Netflix News

Netflix September 2023 Streaming News

Finally! Directors’ Vision Doesn’t Get in the Way

September 6, 2023 — Netflix has another runaway hit with One Piece. Japanese manga writer and illustrator Eiichiro Oda‘s 1997 comic has been respectfully brought to life on the big screen in a way that can’t be compared to anything seen on screen in a long time. Oda’s world of sea pirates is a unique experience with its own thumbprint. While it’s true One Piece has original ideas, it may also be successful due to Oda demanding his source material be respected, not merely hoping it would be respected. One example is (sorta spoiler you can tolerate), that you don’t find two characters following a parallel path and following a formula in falling in love.

If you are tuned into One Piece already, it’s clear the two sea pirates in question have great on-screen chemistry. This may also be why the twist of ‘no-romance’ by the author’s express instructions to showrunners Steven Maeda and Matt Owens has resulted in an unplanned impact on how viewers are experiencing the show. 

The reality is that the author made some instructions clear in providing rights to his creation. One instruction was that the two characters who play prominent roles in the story are not forced into a relationship. In short, no romance. It’s not part of their journey in the original story, so why do it now? And you can see it a mile off that if a director got a hold of this story they would absolutely think they had to put their own personal touch on this beloved comic and inject romance into the story where it wasn’t already a part. 

In short. If you are a fan of the manga, One Piece. You can expect it to be a great deal more palatable than Netflix’s attempt at Cowboy Bebop! If you have not checked out One Piece on Netflix, enjoy the eight-episode ride and hope there are more to come. Of course, you can always seek out the manga for reading or find the 1000+ animated episodes. 

 

Rebel Moon Hype Begins With Full Trailer

August 24, 2023 — Rumor has it Bruce Bethke’s novel Rebel Moon was brought to Netflix because Disney would ruin it. Directed by Zack Snyder, some consider it a more modern Star Wars. So what is Rebel Moon for those who have not read the book? The novel looks at the struggle for freedom in a futuristic lunar society. If Zach Snyder follows the source material closely expect  Rebel Moon to delve into themes of exploitation, power dynamics, and the fight for autonomy. It may follow the line of how ordinary individuals become catalysts for change when faced with injustice.

If you want a deeper understanding, Rebel Moon is set in a future where Earth has colonized the moon, the story follows protagonist Ralf McCann, a young mechanic who finds himself caught up in a rebellion against a ruthless mining corporation called Redrock. The corporation exploits lunar resources while treating its workers poorly. Amidst the oppressive conditions, McCann’s life takes a dramatic turn when he becomes involved with a group of rebels determined to free the moon from Redrock’s control. Led by a charismatic figure named Fallon, the rebels launch a daring campaign to challenge the corporation’s dominance.

The story combines action, intrigue, and themes of social justice and resistance. Oh, and the book is based on the first-person shooter 1990s PC video game, Rebel Moon and its sequel Rebel Moon Rising.

The Rebel Moon games were the brainchild of and created by Theodore Beale, aka Vox Day. His Nationalist views and argumentative nature towards liberal values have him marked throughout the Internet as a right-wing nut. This background about the roots of Rebel Moon is not well circulated as it appears it could hurt the film’s viewership. 

Look for Rebel Moon on Netflix in December of 2023.

Pop Culture Press