Latest news with #WhoWantstoLiveForever
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'Visionary' sci-fi film to be axed from streaming in just a few days
Fans have one last chance to watch the 'extraordinary' cult classic A cult classic hailed as "visionary" and "extraordinary" is on the brink of departing from BBC iPlayer in mere days. This is therefore the last opportunity for aficionados of sci-fi and fantasy to either revisit or uncover for the first time one of the most audacious fusions of genres from the 1980s. The 1986 film Highlander, under the direction of Russell Mulcahy, has earned its stripes as a seminal piece that melds the aesthetics of sword-and-sorcery with contemporary urban action. Starring Christopher Lambert, the film follows Connor MacLeod, a Scottish Highlander from the 1500s who, after surviving a seemingly lethal wound in battle, comes to realise his immortality. Under the guidance of the enigmatic Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez, portrayed by Sean Connery, MacLeod is schooled in the ways of the immortals, destined to duel to the death through the ages, with the sole survivor claiming "The Prize" - an enigmatic boon tied to absolute power and enlightenment. Spanning the medieval highlands of Scotland to the bustling streets of 1980s New York, Highlander weaves its narrative through a tapestry of flashbacks and clashing swords, delving into themes of love, bereavement, and the existential burden of eternal life amidst the mortality of others. The film's unique visual flair owes much to Russel Mulcahy's dynamic, music video-inspired directorial approach, reflecting his background crafting promos for iconic 1980s acts like Duran Duran and Elton John. Yet, it is the soundtrack by Queen that truly propels Highlander to greater heights, reports the Express. The band contributed a host of tunes to the film. These included 'Princes of the Universe' and the evocative 'Who Wants to Live Forever', both tracks cementing their place as anthems for Highlander enthusiasts and Queen's enduring influence. Over the years, Highlander has ascended to cult status. With a score of 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, fans have taken to the platform to share their adoration. One critic wrote: "Highlander is a visionary action/sci-fi film which deftly explores themes of eternal life, the temptation of power, and true love." Another lauded its distinctiveness and audacity: "It's THE fantasy movie. No movie has ever done sword and sorcery in a modern day setting like Highlander. Not even close. I'm going to go ahead and call a spade a spade: this is the greatest action movie of all-time. "Queen's score, Clancy Brown, Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Roxanne Hart, Beatie Edney... Russell Mulcahy's revolutionary, music video-style directing; this is as good as movies get." Another person wrote: "Certainly better than anything else that's came out in the past decade." Some viewers also link its sustained allure to the fanbase of Queen: "An extraordinary cult classic movie that will endure for so many many generations. Not only with the cinema fans but also Queen fans." Despite its initial struggle at the US box office, Highlander has spawned a plethora of sequels, a television series, and graphic novels. There's been chatter about a reboot for some time, with John Wick's Chad Stahelski being recently attached to direct. Highlander (1986) is currently available on BBC iPlayer, but it will be taken off the platform on 9 June.
Forbes
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Queen's Catalog Surges As Multiple Singles Make Their Way To The Charts
Queen places five songs on U.K. singles charts this week, with 'Who Wants to Live Forever' and ... More 'Don't Stop Me Now' making impressive returns. British rock group Queen at the Montreux Rock Festival in Switzerland, May 1986. Left to right: guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor, singer Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991) and bassist John Deacon. (Photo by) Queen usually performs incredibly well on the charts in the United Kingdom. The British band is a staple in its home country, and several of its albums still appear on various tallies decades after their initial releases, even to this day. That kind of success is expected at this point, but this week, it's not just the group's collections that are thriving. Queen is making big moves with its singles, several of which are enjoying a new surge of attention. Queen currently sees five different songs find space on at least one U.K.-based singles ranking. Of the quintet of tunes that chart this time around, two are re-entries, as there is greater interest today in specific tracks that had recently fallen off the radar. All five are performing well in different ways, with some benefiting from strong streaming numbers and others selling well once more. That combination helps the band blanket multiple tallies, including some genre-specific ones, streaming-only lists, and digital sales-focused charts. Among Queen's charting wins, 'Who Wants to Live Forever' is the standout this week. The track wasn't present on any U.K. singles chart last time around, but it makes its return, landing on a pair of rosters. The cut reappears at No. 48 on the Official Singles Downloads chart and opens again at No. 53 on the Official Singles Sales tally, with the latter roster including all forms of purchases. The renewed interest appears to be tied to a recent episode of Britain's Got Talent, where a contestant's emotional rendition of the ballad wowed both judges and viewers. Their performance drew comparisons to Freddie Mercury, which helped bring the classic back into the mainstream consciousness. Another returning favorite for Queen is 'Don't Stop Me Now.' Like 'Who Wants to Live Forever,' this cut is back on the U.K. rankings this frame after taking some time off. But it's not sales that power this one – it's all about streaming. 'Don't Stop Me Now' re-enters the Official Streaming chart at No. 81. The tune didn't appear on the tally last week, but fan consumption has pushed it back onto the list of the top 100 most-played songs in the nation. It also steps up one space to No. 3 on the Official Rock & Metal Singles chart. This week, Queen's best performance comes on the Official Rock & Metal Singles chart. Four of the band's five charting tracks appear on that genre-specific list at the moment. Leading the charge is 'Don't Stop Me Now' at No. 3. It's followed by 'Bohemian Rhapsody' at No. 11 and 'Another One Bites the Dust' at No. 20. While those two hold steady, 'We Will Rock You' climbs slightly, advancing to No. 32.
Forbes
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Queen's Long-Overlooked Single Is A Hit Again
Queen has released many, many hits that remain staples of classic rock radio and which are beloved by fans around the world. While tunes like 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' 'Another One Bites the Dust,' and 'We Will Rock You' continue to define the band's legacy, not every track in its discography achieved massive chart success at the time of release – and even fewer have become legendary. More than three decades after it first dropped, 'Who Wants to Live Forever' is making a triumphant return in the U.K. Its comeback has been sparked by a special moment on television, which has renewed interest in the cut. The band's track 'Who Wants to Live Forever' reappears on a pair of rankings in the U.K. this week, giving Queen another taste of success with one of its lesser-celebrated singles. The cut comes in at No. 48 on the Official Singles Downloads chart, which ranks the top-selling digital tunes across the nation. At the same time, it lands at No. 53 on the slightly broader Official Singles Sales list. The return of 'Who Wants to Live Forever' can be traced directly to a performance on Britain's Got Talent. A contestant named Mickey Callisto took the stage and performed the cut, and viewers were clearly moved. One judge, Alesha Dixon, even commented, 'Wow, I was like, is this Freddie or is this Mickey?' That one showing appears to have pushed many people in the U.K. — both those who were already familiar with the composition and likely many who didn't know it — to seek out Queen's original version. 'Who Wants to Live Forever' was originally released in 1986. It was written by Queen guitarist Brian May specifically for the movie Highlander. While the film itself wasn't met with overwhelming praise, the music connected with audiences. The song peaked at No. 24 in the U.K., a respectable showing, but not one that would have classified it as a major hit at the time. The cut was featured on Queen's album A Kind of Magic, which essentially acted as a de facto soundtrack to Highlander. A proper soundtrack for the film was never formally released, but several songs from the movie were included on that full-length.
