Game of Thrones, “The Bells”, Review!

A letter is written about the “true heir to the Iron Throne” by Varys. A kitchen girl, Massa, speaks with Varys.  Tyrion watches the landing of Jon Snow with Varys who tries to imply Jon should take the Iron Throne.  Jon’s loyalty is still to his queen (and aunt).  Tyrion meets with Daenerys who knows about a betrayal.  He tells her it is Varys.  She sees it as a betrayal and places it on Jon and Tyrion. Daenerys turns away.  Varys is writing and hears a sound.  He burns a letter and takes off his rings.  Grey Worm is there to take him away.  Tyrion sees him there at the underground seaside cave.  Daenerys and Jon are also present.  Tyrion says he pointed Varys out.  He says goodbye to Tyrion who walks back.  Daenerys gives her sentence when the dragon’s head of Dracarys raises up and burns the Master of Whisperers.  Next to a fire, Dany shows Grey Worm a bracelet belonging to Missandei which he throws to the fire, then Jon enters.  She blames Varys’ death on Sansa Stark.  They kiss in Targaryen fashion.  Tyrion talks to the people of the  worried about the children burning in the fires.  Daenerys says it is Cersei using her advantage.  She has Grey Worm ready the Unsullied and Tyrion says that the ringing of the bells means the people have turned against his sister.  Daenerys tells Grey Worm to call of the attack at the bells.  Tyrion is about to leave when she tells him that his brother has reached the lines.  She says she will tolerate only one more mistake. 

GAME OF THRONES -- “The Bells” -- LIAM CUNNINGHAM, KIT HARINGTON, PETER DINKLAGE -- Helen Sloan/HBO. 

Tyrion and Jon are on a boat headed towards the landing.  They meet Davos and Tyrion asks a favor of him.  Night, Arya and the Hound ride up to the camp, telling a guard she is there to kill Cersei.  Tyrion tries to speak to an Unsullied guard to meet with the prisoner, Jaime.  He sees his brother chained who shows his metal hand.  Tyrion wants Jaime to try to convince their sister to stop the war.  He says he knows the city’s defense and fears its destruction.  He says there is a way to past the Red Keep and to take a boat to Pentos.  Tyrion uses a key to free his brother and has him ring the bells.  He just wants to save the people at the cost of his own life.  Tyrion thanks Jaime for keeping him alive.  They hug, brother to brother.  Day, a bell tower where the Iron Fleet waits, Euron Greyjoy is there with his scorpions.  Soldiers man the walls.  The people take cover in their houses.  The Hound and Arya walk among the chaos.  Jaime heads to the bell tower.  The Golden Company waits with spears in formation.  Davos Jon, and Tyrion are on the other side of the battlefield.  Cersei looks at King’s Landing.  The Hound and Arya make it past the gate which is closed, the people and Jaime are trapped behind it, he tries to call out.  Cersei and Tyrion wait.  Euron looks to the clouds.  Drogon flies down, bolts are thrown, but the dragon burns the ships.  Euron is thrown into the waters as the dragon swoops away from the scorpions and starts to burn them.  

The armies wait.  A fiery explosion breaches the wall and scatters the Golden Company.  The Unsullied charge and Grey Worm throws his spear striking down Harry Strickland (Marc Rissmann).  The horse riders race into the city.  Dracarys flames a scorpion and then ignites the Golden Company.  Cersei sees her defenses burn.  Tyrion walks among the destruction.  Drogon destroys another part of the wall.  Cersei hopes for a lucky shot on the dragon and believes the Red Keep will stand.  Jon and Grey Worm go through the city and stand before the defenders.  Tyrion looks at the bell tower.  Jaime is making his way to it.  The dragon appears above the fleeing citizens.   It lands on a wall and roars at them.  A captain throws down his sword and the other defenders.  Shadows appear on the Red Keep.  There are calls for “Ring the bells!”  Jaime makes his way through the crowds.  Daenerys is on Drogon looking at the Red Keep.  The bells ring and Jon is relieved.  Daenerys is angry and sends Drogon towards the Red Keep.  The people and soldiers burn with Drogon’s flame.  Grey Worm kills the captain with a spear and the other soldiers slaughter the defenders, but Jon tries to call them back.  Grey Worm is ruthless killing men left and right.  There is no more King’s Landing.  It is all in flame and blood.  Davos tries to evacuate people.  

GAME OF THRONES -- “The Bells” -- LENA HEADEY -- Helen Sloan/HBO. 

Jon sees the people in fear. Strangely, a burning city about to be destroyed, ashes in the air, reminds me of the Kit Harington movie, Pompeii (2014).  Jon pulls a soldiers from a woman and kills him.  After putting most of the city to flame, Cersei sees the dragon burning the Red Keep towers.  Jaime reaches the boat and sees Euron.  They start to duel.  Drogon starts destroying the Red Keep collapsing it on the people.  The fight is vicious and Jaime gets in a blow to Euron’s throat.  Euron gets the sword and stabs Jaime who falls.  Qyburn wants to evacuate the queen.  Cersei is crying, umm, too late.  He takes her away as the fire begins to break out.  Euron gloats over his win.  Jaime tries to reach for his sword, Euron stabs him, but Jaime cuts him deep with his sword.  As he dies, Euron is proud that he killed Jaime Lannister.  The Hound and Arya see the destruction of the Red Keep.  He says that Cersei is dead.  The Hound says that he lived for revenge and doesn’t want her to look like him.  She thanks Sandor Clegeane, I think he still has to confront his brother.  The roof collapses and the Mountain (Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson) uses his body to protect Cersei and Qyburn. The Hound looks up the steps at his brother and kills the guards.  Cersei tries to command Gregor Cleagane to protect her.  He kills Qyburn throwing him aside.  Cersei walks past the Hound.  Sandor’s sword is held by the Mountain, he cuts off his helmet to see his deathly face, we finally see his face after being hidden in his helmet.  Cersei makes her way down steps, suddenly worried, to a map of Westros.  Jaime sees his sister, she cries, and he hugs her.  This is a strange reunion.  

The fight continues between Sandor and The Mountain.  He drives his sword in, but the Mountain still lives, and knocks him down.  His brother draws out the sword and walks down like a massive Frankenstein.  He tosses his brother.  Arya sees the destruction and suffering people.  Arya starts to run and is caught in a fleeing crowd.  The Mountain pummels Sandor.   He lifts Sandor up by the throat, Sandor uses a knife to cut into him, and then his eyes are crushed before he gets the knife into the Mountain’s head.  He tackles his brother and they both fall off the tower and into the flames.  Jon sees the green Wildfire green explode and then sees Davos.  Jon calls for a retreat and runs with Davos.  Arya is covered with ashes and bloody, she wakens and coughs.  A tower begins to crack and she runs.  It is dark and she sobs.  Is this the innocent Arya returned?  Could she be the ruler who saves the people of King’s Landing.  She takes survivors to leave the city.  Riders run down a woman she was trying to take to safety.  She helps up the woman and her child.  Dragonfire drops down on them!  Jaime takes his sister through the ruined halls.  He sees the passageway is entirely covered with rubble.  Cersei says she wants her baby to live.  Sure after all of the people and children that died under her reign?  He holds her as there is a massive collapse.  Ashes fall on the destroyed city.  Arya looks at the aftermath of the dragon’s attack.  She sees a white horse and reaches out to take its bridle.  Arya rides away from the burning city.  I imagine the Iron Throne is melted down or destroyed.  This may be Jon taking the throne and maybe Arya deals with Dany.  Daenerys of course fell for the same anger that consumed her brother.  

Four Shards of Dragonglass out of Five!   

#GameofThrones, #TheBells, #MarcRissmann, #HafþórJúlíusBjörnsson

Happy Birthday Domhnall Gleeson!

Happy Birthday Domhnall Gleeson!  He started in genre films as Bill Weasley in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) and 2 (2011) finishing that series. Gleeson then had a small role in Dredd (2012) before starring in a 2013 episode of Black Mirror. He had a lead role in the romantic time traveling film About Time (2014). One of Domhnall Gleeson's best roles was as Jon Burroughs in Frank (2014), strange, but completely brilliant. 

Next, he starred as Caleb in Ex Machina (2014) along with his fellow Star Wars co-star, Oscar Isaac. Domhnall Gleeson of course played General Hux in The Force Awakens (2015) and Last Jedi (2017). He also played the writer, A.A. Milne, in Goodbye Christopher Robin (2017).  Gleeson faced the mischievous title character as Mr. McGregor in Peter Rabbit (2018).  He has upcoming Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker out in theaters on December 20th!  Happy Birthday Domhnall Gleeson!

#DomhnallGleeson, #AboutTime, #ExMachina, #PeterRabbit, #StarWarsTheRiseofSkywalker 

Star Trek: Discovery - Fight for the Future Exhibition!

There is an opportunity to view artifacts from the U.S.S. Discovery and even have a chance to sit in the command chair!  Star Trek: Discovery has completed its second season and I missed it.  I loved the first season, but the second just slipped away with all of the streaming services and other diversions.  Still, I was intrigued enough to go to the Paley Center and see the exhibition.  It is free and I’m told parking is underneath the center.  The exhibition at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills opened on May 8th and runs until July 7th.  It is actually stunning to not only see Star Trek: Discovery signage wrapped around the center, but to also see important costumes facing the windows.  There is Saru peering from the second floor peering at Beverly Boulevard.  A trio of costumes are next to the entrance; the red shirt of Nhan (Rachael Ancheril), Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), and Spock (Ethan Peck). 

Enterprise model, Star Trek: Discovery - Fight for the Future, Paley Center for Media, photo by the author.

The staff of the Paley Center was incredibly helpful in explaining the exhibition and the Paley Center programs.  There is a photo op wall that showcases the Fight for the Future exhibition.  Suspended above everything is the Red Angel suit.  Past the Star Fleet officer costumes is the model of the Enterprise.  There is a VR headset that you can put on to get a 360 degree look at the bridge.  The next room has the model of the Discovery.  On the left is a display case with a communicator, tricorder, hand phaser, and phaser pulse rifle, I think these were seen at Comic Con.  What interested me was that the phasers ended in what looked like old time three lens movie cameras.  There were two rows of three sets of Star Fleet uniforms.  On the left is the dark coat of Spock and also on the walls are some incredible artwork of the Star Trek: Discovery world.  To the right is the head of the Osnullus, a new alien crewmember with a pinkish head and a mass by his nose and mouth region.  This of course leads to the command chair of the Discovery.  I was fascinated by the controls on the armrests, on the left is communication with parts of the ship and alerts, on the right is controls for the ship so basically the captain can run the entire ship from the command chair!  This is of course a popular photo op spot.  

Discovery command chair,  Star Trek: Discovery - Fight for the Future, Paley Center for Media, photo by the author.

On the other side is the uniforms of Klingons and behind them a bat’leth, the time crystal props, and Klingon props; disruptor, D’k tahg knife, and mek’leth (the last two are basically sharp and deadly).  Then, there is the prosthetics of L’Rell.  Towards the window are the costumes of Georgiou’s Section 31 uniforms.  There are stairs next to the right wall that gives a great overview and leads to an impressive prop of the Gorn skull.  I was looking at the intricate details of the skull.  You pass the Saru costume and then to the second floor.  This leads to the Talosian costume and plants.  Then, two suits of the Red Angel, before you enter the next room.  This has the stunning Frozen Vulcan Head, on the left are Vulcan costumes, then a row of masks; a Tellarite, the Saurian Linus, and Andorian.  On the other side is the several pieces of the cyborg Aurian’s head.  There are time lapse videos of applying the masks and appliances to the actors.  To the right is two space suits and a Section 31 badge.  I would recommend an early or late visit so the sunlight doesn't interfere with pics.  This is a brilliant exhibition and a must for anyone who even a slight interest in anything Star Trek!      

Saru's costume and mask, Star Trek: Discovery - Fight for the Future, Paley Center for Media, photo by the author.

#StarTrekDiscovery, #FightfortheFuture, #PaleyCenter, #Saru, #RedAngel 

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu Review!

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu has a few mysteries with the family friendly beasties and a threat to all of the Pokemon!  In world building, it has the charm of the Pokémon, but also a Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988) story nod and interaction with the actors.  I also have to preface everything by saying I know just about nothing about Pokémon besides Pikachu.   I tried to see some of the anime and bought a few packs of the cards, my nephew and niece tried to explain the game to me, I didn’t understand a thing.  The first Pokémon trading card game appeared in 1996 by Media Factory in Japan.  The Pokémon Company produced the game in 2003.  The first video game was on Game Boy released in 1996.  Pokémon Go was the mobile game released for phones by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company in 2016. The anime series has been running in films and animated series since 1996.  So Pokémon is a strong multi-media franchise that has fans of all ages.  What struck me about the trailer is that the movie seemed like fun and you can enter the Pokémon world without pre-knowledge.  

The film is directed by Rob Letterman who directed the animated Monsters vs. Aliens (2009), the live action Gulliver’s Travels (2010), and injected fun into the Goosebumps (2015) movie.  It is has a story by Nicole Perlman, Benji Samit, and Dan Hernandez.  The screenplay is by Hernandez, Samit, Letterman, and Derek Connolly.  The movie opens in the forested hills where there is a secluded research facility.  In a lab, is a scientist, Dr. Ann Laurent, played by Rita Ora.  She is known as a singer, she has the song “Carry On” in the film’s soundtrack, but she also has acting credits including Fifty Shades Freed (2018).  There is a capsule, almost like a Poké Ball, containing a Pokémon, in this case, Mewtwo.  This is a pale, cat-like Pokémon with pale fur and looks vaguely humanoid and lizard-like with a long tail.  There is a malfunction, a man races away, and the capsule starts to crack until Mewtwo breaks free.  His power raises like a fountain, a car speeds down a road, and Mewtwo starts to pursue the car.  He sends out a blast that sends the car off a bridge.  Mewtwo floats above the car as the unknown driver tries to crawl away.  

This shifts to the woods, there are some Poké birds flying, and we find two friends, Jack (Karan Soni) and Tim (Justice Smith).  Soni is very funny and of course played Dopinder in Deadpool 2 (2018) with co-star Ryan Reynolds.  Smith is the lead, he was also Franklin Webb in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), there he was screaming and running away, here he is doing the same, but he is likeable and fun in both films.  Jack is convincing Tim to capture a Pokémon, this is a Cubone.  The crying Pokémon is a lil’ dinosaur with a skull helmet.  The capturing of a Pokémon is explained here; Tim throws a Poké Ball that takes in the Cubone Ghostbuster-style, but it does not go well.  Cubone chases them with a bone!   Tim recieves a letter about his father and takes the train to Rhyme City.  For some reason, this reminds me of the animated Zootopia (2016) with an innocent going to the big city and encountering strange animals in a sinister plot.  It also reminds of that film’s wonder with interesting Pokémon and I would like to live there. 

Tim watches a news report noting that Pokémon in Rhyme City live in harmony with humans.   Important for the city is Howard Clifford (Bill Nighy), head of Clifford Industries who is afflicted with a disease that has made him weak so he values Pokemon.  Nighy is of course a genre vet with the Underworld films including Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009), Davy Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007), and of course Philip in Shaun of the Dead (2004).  His son, Roger Clifford (Chris Geere) also works at the company as the CEO.  Geere plays Jimmy Shive-Overly in the comedy series You’re the Worst.  The characters and setting are featured in the Detective Pikachu game released by Nintendo in 2018.  Tim heads over to his father’s office at the Rhyme City Police Department and meets with an associate, Lieutenant Hide Yoshida, played by Ken Watanabe.  He of course was Katsumoto in The Last Samurai (2003), then starred in Inception (2010), and reprises his role of Dr. Ishiro Serizama in Godzilla: King of the Monsters set for release on May 31st.  His Pokémon partner is Snubbull, a gruff, bulldog with pink fur.  

Tim returns to his father’s apartment and using his key checks his mailbox.  There he meets Lucy Stevens (Kathryn Newton) who is trying to investigate the disappearance of his father.  Newton is in the drama series Big Little Lies and starred in the comedy Blockers (2018).  Her character’s enthusiasm reminds of the awkward anime characters that try to work their way to taking the lead.  Her Pokémon partner is Psyduck, a small duck with a long bill, who of course likes saying “Psyduck!” which is like Groot having meaning known to other Pokémon.  Tim enters the apartment and begins checking his father’s items.  He finds a tube filled with an unusual purple gas called The R.  It expands and begins to infect Pokémon that were clinging to the stairs outside of the apartment.  These are Aipom, purple fuzzies, that become vicious with The R.  This is the threat that we soon learn will be dangerous to Pokémon and people.  Tim encounters Pikachu one of the most well known Pokémon.  He has the roundish, yellow body with beady eyes, ears and tail with black tips.  

The design of Pikachu is of course adorable and Reynolds is of course known for Deapool 2 (2018) and The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017).  It seems like Reynolds is going the Tooth Fairy route, but he really has fun with the part and there is an important reason why Reynolds voices Pikachu.  It reminds me of the Laika animated film, Kubo and the Two Strings (2016).  Pikachu has followed clues mainly his detective hat had the apartment address and has found that he lost his powers and memory.  They have to find out what happened to Tim’s father, Pikachu’s memory, and the mystery behind The R.  There are some twists which really add to the film’s story.  It is fun for families and I know some in the audience were excited at the appearances of some of the Pokémon.  I nodded off twice, I think it may be due to the 3D glasses, but it could be the movie.  Still, I think this is perfect for Pokémon lovers, and I’m interested in learning more about the Pokémon world.  Gotta catch this film in theaters!  

Three Poké Balls out of Five! 

#PokemonDetectivePikachu, #RobLetterman, #JusticeSmith, #RyanReynolds, #KathrynNewton

Cloak and Dagger, “Vikingtown Sound”, Review!

Tandy has given up hope and captured by Andre.  We hear some jazz as a paper floats, a missing girl poster, picked off the street in a garbage truck that passes the Viking motel.  The horn blows inside the room played by Andre, Tandy is asleep on the bed, and then all is dark.  O’Reilly enters a drug lab with police tape, a crime scene, and Cloak enters.  Tyrone picks up a shovel that was sliced and both recognize it was by Tandy.  She wakes up in the bed.  Andre tells her that she should be careful not to move from the bed.  He says the experiences were real for her.  Tyrone is beating himself up for being angry at Tandy.  She stands up and tries to form her Light Dagger, but can’t form it.  Without hope, she will need Tyrone to activate her powers.  Lia enters the motel room with a huge man, Bo (Theodus Crane).  Adina works on her kitchen and sees Conners tied in a chair who wakes up.  He asks to use the restroom while she starts cooking to work things out.  Adina is still angry at Conners killing Billy.  Lia tells Tandy the routine.  She opens the door to show Tandy they are free to go.  Lia tells Tandy her friends won’t save her.    

CLOAK AND DAGGER - “Vikingtown Sound” - OLIVIA HOLT, BROOKLYN MCLINN - Alfronso Bresciani/Freeform.

Tyrone searches Andre’s center and then sees him.  He says he is looking for Tandy.  Tyrone intorduces himself to shake hands and sees the record store and the “Tandy + Tyrone” tape on a record.  Antoine using his dream world power flips the record with the tape, “Tandy Does Not Care About You.”  The girl, Del (Bianca A. Santos), sweeping the room is told the reality by Tandy.  Conners explains about the night of the oil rig explosion.  He explains about the changing of records.  Then, he says he spent eight months and finding himself.  Otis enters and sees Conners.  Tyrone sees the Tyrone Johnson record.  Andre goes to seeing the wave pattern he saw on the record wall, but Chantelle is suspicious.  Tandy sees the opportunity to escape and tries to leave walking out.  She sees a bus and starts to run towards it.  Bo pulls her back.  Lia was informed by Del.  Bo covers Tandy’s mouth and Del breathes smoke that knocks her out.  This is an important part of the episode, the cult mentality, where the abused are told what their abusers want them to believe.  Conners hears the arguments and moves the chair to use his mouth and take a cutting knife, but drops it before Adina returns.  She asks where is Billy’s body.  

Misery is at the record store and takes off the record and puts on a Tandy record.  We really haven’t seen Misery until this point.  The dream world with the records shows up again here, the way D’Spayre controls his victims.  This gives something to Tyrone on the city tram and he is joined by girl ballet dancers, he puts on his cloak.  Tandy wakes up, checked by Lia, but she can’t move.  Lia tells about her dress up as a kid and puts a white dress on Tandy.  She places headphones onto Tandy.  Misery plays a record of sirens and then Tyrone sees several passing ambulances.  He makes a call from a rooftop and has some spray paint.  Chantelle knows that Andre is close to becoming a god.  She is suspicous about Andre.  He stabs her.  At the record store, he sees a pile of records and Chantelle is there!  Tyrone has spray painted a pattern on the roof.  An ambulance driver stops and Tyrone cloaks in to ask where is Tandy.  Del checks on Tandy.  She was told some expected girls were killed and Tandy says they were saved.  

CLOAK AND DAGGER - “Vikingtown Sound” - OLIVIA HOLT - Alfronso Bresciani/Freeform.

Chantelle says to Andre the pattern shows “the bridge, the waves, the water.”  She sees Misery outside.  He challenges her to play records.  There is a baby crying, Evita, and she shows no fear.  In the Johnson house, Connors says they could not find Billy’s body, Adina doesn’t belive him and starts crying.  She only wants to bury her son.  He tells her his body is at the fairground.  Adina thanks him.  The Viking motel at night, Del sees Bo checking on the candy machine, Lia sees she has taken his cell phone.  Del knows the truth.  Tandy hears this from the next room and forms her Light Dagger.  I really like it is Tandy saving Del, but it is Del who gives Tandy back hope.  Misery shatters the records.  The ambulance crashes and Cloak appears.  Lia struggles with Del and Tandy cuts through the wall with the Light Dagger.  Tyrone fights with Bo and uses his cloak powers to defeat him.  She throws Light Daggers and finally the pair see each other, but Tyrone collapses.  He seems to be dissolving!  This almost seems like the death scene in the dream world that stole away Tandy’s hope, but we know the duo will find a way.     

Four Light Daggers out of Five!   

#CloakandDagger, #VikingtownSounds, #BiancaASantos, #TheodusCrane 

Tolkien Review!

It is always fascinating to peek into the minds behind the greatest fantasies and the bio pic Tolkien offers a dream-like vision of the life of J.R.R. Tolkien!  The Tolkien estate had released a statement on film, “They do not endorse it or its content in any way.”  Kallum Tolkien, I was told by a film rep, appears in this movie as a soldier.   Still, there are actions that Ronald Tolkien and Edith take that would make the family take pause, but this is a fantasy.  This may make filmgoers take pause.  There are documentaries and biographies like Humphrey Carpenter’s J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography if you want more factual accounts.  

This movie brings the real life characters and places and brings a dramatic and fictional story that I quite enjoyed.  I think of it as the same as Middle-Earth, there is no truth there its history or mythology with any real world equivalents, but what is presented is fascinating.  The film is directed by Dome Karukoski who directed another film, Tom of Finland (2017), he discussed his research and making this film in a Q&A after the movie.  It is wirtten by David Gleeson, who also co-wrote the mystery, Don’t Go (2018) and Stephen Beresford who wrote the screenplay for the bio comedy drama, Pride (2014).    

The film opens with images of a white and black knight against a blasted, hellish landscape.  This resolves to the World War I battlefield of the Somme.  This would be 1916 taking place at the River Somme in France.  There is the trenches and there is the resting form of Tolkien played by Nicholas Hoult.  He, played Nux in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), starred in The Favourite (2018), and has upcoming Dark Phoenix.  The film of course rests on his shoulders as the lead.  He brings, Ronald, as a romantic figure, the creativity is there as artist and linguist, but this is Tolkien on the road to forming Middle-Earth.  

Tolkien flashes back to his childhood, now played by Harry Gilby.  His brother, Hilary (Guillermo Bedward) is also in the household, but we don’t get much from him.  Tolkien’s mother, Mabel (Laura Donnelly) is his teacher and we find he is sensitive about the loss of his father and the move from South Africa to Sarehole, England.  She is the storyteller at night telling him the story of Sigurd and his slaying of the dragon Fafnir.  We see the shadows from a zoetrope spinning and the young Tolkien seeing the dragon on the ceiling.  

Father Francis (Colm Meaney) speaks to Mabel Tolkien and she has told the family that they have to move to Rednal and Ronald finds that his mother has passed away.  This would be 1904.  Tolkien finds himself in the orphan house of Mrs. Faulkner (Pam Ferris).  He is also enrolled into King Edward’s School.  The class struggles with the Old English of Chaucer’s Canterbury’s Tales and Ronald proves himself by reading it without the text.  This is something English majors go through, almost a rite of passage, and Gilby is impressive there.  

Later, during rugby, he gets into a fight with classmate, Robert Gilson (Albie Marber).  They meet with the headmaster played by Owen Teale and told they must shadow each other.  It is later revealed that Robert is his son.  Robert offers Tolkien to tea, but he refuses so Geoffrey Smith (Adam Bregman) has Tolkien join their group.  They take tea at the Barrow’s Stores and decide to name their group the T.C.B.S., Tea Club and Barrovian Society.  Geoffrey has ambitions to be a poet, Robert wants to be an artist, and Christopher (Ty Tennant) loves music.  Their slogan which Ronald explains from the Norse underworld is “Helheimr!” which is basically “Seize the day.”  

The other orphan there is a girl, Edith Bratt (Mimi Keene) whom Mrs. Faulkner has play piano for her.  Of course Ronald is entranced by her from a glimpse and her music.  She later confides that she wants something fancy so he begins saving money in a jar.  At the trenches, Tolkien is searching for Geoffrey, he is joined by a fellow soldier (Craig Roberts).  He was the lead in the Richard Ayoade film, Submarine (2010).  We find later that the soldier’s name is Sam Hodges, of course his name is Sam, and we now his connection to a journey in the Lord of the Rings.  Now we get the older Ronald Tolkien played by Hoult.  The T.C.B.S. is now good friends.  

The leader seems to be Robert (Patrick Gibson), but there is also Geoffrey (Anthony Boyle) and Christopher (Tom Glynn-Carney).  Boyle was in The Lost City of Z (2016) and Glynn-Carney starred in Dunkirk (2017).   It was actually difficult to distinguish between the other members of the T.C.B.S.  They don’t stand apart like in such movies as Dead Poets Society (1989).  The members are looking to get into Cambridge and Oxford with Tolkien trying for the latter college.  Ronald sneaks away with Edith, now played by Lily Collins, first to take tea.  Collins was of course Snow White in Mirror Mirror (2012) and played Fantine in this year’s Les Miserables tv mini-series.  She is charming in this role, there is a quality when she is dancing under the trees, which Collins explained was to listening to Florence + the Machine.  

There is a moment at the tea room (seen in many clips) where Tolkien is working out his creation, Edith inspires him, we see his love of languages, and of course adoration of Edith.  She has a mischievous streak.  Still, they are challenged by being orphans, Edith doesn’t want to be under the control of Mrs. Faulkner, and their financial conditions.  The T.C.B.S. is shooting pool at Robert’s house believing his father is away.  He returns and Robert stands up to him that he promised his friends that they could stay and doesn’t want to break his promise. It is really this group of friends and creative people that may have inspired Tolkien with the Fellowship of the Ring.  

Edith has always wanted to go to Das Rheingold, Wagner’s opera, but they can’t afford seats.  I think there should be an adaptation that is part operatic, but also fantasy on the Lord of the Rings scale.  P. Craig Russell adapted the opera for Dark Horse into four comic book limited series.  Highly recommended for anyone who is interested in this story encapulating Norse mythology.  Father Francis speaks to Tolkien afterwards and tells him his studies have been distracted by Edith so he must work on his scholarship to Oxford like his mother wanted and stay away from Edith.  This is all contrasted with the World War I battlefield where there are pools of blood, bodies, and running in No Man’s Land.  Where is Wonder Woman when you need her?  It is clear that Tolkien hoped to create Middle Earth as way to take away reader’s worries from such harsh realities.  There is also the appearance of Derek Jacobi as Professor Wright who is influential in defending his language and world building.  Both Hoult and Collins are perfect for the romance.  I would have liked to see the Inklings that were important in forming Lord of the Rings.  It is a beautiful film that reveals it’s subject matter in dream images.  

Four Helheimrs! out of Five!   

#TolkienMovie, #DomeKarukoski, #NicholasHoult, #LilyCollins 

Cloak and Dagger, “B Sides”, Review!

The episode opens with someone looking through the records of Tandy Bowen’s life ending with “The Perfect Life”, the record is played and we get the young Tandy next to the young Tyrone on the beach.  We saw the record store in the Cloak dimension.  Tandy’s father, Nathan (Andy Dylan), and Ty’s brother run up to them.  Then, we get Tandy giving a cheer to Tyrone as a police officer(!) next to Evita with his family there.  Then, Connors enters and everyone is happy he arrived.  Otis thanks Connors for being Tyrone’s mentor.  Chantelle gives Ty a protective root.  The strange dream seems almost like a perfect world, but it screams out even if normal that there is something wrong.  What is wrong and evil is still out there.  Tandy along pours herself another glass of champagne.  Her parents tell her about dancing for the New York City Ballet.  Melissa asks Duane (Dalon J. Holland) to dance.  Her father reaches out to touch his wife and this disturbs Tandy.  Everyone stares at her.  Tandy’s memory is still there in this fantasy.  Tyrone walks over to speak with Tandy later in the porch.  He is amazed that she would fly out from New York to see his graduation.  They walk to get ice and they go over their first meeting.  They reach a store and he explains that because of Tandy Connors didn’t arrest his brother and himself.  They get the ice and a punk kid tries to hit on her and not ahappy at hanging around with Tyrone.  The paranoid store owner pulls a gun on them.  Tyrone has handed his badge to Tandy.  She drops the ice, the owner fires, and Tandy touches Ty sending off the Dagger light.  Tyrone falls into boxes and the Cloak darkness spreads from him.  She is surprised she has a Light Dagger.  

CLOAK AND DAGGER -- “B Sides” -- OLIVIA HOLT -- Alfronso Bresciani/Freeform.

This moves to the kitchen where Melissa is making lunch and Tandy in a Roxxon shirt looks over to see a Roxxon hard hat.  Another record is played, “Fractured Family.”  Tandy is confused as her mother explains that she is going on a helicopter to check on Roxxon.  She hears sirens which gives her a headache.  She gets a call from Mr. Scarborogh. Melissa mentions that she earned her job not just from her father.  The helicopter heads over to the oil rig.  The workers are busy so Tandy sees a worker who looks like Tyrone and Billy. Mina is angry that Scarborogh sent someone to check on her.  She calls her “Structural Engineering Barbie.”  A worker comes out of an ambulance door.  We know that Tandy is trapped in an ambulance in the real world.  Tyrone takes Tandy to a control room.  Tandy is working for Roxxon in this world because of her mother.  Oil workers Tyrone and Tandy are fine and we get back to Roxxon, but reality is intruding.  Tandy notices the pressure build-up.  Dr. Hess is still angry at Tandy.  Tyrone and Tandy try to warn her.  She sees a figure and then the alarms go off.  I think something or someone is trying to keep Tandy from the real world.  Steam vents, workers run, and Tandy activates the Dagger power.  Tyrone tries to help Tandy up.  Mina is trapped and Tyrone tries to help her.  Tandy finds she has the Light Dagger and swings it at the pipe blocking Mina.  

Strapped in the ambulance, Tandy’s arm has a needle inserted by Lia, her Light Dagger disappears.   The record is stopped and flipped over to the B Side, “All Alone.”  So this is Tandy’s mind trying to wake up?  Tandy is an activist on the New Orleans streets trying to get a petition to save the shorebirds.  She calls out to a man, Liam (Carl Lundstedt), who she thinks dropped a paper.  This was her old boyfriend.  His girlfriend, Mikayla, joins them and Tandy makes her spiel.  She stumbles and Liam catches her, then signs the petition.  Tandy sees something is wrong, the picture distorts, and then she has to run with Liam’s wallet.  She sees Tyrone enter a car.  He is trying to carjack it with a screwdriver when Tandy enters the car.  Tandy takes out a knife to threaten him and they leave behind a police officer.  Tyrone says his brother went to prison and became a drug addict.  Tandy gets a flash of the ambulance.  She starts to panic.  They drive in the night.  She mentions Mikayla and then feels the pain of the needle.  They hear police sirens and Tyrone speeds.  Tandy sees an ambulace in the mirror.  She sees someone on the road, Tyrone swerves, and she has her Light Dagger as the car turns.  In the ambulance, Tandy is still unconscious, but says, “It’s not real!”  Lia is worried that Tandy is waking up and Andre checks on her.  

CLOAK AND DAGGER -- “B Sides” -- AUBREY JOSEPH, OLIVIA HOLT -- Alfronso Bresciani/Freeform.

Another record is going to be played by someone who looks like Andre.  It is a record called “Jam Session.”  It is back on the street with Tandy and her petition.  Tandy grabs Liam’s arm and tells Mikayla her scam.  Tandy sees a person again on the street and Mikayla notices Tandy has Liam’s wallet.  Mikayla calls for the police when Tandy has her Light Dagger.  Tandy runs and is surrounded by the police.  She breaks into a room that is the oil rig with alarms.  Mina is there trying to warn her.  I think Tandy needs to unleash her full Dagger power and explode with light.  Mina says in the second reality that it is Tandy’s fault.  Tandy tells her to shut up and the reality distorts.  Dream Tandy sees the figures in the reality trying to attack her vulnerabilities.  She runs and finds herself in Tyrone’s house in the first reality.  Tandy wants to know what is happening to Adina and Evita.  She has on the Roxxon shirt, one reality in another, and her mother tries to calm her.   Her father takes hold of her.  Tandy is trying to fight the reality and sees the man in the crowd, it looks like Andre or someone like him.  Nathan is angry at Tandy and she tells him to shut up before snapping into another reality.  It is the record store.  She sees the record playing and sees Andre, she throws her Light Dagger and is strikes Antoine.  He is the supernatural villain, D'Spayre, created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne in Marvel Team-Up #68 (1978).  Though he hasn't shown any powers besides possibly entering Tandy's mind.  He explains that he was suffering from headaches and was going to jump from a building before the rig explosion.

Tandy takes out a record with her screaming as a girl with the title, “Daddy’s Little Girl.”  Andre says he helps most people except the hopeless.  She takes her Light Dagger to his neck.  Tandy stabs the record, Andre screams out, and she wakes in the ambulance with two Light Daggers!  She gets free of the ambulance and a car speeds off.   Tyrone is talking to O’Reilly trying to find Tandy.  He is in the church and then hears footsteps.  It is Tandy and they hug.  She tells him she knows who is taking the missing girls.  O’Reilly wants to know why they would return to the scene of the crime.  Other police have arrived.  Tyrone has to leave and Tandy takes his hand so they can Cloak to Andre’s office where he is trying to take the money.  Lia has a knife to Mikayla’s throat.  Tandy throws her Light Dagger making Lia duck.  Antoine pulls a gun on Tandy.  Tyrone says it’s over.  Andre says he was in Tandy’s head and thinks she has nothing.  There is always the pairing, Cloak and Dagger!  Andre shoots Tyrone several times!  Tandy holds her friend.  He closes his eyes and blood pools around him.  In the record store, they are there, Andre, tells her he is dead.  He says everyone she knows she hurts and takes away her Light Dagger.  Hope.  Tandy is alone in the darkness we move to the light of the ambulance and Antoine says, “She’s ready” to Lia.  Tandy is taken away on a gurney.  We see in reflection the Viking Motel.  I can see the playing of realities.  Tandy should have known if she was in the real world.  The surrealism of waking in the ambulance with no one around should have warned her.  A very strong episode! 

Five Light Daggers out of Five! 

#CloakandDagger, #BSides, #CarlLundstedt, #AndyDylan

Game of Thrones, “The Last of the Starks”, Review!

This is the aftermath of the Battle of Winterfell with the confrontation of the Night King which came at a terrible cost.  We pan up to the armor of the pale figure of Ser Jorah Monmount, Dany kisses his brow, one of the fallen.  Sansa weeps over the body of Theon Greyjoy and places a wolf pendant on him.  Jon Snow, Aegon Targareyn, and Samwell Tarly can only look on with Bran Stark and Arya Stark in attendance.  We get the dozens of bodies on squares of wood to burn.  Jon Snow goes to talk to the assembled about the tribute to the sacrifice.  We also see the bruised face of Brienne of Tarth and Jaime Lannister.  Davos Seaworth is with the Hound and Gendry.  Tyrion Lannister stands with Daenerys and Missandei.  Jon gets a torch from a man and takes it to the bodies.  Tormund Giantsbane also gets a torch as does Daenerys.  The survivors look down at the pyres of all of the fallen.  The pyres are lit and we see the form of Jorah burn.  The smoke covers the former battlefield of Winterfell.  

GAME OF THRONES — “The Last of the Starks” -- KIT HARINGTON, SOPHIE TURNER, MAISIE WILLIAMS, ISAAC HEMPSTEAD WRIGHT -- Helen Sloan/HBO. 

There is a solemn feast afterwards, Gendry turns to talk to the Hound, he wants to find Arya. He is about to leave when he is called by Daenerys and identifies him as a son of Robert Baratheon.  The entire hall is silent.  She suggests him as Lord Baratheon of Storm’s End.  Davos leads the toast to Lord Gendry Baratheon and the hall toasts to him as The Hound continues eating.  Tyrion says making Gendry lord will make him loyal to her.  Jaime toasts to Brienne.  Davos talks to Tyrion about killing Melisandre.  I absolutely love the seriousness at this feast which goes to the good natured feasting after the naming of Lord Baratheon.  Tyrion sees Bran as lord of Winterfell.  Bran withdraws.  Tormund toasts the Dragon Queen.  Sansa notices the look between Jon and Dany.  Brienne smiles during the drinking contest with Jaime watched over by Tyrion.  Tormund says Jon has proven himself by being murdered by him and then riding a dragon.  Dany looks on and is seen by Varys.  She looks at Tyrion and Jaime.  Daenerys withdraws with Varys seeing her off.  Brienne gives the questions to Tyrion.  He poses a personal question to her.  She becomes serious and is about to leave, then there is Tormund joking.  Jaime walks after her.  Tyrion refills his horn and Gendry smiles at him.  Tormund confides in the Hound before he walks away with a woman.  The Hound just wants to drink.  

Sansa joins him.  Sandor says she should have left with him, but Sansa says she is longer a “little bird.”  Gendry passes the drunken revelers and is startled by an arrow sent by Arya for practice.  He tells her he is Lord Baratheon and kisses her.  He takes the knee and proposes to her!  Years ago, I thought they would be an innocent couple, but Arya refuses his proposal to be a lady.  Brienne opens the door to Jaime and he says she did not drink.  He asks about Tormund.  Jaime says it’s hot and they start to take off their shirts.  This was gonna happen!  He says he has never been with a knight.  They kiss!  Jon is alone in his room when Dany asks if he is drunk, he stands up staggering, the dark scene is a little like last episode, but everything can still be seen.  They kiss in I guess the Targaryen fashion.  She wants him to keep his identity a secret and swear Bran and Samwell to silence.  He says he has to tell Sansa and Arya.  Brienne is asleep in bed and Jaime looks at her.  In the morning, they look over the withdrawing armies and the arrival of the Golden Company.  Daenerys wants King’s Landing.  Tyrion says that eliminating threats will have the people turn against her.  It’s been tried before.  Sansa it seems doesn’t want to commit her soldiers.  Jon reinforces the promise.  Jon and Davos with the remaining Dothraki down the King’s Road.  Tyrion has Daenerys going to White Harbor to take ships and dragons to lay siege.  Daenerys leaves and Jon is confronted by Arya and Sansa. At the weirwood tree, there is a meeting with the Starks, Sansa, Arya, Bran and Jon.  Arya says they are family.  Bran leaves it up to Jon who decides to tell his sisters the truth.  He wants them to swear to keep what is said a secret.  Jon has Bran tell them.  

GAME OF THRONES — “The Last of the Starks” -- JACOB ANDERSON, EMILIA CLARKE -- Helen Sloan/HBO. 

Tyrion is surprised that Jaime is staying with Brienne since she wants to protect Sansa and Arya.  They are joined by Bronn with a crossbow!  He strikes Tyrion and tells them Cersei promised him Riverrun.  Tyrion reminds him of their deal and offers him Highgarden.  Bronn looses a bolt.  Tyrion gives his word and wants him to fight in the war against Cersei.  The brothers look at each other.  Sandor rides and then sees Arya riding up.  They both intend never to return to Winterfell.  Daenerys goes to her dragons.  Sansa watches the dragons from Winterfell.  Tyrion talks to her about Daenerys and Jon.  They see the armies marching.  Sansa says Tyrion is afraid of Daenerys.  He says he believes in her.  She says there is another person worthy of ruling.  Jon goes to talk to Tormund who wants to pull away the Free Folk.  He wants Ghost to go with Tormund back home.  They hug goodbyes.  Jon goes to see Samwell and Gilly who is going to have a child.  She wants to name her child Jon.  The good friends hug.  Jon gets on his horse next to Davos.  Tormund, Ghost, Samwell and Gilly see him leave Winterfell.  The Targaryen ships sail with Missandei taking the hand of Grey Worm who smiles.  Tyrion below decks to drink tells Varys the secret.  Varys reminds Tyrion that Daenerys is the aunt of Jon Snow.  The anchor is dropped and we see the dragons fly past them, Rhaegal is struck by massive spears and drops into the sea!, only Drogon is left.  Um, ballistas were not pin point accurate, even if Euron is somehow a sharpshooter, I don't think all of them would be a deadly threat.  I already see the siege weapons as a counter to dragons, but they fly faster than anyone can target them. 

Daenerys sends Drogon down to the ballista of Euron Greyjoy who no longer smiles.  She banks the dragon past the bolts loosed by the ships.  Grey Worm tells Missandrei to go to the skiff.  The ballistas are loosed at the Targaryen ships.  Tyrion sees the ship torn apart and leaps into the sea.  The survivors reach the shore with the wreckage of the ships sinking.  Grey Worm screams for Missandei.  Cersei is happy at the news given by Euron.  She tells him that they are having a child.  Cersei wants the castle gates open to have the people block Daenerys’ forces.  She passes Missandei in chains!  In the war room, Varys says that Daenerys’ plan is a mistake, he wants to keep the city safe.  Tyrion wants Cersei to offer her life for the throne.  She won’t take it.  Varys talks to Tyrion alone about the best ruler; Jon or Daenerys.  Tyrion wants them to rule as king and queen and is loyal to Daenerys.  He warns Varys of taking action against her.  Sansa has Brienne deliver the news about the defeat to Jaime.  Later, he contemplates while Brienne is sleeping and leaves to prepare his horse.  Brienne pleads for him to stay.  He says he is not a good man and rides away.  Grey Worm, Varys, Tyrion, and Daenerys stand before their soldiers.  Across the way is Cersei, Euron, and Missandei.  Ballistas are on the walls.  Tyrion goes out to speak with Cersei’s Hand, Qyburn. He mentions the Golden Company.  Archers nock arrows as Tyrion walks toward his sister.  He speaks about her not caring about her people, but pleads about her child.   Cersei walks towards Missandei.  She looks at Grey Worm.  This does not end well.  Daenerys walks away.  It looks like negotiations are over and Cersei thinks she has won.  

Four Shards of Dragonglass out of Five! 

#GameofThrones, #TheLastoftheStarks, 

May the Fourth Be With You/Free Comic Book Day 2019!

It has been four years since May the Fourth kicked off with Force Awakens.  At least I was aware of it with Force Awakens.  Steadily, there has been less and less events and product out for Star Warriors.  This year, I decided to go to Downtown Disney since I heard there was a line last year.  No line this time.  I went at the about the opening, most stores were closed, and saw World of Disney was open.  The surprising thing was no promo of anything Star Wars.  There was a section behind the Marvel toys and shirts, but it was standard Star Wars fare.  I asked around and went to the register, there was a May the Fourth Be With You pin with a stormtrooper, nice.  Still, I was told there was another pin and shirts offered at the theme parks.  I then went to Wonderground Gallery and saw the “Fuzzball” by Kristen Tercek postcard and the “Sisters of the Force” painting by Ashley Taylor.  I bought the postcard as my Chewbacca item and then went to check on Galaxy’s Edge.  Kristen Tercek's website is at: http://www.cuddlyrigormortis.com/shopping. 

Back stage for Galaxy's Edge, today, photo by the author.

I actually didn’t check out Galaxy’s Edge until about 2017 and it started construction on April 2016.  This was when the building for the Rise of the Resistance attraction (which is delayed until “later this year”) that had the skeletal structures up and the black spires were just construction towers and two skyscraper cranes hung above them.  Then, in 2018, there was hints of the black spires with construction rigging around them, the buildings had walls and the squarish boxes were painted red with only one construction crane.  Now, it looks like the Black Spires were completed, the back stage area still has gaps behind the spires which can be seen from the Mickey and Friends parking structure.  It was interesting to see the progression.  I’ve seen it from the parking area, walking past it on the street, and from the top deck of the Mark Twain on stage.  Galaxy’s Edge opens to the public on June 24th.  Reservations begin on May 30th to June 23rd.  I have a reservation for June 6th and hope to do extensive coverage in the four hours for my party.  

Galaxy's Edge, June 2018, photo by the author. 

Next, I headed over for my rounds of the comic book stores for Free Comic Book Day.   My usual pattern is to either take a trip and go to comic book stores with events like signings or try to travel a bit and shop at stores in a relatively close distance.  I chose the latter and of course plans fall apart.  My usual comic shop was lively, slowly became crowded, but offered five free comics.  There is usually a limit, which of course you have to ask or see a sign, and this store had a whole table of free comics.  Sometimes, which I saw later, there is an offering of six or so comics.  Of course, I had the comics that saw on the Free Comic Book Day website, but I realized that I have to have a checklist.  Part of the fun of FCBD is finding new comics that you may not have tried.  Still, you have to pick up your favorites.  Stores can offer five, three, or even one free comic.  It is really up to the retailer and not the companies.  Also, two stores had stamps and stickers on their free comics to promote their stores, there is a section on the free comics to do so, I like them untouched, not to sell, but to keep in my collection.  

Galaxy's Edge, Force Friday, 2017, photo by the author.

The most important part of Free Comic Book Day is of course the kids.  Stores can’t thrive unless there are new readers.  The other part of FCBD are the sales especially the dollar books.  If kids are not able to go, it’s key to look out for free comics that might interest them.  I really go through the dollar comics not to just find issues I’m looking for, but the comic books I may have passed up and would try, just like the free comics.  There are also the sales which again made me think I would buy that comic for that price.  The free comics that seem to be emphasized were DC’s Year of the Villain (which was also priced at 25 cents) and Avengers FCBD #1.  I picked up the free comics for Stranger Things, Doctor Who, and Star Wars Adventures. The surprises for me were not ones that I focused on; Ignition, the new line from Humanoids, I just read the most pages from it even though I’m super tired, and Bloodshot (which has a preview of the Fallen World).  I have not gone through all of the comics, but these are the standouts.  The Free Comic Fever struck me so ended up traveling miles and hours to different stores.  This was a long, exhausting day, it will take me some time to go through my stacks of comics, but it was in its own way fun.  

Free comics table, photo by the author.

#StarWarsDay, #WondergroundGallery, #GalaxysEdge, #FreeComicBookDay