A Last Tour of Icons of Darkness - Hollywood!

Today was the last day for Icons of Darkness at Ovation Hollywood! There were groups ready for the tour. I did get to see the Wednesday figure and painting at the window. There was also a thank you sign for the final day. Also, a little detail about the re-opening of the exhibit at the Excalibur hotel in 2024. On the tour, I was told that the full body of the T-Rex will be there!, instead of just the head that was in Hollywood location. I had just recently visited so this was a chance to get closeup and catch any photos that I may have missed. I noticed that with the jump scares, one boy was terrified, also a woman veteran was a little on edge, but the tour guide was very careful with both guests. I will say every tour with a new guide makes the experience fun. There are personal likes and info about the films. 

Icons of Darkness, Ovation Hollywood, photo by the author. 

The guide mentioned that the cantina scene from Star Wars was filmed close to the exhibit with Greedo and the movement of the tapir-like mouth. I also noticed that with the Planet of the Apes section was the remote controlled head of Baby Joe used in Mighty Joe Young (1998). The tour also gave me the time to check the life casts that included Bruce Lee, Bela Lugosi, and Christopher Lee. Also, I could see the hand mechanism to activate the Rocketeeer’s jet pack. The tour guests had a great time walking through the exhibit. I hope to go to its new location in Las Vegas! I also managed to see the Avengers handprints at the TCL Chinese Theatre. This trip also allowed me the time to walk down the other side of Hollywood Blvd. and check out more of the Walk of Fame stars. A very tourist thing to do. It is kinda sad to see the state of some of the stars, cracked pavement, dirty, and some street vendors have their carts and wares still set around them. 

The other part was a return to the Hollywood Museum which is also in the area. I really liked that the lobby had Christmas trees and decorations. Hollywood Museum is always great to walk through and see classic Hollywood. I noticed this time a plaque for Tarzan Escapes (1936) with signed cards of Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O’Sullivan. Her star I saw on the Walk of Fame. Weissmuller’s star is five blocks south. By the way, you can look up the location of the individual stars. I also liked seeing the plaque for King Kong (1933) with Fay Wray and Robert Armstrong. They had a room with what looks like the arm of Kong. There was a novel of the encounter between them, King Kong vs. Tarzan (2016), by Will Murray! New to the was the costume of Sigmund Ooze, the lil’ sea monster with the snaggly tooth, from the kid show, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters. It was worn by Billy Barty whom also has a Walk of Fame star. It was fun to see classic Hollywood at the Hollywood Museum and all of the creatures and characters in Icons of Darkness!  

#IconsOfDarkness, #HollywoodMuseum, #TarzanEscapes, #JohnnyWeissmuller, #MaureenOSullivan, #KingKong, #FayWray, #RobertArmstrong, #KingKongVsTarzan, #WillMurray, #SigmundAndTheSeaMonsters, #BillyBarty 

Happy Birthday Stan Lee!

 Happy Birthday Stan Lee! 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 grouped together in Avengers #1 (1963).He also teamed with Kirby to create the mutant team with The X-Men #1 (1963). 

Then, Stan 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 provided narration for Marvel Productions animated series starting with Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981-1983). 

Stan Lee plaque at Avenger’s Campus, 2022, Disney’s California Adventure, photo by the author. 

Lee wrote a number of books 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 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. In 2002, Stan Lee wrote his autobiography, Excelsior!: The Amazing Life of Stan Lee, co-authored with George Mair. 

Stan Lee’s Disney Legend ceremony, 2017, author’s photo. 

He was given his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011. Stan Lee was made a Disney Legend in 2017. In 2018, Stan Lee had cameos in Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Antman and the Wasp, Venom, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse. Stan Lee died in November 2018. His voice work finished with Boss Awesome and as Fred’s Dad in the second season of Big Hero 6: The Series. Lee’s last live action cameos were in Captain Marvel as himself and Avengers: Endgame in 2019. 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.” It seems 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 

Icons of Darkness and Pokemon x Kogei!

Icons of Darkness will be closing its Hollywood location soon, December 30th, so its time look again through the incredible collection of props and costumes! Plus, there is the Pokemon x Koegei exhibition from Japan House that is also at Ovation Hollywood! The free exhibition will close on January 7th. So there is still time to see both before they close! Icons of Darkness faces Hollywood Boulevard and inside are figures of horror, sci fi, superheroes and everything from cinema’s imagination. There were previous articles on Icons of Darkness so let’s get to what may be new since last year. 

Icons of Darkness, Ovation Hollywood, author’s photo. 

First, some of the figures are less clumped together and seemed to be more spaced apart. I did miss Wednesday from the new series displayed at the window. Inside, there is a walkway next to th window, and a display of a Predator fighting Aliens. Also, a Velociraptor leaping at you, and then a large figure of Jack Skellington. On the other side of the entrance is a figure of Jason about to bring down his machete! There is a bench for visitors to wait and behind them are the figurs of a Yeti and Krampus complte with holiday outfits! I did like that on the counter next to the register is the head of one of the Killer Klowns! Inside the exhibition, past the curtain, is a secion for the Batman figures. I noticd that Alfred from th 1986 Batman is carrying a black folder for unsolved cases, nice touch! 

The Suicide Squad’s Starro face mask, Icons of Darkness, photo by the author. 

On the other side, next to Superman, is a case holding the Starro face mask from The Suicide Squad (2021). This was new to me. It was very cool to see the Superman figure clearly instead of bunched up with others. Another addition was the Cat Talisman mask usd in Halle Berry’s Catwoman (2004). This is followed by the screen used Nemesis costume and effect-head fom Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004). Another character from a video game movie, the Goomba, from the live action Super Mario Bros (1994). More new items include a case with the Stripe puppet head from the original Gremlins (1984). 

Stop motion skeletons from Army of Darkness, Icons of Darkness, author’s photo. 

Another case had the screen used cowl worn by Anglina Jolie in Maleficent (2014). Now you can properly see the Sir Alec Guinness life cast from Star Wars (1977) and Logray from Return of the Jedi (1983). Next to Pale Man from Pan’s Labyrinth were three stop-motion skeletons in a case from Army of Darkness (1992). Second, I was able to really get some great closeup shots with different positioned figures and the always moody lighting. Also, in the case of The Rocketeer, change of lighting got some great shots. Plus, it was great to see his glove about to mash the control for the rocket pack! In a case was Thing from the 1991 The Addams Family movie, a static model and one that the remote control. 

Stan Lee’s outfit, Iron Man, photo by the author. 

The other thing to note is the jump scares that go through the exhibiton. They are fun. What seemed new is the Baby Grinch figure next to the full size figure from the live action How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000). I also liked seeing the screen used Captain America shield from The Avengers (2012). In its case was the Green Goblin helmet worn by Willem Dafoe in Spider-Man (2002). Lastly, there was the figure of Stan Lee with his “Hef” costume from Iron Man (2008). The tour gives you enough time to snap great pics, but of course not no video or live streaming. 

Eevee and Vaporeon figures, Taiichiro Yoshida, Pokemon x Kogei, author’s photo. 

At the Japan House is the Pokemon x Koegei exhibition. This is on the second floor of Ovation Hollywood which is free to visit, but no flash photography and backpacks need to be worn in front or held in your hands. It is impressive to see a photo op which was a bench with Psyduck. On a table there were several pottery figures; a Squirtle, Magikarp, and more. These were crafted by artist, Sadamasa Imai. An Eevee from Pokemon Red and Blue used cooper and silver gilding. It was made by Taiichiro Yoshida. A porcelain statue of a trainer in Moonlight outfit was by Shigki Hayashi. This is an impressive fusion of crafts and pop culture. Pokemon x Kogei and Icons of Darkness offer visitors a glimpse of figures from movies, video games, and other franchises! 

#IconsOfDarkness, #Wednesday, #Batman, #Starro, #TheSuicideSquad, #Catwoman, #ResidentEvilApocalypse, #SuperMarioBros, #Gremlins, #Maleficent, #SirAlecGuinness, #StarWars, #Logray, #ReturnOfTheJedi

#ArmyOfDarkness, #TheAddamsFamily, #HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas, #PokemonXKogei, #JapanHouse, #Psyduck, #Squirtle, #Magikarp, #SadamasaImai, #Eevee, #Vaporeon, #TaiichiroYoshida, #Moonlight, #ShigkiHayashi 

 

Strolling Through The (Theme) Park One Day - Knott’s Merry Farm!

Knott’s Berry Farm had started the season on November 17th with their Knott’s Merry Farm celebration! It wasn’t until today, just before Christmas, that I went to the park. The Merry Farm activities finish on January 7th. The photo op at the entrance was festively decorated with presents and Santa’s mailbox. I think it is the cozy size of the park that makes it feel more like Christmas than others. The decorations are less flashy than the larger theme parks, more small town which makes them charming. 

Knott’s Merry Farm, author’s photo. 

The Livery Stable had giant wreaths at the doors. It was great to see the donkey and horse. All throughout the park are small booths with the Christmas Crafts Village. The Ghost Town & Calico Railroad train also sported a wreath. The Bird Cage Theatre features performances of “The Gift of the Magi, 1885” and “A Calico Christmas Carol.” I have to catch one of them soon. I also passed up the Calico Carolers. The Snoopy’s Night Before Christmas ice skating show at the Walter Knott Theater was very popular. I will probably have to try waiting an hour or so another time to watch it. 

                                                                        Native American Dancer, Hoop Dance, at the Indian Trails, photo by the author.

Instead, I decided to wait to Meet Santa at Santa’s Christmas Cabin. This was in the Wilderness Dance Hall at Ghost Town. It was about a two hour wait, but the cabin also had several food booths that had cookies, hot chocolate, and more! I did catch the Native American Dancer at the Indian Trails stage. This was an impressive Hoop Dance that had hoops in brilliant colors, but made of willow in the original tale. There were a number of hoops that the dancer brought up into intricate patterns, I did recognize the eagle, one was the tree. This is not to be missed. Knott’s Merry Farm offers holiday entertainment, treats, and joy that is perfect for the Christmas season! 

#KnottsMerryFarm, #LiveryStable, #ChristmasCraftsVillage, #GhostTownAndCalicoRailroad, #BirdCageTheatre, #TheGiftOfTheMagi1885, #ACalicoChristmasCarol, #CalicoCarolers, #SnoopysNIghtBeforeChristmas, #WalterKnottTheater, #MeetSanta, #SantasChristmasCabine, #GhostTown, #NativeAmericanDancer, #HoopDance 

Anyone But You Review!

Anyone But You is funny, laugh out loud, romance whose leads have such chemistry on screen that social media suspects their chemistry is off screen! The director and co-writer, Wil Gluck, also had similar duties with the rom com Friends with Benefits (2011). 

Ilana Wolpert, the film’s co-writer, worked on the series, High School Musical: The Musical. It is very loosely inspired by the Shakespeare comedy, Much Ado About Nothing. One of my favorites of Shakespeare’s plays. I wish I would have known this part since there is an unreality to the story, it could go into physical comedy, clever dialogue, and absurd characters. 

We are quickly introduced to Bea, short for Beatrice, Messina played by Sydney Sweeney. Cassie Howard is the role Sweeney is known for with the high school drama, Euphoria. Sweeney is also executive producer for the movie. She rushes into a coffee shop to use the restroom. The barista says it is only for customers, yup, and she tries to buy bread, but is shown the long queue. 

Ben (Glen Powell) sees her from his place at the front of the long line. I recognzied Powell for his part as Hangman in Top Gun: Maverick (2022). By the way, the feuding lovers in the Shakespeare comedy were Beatrice and Benedick. He cuts into their conversation and asks if she wants her usual. She adds a tea and he also aks for the bathroom key. She leaves her coat with Ben. An unusual Meet Cute. 

Bea is in the restroom talking to Halle, whom we find out is her sister, about meeting Ben. Then, the sink accidentally sprays her pants! She tries to use the hand drier fan lifting up to air her pants. Social awkwardness is very relatable! Sweeney is game for the physical comedy. Ben checks on her. Bea makes excuses and then takes off her pants to hold them up to the fan! 

Her pants are just dry enough for Bea to walk out and get her coat. Ben attempts to ask Bea out. It is easy to see these two people together. He stamps on the toilet paper clinging to her high heel! A closeup of Ben making a grilled cheese sandwich as we see them walking together at night. Bea says she is studying to be a lawyer at Boston University. He has finished cooking the sandwich and takes them out of the fan. 

Bea immediately starts eating it, but Ben had warned her that it was too hot!  She sees his apartment, Ben explains he works for Goldman Sachs, and she notices a arge wrench on his cabinet. He says it was from his mother before she died. It was a reminder to him, "No matter how broken you are, you can fix it." A very strong character moment that Ben really doesn’t take to heart. 

The next moning, Bea entangles herself from Ben and tries to quietly dress hereself. She stumbles which stirs Ben and Bea leaves his apartment. We have Ben’s friend Pete (GaTa) entering his apartment. The actor and rapper, GaTA, appeared in the Fxx comedy series, Dave. Bea is walking and talking to Halle about spending the night with Ben. She is excited about the romance and Halle convinces her to return to Ben’s place. 

She is about to walk in, but overhears Pete saying that Ben is in love. He replies, “She’s a nothing”! We get that it is “Six Months Later”, cleverly seen in a red bar sign. At the crowded bar, Pete and Ben, meet Pete’s sister, Claudia (Alexandra Shipp) and he girlfriend, Halle (Hadley Robinson). Shipp is also Author Barbie in this year’s phenomenon, Barbie. Robinson also plays Joyce Simdars in this year’s bio drama, The Boys in the Boat. 

Halle asks Bea about her break from Jonathan. Claudia tells Pete that she’s engaged to Halle. Bea and Ben are invited to their wedding on December 22nd. Leo (Dermot Mulroney) and Innie (Rachel Griffiths), Halle and Bea’s parents, say they object to the wedding. This is a video and instead they say the wedding will take place in Australia.  Mulroney returning to rom coms since he is known for one of the most well known film, My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997) which also starred Griffiths. 

#AnyoneButYou, #WilGluck, #IlanaWolpert, #SydneySweeney, GlenPowell, #GaTa, #AlexandraShipp, #HadleyRobinson, #DermotMulroney, #RachelGriffiths, #BryanBrown, #MichelleHurd, #CharleeFraser, #DarrenBarnet, #JoeDavidson 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians, premiere, review!

Percy Jackson and the Olympians has debuted on Disney+ and brings an understanding of Percy's character before we are thrown into his adventures! Percy Jackson & the Olympians is a popular six book series for young readers by Rick Riordan. The first series is called the Camp Half-Bloood Chronicles, which began in 2005.  It was followed by The Heroes of Olympus, and The Trials of Apollo. A film series adapted the first two books; Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010) and Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013). 

The series is created by Riordan and Jonathan E. teinberg who co-created the post-apocalyptic show, Jericho, in 2006. The first episode is entitled, “I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher”, which is also the title of the chapter one. It is written by Riordan and Steinberg. The premiere is directed by James Bobin and he also directed Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019). 

The story begins with Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell), explaining that he didn’t want to be a Half-Blood. Scobell played young Adam in The Adam Project (2022). There is of course another fantasy series that uses the term “Half-Blood” with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It was out at the same year as The Lightning Thief. There is lightning flashing in the night sky as the rain pours down. 

Out of the haze comes Percy aged down from the film’s 16 year old teen to 12, more accurate to the books. Percy warns the viewers about being a Half-Blood. In Greek mythology, of course, they were known as demi-gods. He introduces himself as we see a school hall, a teacher runs up to look out of a window, he races up stairs to the roof. I actually like this beginning that is different from the films and Harry Potter, the magical or in this case mythological at the edges of the real world, instead of everything hidden in a magical world. 

Then, the teacher finds a younger Percy (Azriel Dalman), 2nd grade, staring. As they leave, we see across another building, a black pegasus unfolding its wings! Percy ends up in the office of a counselor (David Beearisto) whose conversation we can’t hear. In class, Percy sees out of the window and armored bull, which he says came from his mother’s stories. This is the Bronze Bull out of Jason and the Argonauts and seems to change into a garbage truck. 

His bullies pass by Percy and he continus to draw the Bronze Bull in his sketch book. His book is filled with mythical creatures that he keeps secret when Percy’s life changes. A minotaur card from a trading card game is placed on his page. This is day Percy meets Grover (Aryan Simhadri). The actor played Hare$h in the Cheaper by the Dozen tv show. He smiles, but gets smacked in the head by a backpack. 

They both laugh at the lunch table. Percy brings up another change on what he says is “the day they decided to come for me.”  At The Met, a teacher, Mr. Brunner (Glynn Turman) says that statues that are the “deepest parts of yourselves.” In the book, it is explained by Percy that Mr. Brunner is the Latin teacher. He  is an older man with a white beard in a wheelchair. Mr. Brunner asks his students to choose on subject. Percy looks at his worksheet and the words waver in a brilliant depiction of dyslexia. Percy looks at the statue of Perseus holding the head of Medusa. 

In flashback, his mother, Sally (Virginia Kull) says he was named Perseus. Kull was in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She also corrects her son that Medusa may not be a monster. Sally tells Percy that she named him after Perseus because the hero and his mother were cast out by the king. Percy snaps out of it calling his mother. A student, Nancy (Olivea Morton), with red hai like the book, mocks him. His teacher, Mrs. Dodds (Megan Mullaly), tells him that he should control himself. Mullally was in the Party Down comedy series, I almost didn't recognize her in this appearance. 

Nancy says he is “special” and Mr. Brunner defends Percy telling him to ignore them. He says that he believes in Percy and gives him a pen. Outside by a fountain, Percy is having sandwiches with Grover, and he tells his friend he would like to push Nancy into a dumpster. Grover says they won’t be in the school forever. He is hit by the remains of a sandwich thrown by Nancy! This is the beginning of the first book. Percy has had enough and starts to confront the bully. The novel has the roar of a wave in his ears and Nancy pulled in by the fountain water. Nancy is thrown to the fountain just by Percy reaching out with his hands! 

She complains about being pushed. Percy notices that there is a humming sound and reaches into his jacket pocket to take out the pen! It vibrates in his hand when he hears in his mind the voice of Mrs. Dodds, “There you are, we’re not fools, Percy Jackson.” She moves through the stunned students. Then, wings unfold from her back! His teacher takes the demonic form of one of the Furies, Alecto! Percy is knocked down, but she is struck by a yellow bolt and is destroyed! I do like this threat, Harry Potter never really seemed to be in trouble until the series got started, and Percy's power is unconscious. Percy comes to with a circle of students around him. 

Mr. Brunner rolls his wheelchair over to him and picks Percy up. Percy wonders what happened and Mr. Brunner says there is no one there named Mrs. Dodds. They are at the headmaster’s office, Percy stesses that he didn’t touch Nancy, Grover sides with Nancy. Betrayal! Percy is alone at a bench, Mr. Brunner moves by him, and tries to tell him that he is special. Percy doesn’t care and just wants to catch a truck to take him home. It is raining when Percy gloomily walks towards an argument inside his apartment home. 

 Inside, his stepfather, Gabe (Timm Sharp) is sitting on a recliner asking him how he got kicked out of school. Percy is angry that Gabe answered his mother’s phone. Sally is sitting outside of a window in the rain. Percy tries to apologize, but she hugs him. His mother knows about the phone call from the headmaster and also Mr. Brunner called her to explain about Grover. Percy says that something has happened and he is scared. Sally tells Gabe, definition of loser, that she is taking Percy to Montauk. She says she will pick up sandwiches for them when she drives back. His mother has Percy pack his bag. 

We pick up again at the night scene, out of the fog is a lantern and the shrouded figures of Charon the Boatman. A spectral voice calls out his fears. Percy wakes up in the car with his mother wiping away her tears! They have reached the cabin and run through the rain to it. A quiet family moment as Sally makes marshmellows and then Percy says they to have a talk. He says he has been daydreaming and Percy starts to talk about the museum. Sally knows that she said something to him. She admits that they go to the cabin every year because she met his father there. Sally tells Percy that he was a god and that he is a Half-Blood! 

Percy is at the age that draws the forces that endangers him. This part of Percy's character is more developed and interesting than what was in the films! He denies being a god. Then, Grover is at the door, he is early. Percy is shocked that his legs are like a goat, a satyr! I like the thin, goat legs. In the car, he says he is Percy’s protector, Grover got him thrown out of school since the forces would attack him. Grover had seen Mrs. Dodds and brings up The Mist that hides the magical world. He says something hid Mrs. Dodds from him. Next, Grover brings up the camp, Sally didn’t quite tell Percy everything he needs to know! He explains that the camp is a Half-Blood sanctuary. There is an explosion behind them in the road and Percy is surprised that it is a minotaur! 

Grover tells Percy that the magical cards were for his training. Sally says they should hold on. The minotaur lopes next to Sally’s window, she slams the car into it, and the minotaur’s horn bashes her window! It has locked onto her steering wheel and then a truck’s horn announces its approach! Sally accelerates pulling the minotaur horn away, the car skids, then darkness. The car has crashed and Percy pulls Grover free. His mother then takes a flashlight to guide them through the rain. Grover has found the barrier and Sally wants Grover to swear to protect her son. She has to leave Percy since she is human and tells him to be brave. 

Sally tells him that he is not broken and to brave the storm. Strong drama in this fantasy show. She takes Percy’s jacket so the minotaur may be confused tracking Half-Bloods. Revealed in the light, the minotaur is an awesome beastie, white-haired and savage. Percy and Grover head to the camp. Sally faces the minotaur and uses Percy’s red jacket like a matador. Percy watches the confrontation. The minotaur holds his mother, Percy screams, and then she fades away! An action moment that drives Percy to take on the minotaur! Percy Jackson and the Olympians has a great blend of young characters in a mythical world, creatures out of mythology, and just enough drama to make an entertaining fantasy series! 

Five Celestial Bronze Swords out of Five! 

#PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians, #IAccidentallyVaporizeMyPreAlgebraTeacher, #RickRiordan, #JonathanSteinberg, #JamesBobin, #WalkerScobell, #AryanSimhadri, #GlynnTurman, #VirginiaKull, #GabeUgliano, #OliveaMorton, #MeganMullaly

Re:tro Re:view - Superman `78: The Metal Curtain #1!

Superman `78: The Metal Curtain #1 continues the movie Superman the Movie set the pace for every superhero film, the first limited series expanded the movie’s characters with comic book potential. The first movie took place in 1978 so the first series would be the time of Superman II, 1980. So The Metal Curtain may be 1983 in place of Superman III! The first series had Superman take on the invasion of Brainiac who miniaturizes him into the Bottle City of Kandor.

There, he reunites with his parents! All while Lex Luthor schemes The cover to the first issue by interor artist Gavin Guidry has a confident Superman with Christopher Reeve’s likeness in front of the glow of green kryptonite! There is an armored suit in the background with Lois, below her it looks like General Sam Lane, and the faces of the villains on the other side. Guidry previously worked on the Aftershock comic, There’s Something Wrong wtih Patrick Todd. Robert Venditti also wrote the previous Superman `78 limited series. The first panels shows the destruction of Krypton! 

We see the familiar crystal shape travel through the galaxy as we see the credits. It heads to Earth, great pov of the crystals closing into a barn and crashing! We think at first that this is some twist on Smallville, but a man approaches in a trapper hat with his rifle and we find that it is Baruta, USSR. 1951! There was also a Superman twist landing in Russia in the Elseworlds mini-series, Superman: Red Son. He finds in the barn the green glare of kryptonite! 

At a warehouse in Metropolis, a military officer and a man in shadow meeting in the glare of red cargo lights. Great work by colorist, Jordie Bellaire. There is an exchange of money by Colonel Evers at midnight. Lois Lane sneaks behind crates with her microphone, but accidentally knocks over a can! Guidry also captures the look of Margot Kidder. Colonel Evers turns and orders the truck to leave. The man in the suit takes off, suit?, seems like Luthor. Lois is captured by Evers and his soldiers. They take her away to be tied up.

Evers says he knows who is her father, General Sam Lane, and taken into a boat to be tied in chains and gagged. He takes out her tape recording and crushes it with his boot. Evers says that what will happen will be in the Daily Planet. Closeups of Evers setting the boat’s throttle and cuts the boat’s docking rope. The boat heads towards a tanker as Lois tries to call for help! It is about to crash when Lois screams under the gag, “Sspprrmmnnn!” I like the sound effect and artwork is clean with great expressions and pacing. A streak of red with the snapped chains and gag. Superman holds Lois as they fly away. 

Still, the boat explodes into the side of the tanker! A crewmember cries out that they’re sinking. Superman sets Lois down at the dock and is gone in a streak of red. We see Superman with his fists forward! Superman wrenches the breach closed, uses his heat vision to seal it, and the crew is amazed. Superman checks on Lois before we shift to the Daily Planet. Lois chases after Perry White who doesn’t want to run her story. Great depiction of Jackie Cooper as Perry White. Perry is angry at the empty coffee pot blaming Steve Lombard. He is an arrogant sports reporter introducd in Superman #264 (1973). He appeared on film in Man of Steel (2013). 

Jimmy Olsen brings Perry a cup of coffee. Guidry is also able to capture Marc McClure as Jimmy.  Lois and Clark both say that her article would be “the story of the century”, funny! Lois gives an angry look at Clark with a red background. A great character moment. In his office, Perry insists that Lois has sources to break her story on the illegal arms sale by the army. He tells her to bring him a complete story and Lois storms away. Perry sips his coffee, stares at the cup, and then shouts about the cream and sugar, brilliant character work by Guidry. Lois tells Clark that Superman had seen the arms deal. She says that someone wants to cover up the story. Lois wonders about Colonel Evers. 

Moscow, USSR. Another zoom to a “secret military bunker”, Colonel Evers’ uniform rests in a furnace in “Sublevel Red 17.” I do like having a Russian threat in the Cold War during this time. It is set on fire and the former Colonel Evers now has his Soviet uniform as Comrade Morosov. He enters a room to meet with Captain Nikolaev and tests his English. Morosov goes over his accomplishments as an officer. He also mentions that the U.S. is protected by Superman and a folder has photos of the Man of Steel. Morosov has contmpt for his motto, “Truth, Justice, and the American Way.” A comment on the recent change to “A Better Tomorrow?” Then, he reveals that they have been developing Kryptonite! The deadly crystal is tied to Nikolaev and a classic Superman villain! Superman `78: The Metal Curtain #1 brings up another comic book foe to take on the Superman of the movies! 

Four Kryptonite Crystals out of Five! 

#Superman78, #TheMetalCurtain, #RobertVenditti, #GavinGuidry, #JordieBellaire, #Superman, #ChristopherReeve, #LoisLane, #MargotKidder, #PerryWhite, #JackieCooper, #JimmyOlsen, #MarcMcClure, #Kryptonite, #ColonelEvers, #ComradeMorosov, #CaptainNikolaev  

Wonka Review!

Wonka is a celebration, a fantasy musical of dreams woven by Paul King, and the beginning of Roald Dahl’s mischevous character! Dahl wrote the novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 1964. The beloved film that adapted it was Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971). It put a stamp on the world of Wonka with the unforgettable performance of Gene Wilder. 

This prequel is still fresh apart from the 1971 movie. Another version followed with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005). This film is directed and co-written by King who is known for directing and writing Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017). Those films were entertaining for adults as well as the rest of the family. Simon Farnaby is the fellow screenwriter who also co-wrote Paddington 2. 

There is the soft keys of a piano that plays “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. The song was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. It is an inspiration, but the score by Joby Talbot and Neil Hannon shifts to a new song. This heralds the appearance of Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) on a ship’s mast from the misty sunset. 

Chalamet is returning as Paul Artreides in Dune: Part Two which would have been incredible if both films were out this year. A four quadrant actor with families in this movie and dramatic work with adults in Dune. Wonka sings “A Hatful of Dreams” which made me immediately want to get the soundtrack. He notes that he has spent seven years at sea and has returned to build his chocolate dream.  

Willy Wonka wears his chocolate colored top hat similar to Gene Wilder’s outfit and a red coat like Johnny Depp’s version of the character. The brilliant costumes are by Lindy Hemming who also designed the costumes in the Paddington films. There is cheer in Wonka that makes him endearing even though he is down to twelve silver sovereigns. 

He heads to the Galleries Gourmet holding his chocolate bar with the Wonka wrapper. Wonka daydreams in pink hues of his own chocolate shop, but is charged by Officer Affable (Kobna Holdbrook-Smith). He gives his last two sovereigns to a lady with a baby, his kindness is endless, at the end of the song! Wonka sets his suitcase on a bench with a candle and a cup that he fills with chocolate milk. 

A burly man finds him at the bench, this is Mr. Bleacher (Tom Davis), and offers him a place to stay without pay. Davis played T-Bone in Paddington 2. This is the boarding house of Mrs. Scrubbett played by Olivia Colman. It is a deliciously wicked part for Colman who plays Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown. The queen, herself, had filmed a sketch with Paddington, for the Platinum Jubilee last year. 

Wonka introduces himself as a magician and inventor. Mrs. Scubbett offers a contract for only a soverign the next day for the room. A young girl, Noodle (Calah Lane) tells him to read the small print. Lane has a few acting credits including a 2021 episode of the comedy, Family Reunion. She is a talent to look out for in future projects. 

Mrs. Scrubbett says that Noodle suffers from “Orphan Syndrome.” The papers of the contract rolls out and Wonka signs it. She takes him to his room and then Noodle is thrown into a dark room. The next day, Wonka heads over to the Galleries Gourmet, and has a tiny flag unfold from his cane with his suitcase as a stand to present his chocolates. He draws in a crowd with his chocolates. 

It also gets the attention of another chocolatier, Arthur Slugworth (Paterson Joseph). Samuel Wells is played by Joseph in the drama series, The Boat Story. His fellow chocolatiers are Fickelgruber (Matthew Baynton) and Prudonse (Matt Lucas). Baynton stars as Thomas Thorne in the supernatural comedy series, Ghosts. Lucas is a comedian and played Tweedledee and Tweedledum in Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016). 

Slugworth tells his assistant, Miss Bon Bon (Freya Parker), to call the police. He greets Wonka with a crushing handshake. Wonka gives the three tycoons his hoverchoc, they identify some of the ingredients which Wonka says is marshamallow, caramel, and cherries from his many travels! Noodle is passing by with her wagon and stops to watch. Slugworth declares that the chocolate is the worst. 

Then, they find the affect of the hoverchocs floating into the air! Wonka explains that the hoverflies have emerged from their cocoons so it is magic through the ingredients. Wonka offers the hoverchocs to the crowd and they start hovering! The Chief of Police (Keegan-Michael Key) arrives with his officers and they start to pull down hovering people. Key plays Josh Skinner in the musical comedy series, Schmigadoon! 

#Wonka, #PaulKing, #SimonFarnaby, #TimotheeChalamet, #CalahLane, #JimCarter, #NatashaRothwell, #RakheeThakrar, #RichFulcher, #HughGrant, #SallyHawkins, #OliviaColman

#TomDavis, #KobnaHoldbrookSmith, #KeeganMichaelKey, #PatersonJoseph, #MattLucas, #MatthewBaynton, #RowanAtkinson