At Home with Tech

December 29, 2024

Why Silo is Still the Best Dystopian Future Series on Apple TV+

The drip/drip goodness of “Silo” is what has made this science fiction series so gripping. But the remaining coffee in season’s 2 has grown a bit cold. Here’s why I don’t think that matters.

Season 1 of “Silo” on Apple TV+ was riveting. The element of mystery headlined its success more than its science fiction or action genre. Based on Hugh Howey’s trilogy of novels, this series has moved slowly and shares the details of its crushing underground future for humanity with a timed precision that keeps you guessing what’s really going on in this dystopian society.

Underground Confusion
As the viewer, you’re almost as clueless as the population of 10,000 living underground, protected from a supposedly toxic and dead world up top.

The series stars Rebecca Ferguson as an engineer who tries to uncover the truth and Tim Robbins as one of the ‘elites’ who will do anything to maintain order for their fragile existence. Deception? Yes. Betrayal? Absolutely. (Just another day at the Silo offices.)

“Silo” also benefits from a great ensemble cast, a few of whom (spoiler alert) I wouldn’t get too attached to.

This Apple TV+ series’ first season was filled with surprising twists up until the very last shot of the final scene.

Season 2
As I write this, I’m seven episodes through season 2’s ten. Beyond the first episode where the mind-blowing payoff happens after last season’s cliffhanger, the series settles into more expected patterns of a story about controlling a mini society with limited resources. Now that the map of this reality’s facts is much clearer, the story of rebellion and the search for the truth has been somewhat less interesting.

Yes, there’s a new mysterious character played by Steve Zahn. And we’ve still got a few lingering questions plus a couple new ones, but they all hardly seem as significant as the ones already answered. (I could be wrong.)

The Truth is Out There
“Silo” has been strongest when it’s doled out its key details in small but meaty portions much like the groundbreaking “Lost” and “The X-Files” series. Though they’re all action shows, what make them special is their mystery.

Often the answers don’t live up to the hype surrounding the questions. That was certainly the case with “Lost” and “The X-Files.” Happily, “Silo” hasn’t suffered the same fate, ironically because it’s seemingly gone through many of its twists during its freshman season. And the uncomfortable answers have been entirely satisfying.

But now what?

Slow but Sure
It’s just been reported that “Silo” has been renewed for two more seasons with its fourth being its last.

So, we’re not even halfway through yet? Clearly, I’ve been unnecessarily impatient during this sophomore season. I imagine there must be more freaky goodness to come.

Still, that doesn’t change the fact that season two has been slower. Sure, there’s been plenty of action, but it feels like the middle episodes with split storylines have been biding their time.

But I’m not going anywhere.

What’s Around the Corner?
“Silo” is worth waiting for. Both Ferguson and Robbins are so great. And though the story would seem to be currently following a predictable path, I have a hunch that will change in the not-too-distant future.

I think I smell a fresh pot of coffee ready to be served up.

December 22, 2024

Where have All the Movies Gone?

Finding a good movie to watch in the theater feels a lot harder than it used to be. Here’s how I’m handling it, and which films I recommend.

Are you frustrated because there aren’t enough movie options in the theaters for you? Look, I get it. It’s been a rough few years for Hollywood. First the pandemic. And the writers’ strike. Then, we all forgot how to go to movie theaters and stayed home and streamed instead. More movies started to bomb at the box office, and then they made fewer flicks.

So, there’s even more pressure on the movies they do make to deliver. And for the most part, they haven’t.

The Fall Guy
It’s not like any movie can ever be guaranteed to be a sure hit. (It’s always been that way.) Remember 2024’s “The Fall Guy?” That was a blast of a movie. So much fun. I loved it. But it tanked at the box office.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
On the other hand, “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” fizzled at the same time for a different reason. This Mad Maxless flick just wasn’t that appealing for a broader audience. Sure, it had amazing stunts and cinematography, but the prequel’s story was hardly riveting, and if we’ve been paying attention to the larger story being built by director George Miller, we knew where it was all going. I would say the first half of the film had much more going for it, and then it ran out of gas.

And yes, I streamed both these movies months after they left theaters. So, I admit, I’m part of the audience problem equation. But it’s not all our fault.

No to Glicked
As I write this, I’m on holiday break with my wife and 14-year-old son. I was hoping to head out to the movie theaters with them a couple times. But there are frustratingly few options for older kids available to us.

Sure, there are the traditional ‘family’ movies for younger kids, like “Wicked” and “Mufasa.”

On the other side the scale, there’s “Gladiator 2.” The promised massive carnage is just a tad extreme for us. And “Kraven the Hunter?” Please.

But there was one choice to consider.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
We did venture out to see the animated “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” (PG-13). Our movie theater was almost completely empty, and it ironically felt like we were back in our own living room.

Directed by Kenji Kamiyama and executive produced by Peter Jackson, the story is based on J.R.R. Tolkein’s appendices to “The Lord of the Rings.” So, this script only has passing references to the larger Lord of the Rings universe. There was one cameo, courtesy of reedited archival audio. Otherwise, it’s your standard standalone feudal warlords anime.

My family enjoyed this return to Middle-earth story more than I did. (My son identified additional “Lord of the Rings” references, and my wife liked the Japanese-style animation.)

As for me, I thought this prequel was just adequate, but it did succeed in checking my box of going out to the movies with the family.

But I think that’s going to be it for the season.

So, I must return to the world of streaming to provide our remaining holiday screen entertainment. Happily, there’s no shortage of good options.

Red One
In what seems like the oddest movie distribution plan ever, “Red One” (PG-13) starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans is simultaneously streaming on Prime Video and playing in movie theaters. So, of course we’re staying home to stream this silly but fun big-budget action treat about saving Santa Claus.

Here’s are a couple other newish choices on my go-to holiday movie list:

“Spirited” on Apple TV+ with Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds
(2022/PG-13)
“8-Bit Christmas” on Max with Neil Patrick Harris (2021/PG)

Next Year
Is there hope for the future of movies at the box office?

In 2025, we’ve got the last “Mission Impossible” and “Superman,” the first superhero movie in the new DC universe under James Gunn. (The teaser trailer looks fantastic.)
I’m also excited for the MCU’s “Thunderbolts” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
And “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” just in time for Christmas.

Is there still hope? Yeah, I think so.

December 15, 2024

How to Create a Holiday Card with a Photo Collage at the Last Minute

If stores are closed, and you need to buy a holiday card before the party, why not print out one of your own? And if you add in a few of your own pictures, you’ve got the makings of a great card. Here are three ways I do it.

When I was a kid, my mother would spend hours shopping in different stores for the perfect holiday or birthday card for me. I think she equated all that effort to demonstrating her love (or she just enjoyed shopping for cards). For a time, I followed in my mom’s footsteps, but that eventually changed.

I stopped shopping for ‘greeting cards’ at pharmacies years ago. It’s so analog. Those generic cards are expensive, and the professionally written sentiments are hardly delightful. Sure, they’re adequate and serve a purpose, but there’s a better way…

Make your Cards Yourself
I’ve been generating my own holiday and birthday cards on my computer. Plus, I typically do it using my family pictures.

It just takes:

a home printer
some photo paper
and access to a card-design program

What Design Program Should You Use?
The key for me is to use a card-design program or app that allows you to quickly pop in your pictures and type your message into a photo template. Speed is everything, because I’m often creating the cards (cough) at the last minute. (And if you realize you need a card after the stores are closed, a digital DIY solution is really all you’ve got.)

I usually prefer to use a photo-collage template. The multiple pictures help to represent a body of time that I’m celebrating.

The bespoke nature of these cards makes them more personal, and I find them more impactful than choosing the generic-card-from-a-store route.

My recipients really like them! But believe it or not, there aren’t that many online options out there that will do the card-creation trick for you quickly and free.

That said, here are three options I’ve tried that are relatively easy to use.

Shutterfly
Like many websites, Shutterfly wants to sell you physical cards. The design piece is there to help complete your purchase. But before I click to ‘buy’ the designed card, I simply capture a screenshot of the card and use that file for my printer. Yes, it’s a MacGyver move, but it works. (You don’t need a high-res file for a 5″ x 7″ card housing a photo collage.)

The templates are easy to use, and yes, I do occasionally buy something from them.

Adobe Express
This Adobe software has a free version you can use, though many templates are unavailable. Still, it’s a good choice to consider. Even though this is a simplified ‘express’ solution, it requires a little more Adobe design/interface knowledge.

Its ‘Collage Maker’ has a 9-photo limit. Once you import your pictures, you then click through some preset layout options, which often don’t fit the photos. So, you’ve got some work to do. But then I found its photo-resizing function was surprisingly glitchy. Happily, with a little more effort, the interface eventually behaved.

And with practice, I’m sure Adobe Express would be easier to work with. (You’re using an Adobe product. So, I’d say that’s a good investment of your time.)

Canva
I’ve been using Canva for years. Its interface is easy to navigate, and its photo-grid templates are quite flexible and intuitive to move around.

Just like Adobe, the free Canva version shuts you out from many designs, but there are still plenty of options.

I must repeat that Canva is super simple to use, and it gives you solid results.

One more time… Easy.

It’s Never too Late
No, printing out a photo-collage card onto photo stock is nothing new. But it’s always a good reminder to occasionally flex the skills needed to spit one of these out.

Yes, there are any number of other solutions online to do this kind of creative work, but I prefer going with a brand or website I know and already have a relationship with.

Just set aside a little time (especially to compose a few heartfelt words), and I bet you’ll quickly create a beautiful card that will totally impress your recipient.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: