There was never any illusion that Saving Private Ryan by Steven Spielberg would be an easy task for the cast and crew. Even when the cameras were rolling, the actors had a lingering feeling that they were just one bad scene away from dismissal.

Saving Private Ryan is set in 1944 in Normandy during World War II. The story follows a group of soldiers led by Captain John Miller, who are on a mission to find and bring home Private James Francis Ryan after his three brothers were killed in action.

Acclaimed Reviews

The film received rave reviews for its realistic and intense depiction of combat and became one of the highest-grossing films of 1998. It is regarded as one of the greatest war films ever made.

Spielberg knew from the start that he wanted to make a war film like Hollywood had never seen before, and to achieve the realistic tone he envisioned, the director sent his ensemble to an intensive boot camp. There, the first signs of trouble began to surface.

Unprepared

The actors were completely unprepared for how grueling the training would be and were on the verge of quitting until Tom Hanks convinced them to push through. Ironically, this strengthened their bond and contributed to their character development even before they stepped on set: life imitated art.



Tom Sizemore, who was struggling with his openly discussed addiction issues at the time, was balancing on a thin line. Spielberg gave him a clear warning: if he relapsed or caused personal problems during production, he would be the first to be replaced.

Tentative Style

Ultimately, the entire cast of Saving Private Ryan remained on board from the first to the last day of filming. However, Edward Burns admitted later that it took some time for everyone to feel comfortable. In an interview with Collider, he said that Spielberg's tentative style was confusing at first:



"We worked about a week before Steven said even a single word to anyone", he said. "We were all convinced we would be fired because he apparently hated us. Why wasn't he giving us any direction?"

Spielberg's Master Plan

But it all turned out to be part of Spielberg's master plan. He had so much faith in his cast that he felt it unnecessary to give them constant instructions. In hindsight, from Burns' perspective, it would have been helpful if Spielberg had made this clear on day one instead of leaving them in uncertainty.



"He said, 'I didn't choose you for nothing. I expect you to show up prepared, and I don't want to get in the way of your process.'" Ultimately, Spielberg did give some direction, particularly to Jeremy Davies, to whom he told that his character Upham should represent the audience.

More Realistic And Human

Beyond that, he allowed his actors the freedom to show their personalities, quirks, and camaraderie, making the film even more realistic and human.



The cast, accustomed to directors whispering in their ears and guiding their performances, had to adjust to Spielberg's non-interventional approach. For the first few days, they were convinced he was already working on their replacements. But that trust is what made Saving Private Ryan one of the most authentic and intense war films ever made.

"Netflix has announced the release date for the latest psychological thriller featuring Keira Knightley, accompanied by the first images and a poster.

The Woman in Cabin 10 is directed by Simon Stone, known for The Dig, and is based on Ruth Ware's 2016 bestselling novel about a journalist named Laura Blacklock.

In Search Of Answers

The story follows the journalist who, while aboard a luxury yacht, witnesses a passenger being thrown overboard late at night.

"However, she is told it never happened as all passengers and crew members have been accounted for," states the official logline. "Despite no one believing her, she continues to search for answers, putting her own life in danger."

Cast

In addition to Knightley, the cast includes Guy Pearce, David Ajala, Art Malik, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Kaya Scodelario, David Morrissey, Daniel Ings, and Hannah Waddingham.

The Woman in Cabin 10 premieres this fall on Friday, October 10, 2025, exclusively on Netflix.

Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken

Een bericht gedeeld door Netflix Film (@netflixfilm)

After two years of waiting, Twisted Metal is finally back with more speed, dust clouds, and screeching tires. Showrunner Michael Jonathan Smith revealed how the exciting second season is structured.

The new season features twelve episodes instead of the ten from the debut. The first three episodes are now online and will be followed by two episodes per week leading up to the finale. In the final week, three episodes will once again be released online.

Building Towards The Spectacle

Smith clarified at press conferences that the bond between John (Anthony Mackie) and Quiet (Stefanie Beatriz) is central to the story. "[In the first season] we built a specific post-apocalyptic world. We want viewers to understand the world and how the bond between John and Quiet develops," said the showrunner.

This statement clarifies why the tournament takes place only in the second season. Smith concludes: "When the characters are at the starting line, the intention is for the viewer to have gotten to know them. You understand why they do what they do: there is a motive, just like in the games. Then the fun begins."

The True Drive

Twisted Metal clearly presents itself as an ambitious series. Rather than just showcasing striking metal and roaring engines, the creators emphasize equally strong characters as the driving force behind this beloved video game adaptation.

Stephen King adaptations are doing very well these days. This year, two films will be released: first The Long Walk in October and then The Running Man in November.

JT Mollner (Strange Darling) wrote the script for The Long Walk based on King’s book. In a recent interview, he talks about the nerve-wracking moment he discovered what the author thought about the film.

Reaction

"I was terrified that Stephen King wouldn't like it," Mollner said. "It's exciting, but also scary, because you care so much for the writer. [But] this felt right."

Luckily for Mollner, the writer was ultimately very pleased with the adaptation. "When we heard that he liked it, that was a really important moment," he shares.

Coming Soon

The Long Walk is directed by Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games). The film features roles for Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Mark Hamill, and more. It will premiere in theaters on September 12th.

After years of stagnation, the reboot of Highlander finally seems to be taking off, with none other than Henry Cavill confirming he will play the lead role. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the former Man of Steel actor stated that all his focus this summer is on Highlander, directed by John Wick creator Chad Stahelski.

"Highlander! That is where all my energy is going. It's a project I am incredibly excited about," Cavill said. "This character is going to be fantastic to play, and working with Chad Stahelski is a joy. He is an incredibly talented man."

Russell Crowe Also On Board

Fans had already suspected that Cavill's new rugged look was linked to the role of the immortal warrior, and now it’s official. The project has been stuck in 'development hell' for years, with earlier attempts including a version with Ryan Reynolds, but now the reboot finally seems to be happening. Filming is set to begin later this year.

In addition to Cavill, Russell Crowe is expected to join the film, presumably in the role of mentor Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez, a role once played by Sean Connery. Crowe and Cavill previously shared the screen in Man of Steel, where Crowe played Cavill's father Jor-El.

A New Life For A Legendary Story

The reboot of Highlander promises not only spectacular action but also aims to place more emphasis on the emotional and historical weight of the character. "You are playing someone who has seen everything and everyone around them disappear over the centuries," Stahelski said. "That gives the story a tragic undertone that you rarely see in action films." Thus, Cavill will not only wield his sword but also flex his acting muscles.

Additionally, the creators want to expand the universe with more world-building, a coherent mythology, and a visual style that looks modern yet retains the gothic atmosphere of the original.

New Energy For A Cult Classic

The original Highlander from 1986 grew to become a cult favorite, featuring Christopher Lambert and Clancy Brown in leading roles. Although the film spawned multiple sequels, spin-offs, and even an animated series, none of the follow-ups matched the level of the original.

Stahelski is determined to change that. "My pitch to Henry was simple: you are playing someone who has lived for over 500 years. That offers a huge breadth of character development... and he masters dozens of fighting styles." With Cavill at the forefront and Stahelski at the helm, this reboot finally seems to be receiving the power and flair that fans have awaited for years.

A new South African thriller series is adding suspense to the worldwide Netflix Top 10. Marked premiered on July 31 and is currently ranked ninth on the list. The series puts viewers on edge with a story that tests moral boundaries.

The six-part series Marked, written by the South African filmmaker behind several compelling local productions, is described by Netflix using terms such as Engaging, Heist, and Thriller. It stars Lerato Mvelase, Bonko Khoza, Ama Qamata, S'Dumo Mtshali, and Sphamandla Dhludhu.

Solid Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, there are two reviews, one 'Fresh' and one 'Rotten'. On IMDb, the series has a respectable rating of 6.2/10 based on fewer than 100 votes.

Joel Keller from Decider writes in his review: "Marked has the potential to become quite a bizarre series, but by basing the protagonist's dilemma on her beliefs, the potential bizarre elements will hopefully be tempered."

Now Streaming

If you're eager to watch Marked, the series is now available on Netflix.



The synopsis: After her daughter falls seriously ill, a cash-in-transit security officer is forced to make risky choices. But when she is betrayed by those she trusted, she must cross her own boundaries to survive and save her daughter.