After Spotify, Apple Takes On Netflix

What Apple wants, Apple takes. That is what’s happening in the tech world recently. A few years ago, Apple dipped its toe in the online music streaming industry when it introduced Apple Music. It took on Spotify head-to-head. Thanks to Apple’s millions of fans, the service is an ongoing success.

Image source:macworld.co.uk

Now, reports are coming in that Apple has $1 billion to spend on new TV shows. Apple is looking to take on Netflix’s streaming service. We’ve already seen evidence of Apple’s interest in the TV entertainment industry since its launch of the Apple TV. Fortunately for Netflix, the company isn’t a newbie when it comes to taking on competitors. The online streaming service market is actually full of competition right now -- you have Amazon, HBO, Hulu, and other companies that are making high-end internet-delivered video – and Netflix is managing to stay on top.

Image source:macworld.co.uk

It’s going to be interesting how Apple will go about its online streaming service (I just hope it won’t be as buggy as the Apple Music app). What is clear is that Apple is pushing to create its own original content, much like Netflix’s originals. With all the completion and market saturation going on in the TV streaming industry, there’s one sure winner here: the consumers.

Hi, my name’s Joe Cianciotto. I’m an architect living in San Francisco Bay Area. I’m a movie buff and a technophile. Follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates about gadgets and movies.

What Went Wrong With 'The Godfather Part Iii'?

When Francis Ford Coppola adapted Mario Puzo’s masterpiece and came out with “The Godfather” in 1972, the acclaimed director successfully turned filmmaking on its head. That first Godfather movie essentially halved film history and marked the beginning of a new era of cinema. Two years later, “The Godfather Part II” was released, and it enjoyed as much critical praise as the first installment. Many film critics even consider the second film to be even better in many aspects than the first.

Image source: denofgeek.com

But then came “The Godfather Part III.”

Over 15 years after the second film, Coppola directed the third and final part of the franchise. And though it’s been nominated for a few major awards, it’s received scathing reviews from fans and critics alike. Why is this? Why were people who loved the story so much were so antagonistic toward the last installment? Where did it go wrong?

The answer is not as simple as one might think. As a standalone film, it would’ve been pretty decent. But it was a Godfather movie, and though a lot of the original formulas were followed, as a whole, the film came up short. Al Pacino and the returning cast were amazing as always, but the newer characters left much to be desired. A lot of the scenes were overwrought, and the plot was predictable. Though it felt like a Godfather movie, some things were missing – things that people sorely missed.

Image source: joblo.com

I'm Joe Cianciotto, an architect from San Francisco. I’m also a film buff and love talking about movies in general. For more articles on the movies I love, follow this Facebook page.

Why R-Rated Comic Book Movies Click With Fans

The hype surrounding the comic book movie “Logan” has not completely died down yet, with many people still praising how the story of the original X-Men (of the films) was beautifully – and tragically – concluded.

Image source: movieweb.com

However, Logan was not your “normal” comic book movie, and it was apparent from the opening minutes of the film. While most of the comic book or superhero movies that did well in the box office and were critically acclaimed catered to fans of all ages, Logan departed from that tried-and-tested formula. It was given an R-rating, and director James Mangold and the producers used the violence, profanity, and a dark and mature plot to its full potential.

Instead of being forced to create a film that needs to be accepted by the masses, Mangold said that the R-rating allowed them to understand better their audience, and it is obvious that the target audience responded well to it.

Logan actually benefited from the success of another R-rated comic book movie released in 2016, “Deadpool.” The studio 20th Century Fox understood that they could not produce a Deadpool movie that is faithful to its source material with a friendlier rating. What resulted was the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time that received various awards and nominations, and the go-signal for studios to release similarly rated comic book movies.

Image source: ign.com

Joe Cianciotto here, an architect working mainly in the Bay Area. I am also a movie buff who enjoys a diverse selection of genres that include comic book films, classics, indie films, and more. Visit this website for similar articles.

DC’s Spectacular Animated Features

DC may be falling way behind Marvel when it comes to box-office receipts probably because there were no good DC movies in the past quarter of a century that weren’t directed by Christopher Nolan. But did you know that DC and Warner Bros. kicked serious behind in the animated department?

Image source: behindthevoiceactors.com

They only had one animated feature that was released in theaters -- Batman: Mask of the Phantasm -- and that was the greatest Batman movie ever made, animated or live action. Over the past two decades, DC/Warner came out with a string of animated features that were straight-to-DVD that have mesmerized and puzzled fans. If DC could come out with high-quality animated features, then why do most of their movies suck?

Take for instance Green Lantern: First Flight (animated), and Green Lantern the movie, starring Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively. They essentially had the same elements, but First Flight was galaxies better, in almost every way possible.

And there are countless stories to choose from when making Batman, Superman, or even Justice League movies. From Batman and Superman: World’s Finest to Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths to universal favorites such as The Dark Knight Returns and Flashpoint Paradox.

Image source: Wikia.com

In order to compete with Marvel, DC has to wake up and realize that they have a treasure trove of great stories that they already made. It’s just a matter of translating them onto the big screen.

Come on. Enough of Zack Snyder.

I'm Joe Cianciotto, an architect based in San Francisco. My other passion, aside from architecture, is movies. Learn more about current blockbusters by checking out this blog site.

Must-Watch: The Best Indie Films You Might Have Missed

Hollywood-produced films don’t always mean good quality movies. Sometimes, because there are too many people wanting to get a say in how a film is made, it comes out crappy (I’m looking at you ‘Fantastic 4.'). But then there are indie films that work with a limited budget and are produced independently, hence the name. These films almost always come out good, sometimes better than their Hollywood counterparts.

Image source: nofilmschool.com

Here are my favorite indie films that you might want to check out.

1. American Beauty

“American Beauty” was one of the many fantastic movies of the ‘90s. Director Sam Mendes captures the struggles of Lester Burnham, a father caught in a serious midlife crisis, his daughter Jane, who finds love for the first time, and her beautiful yet lonely best friend Angela, played by the stunning Mena Suvari.

2. The Blair Witch Project

This horror movie terrifies its watchers because of the amateur filming that makes it seem like a real story. Three young movie-makers set out into the woods to produce a documentation of the myth of the Blair Witch. Little do they know that the legend is still alive and waiting for its next victims.

3. Pulp Fiction

This movie is a cult film. In Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece, John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, and Uma Thurman create a funny and exciting gangster comedy. The movie has many long dialogues, but Tarantino makes it work and ties all the different plot lines together for a spectacular finale. Seriously, if you have never watched this movie, do it now.

Image source: Miramax.com

4. The Witch

Written and directed by Robert Eggers in his directorial debut, the film follows a Puritan family encountering forces of evil in the woods beyond their New England farm. “The Witch” is an atmospherically driven, religion-coated film that is, at times, both beautiful and terrifying.

Joe Cianciotto here. I’m an architect by profession and draw heavily from modernist, postmodernist, and neo-futurist influences and mostly focus on the construction of commercial and multifamily residential developments. I am also an indie film enthusiast. Follow me on Twitter for more indie movie updates.

Best Comic Book Movies That Aren’t From The MCU

It’s no secret that I love a great superhero blockbuster. But as of late, it seems that Marvel Studios has had a monopoly on great superhero blockbusters. That hasn’t always been the case though. Let’s take a closer look at some of the greatest superhero movies that aren’t from the MCU.

Image source: pinterest.com

The Crow (1994)

This film adaptation of James O’Barr’s graphic novel masterpiece was stunning. It was dark and damp, yet had at its core, a heart of sadness. One of the best revenge tales I’ve seen in my life, Alex Proyas’ The Crow stayed with me long after I’ve seen it. It was also the final film of Bruce Lee’s son, Brandon.

Hellboy (2004) and Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Guillermo del Toro did splendidly with these two movies. Ron Perlman and co. were amazing as well as the quirky yet tragic heroes. The first movie had a more war-time and apocalyptic feel, while the second installment harkened back to del Toro’s sci-fi/fantasy influences. Also, it was probably the most fun I’ve had watching superhero movies all my life.

Image source: slashfilm.com

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)

The most recent movie on this list, I regard this as Tim Burton’s return to form (no more Alice in Wonderlands please). It was whimsical enough for kids to stick to the story like glue, and had an ample amount of terror to bring along their parents. The powers of the kids were original and amusing, and it tackled more or less kids who desperately wanted to grow up, but could not. Oh yeah, and time travel – it had time travel.

Let’s geek out on amazing discussions about comic books and superhero movies! Follow me, Joe Cianciotto, on Twitter.

From Trucks To Homes: The Thing About Container Architecture

Cargo containers are becoming an architectural staple nowadays, especially among home builders who are looking for a greener alternative with their buildings. Before their rise to architectural fame, these containers were used for shipping heavy materials from one side of the globe to another. And because a lot of these containers are just left to rust, architects have turned these empty shells into living dwellings, schools, emergency shelters, and even coffee shops.

Image source: 24hplans.com

Making a building out of a container is not just eco-friendly, but it’s also cost-effective. A lot of new homeowners choose to live in a container home because it is way cheaper than having to build a home from scratch.

Another reason people make the container switch is the convenience it offers. Container homes can be constructed offsite and delivered to the land after the construction has been finished. Building it is also a lot faster compared to other home styles because the walls and ceilings are already present. It just needs some cleaning and decorating before the move in.

Image source: niftyhomestead.com

Affordability and other pros aside, building homes with containers also has its cons. Some cargo containers are filled with hazardous substances. This is why it is necessary to have containers sandblasted before they are converted to a home. Cargo containers also have limited dimensions, and turning them into a home might end up looking cramped.

Despite the negatives, containers are a great option for innovative home builders. For those who are considering building something out of the box, a container home sounds like a good idea.

I’m Joe Cianciotto, an architect based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Read more about architectural innovations on this blog.