Ten Favorite 2022 Movies!

2022 had some great movies, there are others, but maybe not able to make it to a top ten list. Here are some favorite films and why! Share your favorites (probably some movies not here) so we can have a guide to watch films we may have missed or watch again! 

1. Everything, Everywhere, All at Once - it's a film that defies a simple summary except its title. I like that in all of the chaotic, crazy, beautiful images you can piece them all together, not be overwhelmed. it boils down to a family and relatable since it is not just their story, it's your story, a masterpiece by The Daniels; Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. The movie is a defining part for Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn Wang. Also, for Ke Huy Quan, a welcome return to the screen as Waymond Wang. Then, add Jamie Lee Curtis as Deidre and so many of the cast are perfect. The visual effects unparalleled because they all mean something, only five people worked on the effects compared to the legions of effects people and millions of dollars for something like Avatar 2, still the effects create an absurd and beautiful world. 

2. RRR - this movie is almost the same as Everything, the scenes are the "I can't believe I'm seeing what I'm seeing!", but leaning into the buddy action film dynamic. Crafted by director, S.S. Rajamouli, it has a relentless pace, a kinda historical story with a kinda mythological, kinda superhero combo. This movie is a phenomenon crossing the world with larger than life visuals that demand the big screen!  We have two powerful, charismatic actors in N.T. Rama Rao Jr. as the jungle warrior turned stranger in a strange, city run by the British, Bheem, and Ram Charan plays Ram, a British officer who has ferocity to take on hundreds, opposites, friends, involved in a revolution against the brutual Governor Buxton (Ray Stevenson).  It also includes a bit of a romance with Olivia Morris as Jenny, “Naatu Naatu” is the best song, dance, and one of the highlights of the film. I love the last scene which has you ready to dance!  

3. Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio - del Toro mentioned it belongs with his two other films; The Devil's Backbone and Pan's Labyrinth (my other favorite), fascism in common with all of them, but del Toro pushes himself as a storyteller adding some mature themes with a perfect character in Pinocchio (Gregory Mann), the freak who has the true heart, del Toro pointed out that he doesn't change, he changes people. Gregory Mann as the eternally cheerful lead plus some memorable songs. Stop motion is a perfect medium for del Toro, a heightened reality, and there are the strange creatures that fit into del Toro’s menagerie. Plus the voice acting is incredible, David Bradley as the flawed Geppetto, and Ewan McGregor as Sebastian J. Cricket! 

4. The Woman King - I kinda knew about the Agojie from reading up about the Dora Milaje in Black Panther.  This is almost history, so I don't care about strict accuracy, it is not a documentary, if you need facts do the research. Director Gina Prince-Bythewood ramps up the action, a little shakey cam in some of the fighting, but also balances the drama. Viola Davis turns in a noteworthy performance as Nanisca, a leader, but with a dark flaw. I was surprised by Thuso Mbedu who plays new recruit Nawi, gotta catch her next project. Also, second in command, Amenza played by Sheila Atim, and Izogie (Lashana Lynch), actors to follow. 

5. Elvis - this is a return of Baz Luhrmann to the form he had in the Red Curtain Trilogy, it has the original music, but also injected with current singers and styles, it feels like all that I understand about Elvis Presley and a great tribute to him as an entertainer and person, then we have Austin Butler, who just makes a career defining role in the early part of his career, fully singing and performing as Elvis!, we know Tom Hanks as Colonel Parker is not a reliable narrator, so it is easy to break away from any facts, the set design recreating the various time periods and places like Graceland and the concerts to the costumes that capture the iconic styles, gives a snapshot into watching Elvis on stage.   

6. Brahmanstra: Part One - Shiva - I was intrigued by the writer and director, Ayan Mukerji's description of the Astras, I'm ready for the next installments, they are mystical, but basically super powers, the hero Shiva, Ranbir Kapoor, is regular guy, it just makes sense that he falls for Isha, Alia Bhatt (who also was in RRR). I like the mythical tied to the modern day. The rejection and acceptance of Shiva's power. Shiva being thrown into an ancient conflict that he doesn't understand, classic mythology and superhero origin. It features Bollywood legends; Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, mentors, it really felt like this is how superhero movies should be made, a really human quality, plus action, songs, dancing, a really good show! I'm ready to fall again and again into the Astraverse!  

7. Top Gun: Maverick - spectacle is plussed with the great camerawork, the flying scenes are just impressive, and even hitting the flight ceiling is that there is actually a character arc and plot for the sequel. Director Joseph Kosinski sets the afterburners respecting the original, updates the characters, and gives the pilots a reason to train and undergo an impossible mission (nod to the other franchise). Maverick (Tom Cruise) losing his hot shot pilot status, training the new pilots, and putting his life on the line for them, love it! It is the same with this romance with Penny Benjamin (Jennifer Connelly), even more is seeing Phoenix (Monica Barbaro) as a female fighter jet pilot who is more than a match for the others, I also like the diversity of the cast, and then to top them all is the surprise cameo! 

8. The Batman - one of the best superhero movies this year really because of the character’s arc. Matt Reeves is able to create yet another vision of Gotham City and dramatic characters in the Batman universe. Bruce (Robert Pattinson) doesn’t just become Batman and that’s it. He understands that he needs to change who he is and how he is fighting crime to better help the Gotham citizens. Pattinson works not only in his depiction of Batman, but that he stands over the villains, a great performance as Paul Dano as The Riddler, and also Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot. Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle is one of the best realization of the character, very like the comic, Batman: Year One. The cinematography and the driving theme music help to create a noir-ish world, but not trapped at night. I'm looking to the silver screen to see the Bat signal again. 

9 Prey - this sequel has the feel of the first Predator (1987) and really exceeds it because we feel more for the characters and their jeopardy, then we have the stunning performance of Amber Midthunder, finding her own way as Naru, warrior and healer, I love the dynamic. I had the question of how is a girl with a bow and arrow be able to face a technologically advanced alien warrior with skull-like mask and new weaponry kinda cool, her older brother, Taabe (Dakota Beavers) is also a great character, I would like to see more films by these cast members and by director Dan Trachtenberg. 

10 Turning Red - this is a standout Disney animated film, gotta see the next project by writer and director, Domee Shi! It really uses the form to relate the complications of growing up and then tying it to the specialness of a person, all magical, brilliant!  It brings the funny and also a deeply personal story with Meilin (Rosalie Chiang) and her trio of friends are the best pals; Miriam (Ava Morse), Priya (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), and especially the wildness of Abby (Heyin Park), plus the music of 4*Town, a fantastic piece of entertainment!  

Strangely, what #1 and #10 have in common, James Hong! What a year! Hopefully, these filmmakers will walk away with armloads of awards! Next year’s promising films are listed in a revised article here: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2022/12/2023s-most-expected-films.html.  

#EverythingEverywhereAllAtOnce, #TheDaniels, #MichelleYeoh, #KeHuyQuan, #JamieLeeCurtis, #RRR, #SSRajamouli, #NTRamaRaoJr, #RamCharan, #RayStevenson, #OliviaMorris, #GuillermoDelTorosPinocchio, #GuillermoDelToro, #GregoryMann, #DavidBradley, #EwanMcGregor, #TheWomanKing, #GinaPrinceBythewood, #ViolaDavis, #ThusoMbedu, #SheilaAtim, #LashanaLynch, #Elvis, #BazLuhrmann, #AustinButler, #TomHanks, #BrahmanstraPartOneShiva, #AyanMukerji, #RanbirKapoor, #AliBhatt, #ShahRukhKhan, #AmitabhBachchan, #TopGunMaverick, #JosephKosinski, #TomCruise, #JenniferConnelly, #MonicaBarbaro, #TheBatman, #MattReeves, #RobertPattinson, #ZoeKravitz, #PaulDano, #ColinFarrell, #PreyMovie, #DanTrachtenberg, #AmberMidthunder, #DakotaBeavers, #TurningRed, #DomeeShi, #RosalieChiang, #AvaMorse, #MaitreyiRamakrishnan, #HeylinPark 

Happy 100th Birthday Stan Lee!

Happy Birthday Stan Lee! This would have been his 100th birthday. Stan the Man is an icon of Marvel Comics. He started as an assistant in 1939 at Timely Comics which later became Marvel Comics.  Lee’s first comic story was in a back-up feature of Captain America #5 (1941). The time of Marvel Comics came in the Silver Age with Fantastic Four #1 (1961) with Stan Lee’s frequent co-creator Jack Kirby. There was a wealth of characters created from that moment. Lee created a Marvel icon who was closely identified with the company working with Steve Ditko with the first appearance of Spider-Man in Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962). Jack Kirby’s artwork and Stan Lee’s words resulted in The Incredible Hulk #1 (1962), the first appearance of Thor in Journey into Mystery #83 (1962), Iron Man’s debut with Tales of Suspense #39 (1963), all of whom teamed up together in Avengers #1 (1963).  

Stan Lee meeting Joe and Anthony Russo at Amoeba Records signing, 2014, author’s photo.

He also teamed with Kirby to create the mutant team with The X-Men #1 (1963). Then, Lee worked with Steve Ditko to co-create Doctor Strange in Strange Tales #110 (1963). All of these characters appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He later teamed with artist Bill Everett to co-create Daredevil with Daredevil #1 (1964). Stan Lee’s thoughts inspired readers with his feature, “Stan’s Soapbox”, and made Marvel fans with the Merry Marvel Marching Society. The Lee and Kirby run on Fantastic Four introduced many memorable characters including Black Panther in Fantastic Four #52 (1966). Also, the Silver Surfer in the “Galactus Trilogy” which begun with Fantastic Four #48 (1966). Lee narrated for Marvel Productions animated series starting with Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981-1983). 

The Avengers Campus plaque dedicated to Stan Lee, photo by the author. 

Lee wrote a number of book on comic books including Origins of Marvel Comics (1974), How to Draw Comics The Marvel Way (1984) with John Buscema, and Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics (2010). He also wrote novels for example Dunn’s Conundrum (1985), an espionage story, Stan Lee’s Riftworld: Odyssey (1996) co-written with Bill McCay and he wrote with Stuart Moore the super hero novel, The Zodiac Legacy: Convergence (2015). Stan Lee made his first superhero cameo in the television movie The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989). He hosted the show, Stan Lee’s Superhumans, from 2010 to 2014.  Lee wrote and put his own spin on DC Comics characters with Just Imagine… in 2001. Stan Lee’s cameos in 2018 includes Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War,  Antman and the Wasp, and Venom. Stan Lee died on November 2018. Let’s leave with Stan’s lines from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse: “I’m going to miss him”, he of course means Spider-Man, but it also applies to Stan Lee, “We were friends, you know.” Stan Lee was friends with everyone. Excelsior!   

#StanLee, #CaptainAmerica, #FantasticFour, #JackKirby, #SpiderMan, #AmazingFantasy, #SteveDitko, #TheIncredibleHulk, #Thor, #JourneyIntoMystery, #IronMan, #TalesOfSuspense, #Avengers, #TheXMen, #DoctorStrange, #StrangeTales, #BillEverett, #Daredevil, #BlackPanther, #SilverSurfer, #SpiderManAndHisAmazingFriends, #StanLeesSuperhumans, #OriginsOfMarvelComics, #JohnBuscema, #DunnsConundrum, #StanLeesRiftworldOdyssey, #TheTrialOfTheIncredibleHulk, #JustImagine, #SpidermanIntoTheSpiderverse 

2023’s Most Expected Films!

This is a list for me, I want everyone to chime in, to see their perspective. Of course, there will be movies that will pop up and stun like Everything, Everywhere, All At Once, RRR, and The Woman King, so this is just right now. These are all genre movies. So let’s begin. Correction, the number one film for me is Hayao Miyazaki's How Do You Live?, Japan release is July 14th, US release is not set (if it is set for the following year, then there are alternates). Studio Ghibli films are an event, Miyazaki-san had retired, but even more than anything is what story that he wanted to write and direct brought him out of retirement? The other part is that the film will be beautiful so more from Hayao Miyazaki is great! Next is Little Mermaid, May 26th, Disney does not have a great track record for live action, granted, but D23 Expo has a way of getting everyone hyped, plus it looks great. 

I can’t wait to see Halle Bailey as Ariel, I still want to hear her rendition of “Part of Your World", and the scene shown was incredible, again the water visuals are lacking, but has to be excused. Next, Dune: Part 2, November 3rd, loved the first one, I think Denis Villeneuve will top it, put in more character drama, can’t wait for the conclusion of the story, Villeneuve’s continued take on the story, and spectacle. Number four, John Wick: Chapter 4, March 24th, I love this franchise, again in the pure action sense, I think with Parabellum that this is the beginning of the war against The High Table, two more films? Director Chad Stahelski has managed to build a world from the first Wick and keep it interesting. 

Number five, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, June 9th, I had written off Transformers movies since the Beyification, but the trailer bumped up my expectations, plus Bumblebee (2018) cleared the slate for a new direction, Anthony Ramos as the lead, I think Beast Wars is a great new element, Ron Perlman, Michelle Yeoh, and Peter Dinklage voicing the bots?, Arcee in live action?, perfect. 

Six, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, March 31st, long delayed for some reason, I’m getting the vibes that this could be the worst movie, I didn’t get the hype from Comic Con, but I’m always up for a fantasy film. Seven, A Haunting in Venice, September 15th, I love the Kenneth Branagh Hercule Poirot movies, I liked this year’s Death On The Nile, unfortunate casting, there is more than the original Agatha Christie books, plus an all star cast. 

Eight, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, March 17th, I really liked the first Shazam, there’s a good sense of the story (besides Rachel Zegler’s part), and there just has been a long expectation for this movie! Nine, update, Missing, January 20th, so I'll be seeing this thriller first before the others, I like the "Screenlife" format as director, Timur Bakmambetov calls it, where the story is told through cell phones, computer screens, and other media. Storm Reid is becoming a one to watch actor and moving the story from a father concerned about his daughter to a daughter worried about her mother lost in a trip is brilliant! Lastly, number ten, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, June 2nd, the trailer knocked down expectations for me, it should be near the top.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) is the perfect Spider-Man movie so I’m still holding on hope. This is expectation so a new trailer and other material could put this back on top. The return of Lord and Miller with the creative team is promising. Intriguing films outside of my top ten, Insidious: Fear the Dark, July 7th, I like this franchise. I did press for Insidious: The Last Key (2018), I never try to count out Blumhouse films, M3GAN might be interesting, plus Patrick Wilson is directing! Seven, Wish, November 22nd, I don’t know much about this animated movie, I did love the exhibit at D23 Expo, plus seeing Ariana DeBose, could it be a disappointment like Strange World?, I trust in Disney Animation, that’s enough.

I’m intrigued by director Gareth Edward’s sci fi movie, True Love, no information, but a cast of Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, and John David Washington, looks like Edwards back in the director’s chair after seven years, can’t wait. Creed III, the trailer looks great, directed by Michael B. Jordan, very promising continuing the Creed story, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, December 25th, I have no idea where this sequel is going, it looks like the last outing of Jason Mamoa’s Aquaman, the Justice Leaguers only seem to get two solo movies. The same with Shazam? There are a number of interesting genre movie next year, what films are looking forward to seeing in 2023? 

#HowDoYouLive, #HayaoMiyazaki, #TheLittleMermaid, #DunePart2, #JohnWickChapter4, #DungeonsAndDragonsHonorAmongThieves, #TransformersRiseOfTheBeasts, #AHauntingInVenice, #ShazamFuryOfTheGods, #InsidiousFearTheDark, #SpiderManAcrossTheSpiderVerse, #TrueLove, #CreedIII, #AquamanAndTheLostKingdom 

A DC Studios Films Wishlist!

What are some of the DC Films that would great to see? This has no studio information except parameters that were set by James Gunn, a basic understanding of the comic books, and comic book films. So here we go!  I would start with a five minute recap of the previous films with a minute or two of The Flash revealing the new DC Universe. Gunn mentioned, "Superman is a huge priority, if not the biggest priority." Gunn knows the comic books and the history so I'm thinking the first DC movie of this era will pay homage to Action Comics #1, why Superman was the first popular superhero. I also hope it gives a good nod to the creators, with Joe and Jerry characters, a stop at Cleveland, and especially the appearance of Action Comics #1 in some form. Gunn tweeted, "In the initial stages, our story will be focusing on an earlier part of Superman’s life..." I believe it will be young adult Clark working in Metropolis. He will have met Lois and she is his contact to report in his stories. I would have him be put on assignment to be the Daily Planet international correspondent. Traveling the world and learning about people that he will eventually protect. This is similar to Superman: Birthright #2 (2003). 

Villain? Probably Brainiac. He is a world threat, Superman caliber, and tied to his Kryptonian past (in some versions). Vril Dox did appear in the Krypton show played by Blake Riston. It is important to get away from Lex Luthor, he wasn’t introduced until Action Comics #23 (1940), two years after the Man of Steel’s debut! Instead, I would have Lex Luthor as omni-present in Metropolis, on billboards and news stories, but Superman would be "beneath his attention." We do find that Luthor has been studying and researching Superman in private. John Henry Irons, he is played by Wole Parks in Superman & Lois, should be part of the cast from almost the beginning. Dr. Emil Hamilton could also be a scientific advisor. I like Steve Lombard debuting in Superman #264 (1973) as a bully in the newsroom. It’s important to have a strong supporting cast beyond the usual Jimmy Olsen and Perry White. A cameo?, I would really like it if the Supergirl in The Flash movie, played by Sasha Calle, is recovered somewhere in the movie. Maybe a sequel. Before she appears, I’m really hoping to see Krypto in the movies, he actually appeared, Adventure Comics #210 (1955) before Supergirl, Action Comics #252 (1959). He is in the series, Titans, since 2018, but I hope he shows up besides DC League of Super Pets (2022), in the movies. 

Next, a Batman film, I think The Batman movie is great in not treading over the origin again, the two heroes have their origin told too many times. Also, bringing in Catwoman. Gunn tweeted about Batman, "He's a big part of the DCU." I think a good schedule for DC films would be two a year so Superman and then Batman. The Joker? He is too ingrained into the Batman films, has his own franchise, and would be confusing to also add to this story. I think Arkham Asylum could be added, I would really like to see new psychiatrist, Dr. Harleen Quinzel, before she becomes Harley Quinn! As a psychologist, we briefly saw Margot Robbie in Suicide Squad (2016), and Mia Sara played the character in the Birds of Prey tv series. All of the villains have been done, but the filmmakers just shoot for the sky and adapt The Court of Owls! The group also appeared on Gotham. It is a secret organization that is tied to the history of Gotham City and they were introduced in Batman #2 (2011). The Court of Owls has assassins called Talons, one of them is Calvin Rose who can regenerate through electrum.  

So the story may be the defeat of the Court of Owls, but only one part of it, kinda like HYDRA. I think their ultimate defeat would be with the Bat family team. Supporting cast, Dr. Leslie Thompkins, Gotham’s version was played by Morena Baccarin, but she is an older figure from the comics. She first appeared in Detective Comics #457 (1976) helping Bruce get over the death of his parents and she helps orphans in Crime Alley. A love interest? I would tend towards Silver St. Cloud, a woman in the wealthy circles who is clever and takes an interest in Bruce Wayne. Natalie Alyn Lind played her in Gotham. This could also tangle her with Selina Kyle’s Catwoman. The end of the movie should be Batman realizing that he is overwhelmed by threats and needs to bring in allies. The first recruit should be Robin, training to see if he can work with Batman, but there are others. Batgirl and basically the team from Detective Comics #934 (2016), “Rise of the Batmen”; Orphan, Spoiler, and former villain Clayface. This would be more interesting than just partnering with Robin. The third DC film should be entitled Batman and Superman: World’s Finest. There was a compilation of “World’s Finest” (1997) episodes from Superman: The Animated Series with a similar title. Still, the name identification with the heroes is important. 

The comic was an anthology until the characters were in the same story in World’s Finest Comics #71 (1954). It would be great to formally establish Lex Luthor and The Joker in this movie and then  team up. In the comics the team up was in issue #88 (1957). So the beginning would introduce The Joker and Luthor as threats to their heroes. I think one of the best Joker stories is Detective Comics #475 (1978). He uses his Joker Venom from his first appearance in Batman #1 (1940), it kills victims whose faces go into a smiling rictus, to create Joker Fish. Then, he tries to trademark the fish! This was adapted in the Batman: The Animated Series episode, “The Laughing Fish” (1993). Luthor formed LexCorp from his many inventions. Luthor discovers some Kryptonite to power up a machine, use unclear right now; as a transmitter to alien civilizations like in Superman: Birthright, or as a weapon against Superman. He is investigated by Lois Lane and Clark discovers his Kryptonite weakness. The machine explodes weakening Superman and causing Luthor to lose his red hair. If this is too much story, it can be divided into a Superman and a Batman sequel. 

Composite Superman first appeared in World’s Finest Comics #142 (1964) sounds like a perfectly insane Joker idea. The Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009) animated movie adapted the “Public Enemies” storyline from the Superman/Batman comic book. In particular is the Composite Superman mecha created by Hiro Okamura, known as Toyman, so this would be a great combination of two evil minds! The most important part is that Batman realizes here, that he will need help (which he also learned from his own film) to not only protect Gotham City, but the rest of the world. The seeds of the Justice League. A realization that Bruce Wayne has in the Justice League movie. Remember it took five movies before Avengers (2012) for the MCU phase 1. This would all lead to the next DC movie, Wonder Woman. I still see Patty Jenkins directing and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. The movie would be a reboot. It is important if the sequence is Superman or Batman sequels, that Wonder Woman is the third movie before leading up to World's Finest. The Amazons would be explained through a narrative by Hippolyta. How after Themyiscra was made for the Amazons, two tribes went on their own to Brazil and Bana-Mighdall. The latter is a hidden Middle-Eastern country. Its warriors include Artemis who almost takes Wonder Woman’s place, and Nubia, who becomes queen of the Amazons. 

In Brazil is the Esquecidas Amazon tribe who found the city of Akahim. They debuted in Wonder Girl #5 (2022) and Yara Flor, who later became Wonder Girl. I see the original origin with Hippolyta forming Diana from Themyiscran clay inspired by Athena. She is brought to life instead of the classic only Aphrodite origin, by three goddesses, Aphrodite, Athena, and Hera. If she is too powerful as an actual goddess, then there is no direction for the character to go. I would keep Aphrodite’s Law that has Amazons immortal as long as a man doesn’t step on Themyiscra, the island. This keeps the Amazons existence to be conditional and at an edge. Steve Trevor’s crash would be on a fragment of his plane not walking the island. Also, a chain of small islands around Themyiscra to form a defensive perimeter. Diana traveling to the Patriarch’s World would mean she ages normally. I would add the women survivors would find sanctuary on Themysicra and if they can prove themselves, become Amazons. A touch of George Perez and current comics. I’m going to imagine that the five goddesses; Artemis, Athena, Aphrodite, Demeter, and Hestia used their powers to hide the island before they were gone. The Contest should also be maintained in a movie version. Supporting characters; not only Etta Candy, but I would add Diana’s Amazon friend, Mala. 

The villain of the first movie I see as Circe, the sorceress, who has been fighting against her since Wonder Woman #37 (1949). Cheetah is a classic enemy, maybe Circe has a part in her transformation, and I would also add Giganta who was a villain all the way back to Wonder Woman #9 (1944). I’m also thinking of Cheetah and Giganta as part of the Legion of Doom in the Super Friends cartoon. This all leads to the Justice League movie. Justice League could have a line-up of the trio, plus Aquaman (if he makes it into the new films), The Flash, and Martian Manhunter from the original comics appearance of the Justice League of America in Brave and Bold #28 (1960). A total of seven members so it could all be mixed up with others. I would switch Hal Jordan with John Stewart, Green Lantern, and maybe Hawkgirl from the Justice League animated series. I would add Black Canary, a long standing member along with someone who can handle magic, Zatanna.  It could be followed by Shazam, Teen Titans (or Young Justice if that title doesn’t work), and possibly the Global Guardians, but foremost would be the New Gods. Animated movie? Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew, Angel and the Ape, plus `Mazing Man as a live action streaming series with the Inferior Five. There is many possiblities for new DC Universe films. 

#DCStudios, #JamesGunn, #Superman, #LexLuthor, #JohnHenryIrons, #EmilHamilton, #SteveLombard, #Supergirl, #Krypto, #Batman, #TheJoker, #HarleenQuinzel, #HugoStrange, #TheCourtOfOwls, #LeslieThompkins, #SilverStCloud, #Robin, #Batgirl, #Spoiler, #Orphan, #BatmanAndSupermanWorldsFinest, #WonderWoman, #EttaCandy, #Mala, #Circe, #Cheetah, #Giganta, #SuperFriends, #JusticeLeague, #Aquaman, #TheFlash, #MartianManhunter, #Hawkgirl, #BlackCanary, #Zatana, #Shazam, #Teentitans, #GlobalGuardians, #NewGods, #CaptainCarrotAndHisAmazingZooCrew, #AngelAndTheApe, #MazingMan, #InferiorFive   

Willow, “Wildwood”, Review!

Willow has the group entering a mysterious forest, “Wildwood”, that tears the truth of many characters! “Whispers of Nockmar” had Elora add the essence of nightshade, the last ingredient to the salve that would save Graydon! She walks to the corridor where Kit is resting. Elora tells Kit about the woodcutters who died for her. She has given up and is drawn by a woman crying. It is raining and Jade hears her mother telling her to run, sees her mother’s body, and then goes to attack General Kael in the half-skull mask. Did Kael form or inspire the Bone Reavers? Kael drives her back, his sword point dragged against the ground and walls, into a room where Jade bars the door. Elora sees visions of the beginning of Willow. This is her mother and the vision of Bavmorda passes, before the sword strike, her mother sees Elora as she is now. Then, the vision fades when the sword comes down. Jade draws her sword only to face Kit. The princess says she was about to eaten by the staircase! There is a knock at the door, but it is Boorman. He tells them a secret, “You two totally have the hots for each other.” Contemporary expression, but not intrusive. He bursts in looking for the Lux Arcana, but Jade has his sword to him. 

Elora sees Graydon freed and he takes her of course to the high tower. Kit wonders why Boorman would go against them for the Lux Arcana. He directs their attention to the high tower. Graydon casually walks into the chamber with the bowl used for the ceremony. The candles start to burn and Graydon turns Lich-ified. He lifts up a heavy rock saying he has strength and confidence like Airk, but Elora is not interested in those qualities. Willow enters! Graydon tosses the rock which batters Willow down. Then, he uses his power to draw Elora across the floor. Graydon starts the Ritual of the Thirteenth Night taking strands of Elora’s hair. Then, they see the vision of the young Willow defeating Bavmorda. Graydon raises his arms and Elora’s eyes roll to the whites while she is lifted upwards! The door opens and visions of Sorsha and Finrazel appear, Willow says he will again fight evil “with his friends.” Kit, Jade, and Boorman appear and Kit throws him the staff.  He uses it to knock down Graydon. I love the flashes of the movie filling in the stories of the show’s characters.

                                                                                        Detail of Willow’s backpack, D23 Expo, author’s photo.

Boorman begins trying to pummel the Lich out of Graydon, kinda funny. A stone shape grabs Willow. Elora sees herself as a baby. Boorman says they have to kill Graydon, but Kit tells him to wait. Kit admits to Elora that she saw the eckleberry bush. Elora goes to Graydon and then draws out the evil from him.  Then, she sees the young Graydon with his older brother, Dermot, on a tree. Suddenly, Graydon with possessed eyes, throws down his brother! Elora has seen the truth, but not how Graydon was taken over. His body floats with the evil drawn into the sky like Bavmorda. Now, they see sun inside the chamber., and they walk in the morning. Boorman sees the Lux Arcana in his pouch. Willow explains about the Blood of the Six to Kit; six Fays who had betrayed the Mothers to turn to evil. Kit realizes that Bavmorda had the Blood of Six and now she carries it. Elora looks distrustfully at Graydon. Then, we see the face of The Dag and the bulky Scourge, and The Crone’s voice tells them to find Elora. Airk suddenly wakes up in his cell, the door is open, and he walks out with ashes falling to see the deserted Immemorial City! The first time we have seen him since the first episode, but it may be because Elora has faced The Crone’s power. 

We return to the book of Willow which resolves to Boorman’s face in panic. He is running from a misty castle with The Dag behind him. Kit and Jade are chased by The Scourge through some ruins. This is all to an 80’s-style rock song, back to ep. 3? The Dag swoops after Elora in her giant hawk form, but misses. Kit tries to loose an arrow at The Scourge, but he knocks it away. Willow waits as Boorman runs past and unleashes flames from his wand at The Dag. From the immortal words of Admiral Ackbar, “It’s a trap!” Jade and Kit escape The Scourge and everyone gathers at a wall. Their only refuge from The Gales is pointed out by Willow, the Wildwood. Graydon mentions that everything in the forest makes you lose the will to leave. The Scourge leaps down and they start to run into the woods. They wonder at the bright motes that float in the forest air. Jade notes that the Bone Reavers are in the Wildwood. Willow tells Elora that Cherlindrea’s wand came from the Great Tree. She says she has accomplished many magical tasks and asks about divination.  

Boorman walks and talks with Graydon about his interest in Elora whom he says only sees him in the Friend Zone. He is telling him about how Graydon can charm Elora, but then sees bone fragments on the forest floor. Boorman announces to everyone he has a plan while the Bone Reavers leap out of hiding around them. They are taken as prisoners to the Bone Reavers camp. Boorman is seen by a Bone Reaver who knows him, he is Lori Toth (Charlie Rawes). One Bone Reaver has the bone mask with dread locks like The Predator. They are greeted by a woman, the leader, Scorpia (Adwoa Aboah), who is unmasked. She had heard Boorman left Tir Asleen with the others. She notes that the Mines of Skellin are impossible to escape. Kit introduces herself. Scorpia orders Boorman to be tied up in her tent, she is defied by Jade, and then sends Willow and Graydon to the Borough. Kit and Elora are moved to the Rattler, but has Jade remain. Scorpia talks to the bound Boorman whom she says was a “lean, hungry kid.” Willow checks the wooden door blocking their rocky walled cell. Graydon asks about Elora. Willow says Elora has to be left for her destiny not in any romantic relationship. He’s forgetting about Airk.

Pre-production artwork of Kit, Dove, and Willow at the Lucasfilm Pavilion, author’s photo. 

Then, Willow notices tiny houses which tells Graydon belong to Brownies! In their cell, Kit is worried about Jade, but Elora tries to reassure her. This is the first time Kit has found interest in anyone besides Airk. Elora says that “love is the most powerful force in the universe.” Kit says they’re just friends, but Elora says she feels sorry for Jade because Kit can’t love her back. Elora suddenly pulls out Cherlindrea’s wand. Boorman tells Scorpia he escaped by fighting, but we see him emerge from a sewer opening! Shades of Trainspotting (1996)! Trolls in gasmasks, more anarchronisms, then we get a goofy scene of Boorman washing himself in a waterfall. In a tavern, Boorman says he helped “stranded travelers”, but we see him drinking with women whom he calls Carcosian Death Dealers. The name is identical to vampire warriors in Underworld (2003) and first appeared as the title of a painting by Frank Frazetta. He falls down drunk and then taken away by knights. Scorpia asks about the relic, the Lux Arcana, which he says he didn’t find. She asks about Allagash, Boorman says he was taken by trolls. Then, Scorpia asks about Madmartigan. Willow knocks on the door of one of the Brownie houses. 

A woman Brownie, Ganush (Amalia Vitale), comes out annoyed. Then, it is a reunion as we see Rool (Kevin Pollak) who introduces Willow to his daughter. She walks over to a stone bench and falls asleep on it. Willow asks about Franjean and then told he went south because his wife left him for Rool!  Ganush says the wife died, but Rool says she is “further south”, funny. Willow needs the Brownie help to escape and he checks his backpack for the wand, but it is now in the hands of Elora Danan. She tries to use the wand, correctly uses the right words and sets off an explosion with the door! This startles Scorpia from kissing Boorman and Willow with Graydon. Elora has her wand, Kit her sword, and they see Jade is bound to a tree. Lori, unmasked, snatches away the wand, and Kit is taken prisoner. Jade has been freeing herself from the rope, takes a dagger, and holds Scorpia prisoner. Scorpia easily takes her down and they get into a fight with the Bone Reavers cheering them on. Scorpia gets the dagger, but then sees a circular, red mark on Jade’s neck. There is a twist on what we think of the Bone Reavers, Jade, and Tir Asleen along with Galladoorn. Relationships change with the help of the Wildwood truth plums. 

Four Bracelets out of Five! 

#WarwickDavis, #ErinKellyman, #RubyCruz, #AmarChadhaPatel, #EllieBamber, #TonyRevolori, #AdwoaAboah, #KevinPollak, #AmaliaVitale, #ClaudiaHughes, #JoonasSuotamo 

Strolling Through the (Theme Park) One Day: Avengers Campus!

 `Tis The Season To Go to Disney’s California Adventure! I had only gone on Webslingers and not really looked around Avengers Campus the last time. So this was a time to see all of the shows and also go to the Festival of Holidays! So a few tips on Avengers Campus; First you should go early (first depending on your priorities), Second, there are no set times for character meet and greets so if you are looking for a particular character you might spend most of your time there!, Lastly,if you are interested in WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure go almost first thing, it builds up to an hour and a half by mid-day. First for me was to stop over by the Spider-Man photo op. He is just there right to the side of Avengers Campus. 

By the way, this is the same Spider-Man who performs in The Amazing Spider-Man show, more on this later. I asked him about the Spider-Verse and he mentioned Miles. The cast members and characters all have good knowledge about the comics. I think it would be cool to get Spider-Man to sign a Spidey comic maybe the W.E.B. of Spider-Man #1 (2021). The characters I saw, Wasp was meeting some guests, but left. I saw Iron Man at a meet and greet, but I was waiting for Warriors of Wakanda: The Disciplines of the Dora Milaje. On the top level of the Avengers building, there was Captain Marvel by the Quinjet. I’ll save up the others, but if you want a meet and greet you might want to stay for some time at Avengers Campus. I did have the equivalent of a Lightning Lane so I rode again W.E.B. of Spider-Man. 

Captain Marvel, Avengers Campus, photo by the author. 

You can walk around the Ancient Sanctum of Doctor Strange. There is an Avengers ATV, it was part of the show, bringing in Black Widow to Summer of Heroes. So getting to the show with the Dora Milaje. There is a curved set of steps next to the Ancient Sanctum and across from WEB Slingers. This is the stage area, but many people use it to rest.  They are cleared out before the shows. The performers, in this case Okoye and the two Dora Milaje, appear from the left side of the Avengers building. They march over to the stage, the Dora Milaje carry vibranium spears, and guests then are moved towards the stage. Okoye explains that they are there to train all of the recruits. She also asks for a moment of silence for all of the kings and queens of Wakanda, gasp! Then, Okoye asks for a volunteer, of course a kid which is perfect.  

Next, there was The Amazing Spider-Man, there are lines of two against the wall to the right of the Avengers Campus entrance. Spider-Man is at the edge of the rooftop of the building to the far left. He says he is doing “field testing.” Spidey moves to the next building, there is some delay in between areas. He is able to maneuver and back flip so as much Spider-Man as he could be plus there hasn’t been many stunt shows at theme parks lately. Then, there is the leap across a building to the last one. Spider-Man reaches a crane where he lowers on a web upside down. Next, he wall climbs upside a building, and then runs out to the audience and greets almost everyone. It is a great show. I left to see the Holiday Toy Drummers. The show is at Paradise Gardens Park right by toy drummer figures! They are an extremely talented group having fun dancing and using drum tricks. 

                                                                              Mariachi Divas, Pacific Wharf stage, author’s photo. 

Right after that fun show was the Mariachi Divas at Pacific Wharf. Plenty of table space to catch the performance. They start off with “Jingle Bells”, traditional songs, I like these shows! Then, I went back to Avengers Campus to see the Avengers Assemble show. It had Hawkeye greeting guests until he is ambushed by the Tracksuit Mafia. He is joined by Captain America (Steve Rogers) and they easily take on the villains. Big time warning, if you want to see the show, find shade, I was blinded by the sunlight. I went to the Paradise Gardens Park right to the side of Little Mermaid - Ariel’s Undersea Adventure to see the Blue13 Dance Company. The dance group is lively with some Bollywood-style dances and a performance of the story of Dwali. Then, I realized that there was a mini-parade, Mickey’s Happy Holidays, he goes down the street with the Disney characters and the Holiday Toy Drummers! I also caught the Mostly Kosher show at Sonoma Terrace. They mix klezmer music with different sounds and a contemporary sound. Also not to be missed. 

Returning to Avengers Campus, I saw the Sam Wilson Captain America on the Avengers building second floor. Then, I saw the new Black Panther, standing there and waving to fans. Also, the Steve Rogers Cap!, two Caps in the same area!  Next, the M’Baku: The Way of the Jabari show. He gives an example of the Jabari war chant. Two kid volunteers are brought up and one adult who plays the drum. M’Baku wants the audience to join in with shouting! Lastly, there is Dr. Strange: Mysteries of the Mystic Arts. The door has mist crawling up it. Doctor Strange needs help to seal off a mystic shield around Avengers Campus. He opens a cabinet that has magical objects. Strange is searching for the one magical staff that is hidden on some world.  He needs your help to find the staff.  It is ok as a show and probably needs more effects. There is many things to try food wise at Festival of Holidays and great music and dance. Also, Avengers Campus has many opportunities to step into the Marvel superhero world. 

#DisneysCaliforniaAdventure, #AvengersCampus, #FestivalOfHolidays, #TheAmazingSpiderMan, #WarriorsOfWakanda, #TheDisciplinesOfTheDoraMilaje, #MariachiDivas, #AvengersAssemble, #Blue13DanceCompany, #MickeysHappyHolidays, #MostlyKosher, MBakuTheWayOfTheJabari, DrStrangeMysteriesOfTheMysticArts