offers 4x training boost, 3x inference improvement over TPU v5e
  • Enhanced HBM and ICI bandwidth for LLM support
  • Scales up to 256 chips per pod, ideal for extensive AI tasks

Google Cloud has unleashed its latest TPU, Trillium, the sixth-generation model in its custom AI chip lineup, designed to power advanced AI workloads.

First announced back in May 2024, Trillium is engineered to handle large-scale training, tuning, and inferencing with improved performance and cost efficiency.

Source link

Continue Reading

Technology

AI helps robot dogs navigate the real world

Published

on

AI helps robot dogs navigate the real world

Four-legged robot dogs learned to perform new tricks by practising in a virtual platform that mimics real-world obstacles – a possible shortcut for training robots faster and more accurately

Source link

Continue Reading

Science & Environment

Jack Dorsey dramatically shutters Block’s TBD crypto unit

Published

on

Jack Dorsey dramatically shutters Block's TBD crypto unit


Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter Inc., speaks during the Bitcoin 2021 conference in Miami, Florida, U.S., on Friday, June 4, 2021.

Eva Marie Uzcategui | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Advertisement

During the crypto-crazed summer of 2021, when memecoins like dogecoin and Shiba Inu were rocketing alongside bitcoin and ethereum, Square founder Jack Dorsey announced that his payments company was starting a new business unit, with the goal of “making it easy to create non-custodial, permissionless, and decentralized financial services.”

“Our primary focus is #Bitcoin,” Dorsey proclaimed on Twitter. The name of the business unit would be TBD.

In December of that year, Dorsey went a step further, changing the name of Square Inc. to Block, a reference, he said, to a number of things, including blockchain, the technology underpinning bitcoin. The Square Crypto business became known as Spiral.

Three years later, Dorsey is in retreat.

Advertisement

On Block‘s third-quarter earnings call on Thursday, CFO Amrita Ahuja said Block has “made some recent decisions with respect to some of our emerging initiatives” and is “winding down our TBD efforts.”

Block continues to own a hefty amount of bitcoin on its balance sheet, with the current value of its holdings swelling to $630 million. And the company said it will be investing in a bitcoin mining initiative as well as Bitkey, its bitcoin wallet, while continuing to allow users to buy bitcoin through Cash App.

It’s a notable change of tune.

TBD was designed to be Block’s platform for developers. Block called it Web5 and said the mission was to create a more decentralized, secure and private internet. Dorsey said in a tweet in mid-2022 that Web5 “will likely be our most important contribution to the internet.”

Advertisement
Stock Chart IconStock chart icon
hide content

Square’s five-year stock chart

But Wall Street’s view on crypto was starting to sour dramatically. With inflation soaring in 2022 and interest rates on the rise, shareholders demanded quicker returns on their investments. After peaking in 2021, Block shares lost more than 80% of their value before bottoming in October of last year.

Block said in late 2023 that it would cut its headcount — then about 13,000 staffers — by as much as 1,000 by the end of 2024. Fortune reported that Block laid off employees at TBD in recent weeks. And in the third-quarter shareholder letter, Block said it was “scaling back” its investment in Tidal, the music-streaming service founded by Jay-Z, after spending about $300 million on a majority stake in the business in 2021. Tidal was part of TBD.

Advertisement

Dorsey was asked by an analyst on Thursday’s call about the company’s current bitcoin strategy.

“What we’re focused on in terms of our strategy overall on bitcoin is making it more accessible, making sure that more people can access bitcoin, buy, sell it, obviously, but also send it peer-to-peer,” Dorsey said.

Dorsey added that he wants “the internet to have a native currency,” because that would allow Block to move money faster and offer Cash App and other products in more markets.

A Block spokesperson reiterated the company’s public statement and pointed to Dorsey’s comments from the earnings call.

Advertisement

What’s become clear is that Dorsey can only do so much with crypto while trying to appease a more discerning Wall Street. Shares of Block were down about 1% at market close on Friday, after the company reported revenue that trailed estimates and issued weaker gross profit guidance than some analysts were expecting.

In his 1,400-word letter to shareholders, Dorsey focused entirely on the company’s lending offerings for small businesses. A significant chunk of that is the buy now, pay later product from Afterpay, which Block acquired for $29 billion in 2021.

Dorsey didn’t mention crypto or bitcoin once.

WATCH: Block and Affirm slide on earnings

Advertisement
Block and Affirm slide on earnings



Source link

Continue Reading

Technology

Best Smartwatch Deals: Samsung, Google, Apple, and Garmin

Published

on

Best Smartwatch Deals: Samsung, Google, Apple, and Garmin

You can almost always count on a smartwatch for some impressive savings, as even the best smartwatches regularly see a discount. The best Apple Watch deals often lead the charge when it comes to smartwatch discounts, but Google Pixel watch deals and Samsung Galaxy Watch deals aren’t far behind. Fitbit deals almost always come in with great starting price points as well. There are a lot of smartwatch deals taking place right now, and to remove any confusion we’ve rounded up the best smartwatch deals below. Reading onward you’ll find great smartwatch savings whether you’re shopping for style or for one of the best fitness trackers.

Google Pixel Watch — $175 $280 37%

The Pixel Watch on a person's wrist.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends / Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

If you’re searching for a new smartwatch and you already own a Google Pixel phone, you might as well grab the Google Pixel Watch. The two obviously make a good pair. The Pixel Watch lets you access your messages and calendar, and even lets you control your other Google smart devices. That means changing the temperature, picking a TV show, or turning on lights just by talking into your wrist. It works with most Android phones, and comes with fitness tracking for 40 different exercises.

Garmin Venu Sq — $180 $200 10% off

Overhead view of the Garmin Venu Sq.
Garmin

The Garmin Venu Sq smartwatch is a great option for anyone in search of a smartwatch that crosses over between a fitness device and a fashion accessory. It features the broadest range of all-day health monitoring features, which include things like energy level monitoring, respiration and stress tracking, and sleep tracking. You can easily download songs to the Garmin Venu, including playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music or Deezer, as well as other third-party music providers. The Garmin Venu makes great accompaniment when you’re deep into a workout, and its classy, luxurious design looks great when you’re out on the town.

Apple Watch SE 2 — $189 $249 24% off

The World Time watch face showing on the Apple Watch SE 2.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Apple Watch SE 2 is the second iteration of Apple’s entry-level smartwatch. It rivals some higher end models in terms of capability, and includes all of the tracking and fitness features the Apple software ecosystem is famous for. This includes features like crash detection, fall detection, and emergency SOS, as well as fitness monitoring and health tracking software. It works seamlessly with your Apple devices and services, and can unlock your Mac automatically, help you find your devices with a tap, pay and send money with Apple Pay, and give you access to thousands of apps on the App Store.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic — $198 $227 13%

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic showing a red watch face.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is the premium version of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. While both models share health and fitness tracking capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic looks more like a traditional watch with its stainless steel case compared to the sporty look of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, and it also keeps the rotating bezel that you’ll use to navigate its interface. Our Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic versus Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 comparison highlights more differences, so feel free to check it out.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro (45mm) — $238 $500 52% off

A person wearing the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has been on the market for a couple of years, but it still holds well as smartwatches go. Key features include advanced sleep coaching, start of the art accuracy, wellness readings, and the ability to track a variety of outdoor adventures. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 lineup in general currently makes for some of the best smartwatch deals you’ll find. This Galaxy Watch 5 Pro model offers great value at this price, as it’s still a relatively new smartwatch.

Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 45mm) — $599 $749 20%off

The Nike Globe watch face on the Apple Watch Series 9.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Apple Watch Series 9 is the best smartwatch for the iPhone, according to our roundup of the best smartwatches, with its extensive health, fitness, and safety features combined with fast and smooth performance. You also wouldn’t want any other wearable device with your iPhone because it’s very easy to pair it with the Apple Watch Series 9. You won’t mind wearing the smartwatch the whole day because it’s extremely comfortable on your wrist, and Apple’s S9 chip enables new capabilities such as processing Siri commands locally on the Apple Watch Series 9.

More smartwatch deals we love

The Fitbit Sense 2 in moss.
Andy Zahn / Digital Trends

If none of the smartwatch deals above excite you, check out the other amazing offers that we’ve come across. There’s something for everyone, ranging from cheaper previous-generation models to premium wearable devices, so at least one of these bargains should catch your eye. Once that happens, you’re going to have to proceed with the transaction as soon as possible because we’re not sure how much time is remaining on these discounts.

  • — $110 $150 27% off
  • — $153 $200 24% off
  • — $180 $250 28% off
  • — $200 $350 43% off

How we chose the best smartwatch deals

There are a lot of smartwatches on the market, and while that can make finding a smartwatch deals pretty easy, it can make narrowing the best smartwatch deals down a little more difficult. Top brands like Garmin, Apple, Google, and Samsung pretty much always have numerous smartwatch models discounted across retailers. Big brands like these are, of course, the most popular among shoppers, so we make a point of including at least one model from each of these in our selections for the best smartwatch deals.

Smartwatches, really, are some of the most discounted pieces of tech you can find out there. Those top brands mentioned above generally keep older generations of their smartwatches on the market alongside their new releases, and that opens up all sorts of room for smartwatch deals. Smartwatches such as the Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 8, Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, and numerous Fitbit models are at least a generation old and the perfect candidates to see some major discounts. They’re also regulars among the best smartwatch deals.

And while pricing and availability are the two most important factors when we choose the best smartwatch deals, style is something we consider as well. Some people are looking for a smartwatch to look good, while others are in the market for something to help with their fitness routine. Brands recognize this and tailor certain smartwatch models to each. When we make our selections for the best smartwatch deals we try to keep a nice balance between the two and provide a number of discounted smartwatches for different tastes.


Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Technology

YouTube Premium’s grandfathered $7.99 price to disappear soon

Published

on

Featured image for YouTube Premium price increases yet again in several countries

It looks like early subscribers to the now-known as “YouTube Premium” plan will soon lose the lower price compared to those who came later. As a way of rewarding its first paid users, Google did not increase the cost of the service for several years. However, everyone will soon lose access to YouTube Premium’s grandfathered price, starting in Europe.

YouTube Premium’s grandfathered (early adopter) price will increase after several years

YouTube’s first premium subscription arrived in 2014 under the name “Music Key.” The plan started at a price of $7.99 during a trial period where a limited number of people could sign up. Later, the company raised it to $9.99. Those who were paying $9.99 had already received a price increase last year. Now, those users who were still enjoying the grandfathered price of $7.99 could receive the same treatment.

According to reports, YouTube users in European countries are receiving a notification about the upcoming change in the price of the Premium plan. The increase will not take effect immediately, as the company will give three more months at the original rate to early subscribers of the service. Once the deadline passes, they will have to start paying the same price as everyone else in the region.

Currently, the YouTube Premium plan has a $13.99 price tag in the US. When YouTube will implement the same measure in the US and other regions is unknown.

Advertisement

youtube premium grandfathered price increase

The price of $7.99 has remained fixed since 2014

The video platform’s paid plan has gone through multiple changes since its inception. In 2018, the Mountain View giant relaunched YouTube Music as the successor to Music Key for a better music streaming experience. At that time, “beta subscribers” not only kept the same price but also enjoyed all the benefits of YouTube Premium (including ad-free videos) for the initial $7.99 or $9.99. For reference, that year, YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium cost $11.99 and $9.99, respectively.

Years later, in 2023, Google implemented a $2 increase in the price of the plans. Since then, YouTube Music Premium and YouTube Premium have cost $11.99 and $13.99, respectively. Even then, the company kept the price intact for its beta subscribers who paid $7.99. However, those who paid $9.99 already had to start paying the new prices.

Now, the platform’s next move is to eliminate the $7.99 grandfathered price as well. Those lucky enough to still enjoy it will have three months to continue doing so and decide whether to keep the plan at the new cost or stop paying it.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Technology

Awesome Games Done Quick 2025 will include Crazy Taxi with a live backing band

Published

on

Awesome Games Done Quick 2025 will include Crazy Taxi with a live backing band

It’s almost time again for Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ), the zany speedrun-fest for a good cause. The hook for this year’s event is a run of the Dreamcast classic Crazy Taxi with a live backing band. Funds raised from this year’s showcase will benefit the nonprofit Prevent Cancer Foundation. AGDQ 2025 runs from January 5 to 12 in Pittsburgh.

The live instrumental band rocking out during a Crazy Taxi run sounds like a fun centerpiece. You can check out a preview in the video below, which showed the same band rocking out to a recorded run of the game at Summer Games Done Quick (SGDC) 2024. On Saturday, January 11 at 4:48PM ET, you can catch a fully live version.

To view this content, you’ll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the “Content and social-media partners” setting to do so.

Other highlights on the agenda include a run of the instant PlayStation classic Astro Bot on Sunday, January 5 at 6:30PM ET, a speedrun of Pokémon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire for 3DS on January 11 at 8:18AM ET and a play-through of the Wii port of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on the same day at 4PM ET. You can check out the full schedule for more.

Last year’s AGDQ (also in Pittsburgh) raised $2.5 million for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Among its best bits were a no-hit run of Resident Evil 2 (2019), Super Mario 64 completed on an electric drum kit and a pup named Peanut Butter lending a paw to help his person beat the NES classic Gyromite. The Games Done Quick Organization has raised $51.8 million for various charities throughout its 15 years.

Advertisement

You can stream AGDQ 2025 on Twitch. Or, if you want to attend live at the Wyndham Grand in downtown Pittsburgh, you can register now.

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 WordupNews.com