Right after its publication in 1965, Dune -written by Frank Herbert- was identified as the perfect material for a film adaptation: an epic science fiction tale set in an interstellar society. Producers didn’t lose much time and in 1984, Hollywood legend David Lynch made a successful film adaptation, while in 2000 Sci Fi Channel created a miniseries on the book. The movie is set in the desert planet Arrakis, the only source of ‘the spice’ - a drug which extends human life and makes space travel possible.

This new adaptation will be directed by Denis Villaneuve, known for his critically acclaimed films Arrival (2016) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017), and will feature an ensemble cast including Stellan Skarsgård, Javier Bardem, Zendaya and Jason Momoa. It is scheduled to be released in the United States on December 18, 2020.

As for the soundtrack, Villaneuve has recruited world-renowned composer Hans Zimmer after working together in the making of Blade Runner 2049. Zimmer had previously been approached by Christopher Nolan for composing his upcoming film ‘Tenet’, but Zimmer opted for Dune as he is a personal fan of the books.

Besides the film, there is a spin-off series in the talks for the new WarnerMedia’s upcoming streaming service: HBO Max. The series will focus on the Bene Gesserit (key social, religious, and political force in the series) and serve as a prequel to the film.

In a time where reality seems to be stranger than fiction, a movie like Dune promises to take our minds to a different and exciting place all together!

Dune 2020

With the coming of the new decade, new technologies fill our everyday life. The 00’s saw the capabilities of the Internet in full throttle, which changed the way we live and the global economy, while the 2010’s introduced smartphones as an everyday tool for different uses, as well as the birth of an online streaming revolution. 2020’s promise to deliver a broader array of options to millions of people around the world,

While Netflix and Disney+ top the polls, there are numerous other streaming services already online, with even more being added in the coming years. What are some of those new players in the industry?

  • HBO Max: AT&T’s WarnerMedia upcoming streaming service is set to be launched in May 2020 and will include the premium HBO and Warner Bros. series and movies, as well as other AT&T properties like Cartoon Network, CNN, TBS and TNT. The price will be $15 per month.

  • Discovery/BBC: These two entertainment giants are teaming up for a new streaming service that will launch later this year. This service will include BBC series that will leave Netflix once earlier deals expire, as well as natural history and documentaries from Discovery. It will cost around $5 per month.

  • Peacock: Making reference to its parent company NBC’s logo, Peacock just launched on April 15. The service features three pricing tiers ranging from a free subscription, a $5 and a $10 Premium category. It will feature several NBC tv shows as well as other popular Universal Pictures movies and A&E productions.

These streaming services have certainly changed the way we enjoy television and promise to continue giving us some of the most thrilling and original content we have ever seen. Exciting times ahead!

Uptown Lifestyle

Whether you are looking for your next smartphone, or are tired of your previous brand and want to try something new, Android offers the most options for everyone, unlike Apple and their rigid iPhone releases once per year. These are some of this year’s most sought-after smartphones:

  • One-handed use: Those looking for a small and handy option should definitely get the Galaxy S10e. This smartphone is sleek in size, with a 5.8-inch display with 2220 x 1080 resolution, and features an all-day intelligent battery.

  • On a Budget: The Moto G Power is one of the best budget phones for this year. It has a decent camera, runs pretty smoothly and features a battery that can last up to three days on a single charge.

  • Internal Storage and Display: The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ has a massive internal memory up to 1TB and features a Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED display in its 6.8 case. Users will also be able to charge the battery for several hours with just a 30-minute charge

  • Audio quality: If you love listening to your favorite Spotify playlist in the best quality possible, the LG V60 5G ThinQ features LG’s excellent 32-bit DAC for audiophile-grade music playback, delivering a listening experience that can rival dedicated hi-fi audio players.

  • Overall value: The Google Pixel 3a has a 12.2MP rear-facing camera, an Octa-core (2.0GHz + 1.7GHz) and 4GB of RAM. The smartphone ensures 7 hours of use on just a 15-minute charge and a 5.6" Full HD+ (2220 x 1080) OLED touch screen.

With so many options, you can now choose your favorite option based on your most specific preferences and needs. So, take your time and think about your next smartphone wants. Literally, the world is your oyster when it comes to mobile phones!

Uptown's Mobile World

For some of us, year 2000 seems not to have been too long ago. For others, it’s a time before they were even born! There are movies we remember even decades after they release, becoming modern classics that left a mark in our popular culture. Let’s take a look at some of the best movies from 20 years ago, whether it is to remember them or to learn a little bit more about them:

  • Gladiator: Directed by Ridley Scott, this epic historical drama tells the story of how Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius is betrayed by Commodus and seeks revenge against the murders of his family by becoming a gladiator. The film also stars Joaquin Phoenix and Connie Nielsen.

  • X-Men: It all started with this movie 20 years ago. Superhero movies would change forever after X-Men showed a darker and less absurd comic book adaptation than its predecessors. The film introduced Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, and featured popular mutants like Rogue, Cyclops, Professor X and Storm on their fight against Magneto.
  • Cast Away: This survival drama is one of Tom Hanks’ most famous works, which got him a nomination for best actor in a leading role at the Oscars. He plays a FedEx employee stranded on an uninhabited island after his plane crashes and his desperate attempts to survive. The word was introduced to Wilson the Volleyball on this movie.

  • Pollock: This biopic tells the life story of American painter Jackson Pollock, portrayed by Ed Harris - who also directed the film after being inspired by reading Pollock’s biography. The film features a cast including Jennifer Connelly and Marcia Gay Harden (who received the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role).

So many great films have reached the 20-year mark. Any other of your favorites are turning the big 2 0 this year?

Uptown Movies

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