The nightmare scenario could soon become a reality
There’s a terrifying space phenomenon which could one day become a reality, as scientists have issued warnings over the years.
The theory – called Kessler Syndrome – is depicted in a ‘breathtaking’ sci-fi movie which is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
It comes as a strong solar flare released from the sun earlier this week causing similar effects to what we could face if the Kessler Syndrome ever happens.
Early on Tuesday (May 14), the sun released a powerful solar flare from a growing sunspot called AR4087.
Hitting its peak at 4.25 am EDT, it caused major radio blackouts across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, reports Space.com
Sandra Bullock stars in the 2013 sci-fi thriller which depicts the Kessler Syndrome (Warner Bros)
Solar flares are graded by strength, from A (the weakest) to X (the strongest). This one was an X-class – rare and intense – and sent a surge of ultraviolet light racing toward Earth.
When this radiation hit our planet’s upper atmosphere, it caused a sudden spike in ionization, which disrupted high-frequency radio signals.
Previously, scientists have warned we’re at risk of the Kessler Syndrome, which could cause major blackouts.
What is the Kessler Syndrome?
Right now, there are over 10,000 active satellites orbiting Earth – but that’s not all.
Surrounding our planet are an estimated 100 trillion fragments of old satellites and debris, some of which occasionally fall into the atmosphere and burn up.
Back in the late 1970s, NASA scientist Donald Kessler warned of a dangerous tipping point: once the amount of debris in orbit reaches ‘critical mass,’ the junk starts crashing into itself, triggering an unstoppable chain reaction of collisions.
This idea is known as Kessler Syndrome.
Kessler predicted it might take 30 to 40 years to reach that threshold. Today, some experts believe we’ve already crossed it in low-Earth orbit (about 900 to 1,000 km above Earth).
Kessler Syndrome could one day become a reality (Warner Bros)
Recent space events make this warning feel even more real.
In 2009, a dead Russian satellite collided with a US satellite. In 2021, Russia deliberately destroyed one of its own satellites with a missile test, forcing astronauts on the International Space Station to take emergency shelter.
If more collisions occur, we could lose vital satellites that power the modern world. The effects would be massive: internet and phone services could crash, TV, GPS, and weather forecasting could vanish and medical devices and emergency response systems could fail.
And with deadly debris flying at thousands of miles per hour, launching anything into space – from satellites to rescue missions – could quickly become even riskier.
Sandra Bullock’s movie
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity sees a catastrophic chain reaction of exploding satellites turn space into a deadly minefield, stranding astronaut Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) in orbit.
As debris hurtles around Earth at blistering speed, she must fight to survive with nothing but her wits and dwindling oxygen.
Fans have described Gravity as ‘a masterpiece’ as well as ‘an experience,’ praising it as ‘breathtaking’ cinema.Play
Writing on Rotten Tomatoes, one fan said: “There isn’t much to say about Gravity other than how masterfully crafted the shots, sound, and CGI are.”
A second agreed: “Sandra Bullock plays an amazing astronaut, and the space scenes are truly breathtaking.”
Gravity is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video until June 1.Featured Image Credit: Warner Bros
Topics: Amazon Prime, Entertainment, Film and TV, YouTube, International Space Station, Space, NASA, Earth
Published 08:00 29 Mar 2025 GMT
‘Jaw-dropping’ Amazon Prime Video drama is so good even Stephen King can’t get enough of it
Stephen King described the hit series as ‘just wonderful’
If there’s anyone who knows good TV and film, it’s Stephen King.
King has behind some of the best horror movies that have ever been made, which have been based on his terrifying books.
From IT and Pet Sematary, to Carrie and The Shining, King’s mind has concocted some spine-chilling novels over the years.
But not all of King’s books that have been adapted into movies have been horrors. In fact, you might not know that The Green Mile is based off King’s 1996 book of the same name.
With his vast experience in mind, it’s safe to say that if King likes something that’s been on TV, then you should watch it too.
One show that he’s previously gushed about is a series that’s available to stream on Prime Video, where all four seasons currently available to watch.
Stephen King is the brains behind many successful books and films (Tracey Biel/Variety via Getty Images)
Titled The Man in the High Castle, the programme, which first debuted in 2015, has been described as ‘just wonderful’ by King.
Based on the book of the same name by Phillip K. Dick, the show’s first season explores an alternative world in which the Allied Powers lost WWII, allowing Japan and Germany to rule the US.
Adding to it’s allure, the series stars the likes of Pretty Little Liar’s Luke Kleintank and The Diplomat actor Rufus Sewell, as well as being executively produced by Blade Runner and Alien director, Ridley Scott.
The Man in the High Castle Season 1 – Official Trailer
Credits: Prime Video
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Speaking about the show back in 2018, King posted to Twitter: “THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE (Amazon Prime) is just wonderful.
READ MORE:
STEPHEN KING’S TOP 5 MOVIES EVER
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“Some of the images, while disquieting (American children giving the Nazi salute, a Nazi storm trooper replacing the Statue of Liberty), are jaw-dropping. Start from the beginning.”
Backing the acclaimed author’s rave review, the series has an 84 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes and 4/5 stars from viewers on Prime Video.
King said the series is ‘wonderful’ (Twitter)
Replying to King’s tweet, another fan of The Man in the High Castle said at the time: “My wife and I just watched all three seasons. Really well done and we were glued to each and every episode.
“Kind of eerie how familiar a lot of the scenarios felt.”
“It’s amazing. Binged Season 3 in a long weekend. Battle of oppression,” added another at the time.
A different person penned: “Great for binge-watching. Fascinating, provocative and engaging with some surprising character arcs.”
“The opening title sequence is enough to make me cry,” said someone else.Featured Image Credit: Liane Hentscher / Amazon Studios
Topics: Stephen King, Amazon Prime, Film and TV, Reviews, Rotten Tomatoes, World War 2
Published 20:09 30 Aug 2024 GMT+1
Fans blown away seeing voice actors doing Minions voices dubbing hilarious scene from movie
Some were asking how they didn’t ‘crack up’ while dubbing the scene
Fans have been left incredibly impressed after watching a video of two voice actors dubbing the Minions for a hilarious scene from the movie.
Italian voice actresses Arianna Craviotto and Stefania Depeppe took to the mic to dub the airplane scene from Minions 2.
While Arianna has worked on the likes of Pokémon and Bridgerton spin-off show Queen Charlotte, Stefania’s work includes The Handmaid’s Tale and The Intern – very different from Despicable Me.
Despicable Me 4 trailer
Credit: Universal Pictures
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The incredibly talented duo shared the video on Instagram earlier this month, and fans have been obsessed – with the clip having since racked up millions of likes.
“How do they not crack up the entire time,” one person commented on the video, while another said: “Imagine doing this for a living?! I love that.”
And a third added: “Such talent we never get to see and who don’t get the credit they deserve!”
A fourth wrote: “The number of times I have watched this is unhealthy.”
“OH MY GOSH THIS IS THE BEST THING I’VE EVER SEEN,” said a fifth. “Seriously how do they keep from laughing the entire time?!”
The actual voices for the Minions are by Pierre Coffin, who co-directed all the Despicable Me movies, except for The Rise of Gru and Despicable Me 4.
Alongside Coffin, in Despicable Me, Chris Renaud provided the voice for Minion Dave and Jermaine Clement was the voice of Jerry.
Coffin has previously revealed how he came up with the idea for Minions explaining it was a ‘complete accident’.
“The Minions came about by complete accident,” he told The Guardian in 2015.
“In the first film, they were depicted as this big army of muscular thugs doing the dirty work of the arch villain Gru and we quickly realised that they were very unappealing and made Gru a totally unsympathetic anti-hero.
Coffin explained how he came up with the idea for the Minions (Universal Pictures)
“To make him charming, we had this idea that he’d know all of his little helpers by their forenames, even though there were hundreds, and suddenly Gru was sympathetic.
“We then put goggles on them, added workers’ overalls, making them look like these subterranean mole men-type creatures, gave them an increasingly saturated yellow skin tone and then they became the Minions.
“And from that first scene we knew they gave the other characters counter-balance, had great comedic potential and were super cute.”
Coffin also spoke about the Minions’ language, adding: “It’s gibberish.
“It’s a mixture of all the languages of the world and it’s about finding a particular magical rhythm and melody that makes the nonsense make sense.”Featured Image Credit: Insatgram/@arianna_craviotto/@stefania_depeppe / Universal
Topics: Film and TV, Entertainment
Published 13:26 28 Feb 2025 GMT
Amazon Prime Video viewers can’t get enough of gripping Stephen King TV series that boasts almost-perfect Rotten Tomatoes rating
Fans have hailed the three-season series a ‘hidden gem’
Stephen King fans are raving about a TV series adaptation filled with ‘terrifying surprises’ and a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score.
The undisputed ‘King of Horror‘ is behind a number of smash TV and film hits, from 1976’s Carrie through to 2017’s Gerald’s Game and new release The Monkey – to name just a few.
But this ‘hidden gem’ might have slipped under your radar, having debuted on the Audience Network back in 2017 and later picked up by Peacock.
Made up of three seasons, the show is now available to stream with an Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Based on King’s first ‘hard boiled detective’ book released in 2014, the story is actually inspired by a true event; a woman who’d crashed her car into a McDonald’s restaurant.
You might’ve missed out on this top-rated Stephen King series (Peacock)
The story was only originally supposed to be ‘a few pages long’, but instead, it became the first book of a trilogy.
We’re talking about Mr. Mercedes, which follows a retired detective struggling with his mental health who’s plucked out of retirement to help solve a mysterious case.
When a stolen Mercedes S-Class plows into a crowd at a job fair, eight people are killed and many more severely injured.
But it’s Bill Hodges (Brendan Gleeson), a recently retired detective from the local police department, who receives a letter from an individual claiming to be the culprit.
Referring to himself only as ‘Mr. Mercedes’, it’s up to Hodges to find out who’s responsible for the horrific crime.
Watch the trailer below:
Mr. Mercedes trailer
Credit: Peacock
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In the trailer, you might have spotted some familiar Hollywood faces, including The Truman Show’s Holland Taylor, The Crown‘s Harry Treadaway and The Banshees of Inisherin’s Brendan Gleeson.
Across three seasons, the ‘thrilling’ TV show has been rated 91 percent by Rotten Tomatoes critics.
Reviewers enjoyed the debut seasons’ ‘tense, creepy narrative’ praising its ‘quick-witted dialogue, strong characters, and terrifying surprises’.
Meanwhile, its second season earned a perfect 100 percent, with Gleeson and Treadaway’s performances catching critics’ attention.
Their consensus claimed their talent generates ‘enough sparks to dazzle mystery aficionados and horror buffs alike’ – which is some pretty solid feedback, might I add.
Treadway and Gleeson’s performances were revered by critics (Peacock)
Viewers were mostly in agreement with critics, although some reckoned, despite its flawless rating, the second season was ‘too far fetched’.
This didn’t stop people from devoring all three of its seasons, though.
One person said of the series: “What an absolute piece of art. Thrilling, suspenseful. Dark, and very disturbing. A hidden gem!”
A second agreed: “Loved it 100% The actors are amazing.”
While a third admitted: “Mr Mercedes kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.”
Mr. Mercedes is available to stream now on Amazon Prime Video.Featured Image Credit: Peacock
Topics: Amazon Prime, Stephen King, Film and TV, Horror
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Published 09:41 26 May 2023 GMT+1
Amazon Prime lashes out at Netflix for its password sharing crackdown
The official Amazon Prime Twitter account made a not-so-subtle dig at Netflix after the latter rolled out its password sharing restrictions.
The official Amazon Prime UK Twitter account made a not-so-subtle dig at Netflix as the streaming service that is home to shows like Bridgerton and Squid Game launched its password sharing restrictions.
The day countless Netflix freeloaders were dreading finally came this week after the streaming giant slammed down its mighty fists on people watching its content by sponging off someone else’s account.
The crackdown began in Latin America, before impacting Portugal and Spain, and after months of warning, viewers in the US and UK are no longer off the hook.
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Unsplash
If an account holder is suspected of sharing their password with people who don’t live in their immediate household, they’ll receive an email.
The email warns the account holder to change their details if they aren’t aware others were using their account, ‘transfer a profile’ to a new membership or ‘buy an extra member’ for an extra $7.99 a month.
Much to the dismay of all the siblings, pals and exes, the golden days of multiple TV and film lovers being able to have a good old-fashioned Netflix and chill on the same account are gone forever.
Unsplash
Countless people on social media have expressed their sadness about Netflix’s crack down and amid all the turmoil, competitors Amazon Prime Video UK have been caught poking fun at their rival in a savage tweet.
Back in March 2017, the official Netflix Twitter account shared a tweet it probably regrets, which said: “Love is sharing a password.”
Amazon Prime Video quote-tweeted the old Netflix tweet with an edited version of its profile interface. The ‘who’s watching?’ prompt is at the top of the picture as always but instead of having names underneath each profile, there’s a message directed at Netflix that reads: “Everyone who has our password,” with a love heart emoji under the sixth profile.
@primevideouk/Twitter
As we wait to see if Netflix hits back, social media users are losing it over the shots being thrown by Amazon Prime.
“Amazon clapped Netflix so damn hard lol,” one Twitter user replied to Amazon Prime Video’s tweet.
“RIP Netflix,” someone else tweeted.
A third social media user declared: “Damn whoever manages this account is a savage for this hahahaha.”
While a fourth penned: “Damn y’all clapped back. I love it!”
A fifth reacted with: “OMG, the shade.”Featured Image Credit: M4OS Photos / Louisa Svensson / Alamy Stock Photo
Topics: Amazon Prime, Netflix, Film and TV
