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Out of our Depp

Hollywood has long been technology’s biggest advocate and its staunchest skeptic. What once was the wondrous science fiction of our grandparents’ cinema is now commonplace, even pedestrian, as the playthings of our youth.

While The Matrix writ large the dangers of humanity relying on technology for our own flourishing, this month’s Transcendence takes that warning to a personal level with Johnny Depp portraying a scientist who, after an accident nearly ends his life, has his mind downloaded into a supercomputer. His wife must wonder if it is really her husband in there. When flesh and blood are replaced by ones and zeros, what is left of his humanity? And when Depp’s consciousness goes online, all of humanity must face the ramifications of a powerful force they don’t understand.

Touching on concepts of transhumanism and the singularity–the theoretical point at which our technological creations become autonomous and smarter than us–this thriller is the first directorial effort of Wally Pfister, the longtime cinematographer for The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan. Rebecca Hall, Paul Bettany, Morgan Freeman and Kate Mara co-star. Transcendence debuts April 17.

APRIL 4
Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson in Captain America: Winter Soldier

APRIL 4
Jude Law and Emilia Clarke in Dom Hemingway

APRIL 25
Elizabeth Banks and James Marsden in Walk of Shame