Willow, “The Gales” - Part One, Review!

Willow is a return to the fantasy world of 1988 film, but with new heroes with a dark force threatening to tear everything apart!  Many things are cloaked in secrets, but the series executive producer, Jon Kasdan, seems to maintain the plot threads of the movie. The series has begun streaming on Disney+ with the first two episodes. We open to a desk with scroll and a dusty book with the Elora Daanan symbol embossed on the cover.  I love the fairy tale book opening that was featured in so many Disney princess animated movies.  We see the Willow title page and then the prologue which has Nockmaar castle from the Willow film in drawing form. The narrator, Sorsha (Joanne Whalley) with her distinctive voice, explains about the child, Elora, who has a special destiny.  The “unlikely heroes”, Nelwyn farmer who wanted to be a sorcerer, Willow (Warwick Davis), a “man of pure heart” , and then we have the other, kicked in the face by Sorsha on horseback. “An impossibly conceited thief”, Madmartigan (Val Kilmer), whom she married. Now Sorsha says, “I was young.” They saved the kingdom, Tir Asleen, from her witch mother, Bavmorda. A nice summary of the film. 

When he returned, Sorsha narrates that Willow had a vision, we see the older Willow troubled by what he has seen.  “An ancient evil” would return, flashes of a canyon, a castle, and an urn. The evil would destroy the empress, Elora, that would lead to a new dark age! Sorsha continues that Elora was hidden. Her hands close Cherlindrea’s wand into a small chest. She mentions that Elora’s identity was secret even to herself for her protection. This resolves into the drawing again. We move to “Chapter 1: The Gales” with an illustration of a masked figure raising up a sword. This moves to the scene where the sword wielder in scarlet duels with another in blue. They clash swords on stacks of rocks making a cliffside called Canyon Rocks. The duel ends with the fighter in scarlet holding a sword to the red-headed woman (Erin Kellyman), Jade, who unmasks. Kellyman was Karli Morgenthau in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) and also starred for Lucasfilm in Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018). The victor removes her mask, Kit Tanthalos (Ruby Cruz), Jade calls her arrogant, and Kit explains the win was “adapting to your terrain.” Cruz was in the dramatic mini-series, Mare of Easttown (2021) and appeared in the horror series, Castle Rock (2019). 

The roundabout explanation is that King Mikal Tanthalos (he is seen at the end of the movie), was romancing Raziel, but ends up marrying Bavmorda, having a daughter, Sorsha, this is from the Willow Sourcebook (1988). The princess dreams of having adventures beyond The Barrier.  Jade eyes her, this is where I thought they may be more than friends!, and is about to bring something up about Ballantine. She is interrupted by a knight below them. He announces that the queen wants her properly dressed for the Galladorn royal party. This was the kingdom that was defeated in the movie. She brings up her twin brother whom the knight says is in the Western Wood. Twins like Luke and Leia? Then, we find the prince, Airk (Dempsey Bryk) passionately kissing a woman whom he later calls Dove (Ellie Bamber) under a tree. Bryk appeared in this year’s The Fight Machine and he was in episodes of V-Wars, a horror show. Bamber was in the Disney film, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018) and she was in the action horror movie, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016). 

He pauses and says she an “effect” on him and Dove mentions his reputation. A veteran knight, Kase (Simon Armstrong) breaks their moment together. Armstrong was Qhorin Halfhand in Game of Thrones and played Merlin in King Arthur: Excalibur Rising (2017).  Kase has finally found the prince and brings up King Hastur’s royal party. He of course has to be “presentable” before their arrival, Dove finds this amusing. Kit and Jade ride horses up the hill to the Tir Asleen castle. It looks much larger as well as the surrounding area from the film, but time has passed since it was cursed. It is later explained, it is “two hundred moons” after the events. They walk into the castle streets, Jade offers to take the horses to the stables, and Kit says she has invited Jade to the banquet. Then, Kit finds her brother kissing goodbyes to the kitchen maid, she brings up that she makes the best muffins to Airk. Their conversation is stopped by the appearance of their mother, Queen Sorcha. I think it is interesting the accents of these two actors, it must be from their father. She notices something on his neck!, he explains it is a bite from a fire moth. 

Sorcha turns her attention to her daughter who was acting dangerously. She wants Kit to wear a gown she has chosen. Airk is connected to the general who died in battle in Willow, but Kit’s name is unusual. It appears that the queen allows his son to spend his time with affairs while she wants her daughter to act like a princess. A horn is heard announcing the arrival of the Galladorn royalty. Sorcha hears whispers about The Gales. At the banquet, Kit is uncomfortable in her green dress. Jade has to adjust her dress when Commander Ballantine  (Ralph Ineson) walks up to her. Ineson was in The Northman (2022) and played the title role in The Green Knight (2021). He brings up what they have discussed, but Jade is worried that Kit might feel that she left her at an important time. At their table, Kit mentions Prince Graydon Hastur (Tony Revolori) to Jade. Revolori was Flash Thompson in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and is in The French Dispatch (2020). Kit had met Graydon, but is unimpressed. Sorcha speaks to King Hastur (Derek Horsham) about attacks which he says are from Bone Reavers. 

                                                            Queen Sorsha’s royal dress, crown, and sword, Lucasfilm exhibit, D23 Expo, author’s photo.  

Airk is busy pouring wine for two ladies, Niamh (Niamh McCormack) and Sakura (Olivia Chan). Dove watches him, until he notices her. Queen Sorcha declares the marriage between her daughter and Prince Graydon to unify their kingdoms. She raises a toast to the day when Empress Elora Danan returns, everyone cheers, “Till that day!” The whispered warning is heard by Sorsha again. Later, Sorcha walks to a cell, inside is the prisoner in the darkness. This we find out later is Thraxus Boorman (Amar Chadha-Patel). The actor is also in The Wheel of Time fantasy series first season and played a guard in the live action Aladdin (2019). Boorman happens to be a confidante saying that she wants him to advise against the marriage. Sorsha appears to be keeping up appearances to protect her loved ones. Kit dances with Jade, it should be apparent right there, Jade tells her that the Shining Legion. The Knights of Galladoorn accepted her application. 

She explains that she leaves with King Hastur to train in the south after Kit’s wedding. Kit starts to walk away and then faces Prince Graydon. This gets the attention of the rest of the banquet guests. Jade tries to pull her away, but Kit acts like a lover scorned. Kit starts to tell Graydon about the story of Princess Taramis of Cashmere. There was a Princess Kashmir in The Simpsons who was an exotic dancer. The story continues with a contest for the princess’ hand ending up with a Galladoorn knight and a “helmeted warrior.” The mysterious warrior is victorious and like Brave (2012) is revealed to be the princess. Kit puts a small pumpkin on Airk’s head and then pulls aside Graydon. She picks up a knife for this “contest.” King Hastur gets his attention and Graydon declines to take part. Kit raises her arm to throw the knife, but is taken away by the queen! Sorsha tells her that life can’t be chosen, Kit adds mothers too, and the queen says Kit should have met her mother! Airk walks in saying he has smoothed things a bit with Graydon. Sorsha lashes out to him, I think she regrets this after saying it, and tells Kit to apologize and will marry Graydon.    

Kit is angry at Airk for his help, but he says he did so because he loves her. Would this not calm any situation? She tells her brother that if anyone expects anything from him, he will leave, like their father, Madmartigan. Ouch. Kit goes to her room and then Dove almost runs into him. She wants to break up with him, but he says he will commit to her. In the stables, Jade is wakened by Kit who says she is “looking for something beyond the Barrier”, then she kisses Jade who is stunned. In his bedroom, Airk gives Dove a bracelet, then they kiss. Strangely, I think Airk is no Casanova, but may be serious about Dove for the first time. In her room, Queen Sorsha is troubled with the words of her mother, then she hears the words of Willow, “It’s begun”! She is shaken from his warning about the Gales and says, “Willow.” In the hills outside of Tir Asleen, there are three dark figures. They are joined by a giant hawk figure that shapeshifts into a woman with mummy wrappings like Bavmorda! She sends from her hands, a magical fog that heads towards the castle! This is the Gales that put all of the kingdoms in danger! Part two is coming soon! Willow has an evil that may be connected to Bavmorda that brings new heroes into the adventure! 

Five Bracelets out of Five!           

#Willow, #JonKasdan, #WarwickDavis, #RubyCruz, #ErinKellyman, #JoanneWhalley,  #AmarChadhaPatel, #TonyRevolori, #DemseyBryk, #SimonArmstrong, #RalphIneson   

Willow El Capitan Theatre Event!

At the El Capitan Theatre, yesterday on November 28th, the fantasy movie, Willow (1988) was screened followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.  This was an almost sudden event so there were some bumps, but the film still has audience appeal. The actor who played the main character, Warwick Davis, showed up early to watch the screening. Afterwards, the curtain was drawn, chairs set in place, and the new Disney+ series makers came out on stage.  This was, front row; Kevin Pollak who played the funny Brownie (a 9" fairy) Rool, director of the first film, Ron Howard, Davis who also stars in the new show, and Jon Kasdan, executive producer, whom also developed the Willow series. In the back row was Dempsey Bryk who plays Airk, the prince who is captured, Tony Revolori (Graydon Hastur), the actress who portrayed Kit, Ruby Cruz, Dove is played by Ellie Bamber, Erin Kellyman (Jade), and lastly, Amar Chadha-Patel who plays the mysterious Thraxus.  

Willow filmmakers Q&A, El Capitan Theatre, photo by the author. 

Howard talked about the movie, “One of things that has been just amazing is that how the movie has reverberated through the years. It means so much to me that the film is as popular as it is and has sustained its interest through fans like you all.”  Of course, this had audience applauding.  Davis was asked about the number one question about the film and responded, “What was it like working with Val Kilmer? I would answer that to say it was amazing. Val is the probably reason I got through the movie, physically demanding, a lot of pressure playing the title character." Of course, Kilmer played Madmartigan, "the greatest swordsman who ever lived", in Willow. Davis continued, "Ron (Howard) of course made it a pleasure. Val kept me laughing, kept me strong, kept me going throught the whole thing. So, I owe him.” This had a great response from the audience. Pollak answered, “For me, it is `Have I fallen in love with other cats.’ and the answer is yes.”  

                    Dempsey Bryk (Airk), Tony Revolori (Graydon), and Ruby Cruz (Kit), Kevin Pollak (Rool), and Director Ron Howard, author’s photo. 

The new characters were introduced. Dempsey said, “I’m playing Airk who’s a prince. My favorite quality is that he’s genuinely kind and optimistic.”It is brought up that Airk’s name is similar to the character in the movie. Kasdan responded, “It only makes sense that Madmartigan and Sorscha would name their son for their friend who gave his life.” He also added that the actor who played Airk, Gavan O’Herlihy, had passed away during the filming of the show.  Howard mentioned that he was the first Chuck in Happy Days. O’Herlihy was in the first episodes of season one of the sitcom. He explained, “Then there was a second Chuck, then no Chuck.” Ritchie Cunningham’s older brother was just dropped from the rest of the show. Revolori described his character after joking to Kasdan, “I play Graydon Hastur who is a prince of Galladoorn. He is just a shy kid who is introverted and booksmart, if not world smart.”  I sense he will be an apprentice to Willow. Galladoorn, this was the city Airk was retreating from in the movie, so now it is rebuilt? 

Cruz spoke next, “I play Kit. She is Princess Kit Thanthalos. My favorite thing about Kit is her outspoken honesty. I feel like she is so unashamed to say exactly what’s on her mind and I feel like that is an awesome headspace to be in for nine months.” Bamber said about her character, “I play Dove and she is a kitchen maid in the castle. I would say two favorite things about her is that she makes the best muffins in all the town and I think that’s pretty cool. My second favorite thing about her is her bravery, she is so brave, she just goes at anything and is just fearless.” Interesting, not royalty, possibly a warrior in the style of Madmartigan when he was a knight?  Then, Kellyman said, “I play Jade, she is Kit’s best friend who has grown up in Tir Asleen. It’s kind of interesting because she comes from two, very different worlds.  One part of her has grown up with Kit and Arik. [She] has gone to these banquets and then she lives out in the stables.” Kellyman has red hair, kinda similar to Elora Dannan? If she or another actor plays Elora Dannan what would be her role as a “very special child” with Bavmorda’s defeat? Who was Elora’s father? 

Ellie Bamber (Dove), Erin Kellyman (Jade), and Amar Chadha-Patel (Thraxus), Warwick Davis (Willow) and executive producer Jon Kasdan, author’s photo. 

Chadha-Patel explained, “I play Thraxus Relaxus (his joke) Boorman.” Kasdan added that he has “a connection to Madmartigan.” Chadha-Patel continued, “My favorite thing about him is that he is incredibly confident, but also incredibly flawed.” His role seems like the Madmartigan figure, the thief-type, and there may be Dove as the true knight hero. In the preview, he was a guide for the rest of the group to the Nelwyn village. The short clip, shown after a few technical difficulties, showed the formation of the group at Tir Asleen. Queen Sorsha (Joanne Whalley) says that they need to find Willow.  Whalley’s part may be a cameo, but she may also be part of the quest that involves Madmartigan. Her gold robes were at the D23 Expo display as well as her jagged sword. The clip promised a world beyond any known place.  Will we find the homeland of Bavmorda or her origin?  This Q&A had some funny moments, great talent with the new cast, and a peek into the series. The full panel was screened at other theaters and may be part of a feature for the show. A double-sided poster had the original theatrical release and the new series on the other side. Willow will stream tomorrow, November 30th, on Disney+.     

#Willow, #DisneyPlus, #JonKasdan, #RonHoward, #WarwickDavis, #KevinPollak, #DempseyBryk, #TonyRevolori, #RubyCruz, #EllieBamber, #ErinKellyman, #AmarChadhaPatel  

Sirens Gate #2 Review!

The supernatural mystery continues with Sirens Gate #2 by Shannon Maer! The cover of Sirens Gate by Maer, has the woman in the black hood and outfit, glowing red eye, and her hand extended to send out out an electrical blast. The first issue had Commander Rein zapped by the mysterious woman in a hood. She enters a lab on her wheelchair.  In looking at her character and the cover, they look the same, a clone or dimensional counterpart? The scientist in lab coat is monitoring a blue energy contained in a device. She explains that she will lose her rank at the end of the day. The scientist explains that the energy is a look into “another world”, the Sirens Gate? He says it is unstable and Rein hears something from it! She withdraws the protective seal and reaches out for the energy. 

In a splash page, the energy crackles sending red lightning up her arm! Her eyes aglow, Rein rises and says, “The time for man has come.” In a double page splash, the possessed Rein sends out flames to burn the scientist!  We return to the Cat Club with white-haired Tara outside of the pink-lit door. She is targeted by a sniper. Across the opposite roof, the sniper, Kaelen, is reporting has a target. He is given the order to shoot, but has said she doesn’t show “supernatural abilities.” Kaelen hesitates and given the direct order when he sees another person approaching her.  He is recalled back to base, but hears that the base contact is surprised by Rein and screams. Tara sees the man from the club and Ms. Rose’s mansion, he calls himself Michael, there to protect her. The painted artwork here looks without defined lines, a bit blurry.  

Michael calls Ms. Rose a witch and says she’s human. They walk to Coven Comics and Michael hint that he is older than she thinks. They enter the store in a splash page seeing the female worker in a pink skirt reaching for a dragon statue, there is a large painting of another dragon breathing fire. She mentions that she could “feel” Michael from a mile away. The worker slips on the chair used to reach the top of the bookshelf. She falls, but Michael catches her wondering if she fell on purpose.  Her attention turns to Tara who seems to have a unique energy. Michael introduces Maya and says that she has “gifts.” Maya takes Tara’s hands.  Maya knows that Tara had died and wants to know more. Tara tells about her memory of hiking to a river and then hearing music. We see her memory, Tara in a red skirt, somewhere in a forest. Tara says that Death was calling her. Shannon Maer adds an almost familiar, but strange, supernatural element to Tara's story. Sirens Gate #2 deepens the mystery of Tara and her supernatural connections!      

#SirensGate, #ShannonMaer, #Tara, #Michael, #MsRose, #CovenComics, #Maya

Star Wars: Yoda #1 Review!

The wise Jedi Master has his own title exploring his past in Star Wars: Yoda #1! The cover by Phil Noto has Yoda leaping forward with his lightsaber, love the lighting on his face and ears as he faces several blaster bolts! The challenge of Yoda's past is that George Lucas made it clear that his background and species is never to be revealed. There was a novel in the Clone Wars time, Yoda: Dark Rendezvous (2004) by Sean Stewart, but it has become Legends. “The Coming of the Jedi” part of the Light and Life storyline is by Cavan Scott, who is also currently writing Star Wars: The High Republic and also novelist with Star Wars: The Rising Storm (2021).  Nico Leon is currently the artist for DC’s Catwoman and provided art for Devil’s Reign: Winter Soldier #1. The credits page is stunning with a chiaroscuro Yoda cloaked in black shadow, green with the green foliage of Dagobah. On Dagobah, we push into Yoda’s hut where there is a voice calling his name.  He is meditating in a beautiful two page spread, dimly lit, mostly in shadow when he refuses to listen to the voice. 

The voice must belong to Qui-Gon Jinn who helped his learning, led him to Dagobah, and his Force Ghost training. Yoda’s refusal is unusual, since Qui-Gon is technically the master here, and has an important matter. Qui-Gon brings up patience and his lessons. This goes back to the planet Turrak in the Outer Rim. It is a jungle-like planet with mounds and islands. It looks like a purple-skinned native is working on tall equipment, a ship?  He is knocked down by a large, strawberry-like fruit.  It was thrown by his younger sister, Litah, Bree rubs his head as she declares that Mata wants him back home. He wants to restore the ship. For some reason, I’m thinking of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), maybe it is the tech and the villagers. They hear a call and Bree thinks it is the lookout.  They rush through the village and then see - raiders on skiffs, shouting, “For the Crulkon!”  They are a new species, vicious humanoids, but with crab-like coloration, dark orange and white. The leader, Riak, watches as the native Sclavi try to defend their village. I’m reminded of the Marauders in Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1985).  

They use blaster cannons to return fire destroying the hut of the village elder. The Sclavi retreat.  They start running back into the village, Litah calls for her brother who slips away to his ship. He activates his comlink and broadcasts his distress signal. It reaches the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, but this is a council we have never seen. Master Veter, a Tarnab Jedi Master with several horns on his head, who doesn’t want to interfere. Then, we see a member of the Council who volunteers, Yoda. The family remarks about the third raid as an explosion goes off. Mata is covering her children, Bree hopes there will be someone to help. The bulky raider, Klask raises his axe, but it flies backwards! In a splash page, we see Yoda above everyone, standing on a burning building, the lighting is awesome, and holding his lightsaber. Leon’s artwork is stunning. The raiders try to blast him, he falls amonst them, the raiders in shadow as Yoda slices through their weapons!  Yoda blocks the blaster bolts and hands Bree the axe. The Jedi Master shows his resilience helping the bullied villagers stand against the raiders! Star Wars: Yoda #1 has a past moment of Yoda and a look into that earlier world! 

Four Lightsabers out of Five!  

#StarWarsYoda, #CavanScott, #NicoLeon, #QuiGonJinn, #Turrak, #Bree, #Litah, #Riak, #MasterVeter.  

Re:tro Re:view - Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace!

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace is a hilarious parody of 80's horror, super serious horror authors, and low budget horror series! There were supernatural hospital shows before Darkplace which all connect to the Danish horror mini-series, The Kingdom by Lars Von Trier.  Its first season was 1994, second in 1997 and The Kindom: Exodus (2022). This goes to the teaching hospital, All Souls, which lasted one season. Then, Stephen King, another subject of Darkplace’s parody go in the game for Maine’s sinister Kingdom Hospital (2004)! The show also parodies 80’s horror shows like Tales from the Darkside from George A. Romero, syndicated, four seasons from 1983 to 1984. Also, Tales from the Crypt, a popular horror show on HBO based on the well loved EC Comics. It ran for seven seasons from 1989 to 1996 and now streams on Amazon Prime. A special on the show, Garth Marenghi’s Horrificata Illuminata appeared as a DVD extra. Garth’s stories continue with Garth Marenghi’s TerrorTome (2022).  Darkplace begins with “Once upon a Beginning”… He have the eerie intro of horror author, dreamweaver, Garth Marenghi (Matthew Holness) reading from his book. 

Garth is lit by an orange light as he reads with glasses and a leather jacket. He emphasizes the blood to up the horror element. Garth introduces himself swings into a closeup, funny!, talking about his show that he wrote, directed, and starred in, Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace.  He explains that the series was so daring that the channel had to take it down. Garth continues walking down a staircase with a Dutch angle and pinkish light that the channel now has decided to air the show.  He went to his basement and spent three hours putting Darkplace together with interviews especially with his publisher, Dean Learner played by Richard Ayoade. Holness and Ayoade worked together to put on the stage production of Garth Marenghi’s Fright Knight. This was two years before Ayade was Maurice Moss in the masterpiece comedy, The IT Crowd (2006-2013). Darkplace has Garth at his typewriter roto’d on a cosmic backdrop, as his narration explains he is a “visionary and plus actor.” 

His boasting is so aburd, it is hilarious. Then, we see Darkplace Hospital, as in the Monty Python film, “It’s only a model.” He runs with a plastic baby as an ambulance explodes! The parody is on American programs. Garth’s character is Dr. Rick Dagless, M.D. His co-star is actor, Todd Rivers (Matt Berry) who plays Dr. Lucien Sanchez. Berry was Douglas Reynholm in The IT Crowd and currently Laszlo in What We Do in the Shadows. Lucien has a gun out and fires. Then, we have Madeleine Wool (Alice Lowe) as Liz Asher.  Lowe was Tina in Hot Fuzz (2007) and was also in Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018). Then, we get “and introducing DEAN LEARNER as “Thorton Reed.” He rides a bicycle and next holds a shotgun. The Ayoade Holness collaboration continued with the faux chat show, Man to Man with Dean Learner, a parody of Hugh Hefner’s Playboy After Dark.  His guests are all played by Holness. The ep begins with “Special Effects by Deanamatronix.” There is a somber synthesizer score by Stig Baasvik (a nod to Von Trier) “Based on melodies originally whistled by Garth Marenghi.” Everything makes me laugh.

Liz walks in with 80’s hair and pink outfit, she reaches out, and then a cat is tossed to her!  The bad editing is hilarious. The cat tells her (in Berry’s voice), “Just leave.” She walks on, we get a King Lear quote thrown in, no reason. Liz goes to the desk clerk, Jim (Kim Noble) to apply to become a doctor since she graduated from Harvard College, Yale. The man at receiption listless gives his lines that a doctor just died there and that he paged Dr. Sanchez. He appears and remarks, “You’re a woman.” The sexism in this show is just funny because it’s extreme. Dr. Sanchez welcomes her and then is psychic feedback, in narration Todd remarks, “My hand!” and Sanchez screams. We see Liz’s eye and then turns around in darkness. This is a long sequence which makes it even more funnier. Sanchez turns to look to the side still screaming. Finally, he lets go and Liz collapses on the floor. We get the episode title and Darkplace Hospital shot before Garth is interviewed saying he is written more books than he has read! Then, Dean tells about reading the script and saying it will be monumental like Quantum Leap.    

Dr. Rick Dagless, M.D. enters the hospital through the elevator door.  He was told about Liz’s fall, but he makes his visit to “a very special friend.” Rick sees his young patient who asks about the health of his father.  He consoles him and then gets a beeper message.  Rick is called to see his boss.  The young boy says that he works too hard and should be paid “a hero’s wage.”  Rick salutes him goodbye, a real faux humaizing scene, in the edit, Garth adds, “Never take drugs.”  In the interviews, it is stressed that Dean Learner is not a actor, but Garth said he wanted the truth. Thorton Reed’s fast delivery of lines are funny, ham taken to well done. Rick thinks about the head of the department who has to answer to Won Ton.  Dean continues about her claim about the supernatural. Sanchez says that’s the specialty of “Dag.” Rick calls him "Sanch."  So Thorton assigns the case to Rick. We hear the added sound effect of footsteps as Rick walks off, the door is in the other direction. Rick calls for Jim, who jumps into the scene, to give him some nonsense orders. Then, we see Liz staring in her hospital room when Rick enters.  

She explains she is a psychic. Then, she appears in a doctor’s coat in a meeting with Sanchez and Rick. Sanchez says if there was a room number. We see Liz focusing on Room 213, Rick thinks, “That’s where Renwick is.”  Liz asks about Renwick, Rick sidetracks the conversation, Liz says she will be a woman in a year’s time. Rick finally explains that Renwick was his former colleague at Darkplace. They were interested in the occult and Renwick wanted to open the gates of hell in the canteen. Rick says he refused, but Renwick convinced him to perform the rite. Then, he went to make coke floats for them in the kitchen. Renwick goes insane, his head blurring from side to side. Rick takes a shower so he can walk the hospital in a bathrobe and says he will take the case. Liz’s voice is dubbed over by Madeline. Rick tells Sanch to wait as he enters the room. He sees Larry who explodes all over the room! Off screen Garth says, “Are you all right?” Larry’s head still remains and he begs Rick to kill him!  The evil of Darkplace continues and only Rick Dagless can stop it!  Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace is hilarious, goofy with its “horror”, and over the top characters!  

Five Darkplaces out of Five! 

#GarthMarenghisDarkplace, #MatthewHolness, #RickDagless, #RichardAyoade, #DeanLearner, #MattBerry, #ToddRivers, #AliceLowe, #MadeleineWool 

Re:tro Re:view - ¡Three Amigos!

Three Amigos (1986) is my favorite dumb comedy which happens to be a brilliant satire on Westerns and silent films! John Landis directs the film and his filmography includes An American Werewolf in London (1981) and Coming to America (1988).  It is co-written by Steve Martin who currently works on the comedy series, Only Murders in the Building, and the rom com, Roxanne (1987) based on the Edmond Rostand play, Cyrano de Bergerac (1897). His other co-writers are Lorne Michaels, long time producer of Saturday Night Live, and Randy Newman, song writer who also worked on the score for The Natural (1984) and music and songs for the Toy Story films.  It is currently streaming on HBO Max.  The film immediately starts with the “The Ballad of the Three Amigos” sung by the three leads.  Then, we see the Amigos riding in their cabellero outfits; the leader (Martin), clueless hero, Chevy Chase’s part, and silly part of the trio played by Martin Short.  Chase is of course known for National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) and of course the comedy show, Community. Short also co-stars in Only Murders in the Building and was perfect for the sci fi comedy, Innerspace (1987).  

Seeing their happy faces makes me laugh.  “They are funny guys”, a later quote from the movie. This moves into the Elmer Bernstein score that evokes a Mexican sunet. then, we get a small town in “Mexico, 1916.” We see an early car chug away past two villagers, Carmen (Patrice Martinez) and young Rodrigo .  Martinez was the receptionist in Beetlejuice (1988) and I recognize her from the Zorro (1990-1993) series where she played Victoria Escalante. She sees a gunfighter spin the barrel of his pistol, then looks up to see Cantina Del Borracho (Drunkard’s Cantina). Carmen tells Rodrigo that the men they are looking for are in the cantina. She introduces themselves as coming from the Santa Poco (Little Saint) village. Carmen hopes that there will be men to stop El Guapo (The Handsome). If you don’t get the Spanish that’s ok, my favorite is Martin’s L.A. Story when they go to stay at El Pollo del Mar (Chicken of the Sea)! The men return to their drinks. They leave and then hear church bells. A projectionist is spinning the reels for a camera to show a black and white, silent film as an organist provides the music. A woman (Sophia Lamour) says that The Three Amigos can help them. Dialogue is of course on cards. 

They ride in with closeups showing their names; Lucky Day (Martin), Ned Nederlander (Short), and Dusty Bottoms (Chase). The best part, besides their names, is the heavy makeup they wear.  The bandit leaders says they will die like dogs.  Ned holds up his hand and says, “They will fight like lions.”  It’s actually a fun Western, I would see it as a silent, love Ned giving a smile after shooting down a bandit. Carmen is thrilled by the movie. Then, the Amigos give their salute. Carmen, thinking it was a documentary, is convinced that the Amigos can help their village. She reads off the side of the film truck, the location of the studio, Goldsmith Pictures, then sends them a telegram. The typist says it will cost twenty-three pesos and they only have ten pesos, so he shortens El Guapo’s description to “infamous.”  Then, we get the ragtime intro of the studio, “Home of the Three Amigos.”  The studio head, Harry Flugelman (Joe Mantegna) tells the actors in their dapper suits the Amigos formula. Mantegna was in The Godfather Part III (1990) and also voices Fat Tony in The Simpsons. They smile before Flugelman adds that Those Darn Amigos had them in a Manhattan for a weekend, a box office failure. 

Also, present is Sam (Phil Hartman) who asks Morty (Jon Lovitz) to pitch them the Cochise movie where they fight and then become friends. Of course, Hartman and Lovitz are SNL vets. Lucky leans in and refuses. He wants Amigo money.  Flugelman walks over and then yells about actors telling him what to do sending the trio leaning back!  He walks back and snaps at Sam for him to throw the Amigos out of the studio mansion. Sam again makes a call to take the Amigos clothes from Those Darn Amigos. Then, the Amigos are thrown off the lot, Lucky doesn’t despair.  A telegraph immediately arrives! Ned explains that infamous means “more than famous”! Lucky climbs the wall and tries to use bird calls to get the attention of the others. Too funny! They dress heroically in their costumes and escape studio secruity. Back at the cantina, a German pilot with a scar on his face (Kai Wulff) enters, he tells the bartender (Fred Asparagus, seriously that’s his name) that he is looking for El Guapo. A drunk Cowboy (Michael Wren) wants to see his gun. Calmly, the German tells the bartender he is expecting “friends.” The drunk continues and the German faces him, a gunfight, and he guns him down and other armed men.   

He tells the cantina to expect his friends and walks out of town. This when the stagecoach with the Three Amigos pulls up and the bodies are dragged away. They enter the cantina, everyone sees their guns, Lucky says to the bartender, “We’re not Mexicans.” The bartender asks them who they are with a wink. He tells them the message of the German. Dusty asks for a beer, the bartender says they only have tequila, Dusty asks what it is like, and the bartender says it’s like beer. I love the dialogue! All of the patrons watch them so Dusty goes to the piano so Lucky and Ned can sing a song, “My Little Buttercup.” This sequence just keeps me laughing at its absurdity. They leave the cantina and a bi-plane flies overhead, Ned identifies it as a Tuppan 601, which he flew in Little Neddy Goes to War. The film titles are funny. They leave as two Germans in suits, I recognize one as Brian Thompson, enter the cantina. The men at the second floor mock them and the Germans shoot them down. Rodrigo rushes into the church as Carmen prays and tells her about the Three Amigos. They go take them to Santa Poco, the Amigos all riding one large donkey!, the villagers don’t know what to think of them.  

Carmen’s father, Papa Sanchez (Abel Franco) greets them, also there is lil' Pablo (Humberto Ortiz). At night, Lucky has heard from Rodrigo that they have to put on a show and run off El Guapo’s men. In the morning, El Guapo’s men are waiting, one says they should go into Santa Poco for tequila. A trio of the bandits ride towards the village. Washing laundry on the outskirts of the village, Carmen is asked which Amigo she likes and she says, “The one who is not so smart”, funny! Carmen warns Lucky about El Guapo. The bandits see The Three Amigos introduce themselves and are given the salute. They leap onto their horses and ride up to the bandits. Ned introduces the Amigos, but forgets his line, Dusty whispers it. Then, they ride around the bandits shooting their guns, the closeups are silly. El Guapo’s men ride away to tell him about the Amigos. Carmen and the rest of the villagers are happy, Papa Sanchez leads the cheer, “Viva Los Amigos!” At his hacienda, El Guapo (Alfonso Arau) gets the report about the Amigos. Arau played Juan in Romancing the Stone (1984) and directed Like Water for Chocolate (1992) based on the novel written by his wife IRL, Laura Esquivel, highly recommended!  

His plan is to go into Santa Poco with 50 men.  At night, all of Santa Poco celebrates with fireworks, dancing, and mariachi music!  Rosita (Benita) flirts with Dusty. My favorite part is Ned telling the kids his story about Dorothy Gish! The next morning, they are wakened by the church bell, Carmen tells the sleepy Amigos about the arrival of El Guapo. The Three Amigos ride up to him and start their routine. Ned leans in to have El Guapo repeat the line, “You will die like dogs.” They start riding and shooting which amuses El Guapo. He has his second-in-command, El Jefe (Tony Plana) kill one of them. Plana was in the comedy Born in East L.A. (1987) and was in the movie Bombshell (2019). Lucky falls and the others help him up, Dusty patting his arm, which has a gunshot wound. He walks up to El Jefe and finds his gun has of course real bullets. Lucky realizes what is happening and walks back to the tell the Amigos that it is real.  They all start to cry!  They return to explain to El Guapo that they are actors, the bandit leader says he only kills men, the Amigos sigh in relief! The Amigos leave the village and El Guapo's men destroy some of the buildings! He takes away Carmen. They have to find the courage to be their characters and somehow stop El Guapo! Three Amigos is a comedy treasure, memorable comedy lines and characters, plus a clever story of Hollywood silent actors saving the day!      

Five Amigo Costumes out of Five! 

#ThreeAmigos, #JohnLandis, #SteveMartin, #MartinShort, #ChevyChase, #PatriceMartinez, #AlfonsoArau, #TonyPlana 

Disenchanted Review!

 It has been 15 years since we last saw Giselle having a romance in the Disney animated world of Andalasia with Prince Edward. His mother, Queen Narissa (a brilliant over the top performance by Susan Sarandon), a sorceress, who sends her down a well.  It is a portal to another world, in fact our world stripped of magic and fairy tale endings.  She meets Robert Philip, a divorce lawyer, has a daughter, Morgan (Rachel Covey). He is about to propose to Nancy Tremaine. There are other Andalasian transported to New York to help like Pip (Kevin Lima) the chipmunk and others to stop Giselle, like the henchman, Edward. Spoiler!, Edward marries Nancy and Pip returns to Andalasia while Giselle stays in New York to start a fashion business. This new director, Adam Shankman, also directed Hairspray  (2007) and is executive producer of this year’s Hocus Pocus 2. The story is by Richard Lagravenese, J. David Stern, and David N. Weiss with a screenplay by Brigitte Hales, who also wrote for the fantasy series, Once Upon a Time.   

We open with the Disney castle logo that is swiped by bluebirds to the Andalasian castle. 

It is the typical European medieval village, trolls are lazily fishing by a bridge, with theme song.  This moves to the narrator, Pip (Griffin Newman), who tells about an abandoned baby is discovered by forest animals. A bit of a downgrade from Julie Andrews. The original Pip voice also had a Bronx accent, but it was tinny so kinda funny. The voice of Pip here is kinda grating, but becomes more Steve Buscemi-like in the later part of the movie. The baby is of course Giselle. Pip recaps her story from the first film and sings her song. The story is continued, while Pip holds open a book, by his kids. He says to his children that there is more to Giselle’s story picking up an Enchanted book from his shelf.  Pip adds that Giselle and Robert had a baby named Sofia. They are exhausted by the new baby and Morgan grown up to be a teenager. Giselle looks out her window to see a billboard of Monroeville, “Your Fairy Tale starts here!”  Pigeons, cockroaches, and rats are on the balcony as a moving van is ready to go. 

Giselle (Amy Adams) sings the beginning of her song.  Then, we have the family van with Robert (Patrick Dempsey) working to load it while Morgan (Gabriella Baldacchio) checks her phone. Baldacchio has worked in television including the tv comedy, Unschooled (2019). Morgan would rather stay in the city. We don’t have any resolution of Giselle’s fashion business. They reach Monroeville after Pip’s song. Morgan has memorized Giselle words, she’s just on repeat. The house with the peaked tower is still under construction. Three ladies go to greet Giselle and the new baby.  They are in the same color pattern as the fairies in Sleeping Beauty (1959).  The family goes to the kitchen window, Morgan calls the backyard a “land fill”, Giselle adds, “a land filled with adventure.”  She tries to cheer up Morgan with a song while dodging construction workers. Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz returns as songwriters. Gisele and Robert take Morgan to her new room with her eyes closed. Morgan opens her eyes and is stunned, she says that her room is beautiful. 

Still, she flicks on the light, and the circuit burns until it reaches her boxes! Robert puts out the fires when a neighbor calls from downstairs.  They meet Malvina Monroe, (Maya Rudolph), head of the town’s council. Rudolph was perfect as Rita in the comedy Idiocracy (2006) and voiced Aunt Cass in Big Hero 6 (2014). Malvina has two sidekicks Rosaleen (Yvette Nicole Brown) and Ruby (Jayma Mays). Brown starred as Shirley Bennett in Community and she is in the sports series, Big Shot.  Mays was Emma Pillsbury on the musical high school show, Glee, and also starred in Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020). Malvinia sends Rosaleen and Ruby to give gift baskets to the family and they try to flatter her.  I find it strange that Robert buys a new house and doesn’t check the neighborhood.  At night, Robert and Giselle tuck in Sofia while Morgan sleeps at the foot of their bed with the smoke still in her room.  The alarm clock goes off at 5 a.m., Sofia cries, Giselle tries to make breakfast and Robert has to get to his commute! Morgan gets splashed by her father’s coffee, then some magic bursts from the house’s well!  

This is the arrival of Queen Nancy (Idina Menzel) and King Edward (James Marsen).  Edward is still a little awkward saying Robert’s house looks poor, he apologizes, and then gives Robert his sword.  Later, Nancy and Edward present a gift for their god child, an Andalasian wishing wand. The instructions are of course sung by Menzel (the first time in these two movies!) and Marsden.  They also have a scroll that can help.  Giselle notes that Sofia is a “true daughter of Andalasia” and Morgan looks ignored. Robert makes it to the train and the passenger wonder about his sword. One passenger (Ann Harada) notes that he has to ride the train “over and over” umpteenth times! The other passenger is played by James Monroe Iglehart who was in the Broadway production of Aladdin.  They do sing later. At Monroeville Preparatory School, Giselle walks over Morgan who has to wear her stepmom’s pink vest and matching flower-patterned dress! Malvina and her henchwoman have a booth to raise funds for Monroe-fest. Also, it is a chance to be voted prince for the event, including Malvina’s son, Tyson. Morgan brings up that Giselle is the best at baking. 

Malvinia offers Giselle coffee to talk while Morgan is bumped, but collects her books with help from Tyson (Kolton Stewart). I get the meet cute, but Morgan’s loss of confidence and her wisecracks to her parents are suddenly lost. He called over by other students while Morgan is mocked for her clothes by others. At the coffee house, Edgar (Oscar Nunez) serves up Malvinia, and correctly guesses Giselle’s choice.  Malvinia tells Giselle about finding her place and she agrees. At home, Giselle has made a miniature park for the crickets, and Morgan returns disappointed. They have a talk, but Morgan says she can work her situation out on her own. Giselle brings down her memory tree and puts it next to the Monroe-fest flyer. Morgan wakes up and sees Giselle’s note to go to the school. She has set up a table of cupcakes with a “Vote for Morgan” booth. Morgan is disappointed and walks away. Giselle tries to follow, but Malvinia stops her. She can’t have a booth without being on a committee so Ruby and Rosaleen tear down the booth.  

Later, Giselle is worried that she doesn’t seem to be the same in Monroeville, Robert tries to console her.  Morgan walks in, late, she said she went back to New York. She starts to argue with Giselle and Robert says if she is angry direct her anger to him.  Morgan says Giselle will only be a stepmother to her. This shatters Giselle. So of course she goes outside to sing a song when the well lights up and Pip appears. Giselle decides to change Monroeville into a fairy tale with the Wand of Wishes. She goes to sleep and wakens to find bluebirds talking and then her applicances talking as they make breakfast. Next, Morgan has Giselle’s song and happily singing.  Robert enters the kitchen singing (first time in these movies). They dance together and then Giselle tells Pip her wish came true. She walks outside and sees the house and tower covered with flowers. The three women are now fairies. The townsfolk are now singing and dancing in Monrolasia.  I can’t help, but think of two regular people lost in a magical worldof musicals in the Apple+ series Schmigadoon!        

Trumpets sound the arrival of Queen Malvinia who arrives in a carriage and reminds Giselle of the festival.  She notices the wand held by Sofia.  Then, the clock tower rings. Gisele’s eyes glow yellow and she snaps at the queen.  She snaps out of it and says that this is her daughter’s first festival in Monrolasia. Malvinia and her ladies-in-waiting go to see the Magic Mirror.  Again, I see it as the magic book in Ella Enchanted (2004).  Malvinia suspects that the answer lies in the wand and sends Rosaleen and Ruby after it. Their rivalry is something out of Descendants (2015). In the dressmaker’s shop, Morgan finds a blue dress for the festival and sees outside the window, young Tyson. Giselle has a dress picked for her, she refuses, and then the bell tolls again. Giselle wants all of the dresses. At the house, Rosaleen and Ruby peek in trying to find the wand. Morgan checks on her sister and then Giselle brings out Morgan’s torn dress, golden scissors fall down from her dress. Ruby reaches for the wand through the window, but it falls. Morgan is still upbeat about the dress. Ruby picks up the wand, but her ruby bracelets falls down. Morgan goes to the market and reminds Giselle that she is her stepmother.  

Giselle realizes that her dress is low, funny, and realizes that she is the Wicked Stepmother. So this gives Adams the chance to play the villain for a little bit. She runs to the tower which is Morgan’s messy attic. Pip notes that the queen is evil and the wish should be unwished. He becomes sick and then is transformed into a cat. Out of the forest, Robert hears a scream, travelers are facing a dragon.  He charges in, but is thrown out and then burned. This is a clumsy version of Prince Charming from Once Upon a Time. Is his awkwardness because he is from New York? I did not find Robert foolishly boastful before the transformation.  Giselle brings the box with the Scroll (Alan Tudyk) who has the Ed Wynn silly voice from Mary Poppins (1964) as Uncle Albert. He says the magic for the wish has come from Andalasia and she has until midnight to undo the wish or it will be permanent! Giselle needs the wand, but of course it is lost because magic wands are usually kept lying around. One of the cleverness of the first movie was that it was parodying princess animated movies, especially Disney princesses, but this story drops that, no parody of city to suburban life. Plus, no twists in the real world with the wish world, I do like the dragon fruit!, and modern stores and places turned medieval. Incidents just happen. I do like the cast including the new cast members, but the film gives them little to do.  Disenchanted does seem like a tv movie with film cast and needs a stronger, funnier story!          

Three Wand of Wishes out of Five!  

#Disenchanted, #AmyAdams, #PatrickDempsey, #GabriellaBaldacchino, #KoltonStewart, #IdinaMenzel, #JamesMarsden, #MayaRudolph, #YvetteNicoleBrown, #YaymaMays, #GriffinNewman, #AlanTudyk