John Knoll

John Knoll

John Knoll (born October 6, 1962) is an American visual effects supervisor and chief creative officer (CCO) at Industrial Light & Magic(ILM). One of the original creators of Adobe Photoshop (along with his brother, Thomas Knoll), he has also worked as a visual effects supervisor on the Star Wars prequels and the 1997 special editions of the original trilogy. He also served as ILM's visual effects supervisor for Star Trek Generations and Star Trek: First Contact, as well as the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Along with Hal Hickel, Charles Gibson and Allen Hall, Knoll and the trio's work on Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest earned them the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Knoll has been praised by directors James Cameron, Gore Verbinski, Guillermo del Toro, and Brad Bird. Del Toro, who worked with Knoll for the first time on Pacific Rim, stated, "He basically has the heart of a kid and the mind of a scientist, and that's a great combination." Knoll was also the inventor of Knoll Light Factory, a lens flare-generating software inspired by his work at Industrial Light and Magic. He was the Computer Graphics Project Designer on The Abyss, an achievement which earned ILM its tenth Oscar, and worked on two Star Trek episodes: Star Trek: The Next Generation's pilot episode ("Encounter at Farpoint") and the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Explorers".  Knoll had a cameo appearance in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace as a fighter pilot who helped pitch the story of Rogue One, a feature film set in the Star Wars series, for which he also worked as writer and executive producer. John Knoll reflected on his work with George Lucas on the Star Wars prequel trilogy: "I still feel like I owe George a lot to have been given that opportunity. On those three films, I feel like I got a whole career's worth of experience packed into eight years. George never constricted his thinking to what he knew for sure the tools were capable of; his attitude was, "Yeah, well, I'm writing what I want to see, so you guys will figure it out." I loved that he would constantly throw those challenges out with the confidence [that] you guys will figure it out. That was great." In 2016, John Knoll and his brother Thomas were inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. At the 2019 Oscars, John and his brother Thomas were awarded a Scientific and Engineering Award for the original architecture, design and development of Photoshop. Description above from the Wikipedia article John Knoll, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

  • Title: John Knoll
  • Popularity: 0.439
  • Known For: Visual Effects
  • Birthday: 1962-10-06
  • Place of Birth: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
  • Homepage:
  • Also Known As:
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John Knoll Movies

  • 2003
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    An Epic At Sea: The Making of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

    An Epic At Sea: The Making of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

    7.45 2003 HD

    Behind the scenes documentary of the making of Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, featuring behind the scenes footage, interviews with Cast and crew and revives some previously unknown background information.

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  • 2018
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    A Final Cut for Orson: 40 Years in the Making

    A Final Cut for Orson: 40 Years in the Making

    6.8 2018 HD

    A glimpse behind the scenes into the complicated process of recovering and completing Orson Welles' final film The Other Side of the Wind.

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  • 1996
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    Mission: Impossible

    Mission: Impossible

    7 1996 HD

    When Ethan Hunt, the leader of a crack espionage team whose perilous operation has gone awry with no explanation, discovers that a mole has penetrated the CIA, he's surprised to learn that he's the prime suspect. To clear his name, Hunt now must ferret out the real double agent and, in the process, even the score.

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  • 2012
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    Side by Side

    Side by Side

    7.2 2012 HD

    Since the invention of cinema, the standard format for recording moving images has been film. Over the past two decades, a new form of digital filmmaking has emerged, creating a groundbreaking evolution in the medium. Keanu Reeves explores the development of cinema and the impact of digital filmmaking via in-depth interviews with Hollywood masters, such as James Cameron, David Fincher, David Lynch, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Steven Soderbergh, and many more.

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  • 2002
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    State of the Art: The Pre-Visualization of 'Episode II'

    State of the Art: The Pre-Visualization of 'Episode II'

    5 2002 HD

    Documentary breaking down the planning of the film's set pieces particularly the aerial car chase, conveyor-belt fight and climactic Clone War battle.

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  • 2002
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    From Puppets to Pixels: Digital Characters in 'Episode II'

    From Puppets to Pixels: Digital Characters in 'Episode II'

    6.5 2002 HD

    For Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002), there were to be many more visual effects than in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999). This documentary shows many VFX meetings between George Lucas and ILM. Many of these meetings focus around the creation of a completely digital Yoda, used for the first time in the Star Wars films.

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  • 2010
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    Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the Impossible

    Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the Impossible

    6.7 2010 HD

    Leslie Iwerks' documentary takes audiences behind the scenes at ILM with in depth interviews with some of the company's top talent and showcases never before seen footage highlighting many of their pioneering milestones. From creating the first ever computer generated character in a feature film to the latest advancements in visual effects for film franchises like Transformers and Iron Man, ILM has created some of the most memorable movie moments in recent history.

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  • 2013
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    The Digital Artistry of Pacific Rim

    The Digital Artistry of Pacific Rim

    9.8 2013 HD

    Set the large tasks of putting life into the 2D artistic renderings Gillaume created. See how ILM craftsmen put life into the inspired digital creatures.

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  • 1999
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    From Star Wars to Star Wars: The Story of Industrial Light & Magic

    From Star Wars to Star Wars: The Story of Industrial Light & Magic

    7.9 1999 HD

    The incredible evolution of George Lucas' special effects dream factory, including an inside look at "Star Wars: Episode One - The Phantom Menace."

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  • 2005
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    Star Wars: Within a Minute - The Making of Episode III

    Star Wars: Within a Minute - The Making of Episode III

    6.9 2005 HD

    This documentary offers a glimpse into all the people, departments, and work that went into creating the film, specifically, the fight between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Featured on the 2-Disc DVD for Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.

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  • 2017
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    The Stories: The Making of 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'

    The Stories: The Making of 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'

    5.6 2017 HD

    The Stories: The Making of 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' is a 2017 documentary detailing the production of the standalone Star Wars film. The featurette explores the creative process, behind-the-scenes challenges, and collaborative efforts of the cast and crew in bringing Rogue One to the screen.

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  • 2020
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    Star Wars : La Révolution Visuelle

    Star Wars : La Révolution Visuelle

    6.2 2020 HD

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  • 1999
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    Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

    Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

    6.568 1999 HD

    Anakin Skywalker, a young slave strong with the Force, is discovered on Tatooine. Meanwhile, the evil Sith have returned, enacting their plot for revenge against the Jedi.

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  • 2005
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    Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

    Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

    7.455 2005 HD

    The evil Darth Sidious enacts his final plan for unlimited power – and the heroic Jedi Anakin Skywalker must choose a side.

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  • 2003
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    No Feat But What We Make: 'Terminator 2' and the Rise of Digital Effects

    No Feat But What We Make: 'Terminator 2' and the Rise of Digital Effects

    6.3 2003 HD

    A look at the digital effects in Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

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  • 2021
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    Jungle Cruise

    Jungle Cruise

    7.319 2021 HD

    Dr. Lily Houghton enlists the aid of wisecracking skipper Frank Wolff to take her down the Amazon in his dilapidated boat. Together, they search for an ancient tree that holds the power to heal – a discovery that will change the future of medicine.

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  • 2009
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    Avatar

    Avatar

    7.594 2009 HD

    In the 22nd century, a paraplegic Marine is dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission, but becomes torn between following orders and protecting an alien civilization.

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  • 2016
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    Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

    Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

    7.503 2016 HD

    A rogue band of resistance fighters unite for a mission to steal the Death Star plans and bring a new hope to the galaxy.

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  • 2018
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    The Other Side of the Wind

    The Other Side of the Wind

    6.7 2018 HD

    Surrounded by fans and sceptics, grizzled director J.J. "Jake" Hannaford returns from years abroad in Europe to a changed Hollywood, where he attempts to make his innovative comeback film. This film was started in 1970 by Orson Welles but never completed during his lifetime.

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  • 2016
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    Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

    Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

    7.503 2016 HD

    A rogue band of resistance fighters unite for a mission to steal the Death Star plans and bring a new hope to the galaxy.

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  • 2016
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    Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

    Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

    7.503 2016 HD

    A rogue band of resistance fighters unite for a mission to steal the Death Star plans and bring a new hope to the galaxy.

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  • 1996
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    Mission: Impossible

    Mission: Impossible

    7 1996 HD

    When Ethan Hunt, the leader of a crack espionage team whose perilous operation has gone awry with no explanation, discovers that a mole has penetrated the CIA, he's surprised to learn that he's the prime suspect. To clear his name, Hunt now must ferret out the real double agent and, in the process, even the score.

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  • 2011
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    Rango

    Rango

    6.885 2011 HD

    When Rango, a lost family pet, accidentally winds up in the gritty, gun-slinging town of Dirt, the less-than-courageous lizard suddenly finds he stands out. Welcomed as the last hope the town has been waiting for, new Sheriff Rango is forced to play his new role to the hilt.

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  • 2013
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    Pacific Rim

    Pacific Rim

    6.916 2013 HD

    Using massive piloted robots to combat the alien threat, earth's survivors take the fight to the invading alien force lurking in the depths of the Pacific Ocean. Nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless enemy, the forces of mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes who now stand as earth's final hope against the mounting apocalypse.

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  • 2009
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    Confessions of a Shopaholic

    Confessions of a Shopaholic

    6.48 2009 HD

    In the glamorous world of New York City, Rebecca Bloomwood is a fun-loving girl who is really good at shopping – a little too good, perhaps. She dreams of working for her favorite fashion magazine, but can't quite get her foot in the door – until ironically, she snags a job as an advice columnist for a financial magazine published by the same company.

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  • 2002
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    Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

    Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

    6.586 2002 HD

    Following an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala, Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi investigate a mysterious plot that could change the galaxy forever.

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  • 1999
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    Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

    Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

    6.568 1999 HD

    Anakin Skywalker, a young slave strong with the Force, is discovered on Tatooine. Meanwhile, the evil Sith have returned, enacting their plot for revenge against the Jedi.

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  • 2005
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    Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

    Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

    7.455 2005 HD

    The evil Darth Sidious enacts his final plan for unlimited power – and the heroic Jedi Anakin Skywalker must choose a side.

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  • 2003
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    Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

    Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

    7.8 2003 HD

    After Port Royal is attacked and pillaged by a mysterious pirate crew, capturing the governor's daughter Elizabeth Swann in the process, William Turner asks free-willing pirate Jack Sparrow to help him locate the crew's ship—The Black Pearl—so that he can rescue the woman he loves.

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  • 2007
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    Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

    Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

    7.266 2007 HD

    Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann join forces with the revived Captain Barbossa to free Jack Sparrow from Davy Jones' locker. The group must navigate dangerous waters, confront many foes and, ultimately, choose sides in a battle wherein piracy itself hangs in the balance.

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  • 2006
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    Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

    Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

    7.373 2006 HD

    Captain Jack Sparrow races to recover the heart of Davy Jones to avoid enslaving his soul to Jones' service, as other friends and foes seek the heart for their own agenda as well.

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  • 2008
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    Speed Racer

    Speed Racer

    6.3 2008 HD

    Speed Racer is a young and brilliant racing driver. When corruption in the racing leagues costs his brother his life, Speed must team up with the police and the mysterious Racer X to bring an end to the corruption and criminal activities.

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  • 1990
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    Spaced Invaders

    Spaced Invaders

    4.722 1990 HD

    A crew of Martians overhears a radio broadcast of Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" coming from Earth, and, thinking the Martian fleet is attacking Earth, they land their broken-down ship in a backwater mid-American town. As luck would have it, they land on Halloween and get mistaken for trick-or-treaters. Comedy ensues as the Martians try to get taken seriously.

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  • 1999
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    Deep Blue Sea

    Deep Blue Sea

    5.992 1999 HD

    Researchers on the undersea lab Aquatica have genetically altered the brains of captive sharks to develop a cure for Alzheimer's disease. But there's an unexpected side effect: the sharks got smarter, faster, and more dangerous. After a big storm damages their remote research facility, they must fight for their lives.

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  • 2011
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    Super 8

    Super 8

    6.771 2011 HD

    In late 1970s Ohio, a group of friends filming a homemade zombie movie witness a devastating train derailment. Soon after, their quiet town is gripped by unexplained disappearances, strange phenomena, and a growing sense of fear, as they uncover that something terrifying has been set loose.

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  • 2000
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    Mission to Mars

    Mission to Mars

    6 2000 HD

    When the first manned mission to Mars meets with a catastrophic and mysterious disaster after reporting an unidentified structure, a rescue mission is launched to investigate the tragedy and bring back any survivors.

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  • 2011
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    Hugo

    Hugo

    7.174 2011 HD

    Orphaned and alone except for an uncle, Hugo Cabret lives in the walls of a train station in 1930s Paris. Hugo's job is to oil and maintain the station's clocks, but to him, his more important task is to protect a broken automaton and notebook left to him by his late father. Accompanied by the goddaughter of an embittered toy merchant, Hugo embarks on a quest to solve the mystery of the automaton and find a place he can call home.

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  • 2011
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    Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

    Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

    7.1 2011 HD

    Ethan Hunt and his team are racing against time to track down a dangerous terrorist named Hendricks, who has gained access to Russian nuclear launch codes and is planning a strike on the United States. An attempt to stop him ends in an explosion causing severe destruction to the Kremlin and the IMF to be implicated in the bombing, forcing the President to disavow them. No longer being aided by the government, Ethan and his team chase Hendricks around the globe, although they might still be too late to stop a disaster.

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  • 1991
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    Hudson Hawk

    Hudson Hawk

    5.708 1991 HD

    Eddie Hawkins, called Hudson Hawk has just been released from ten years of prison and is planning to spend the rest of his life honestly. But then the crazy Mayflower couple blackmail him to steal some of the works of Leonardo da Vinci. If he refuses, they threaten to kill his friend Tommy.

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  • 1994
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    Star Trek: Generations

    Star Trek: Generations

    6.51 1994 HD

    Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-D find themselves at odds with the renegade scientist Soran who is destroying entire star systems. Only one man can help Picard stop Soran's scheme...and he's been dead for seventy-eight years.

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  • 1996
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    Star Trek: First Contact

    Star Trek: First Contact

    7.3 1996 HD

    The Borg, a relentless race of cyborgs, are on a direct course for Earth. Violating orders to stay away from the battle, Captain Picard and the crew of the newly-commissioned USS Enterprise E pursue the Borg back in time to prevent the invaders from changing Federation history and assimilating the galaxy.

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  • 1991
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    Hook

    Hook

    6.839 1991 HD

    The boy who wasn't supposed to grow up—Peter Pan—does just that, becoming a soulless corporate lawyer whose workaholism could cost him his wife and kids. During his trip to see Granny Wendy in London, the vengeful Capt. Hook kidnaps Peter's kids and forces Peter to return to Neverland.

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  • 1990
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    The Hunt for Red October

    The Hunt for Red October

    7.4 1990 HD

    A new technologically-superior Soviet nuclear sub, the Red October, is heading for the U.S. coast under the command of Captain Marko Ramius. The American government thinks Ramius is planning to attack. Lone CIA analyst Jack Ryan has a different idea: he thinks Ramius is planning to defect, but he has only a few hours to find him and prove it - because the entire Russian naval and air commands are trying to find Ramius, too. The hunt is on!

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  • 2026
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    Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

    Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

    1 2026 HD

    The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu.

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  • 2020
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    Disney Gallery / Star Wars: The Mandalorian

    Disney Gallery / Star Wars: The Mandalorian

    7.5 2020 HD

    Executive producer Jon Favreau invites the cast and crew of The Mandalorian to share an unprecedented look at the making of the series. Each chapter explores a different facet of the first live-action Star Wars television show through interviews, never-before-seen footage, and roundtable conversations hosted by Favreau himself.

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  • 2020
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    Disney Gallery / Star Wars: The Mandalorian

    Disney Gallery / Star Wars: The Mandalorian

    7.5 2020 HD

    Executive producer Jon Favreau invites the cast and crew of The Mandalorian to share an unprecedented look at the making of the series. Each chapter explores a different facet of the first live-action Star Wars television show through interviews, never-before-seen footage, and roundtable conversations hosted by Favreau himself.

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  • 2022
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    LIGHT & MAGIC

    LIGHT & MAGIC

    7.725 2022 HD

    When George Lucas set out to make Star Wars, little did he know he would end up revolutionizing an industry. This is the story of a team of creative geniuses who put the magic in the movies we love.

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  • 2022
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    LIGHT & MAGIC

    LIGHT & MAGIC

    7.725 2022 HD

    When George Lucas set out to make Star Wars, little did he know he would end up revolutionizing an industry. This is the story of a team of creative geniuses who put the magic in the movies we love.

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  • 1970
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    LIGHT & MAGIC

    LIGHT & MAGIC

    6.901 1970 HD

    Four ordinary kids search for their home planet after getting lost in the Star Wars galaxy.

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  • 1970
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    LIGHT & MAGIC

    LIGHT & MAGIC

    7.521 1970 HD

    Legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett and mercenary Fennec Shand must navigate the galaxy’s underworld when they return to the sands of Tatooine to stake their claim on the territory once ruled by Jabba the Hutt and his crime syndicate.

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  • 1970
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    LIGHT & MAGIC

    LIGHT & MAGIC

    8.416 1970 HD

    After the fall of the Galactic Empire, lawlessness has spread throughout the galaxy. A lone gunfighter makes his way through the outer reaches, earning his keep as a bounty hunter.

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  • 1970
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    LIGHT & MAGIC

    LIGHT & MAGIC

    8.416 1970 HD

    After the fall of the Galactic Empire, lawlessness has spread throughout the galaxy. A lone gunfighter makes his way through the outer reaches, earning his keep as a bounty hunter.

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