To the Stars
If you’re into science fiction you’ve probably heard of ‘Ad Astra’, a movie that combines futuristic scenery and a focus on emotions and feelings. But what was it like behind the scenes as Brad Pitt explores his life and the limits of space before our very eyes?
Nasa and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory helped with the extensive research required to make the science and scenes right. The visual effects are a little bit more subtle than you might expect thanks to trying to stay close to tech like the International Space Station or the Apollo missions. Technology has changed a lot, but the look of things hasn’t, for the most part.
They Can't Always be Guarding the Galaxy
'Guardians of the Galaxy' is one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films that really grabbed people's attention, and some think the sequel is even better. The movies have clever dialogue, a great soundtrack straight from the eighties, and an amazing cast of characters that continues to grow.
Of course, the actors have to sometimes take a break – acting can be hard – which gives us plenty of behind the scenes images to peruse. This famous movie series had plenty of press buzzing around it while filming, so we're sure to see something interesting.
Naps and Smartphones
While Kurt Russel, who played Star-Lord's father Ego, is in need of a good nap. Gamora and Star-Lord himself have taken out their phones to check their space Instagram accounts or check their messages. Or play solitaire, who knows. The huge blue screen behind them helped the filmmakers create the amazing starscapes we see throughout the movies, and there are plenty of crew members working hard setting up the next shot.
We see a strange generational divide here, as Kurt Russel shuts his eyes to keep his strength, while Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana take to the internet and a little bit of eye strain.
Goldfinger Strikes
The Bond films are one of the longest-running and most popular movie franchises out there, with tons of movies and multiple actors portraying the secret agent. One of the frequent list-toppers of Bond films is the 1964 'Goldfinger', which practically codified the secret agent tropes we know and love today. In this film adaption of the Ian Fleming novel, the villainous Goldfinger offs one of his own employees, Jill Masterson, by covering her with gold paint – an odd way to kill, but definitely noticeable and true-to-life.
You see, the body has to “breathe” in a way, and covering the entire body makes that impossible. Masterson dies from suffocation, despite being able to breathe.
She's Okay, Everyone
Of course, the filmmakers wouldn't really put actress Shirley Eaton in danger in that way – leaving a spot on the spine unpainted is enough to reduce the danger to almost negligible. Masterson was about to blab on her boss to Bond, but he wasn't quick enough to save the character from a death most unlikely.
Of course, Bond goes on to save the day and – in this installation – the global economy, but the golden girl was one of the most enduring pictures from the third Bond film. Thanks to the shining gold, Easton's beauty, and the deadly consequences, it's sure to last.