Entertainment
Endlessly Entertaining Time Travel Flick Is The Ultimate Do Over
By Robert Scucci
| Updated
Low-budget sci-fi is the ultimate proving ground for filmmakers because if they don’t lean into their limitations, they’re dead in the water. When done right, we get films like Primer (2004), Coherence (2013), Empathy, Inc. (2018), and my new favorite comedy in this wheelhouse, 2014’s The Infinite Man. With a cast of three, no special effects to speak of, and what appears to be an abandoned motel serving as the film’s primary location, The Infinite Man is about as bare bones as it gets.
It’s a time travel story, but really about how a man’s insecurities catch up with him in the most unhinged way possible. He builds a device that he thinks will save his relationship and, through his own doing, makes everything infinitely worse for himself. It’s almost poetic how badly he screws everything up, and if you love a good comedy of errors that’s both low-budget and high-concept, The Infinite Man is exactly what you’re looking for.
You Can’t Control Everybody, Not Even Your Past Self
The plot of The Infinite Man is simple at first, but snowballs in complexity as it barrels through its second and third acts. Dean (Josh McConville) is on the verge of a nervous breakdown after his anniversary with Lana (Hanna Marshall) doesn’t exactly go as planned. The motel they stayed at the previous year is now abandoned, and all the activities Dean had in mind to woo his unenthusiastic partner never materialize.
Like clockwork, almost as if planned, Lana’s ex-boyfriend, Terry (Alex Dimitriades), shows up, shocks Dean with a cattle prod, and leaves with Lana. Dean is distressed about this for a number of reasons. Most importantly, his desire to control every minor detail is so intense that he doesn’t realize how unhappy Lana is. But what’s really grinding his gears is the fact that Lana only dated Terry, a self-proclaimed pole-vaulting legend, for two weeks several years earlier.
Broken by this turn of events, Dean locks himself in the motel for a year and builds a time machine that allows him to travel back to the day Lana left him, effectively giving himself a do-over. The machine works, and he’s able to interact with both his past self and the past version of Lana. His attempts to influence their behavior without being detected backfire immediately when he’s discovered, setting off a chain of events that results in multiple duplicates of himself, Lana, and even Terry, all of whom vaguely recall Dean’s meddling.
It gets to the point where present-day Dean forces one of the Lanas to wear an earpiece while speaking with another version of himself so he can tell her exactly what to say, convinced his influence will lead everybody toward the correct outcome. But every time Dean interferes, things continue to get worse, not only for him, but for everybody around him.
Sometimes It’s Just Best To Let It Go
Dean’s character in The Infinite Man is a fascinating study. He’s a brilliant inventor and clever as hell, but his personality is so grating that it’s hard to root for him. He makes too many assumptions about people, is far too insecure for his own good, and every motivation he has is fundamentally selfish. He got dumped for being a control freak, and his solution is to become an even bigger control freak.
As annoying as Dean is, that’s where all the humor comes from, so it’s a fair tradeoff. He constantly gets his ass handed to him by his own miscalculations, and when he finally has to interact with alternate versions of himself, he starts to realize that he’s the problem. His evolution across the film’s brief 85-minute runtime is beyond impressive because you start out hating the guy, but gradually grow to like him as he becomes more self-aware.
The Infinite Man is a brilliant example of what filmmakers like Hugh Sullivan can do with virtually no budget, a tight screenplay, and the right characters to bring a concept like this to life. If you’re a creator in any capacity, it should always be inspiring when somebody gets out there and makes something, limitations be damned.
As of this writing, you can stream The Infinite Man for free on Tubi.
Entertainment
The Sci-Fi Action Movie On Netflix Continues An Epic Franchise
By Steven Nelson
| Published
Prepare for an intergalactic showdown unlike any other. Skylines, the exhilarating third installment in the much-talked-about Skylines franchise, is now soaring its way into Netflix’s streaming galaxy. The saga continues as humanity and extraterrestrial life collide in a fight for survival, intertwining past legacies with futuristic ambitions.
Whether you’ve been a fan since the first ship landed or are just embarking on this cosmic journey, brace yourself for a sci-fi adventure that promises to be a spectacle of thrilling confrontations, otherworldly landscapes, and mind-bending twists. Let the battle for Earth’s destiny begin!
In Search Of A Vital Artifact
In Skylines, the story picks up after the events of the previous movies, catapulting viewers into an intensified interstellar conflict. When a virus threatens to turn Earth’s now peaceful hybrid alien population against humans, Captain Rose Corley (Lindsey Morgan), a human-alien hybrid with extraordinary abilities, is summoned.
Having proved herself in the previous encounters, Rose is the linchpin in humanity’s desperate plan to prevent the impending alien attack.
Drawing from her lineage’s strengths, she assembles an elite team of soldiers to join her on a mission into the extraterrestrial world. Their objective? To retrieve an artifact from the aliens‘ home planet that is key to saving both their species. However, as they journey through space, they encounter challenges and adversaries that put their skills, determination, and alliance to the ultimate test.
While the goal is clear, the path is fraught with battles, betrayals, and unexpected alliances. The mission becomes a race against time as they navigate through the alien world, battling enhanced creatures and trying to secure the vital artifact.
With the fate of both species hanging in the balance, Skylines is an adrenaline-pumping roller-coaster that pushes the boundaries of friendship, duty, and survival.
There Are Plans For Another Skyline Movie
The Skylines saga may not be over just yet. A fourth installment, Skyline: Warpath, was originally slated for an October 2025 release, but as of 2026, the film remains unreleased and no new launch date has been announced.
While updates have been scarce, interest in the franchise remains strong among fans who have followed the series from its beginnings. Frank Grillo has previously expressed interest in returning, and the ending of Skylines leaves plenty of room for the story to continue expanding into new corners of its universe.
That said, if Skyline: Warpath never materializes, Skylines still serves as a fitting conclusion to the trilogy, bringing its central conflicts to a satisfying close while leaving the door open for future adventures.
Speculating about the next Skyline movie is exciting, given the universe’s potential to expand and evolve. With the Earth somewhat stabilized after the events of Skylines, the story could further delve into the expansive universe. New planets, teeming with unknown life forms, could be discovered, presenting both opportunities and threats. As the survivors of Earth venture into the cosmos, they might seek alliances with other civilizations to fortify against shared adversaries.
Another angle could be the discovery of remnants of the alien race that had previously wreaked havoc on Earth. The survivors might unearth secrets about their adversaries, leading to potential reconciliations or fresh conflicts. Delving deeper into the origins and motivations of the aliens could add layers of complexity and empathy to the narrative.
On a more personal note, characters that survived the past ordeals might face internal struggles. The trauma of previous battles, combined with the challenges of navigating an expansive universe, could take a toll on their mental well-being. New characters, potentially from other civilizations, could be introduced, bringing with them unique skill sets, philosophies, and technologies.
With a universe as expansive and intricate as that of Skyline, there’s no telling where the story might lead next, especially with potential future sequels on the horizon.For now, fans can immerse themselves in the spectacle and drama of Skylines on Netflix, savoring the evolution of a story that promises to remain a mainstay in contemporary sci-fi cinema. Dive in and let the celestial odyssey unfold.
Entertainment
Apple fixes a Beats Studio Buds flaw that could let hackers listen to conversations
In its most recent firmware update for Beats headphones, 1B211, Apple fixed a terrifying security flaw that allowed malicious actors to potentially eavesdrop on private conversations within Bluetooth range of the brand’s popular Studio Buds.
According to reporting by Sead Fadilpašić of TechRadar, it was actually the third-party security firm ERNW and its researchers, Dennis Heinze and Frieder Steinmetz, who first discovered the vulnerability, all the way back in 2025, when it was assigned an 8.8/10 severity score. In effect, it allowed hackers to impersonate a device that had previously been connected to the headphones, not only granting them access to the microphone and headphone audio but eventually even learning some devices’ call histories and contact lists.
If you own a pair of Studio Buds, is it likely you’ve been targeted? Thankfully, no. The same researchers who discovered the exploit told TechRadar that the degree of coordination, complexity, and planning required to execute this hack would have made it worthwhile only for very high-value targets, and, as of now, there are no reports of anyone being negatively impacted by the security vulnerability.
Mashable Light Speed
It’s also worth mentioning that Apple wasn’t the only company caught up in this exploit. In the original report released by ERNW that identified the flaw, the security firm listed dozens of compromised devices, including those from manufacturers like Sony, JBL, and Bose, and those were just the brands that publicly listed their system suppliers, leaving potentially hundreds more devices yet to be named. In the words of the security researchers in the report, the unknown scope of the problem “creates a huge blind spot in vulnerability management due to the nature of the supply chain.”
Thankfully, Apple isn’t the only company taking active measures to protect its customers. According to Ecoustics reporting back in January, both Bose and JBL have also taken steps to close off the vulnerability through firmware updates.
Entertainment
The Zoe Saldana Assassin Movie On Netflix That Never Lets Up
By Steven Nelson
| Published
From the star-laden skies of the cosmos in Guardians of the Galaxy to the deep jungles of Avatar, Zoe Saldana has demonstrated her prowess in various roles, captivating audiences with her compelling performances. Now, Netflix brings her to your screens in a gripping tale of vengeance – Colombiana.
Dive into a thrilling world where Saldana, unyielding and fierce, sets out on a relentless pursuit to avenge her family’s death. Directed by Olivier Megaton and penned by the renowned Luc Besson, this action-packed ride promises to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Prepare for an exhilarating experience with Colombiana.
Cataleya Is Coming For You
Colombiana is a tale of retribution set against the gritty backdrop of the criminal underworld. At its heart is Cataleya Restrepo, played with fierce determination by Zoe Saldana. As a young girl in Bogota, Colombia, Cataleya witnesses the brutal murder of her parents at the hands of a ruthless drug lord named Don Luis (Beto Benites).
The traumatic event, however, gives rise to a burning desire for revenge, and she barely escapes the massacre, ultimately finding her way to her uncle Emilio in Chicago.
Under Emilio’s guidance, Cataleya transforms into a deadly assassin, honing her skills to exact her revenge. While she takes on various assignments, she leaves a distinctive drawing of a cataleya orchid as her signature, a message to those who wronged her that she’s coming for them. This calling card draws the attention of both the criminal world and law enforcement.
Cataleya navigates the dangers of her vocation, and her single-minded focus remains on finding Don Luis and his main enforcer, Marco. The film intricately weaves her personal vendetta with her professional hits, building to a climactic confrontation.
A Thriller With Depth
Throughout, Zoe Saldana’s portrayal of Cataleya is that of a woman driven by past horrors, wielding her trauma as both a weapon and armor, making Colombiana not just an action-packed thriller but also a study of what fuels a person’s drive for vengeance.
Colombiana truly shines as a Zoe Saldana vehicle, largely because of the symbiotic relationship between the film’s narrative and Saldana’s strengths as an actress. Firstly, Zoe Saldana has always exuded a kind of quiet strength and intensity in her roles, making her the perfect fit for a character who carries the weight of traumatic past events but channels it into her mission for vengeance.
Her slender physique and graceful movements, combined with her intensity, make her a believable and unique assassin, differentiating Cataleya from the archetypal brute force hitman often depicted in cinema. Additionally, Saldana’s range allows her to tap into the deeper emotional undercurrents of Cataleya’s story.
While Colombiana is undoubtedly an action film, at its core, it’s a story of a scarred individual seeking closure. Saldana’s portrayal of Cataleya isn’t one-dimensional; she brings a blend of vulnerability and steeliness to the role. This duality resonates with audiences, making the action sequences more than just visually spectacular. They’re emotionally charged, underpinned by Cataleya’s heartbreaking backstory and her quest for justice.
Moreover, the film’s setting and narrative play into the cultural strengths of Saldana. As a woman of Latina descent, Zoe infuses authenticity into Cataleya’s Colombian roots, making her quest feel genuine and rooted in a real sense of place and culture.
The movie, in essence, becomes a platform for Saldana to showcase not only her physical prowess but also her ability to create a multi-dimensional character, transforming Colombiana from a mere action flick into a riveting tale of resilience, revenge, and redemption.
Colombiana, streaming on Netflix, stands as a testament to Zoe Saldana’s prowess as an action star and her ability to carry a film with both emotional depth and high-octane sequences. Her portrayal of Cataleya resonates with audiences not just for the action, but for the heart and determination behind each move. While the revenge genre has been explored in countless ways in cinema, it’s Saldana’s unique blend of vulnerability and fierceness that sets this film apart.
Mariners to oppose another lefty in matchup with Red Sox
Shohei Ohtani could return Saturday after welcoming second child
