Geek Truth’s Top Rainy Day Movies!

It may be a rainy day or possibly you are social distancing yourself.  So the parameters are possibly this will be the entire family (trying to keep in mind different tastes and interests) so films will have to be careful of subject matter (there are adult rated films for older viewers), and re-watchability.  You may need some movies that are not too heavy on their subject matter and too light, fluffy entertainment, they have to be just right.  Also, fairly recent films with some classics to get the attention of all viewers.  We have to keep away from depressing or apocalyptic subject matter.  If you have a favorite movie, by all means, play it, preference is more important than any list.  Still, if you may need a reminder or point out one movie you may have forgotten, here’s another list.  So what is left?  Glad you asked!, this is the Geek Truth’s Top Rainy Day Movies!    

Let’s get started with a genre not high on the list with dudes, Romance, and take a look at Crazy Rich Asians, http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/08/crazy-rich-asians-review.html.  The Lake House (2006), based on the South Korean film Il Mare (2000), it has a couple connecting their lives through the lake house of the title separated by time.  Before Sunrise (1995), a Richard Linklater film, brilliant in bringing in dialogue between two young people, slightly adult in content.  

Next, let’s hear it for the Musicals genre starting with The Sound of Music (1965), the Rogers & Hammerstein musical is made fresh with the true story of Maria, the governess who becomes a part of the von Trapp family, review is at: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-sound-of-music-review.html.  The Greatest Showman (2017), not historically accurate of course, but the story of P.T. Barnum and the inspiration of his performers, our review comes alive at: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/11/retro-review-greatest-showman.html.  Lastly, Moulin Rouge (2001), a teen+ musical with a young songwriter and his romance with a courtesan in Paris.   

Drama Movies of course have heavy subject matter, but also can be inspirational.  Let’s start off with Rudy (1993), true story about Rudy Ruettiger who is too small for football, too poor and struggling with school to play for Notre Dame, but this is his dream.  Next, Hidden Figures (2016), another true story about brilliant NASA mathematician Katheryn Johnson and her friends and colleagues whom made the space program possible, and lastly under the adult themed movies, Shawshank Redemption (1994), based on the Stephen King novella, finds Andy Dufresne in prison for a life sentence, but walls can’t hold down his spirit and inspire others.  

Another genre is Action Movies!  We start off with a family friendly The Karate Kid (1984), teen Daniel Larusso learning karate from gardener Mr. Miyagi, and it has sequels and YouTube series, but the orignal is the best.  Now, the action masterpiece which would probably be for teens and older, is Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).  Archeologist and adventurer, Indiana Jones, quests to find the Lost Ark held by Nazi forces.  Sequels followed, put the original on repeat, there is a very good recommended television series.  Lastly, at the teen and older category is Thunderball (1965), Agent 007 James Bond travels to the Bahamas to face Emil Largo, really almost any James Bond film; over the top perfection with You Only Live Twice (1967), the Roger Moore style in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), and Skyfall (2012), Bond’s history and nods to past missions are wrapped up in this film.    

Let’s move to the fantastic genres starting with Fantasy Films.  One of the best is The Princess Bride (1987), a clever look at life and fairy tales with farmer turned pirate, Westley, trying to save his True Love, Buttercup, turn to the review here: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/10/retro-review-princess-bride.html.  Another young fantasy is The Neverending Story (1984), young Bastian escapes bullies reading about the adventures of Artreyu, sequels and a television series, but the original has its own charm.  Now, we get to one of masterpieces of fantasy, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings (2001), young Hobbit Frodo with his friends and allies including the wizard Gandalf quest to destroy the One Ring. 

The nature of the story will probably need teens and older to understand, but not enjoy, so there is the rest of The Lord of the Rings trilogy; The Two Towers (2002) and The Return of the King (2003).  There are other films of note, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958), Ray Harryhausen effects highlight this Hollywood fantasy with Sinbad taking on a sorcerer along with a cyclops and other creatures.  An incredible fantasy movie, The Thief of Bagdad (1940), is pure fun and fantasy with Ahmad, sultan turned beggar, struggling against the evil Jaffar to save the Princess with his young friend Abu, played by the charming Sabu, very influential for other films.    

The Horror genre might be difficult to find non-violent entertainment, but let’s start with Jurassic Park (1993), it really inspired kids, best for older kids, with Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of the Michael Crichton book, paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant and a small group are sent to an island park with dinosaurs that are unleashed, the Jurassic World franchise is interesting, but put the original on repeat.  Next, we have A Quiet Place (2018), a resourceful family tries to survive creatures hunting by sound, read quietly the review: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/07/retro-review-quiet-place.html.  For adult audiences is the R rated horror comedy, Shaun of the Dead (2004), Shaun, Ed, and their friends try to survive teh zombie apocalypse sweeping London.   

We will look at Comedy Movies with touches of other genres.  It starts with Ghostbusters (1984) so we can connect with horror.  The former professors are turned professional paranormal investigators and discover that New York has supernatural powers that can take the city.  A classic with sequels and reboot, but replay the original.  Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Python perfection satirizing Arthurian legend, but respectfully, “`Tis but a scratch.” Finally, The Breakfast Club (1985), an honest look at high school teens forced to spend a Saturday and coming up with some hard truths, this is for older teens on up.     
   

Science Fiction Films, let’s start with E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982), a Spielberg classic prfect for young ones with young Elliott finding E.T. in his suburban world.  Next, the adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs sci fi classic, John Carter (2012), Carter is an ex-Civil War soldier who gets transported to Mars, “Och Ohem, Och Tay, Wyess Barsoom” at: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/08/retro-review-john-carter.html.  Possibly for older kids for its sophistication, but it is another Disney film, Tomorrowland (2015), Casey Newton gets a vision of Tomorrowland so resolves to get there with the help of Frank Walker and a young girl, Athena, don’t wait until tomorrow to read the review: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/08/retro-review-tomorrowland.html.  

There are other movies including Star Wars (1977), subtitled A New Hope, Luke Skywalker, farm boy, is caught up in an adventure with Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, Princess Leia, to save the galaxy from the Empire!  Of course the rest of the trilogy, Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983) are worthy too.  Maclunkey!  Lastly, is the groundbreaking Westworld (1973) that has some adult content though rated PG, directed and written by Michael Crichton, it features two friends who are guests at the futuristic theme park for adults populated by robots that slowly malfunction.  The recent series and sequel are not a match to the original.  Review at: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/08/retro-review-westworld.html. 

Comic Book Movies, you may immediately think MCU, there is a few, but let’s open that door a little wider with Wonder Woman (2017), the Amazon princess who travels from her island Themyscira to WWI battlefields to save the world from war.  Find the review at: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/09/retro-review-wonder-woman.html.  One of the stand out MCU movies, Black Panther (2018), of course it features T’Challa struggling with becoming king and facing Killmonger, read the review here: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/12/retro-review-black-panther.html.  Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), probably for older audiences, teen and above, but it is a wild combination of anime, video games, and comic books, with Scott taking on the The League of Exil-Exes to fight for Ramona Flowers.  

Alternates: it has to be Superman (1978), the first serious superhero film, with the destruction of Krypton, young Clark Kent growing up in rural Smallville, and then becoming the hero in Metropolis.  Lastly, there is Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), seeing scrawny Steve Rogers transformed into Captain America and stand against the forces of Red Skull is reason enough to see this film.  There is a very solid sequel with Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) that has Cap face the espionage of the modern world, but rooted in the evil of the past. High on the list is Iron Man (2008) that set up the MCU and set the blockbuster tradition for superhero movies and of course, one of the best team movies, Avengers (2012).        

   

Animation, of course there are many fine Disney animated films, but you may already have them, so let’s look a little past them.  First is the Hayao Miyazaki-san films, starting with My Neighbor Totoro (1989), a charming, gentle story about two young girls finding a magical friend during their mother’s illness. The review is here: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/11/retro-review-my-neighbor-totoro.html.  Other films include Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), a young witch has to learn confidence in a new town, and Spirited Away (2001), a dark and wondrous fairy tale with Chihiro caught in a world run by the witch, Yubaba.  There is some content like parents turning into pigs might be disturbing to young ones.  

Next, Laika films, all of them really, but let’s feature Missing Link, about a lone Bigfoot who has to find a place to belong with his friend and explorer and lady adventurer.  The review is at: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2019/04/missing-link-review.html.  Don’t forget Kubo and the Two-Strings (2016), http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/08/retro-re-view-kubo-and-two-strings.html, Kubo is a young boy who is a storyteller and musician teaming up with Monkey to face the Moon King.  Then, there is The Boxtrolls (2014), a fun adventure with Eggs, a human boy raised by trolls, he befriends Winnie and they have to take on the evil Snatcher. 

So the last film is Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), Miles Morales discovers Spider-Men from other dimensions and has to become Spider-Man!, review at: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/12/spider-man-into-spider-verse-review.html.  There is so many more films to add to this list.  What movies would make your list?  Some of the films will most likely be reviewed in the future.  Thanks to all of suggestions given by my pals, you know who you are, this article couldn't be written without you!   

#GeekTruth, #RainyDayMovies, #CrazyRichAsians, #RudyMovie, #PrincessBride, #JohnCarterFilm, #WonderWomanMovie, #MyNeighborTotoro  

Bloodshot Review!

Bloodshot is a Vin Diesel movie with Vin Diesel playing a superhero!  The character is a part of the Valiant Universe and first appeared in Eternal Warrior #4 (1992).  Angelo Mortelli, this is a very Vin Diesel character name, was working for the Cianelli crime family, but was killed until revived by science.  It is in part a Frankenstein story (revived from the dead), in a sense like Robocop (1987), but with almost Wolverine-like abilities.  The character was first played in live action by Jason Frank in the web series, Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe (2018). 

Valiant characters do go beyond similar characters with twists and a great world building, Bloodshot enables Diesel to fully develop a character beyond his other action movies.  This is the first film for director Dave Wilson who has worked in visual effects and directing an episode of Love, Death & Robots.  The story and co-written screenplay is by Jeff Wadlow who wrote the screenplay for this year’s Fantasy Island and Kick-Ass 2 (2013).  The other screenwriter is Eric Heisserer who also wrote last year’s hit, Bird Box (2018) and Arrival (2016).  The movie doesn’t have specific ties to the rest of the Valiant Universe or characters, but has potential.  

The movie begins with a military operation in Mombasa, Kenya.  A soldier, Ray Garrison (Diesel), is scouting the area on his own.  Ray Garrison is the name of the hero that came with the second series released by Acclaim Comics written by Len Kaminski.  I prefer Angelo Mortalli, but the character's first name that may hint at the hero from the year 4001, Rai, a legacy hero that follows in the footsteps of Bloodshot.  Garrison single handedly takes on gunmen which is not how soldiers work especially in other countries.  Still, it is very Vin Diesel with Garrison slamming two gunmen into walls at the same time.  This sort of act could make sense when he becomes Bloodshot, but as a regular soldier it felt like he was already a super hero.

He finds a hostage with a shotgun held to his head.  Garrison is of course too clever and manages to save the hostage which was the point of the mission.  He reaches the base in Aviano, Italy and finds his wife, Gina (Talulah Riley).  She has appeared in a cameo role in Thor: The Dark World (2013) and was in the thriller, Submerged (2016).  The character showed up in the Acclaim Comics Bloodshot #2 (1997) in flashback.  They spend some time at a seaside town in Italy, she sees the scars on his back, and Garrison says, “I always come back home.”  She leaves to get groceries and Garrison is ambushed, but of course Vin Diesel can take any attack.  

Still, he gets a secret injection by a mysterious man played by Toby Kebbell and collapses.  Kebbel was Dr. Doom in Fantastic Four (2015) and Koba in War for the Planet of the Apes (2017).  He wakens in a room bound to a chair with the man, introducing himself as Martin Axe, and dancing to Talking Heads’ “Psychokiller.”  He is a new character, but other sites claim he is connected to a comics character, it would only be incidentally through the Axe name.  It is a bit confusing how Axe tracked down Garrison and for what reason.  

Martin Axe interrogates Garrison and then brings out Gina cutting her part to a cameo.  He then puts a gun to Garrison’s head and pulls the trigger.  His story of course hasn’t come to an end with a dark sequence with voices.  He revives and meets Dr. Emil Harting played by Guy Pearce.  He was Alrich Killian in Iron Man 3 (2013) and also Leonard in Memento (2000) which bears some plot points of this film.  There is also KT, her initials, played by Eiza Gonzalez who was in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019) and Baby Driver (2017).  Her character is an ex-Navy diver, but now needs a device to breathe.  

Harting is the head of Rising Spirit Technologies (RST).  The original head of Project Rising Spirit was Hideyoshi Iwatsu though this has changed with the reboots of the character.  The location of the RST building is not identified, but apparently it is in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  He shows Garrison, who has no memory, about the nannies in his blood that can heal almost any wound.  The nanites would need to be charged up at RST.  In a sense, Bloodshot is the ultimate soldier in the mold of Captain America, and sort of like the sci fi movie Universal Soldier (1992) mixed with Frankenstein.  

Harting shows Garrison around the facility, including two mercenaries.  There is Jimmy Dalton (Sam Heughan) and Tibbs (Alex Hernandez).  Heughan is known for playing Jamie Fraser in Outlander and Hernandez has been in the supernatural series, Hemlock Grove.  Garrison is shaken by nightmares and goes to work out finding that he has the strength to shatter a concrete pillar.  He also finds that KT is swimming and practices martial arts underwater, a very fascinating scene.  She later gives him a drink at a bar and this sets off memories of his last moment alive.  This immediately sets him off to hunt down Martin Axe.  

Bloodshot uses his nanites to access RST computers to track down Martin Axe.  Harting tries to recall Bloodshot and tries to have his IT guy, Eric (Siddharth Dhananjay) track him.  Eric brings a little comedy into the story.  There is a convoy in Budapest that is trapped by Bloodshot using a truck.  Martin panics and tries to contact the bearded Nick Baris (Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson).  The actor was in The Good Liar (2019) and Atomic Blonde (2017).  Bloodshot basically walks into bullets, which lowers his nanite levels, he seems to remove all of his soldier training.

Yes, he is single minded in fighting for revenge, but it seems more sensible to be more strategic.  Also, the comic character is pale, the nanites don’t work to get the Vin Diesel complexion, I like the deathly pallor that reminds everyone that he was basically dead.  We find out that RST has been manipulating Bloodshot’s memory to use him as an assassin.  I would imagine that all of Harting’s associates killed in the same way would make some organization suspicious.  Bloodshot later allies with Wilfred Wigans (Lamorne Morris) who is much needed earlier in the film, as a master coder and funny guy.  Morris was in the comedy show, New Girl.  Bloodshot can set up the Valiant Universe for films and is good as a comic book film.  

Three and a half Nanites out of Five! 

#Bloodshot, #DaveWilson, #VinDiesel, #EizaGonzalez, #GuyPearce

Invisible Man Review!

The Invisible Man brings the thrills to the edge, fulfilled my expectations, and is great re-launch for Universal’s Monsterverse with Blumhouse.  It  stands as a genre staple that has been through the freaky terror in the 1933 original, the strangeness and beauty of invisibilty seen in John Carpenter’s Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992), and the violence of The Hollow Man (2000).  The classic movie was based on the 1897 H.G. Wells novel.  

This film is written and directed by Leigh Whannell who was the writer of the Saw franchise and the Insidious films including directing Insidious Chapter 3 and the sci fi film, Upgrade (2018).  The latter I felt had a disappointing end, but not so with this movie.  The Blumhouse connection has of course kept costs down, a $7 million producton budget, yet the story and characters are strong.  Of course, this film is a showcase for Elizabeth Moss, who was in Jordan Peele’s Us, produced by Jason Blum, and her starring role in The Handmaiden’s Tale.  Caution: This movie is not for anyone who was the victim of domestic violence or stalked.  

The film begins with the crashing of waves at night to reveal the titles.  The sound of the waves is jarring.  Kudos to the sound designer, Chris Terhune, and music, Benjamin Wallfisch, for heightening the tension.  Then, we get a seaside house, inside is Cecilia (Moss) who is in bed with an arm around her.  She takes a Diazepam bottle from the nightstand, which she used to put the man asleep, and tries to quietly adjust a hallway camera on a ladder.  Next, Cecilia reaches a downstairs room that looks like a lab.  It is not shown what is in the lab since we are focused on Cecilia.  

She goes to a computer to disable the cameras around the house and check on the sleeping form of the man in bed.  It is a slight commentary on the surveillance on society, the lack of privacy.  He is there, but not clearly seen so we can’t identify him.  We later find out that he is Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), Griffin is the last name of Claude Rains character in The Invisible Man (1933), a nice nod to the classic movie. Jackson-Cohen is in The Haunting of Hill House Netflix series and he was Jonathan Harker in the Dracula (2013-2014) show.  Cecilia makes her way to the garage and sees the dog, Zeus, and accidentally sets off a car alarm.  

Now, she has to escape and we know that Adrian is the threat.  Cecilia makes her way through a dark forest to a road.  She waits until a car pulls up, her sister, Emily (Harriet Dyer) drives up.  Cecilia drops the Diazepam bottle.  Dyer is in the comedy show The Other Guy and also the lead in the supernatural series The InBetween.  Emily is an attorney, but we don’t get too much of her presence.  We get the end of the relationship between Cecilia and Adrian and apparently she disconnected from her family.  Adrian runs out and slams into the car screaming at Cecilia to open the door.  Emily wonders what is going on when Adrian smashes through the car window.  

Finally, she takes off and escapes into the night.  It appears that this is set in San Francisco with the bridge, but it was shot in Australia.  It is two weeks later, we get a suburban home with Cecilia looking fearfully out of the window.  It is the home of James Lanier (Aldis Hodge) who is the ex-husband of Emily.  Hodge was in Hidden Figures (2016) and What Men Want (2019).  He is a reassuring presence though I think Cecilia would be disturbed by a male figure, James may already be known to her, and he is also a police officer.  At that point, I was ready for the story to finish, she escaped Adrian and survived, but this movie of course has a Twilight Zone-like twist.  

Cecilia is having difficulty stepping out of the house and reaching the street.  The fear of Adrian puts everyone on the side of Cecila trying to rebuild her life.  We also have the introduction of Sydney, James’ daughter, played by Storm Reid.  She of course was a sensation in A Wrinkle in Time (2018) and was also in the horror film, Don’t Let Go (2019).   She is a clever teenage girl who has ambitions to be a fashion designer.  Emily stops by to tell her sister that Adrian has committed suicide.  They go the next day to the office of Tom Griffin (Michael Dorman), Adrian’s brother and attorney.  Dorman was in the vampire film, Daybreakers (2009) and is currently in the sci fi show, For All Mankind.  

He says he has hatred for his brother for manipulating him.  Tom explains that Adrian has given Cecilia five million dollars on the condition that she commits no crimes and is not diagnosed insane.  Strange things of course start to happen.  Cecilia's life is torn away, her interview at an architecture firm, and everyone she knows.  There is hints of where Adrian might be, brilliant camera work by Stefan Duscio, who worked with Whannell on Upgrade.  We are on edge as we get the presence of what we think is Adrian, the Invisible Man of the title?, or the mental collapse of Cecilia?  Adrian was a controlling man whom we find was a genius in optics.  He may have found the secret of invisibility, but it is really Cecilia surviving the terror and what happens to vicitms of trauma. I can't wait to see what is next in the Blumhouse Universal Monsterverse! Invisible Man is strong in tension completes everything that was set up and what I expect in the genre! 

Five Diazepam bottles out of Five!     

#InvisibleMan, #LeighWhannell, #ElizabethMoss, #AldisHodge, #StormReid 

Inside The Walt Disney Archives at the Bowers Museum!

This is the 50th anniversary of the Disney Archives so there are many special events during the exhibition, check out: https://www.bowers.org/index.php/current-exhibition/inside-the-disney-archives-50-years-of-preserving-the-magic.  I was there for Story by Disney: Inside the Craft and History of Storytelling at The Walt Disney Studios with Don Hahn which was on Sunday, March 8th.  The exhibition has opened and will close on August 30th so you will have some time to go.   The Bowers Museum is located at 2002 N Main St., Santa Ana, down the road from Disneyland.  It was the first time I’ve been to the museum and was fascinated by the water fountains and statues at the entry of the museum.  Also, there were incredible historical artworks from Asia, Africa, and South America around the museum.  I loved the Gemstone Carvings: The Masterworks of Harold Van Pelt.  Still, let’s get to the Disney exhibition. 

Inside The Walt Disney Archives, photo by the author.

I have been to a previous Walt Disney Archives exhibition at the Ronald Reagan Library and seen many items from the archives over the years.  It is very special to see the items from the archives so it is definitely worth the trip!  The exhibition is down a hall and you can see Dumbo flying overhead which is too much fun.  There is a standee of Walt before you enter the exhibition rooms.  On the left is the recreated desk of Walt Disney which I saw before and actually went to Walt’s office above the firehouse in Disneyland.   There is a display of Disneyland artifacts on the right including the map of Disneyland.  Then, there is an animator’s desk.  This leads to a hall that has faux books for the archives and a few displays.  Then, a display of props from Mary Poppins, the Davy Crockett cap, and Zorro’s sword.  On the left is a display of Mickey Mouse stuffies.   

Early Disneyland map, photo by the author.

There is a row of the prop books that opened the animated films like Sleeping Beauty.  Production artwork from various films, I noted Harrison Ellenshaw’s work, and promotional posters including Batman.  You face the queen from Snow White in the window displays that were on Main Street.  This opens up to the rest of the exhibition; on the left displays of costumes, in front is The Haunted Mansion display, and on the right what seems like Audio-Animatronics that were retired.  On the right, what interested me, was the Alien Audio-Animatronic which was in the dark hallway of the Nostromo.  Now, to see it up close and in the bright light, is cool.  There was also a RX-24 pilot figure from Star Tours which I’ve seen before.  Then, there was the Haunted Mansion tombstones, hitchhiking ghosts, and “stretching” paintings all of which were in the previous archives exhibit, but great to see again.  

Alien from the Great Movie Ride, photo by the author.

What was new was the line-up of costumes; Frozen costumes from the parks, the Flynn costume from Tron: Legacy, Dick Tracy’s yellow coat, Julia Roberts’ dress from Pretty Woman, costumes from Mary Poppins Returns, and the highlight for me, The Rocketeer and his rocket pack!  There was a display of hands and mask from Shape of Water.  In the next room is a case with Winnie the Pooh from Christopher Robin (2018), the family puppets from What About Bob? (1991), Jack Sparrow’s compass, and the Dead Man’s Chest (with heart). Behind them was props including a life size Roger Rabbit reference, Wilson from Cast Away, props from Beauty and the Beast, and The Guide from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.  At the end of the room is the Szalinkski’s Shrinking Machine from Honey I Shrunk the Kids (1989) and the Baloo live action reference head from Jungle Book.  Next door is a room of vehicles; the Model T from Absent Minded Professor (1961), the Gee Bee model from The Rocketeer (1991), and Herbie from Herbie Fully Loaded (2005).  

GeeBee from The Rocketeer, photo by the author.

In another room was a large case with a reference model of Pride Rock.  Behind it are costumes including the wiring pyjama from Tron, the dark coat of Judge Doom from Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, costumes from Maleficient, and the sword of Mulan from the new movie.  Next to it is the costume and car from Ford v Ferrari.  A Disney Legend statue is shown as well as the photographs of the Legend imprints that are at Disney Studios. The lecture by Don Hahn was in a theater.  He showed slides including the famous hand print on a cave and also many of the artworks that are the basis of storytellers and creativity.  Hahn showed live action reference, the famous ones from Snow White, Peter Pan, and also Frozen.  Also, the animals brought in to be studied by the artists, and Hahn noted the police tape that he jokingly said was to protect the artists.  He was showing various corporate logos and added, “Now part of the Walt Disney Company” which was funny. The exhibit itself is impressive, you can see pics and read descriptions, but you should actually experience it yourself.   

Producer/director/author Don Hahn, photo by the author.

#BowersMuseum, #InsideTheWaltDisneyArchives, #TheRocketeer, #DonHahn

Happy Birthday Sean Astin!

Happy Birthday Sean Astin!  He has many iconic roles including Mikey in The Goonies (1985).  I liked his role of Sgt. Richard “Rascal” Moore in the war film, Memphis Belle (1990). In 1992, Astin voiced Dylan in three episodes of The Legend of Prince Valiant animated series.   It was really the lead in the biographical drama, Rudy (1993), which is my favorite part for Sean Astin.  He played another soldier, Patella, working in a tank in Courage Under Fire (1996) based on the story of Karen Walden, the first woman to win the Medal of Honor.  In 2000, Astin played another iconic role as the Hobbit gardner turned hero, Samwell Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.  The fantasy trilogy continued with The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003).

Then, Sean Astin ventured into the post-apocalyptic world of Jeremiah (2003-2004) as Mister Smith.  Astin made everyone laugh in the comedy 50 First Dates (2004).  He also voiced Kodi, the son of Balto in the Balto III: Wings of Change (2004) animated movie. Next, Astin played Twoflower in the mini-seres, The Color of Magic (2008), based on the Terry Prachett fantasy books.  For Disney, he voiced the lead in Secret Agent Oso (2009-2012).  Astin also voiced Raphael in Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012-2017) cartoon.  He played Jim Kent in the horror series The Strain (2014-2015) based on the book by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan.  Astin had a great role as Bob Newby in Stranger Things (2017).  Then he was in the “Blurred Lines” episode of Supergirl.  He returns as narrator for Captain Underpants: Epic Choice-o-rama.  Happy Birthday Sean Astin!

#SeanAstin, #Rudy, #TheLordoftheRings, #StrangerThings

Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) Review!

Birds of Prey stands out for me as one of the most comics accurate films and perfectly captures Harley Quinn and the other characters!  There seems to be a slight title change with Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey.  It is not confusion like other long titles, I just said to the ticket taker, a ticket for Birds of Prey.  I think the problem is the rating.  The popularity of Harley Quinn is seen in the opening weekend of Suicide Squad (2016) with $133.7 million compared to Birds of Prey’s $33 million.  The former is rated PG-13 which opens to a wider audience than adults with an R rated movie.  So the question might be is it important that Birds of Prey have an R rating, in an interview the filmmakers said the rating gave them freedom.  Besides the language, there is some adult content, a little gruesome violence, but I think the story could be told with bringing these into a PG-13 friendly film without compromising anything.  The film is directed by Cathy Yan who previously directed Dead Pigs (2018), a comedy and drama about a diverse group of people in Shanghai.  It is written by Christina Hodson who also wrote another franchise movie, Bumblebee (2018).  The female cast and filmmakers have fun with the action and laughs of the film.  

The story is told through the perspective of Harley Quinn, Margot Robbie, and this is one of the best depiction of the character from Batman: The Animated Series.  She first appeared in the episode, “Joker’s Favor” (1992).  This year, Robbie played Kayla Pospisil, in the drama out of the news, Bombshell, and depicted Sharon Tate in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.  Harley brings us up to date with a Warners Animation opening of her history.  This is brilliant since the character began in animation and also brings in The Joker, but as the classic comic book appearance, not any live action actor.   Robbie has fun with the part, she takes Harley from an anarchistic, insane place to recovering from a break-up that had made her into the Joker’s girlfriend.  We shift to live action, and see her getting a hyena she names Bruce (the Batman connections are dropped here and there), also glimpses of her wild life including her time at the roller derby something that was in Harley Quinn #10 (2014).  Watching is a young fan, Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Bosco), she is a street kid from a broken home with a talent for picking pockets.  Bosco has had roles in episodes of television shows.  Cain is a different character in the comics introduced in Batman #567 (1999).  A daughter of assassins who is mute, she is 16 at her first appearance, and eventually becomes Batgirl then Orphan.  Her role in the movie is to act as the MacGuffin,  the object central to the characters’ actions. 

Along the way, we see Harley “adopt” a hyena she names Bruce (there are Batman connections), at an exotic pet shop.  The shifting of time with Harley’s narrative is fun, it has the “feel” of the comic books, it leads to her drinking at the club of Roman Sionis.  He is played by Ewan McGregor, Roman is a brutal crime lord who was a privileged elite, but lost out on his family fortune.  McGregor was also in the Stephen King adaptation, Doctor Sleep, and was the title character in Christopher Robin (2018).  The character is also known as Black Mask first appearing in Batman #386 (1985).  In the absence of the Joker, he feels entitled to things, including the Bertinelli Diamond that later involves Cassandra.  He is helped by Victor Zsasz (Chris Messina), who is a scarred killer, he wasn’t identified earlier so he just seemed like a random henchman.  He first appeared in Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1 (1992) and was played by Anthony Carrigan in Gotham.  We also see trophies of masks that is his obsession that includes taking the faces of his victims!  So, in a sense he is the former life of Harley, wanting the freedom to do what she wants, and a figure of power that was Mr. J.  

Harley decides to announce her break up with the Joker by running a truck into the Ace Chemical plant that led to her transformation into Harley.  Side note, the scenes of Gotham City, somehow made me think it is a regular city and not Gotham.  It was filmed in Los Angeles, maybe it was the West Coast location, sunshine, and lack of Gothic architecture.  The next morning, she is about to enjoy her "perfect egg sandwich", but is chased by Renee Montoya played by Rosie Perez.  She is a relentless detective, but has male officers taking credit for her accomplishments.  Montoya is another character that debuted in Batman: The Animated Series with the episode “Pretty Poison” (1992).  Perez was in the horror comedy The Dead Don’t Die (2019) and was in the action series Bounty Hunters.  Montoya is opposed by the captain who used her for his promotion, played by Steven Williams, and she tries to get help from Assistant District Attorney Ellen Yee played by comedian Ali Wong.  We shift to the club bringing in the singer, Dinah Lance (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) known by her stage name, Black Canary.  The character was introduced in Flash Comics #86 (1947) and also played by Katie Cassidy in Arrow.  Smollett-Bell is in the horror show, Lovecraft Country, and was in the drama One Last Thing (2018).

Black Canary was part of the original Birds of Prey team both in the comics and the 2002-2003 show.  Her Dinah is trying to get by since she lives in the same run down building as Cassandra.  She ends up working as a driver Roman Sionis when he sees she can fight saving Harley.  It seems strange that she “calms” Roman, but he is not attracted to her.  Also, I don’t know where her fighting has come from, her mother was a superhero in the comics.  Woven through the narrative is a mysterious assassin, called the Crossbow Killer, but really The Huntress.  The mirror scene where she practices her secret identity is funny.  This is Helena Bertinelli played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead.  The character first appeared in All Star Comics #69 (1977) and was also part of the comic book Birds of Prey.  Winstead was in Gemini Man (2019), but memorably in another comic book adaptation, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) as Ramona Flowers.  Harley’s flash back story shows the young Helena (Ella Mika) when her family is killed.  She takes her revenge on the killers in Gotham.  I really like that the other Birds of Prey are impressed by her fighting.   

All of their stories are wrapped up with Harley Quinn, Cassandra Cain, and Black Mask.  The action is some of the best in superhero films, Chad Stahelski, director of John Wick, worked on the film.  When we have the team coming together, it is ultimately the goal of women fighting for themselves, and great scenes.  You can truly see why a human like Harley Quinn could take on multiple opponents and the police scene is where she truly comes into form.  It is easy to get caught up in Harley Quinn’s craziness including her beaver in a tutu which is funny.  Her story is to go from post-break-up to breaking some bad guys with the Birds of Prey.  This is an origin story for the team and possibly they can spin-off into their own film.  I would like more of the Birds of Prey, Harley Quinn (of course with Poison Ivy), and more movies from the cast and especially Cathy Yan.  She brings such energy, pacing, and wildness to Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) that makes it one of my top DC movies.  

Four Bertinelli Diamonds out of Five! 

#BirdsofPrey, #CathyYan, #MargotRobbie, #EllaJayBosco, #EwanMcGregor, #RosiePerez, #JurneeSmollettBell, #MaryElizabethWinstead 

Happy Birthday Jessica Green!

Happy Birthday Jessica Green!  One of her earlier roles was Kiki, an alien girl in the sci fi family show Lightning Point, also called Alien Surfer Girls (2012).  Next, she was in the true life drama Rise (2014).  A film role was in the thriller Red Billabong (2016).  She has a cameo in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017).  Green had a cameo as Lexx in “The Mettle of Man” (2018) episode of Ash vs Evil Dead.  Then, she played Cleopatra in the Roman Empire series.  Currently, Green is cast as Talon, the last of the Blackbloods, a trained warrior who may have the key to saving the world of The Outpost.  Season 2's finale had Talon and Gwynn defend the Outpost, but then had it taken over by Blackbloods!  Season 3 will air starting this summer!  Happy Birthday Jessica Green! 

#JessicaGreen, #AlienSurferGirls, #RedBillabong, #TheOutpost

FIDM 28th Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition!

Around the time of the Academy Awards, this year on Sunday, February 9th, there is the Art of Motion Picture Costume Design at the FIDM Museum, 919 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles.  It is free and you can take non-flash pictures.  The exhibiton opened on February 4th and closed on March 21st.  Check out more information at FIDMmuseum.org.  The exhibition has a long wall once you enter the building, the right side leads to the gift store, and left side begins with a display of the costumes of Angela Bassett (Ramonda) and Lupita Nyong’o (Nakia) from 2018’s Black Panther.  On the opposite wall is the Academy Award won by Ruth E. Carter.  To the side is the costumes of Joker by Oscar nominee Mark Bridges.  The center piece is the costumes of Elton John worn by Taron Egerton in Rocketman with designs by Julian Day.  There is the familiar, red sweater of Fred Rogers from A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.  Past it, is the dresses from nominee Jacqueline Durran, for Little Women. 

   

Costumes from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, photo by the author.

Then, there are circus outfits from Dumbo and then the facing wall has several costumes from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by nominee, Arianne Phillips.  The wall on the right features nominee, Sandy Powell’s costumes from The Irishman.  Followed by three superhero costumes from Captain Marvel.  Then, the facing wall, has several outfits from nominee, Mayes C. Rubeo’s Jojo Rabbit.  I like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’s capture of the period, but what looks more like costumes seem to be Little Women’s dresses.  The next room is stunning since it has three displays from Missing Link.  There are various figures of the different characters in a display case and above it is the style board of the various swatches and designs for the characters.  Then, there is characters in a scene with Sir Lionel Frost (Hugh Jackman) leading the way, Mr. Link (Zach Galifianakis) behind him, leading a horse next to massive logs.  This is the most detailed display that I’ve seen for the exhibitions about costume design.  

Style board from Missing Link, photo by the author.

Across from Missing Link’s displays is various costumes of Captain America, the sign notes that they are from Avengers: Endgame, but really these are from various MCU films; Avengers (2012 and Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014).  At the end of the room is the various dresses from Maleficient: Mistress of Evil with designs by Ellen Mirojnick.  The opposite alcove has costumes worn by Felicity Jones from The Aeronauts.  The next room on the wall to the left has costumes from the Downton Abbey movie, nice period costumes, but not too much elegance.  There are the soldier uniforms from 1917.  What stunned me was that there were black and white robes from a film called Shadow, a film from Zhang Yimou.  There there are dresses from Harriet which I found more diverse in design that what I saw from Little Women.  On the opposite wall is outfits from Hustlers, then Ford v Ferrari, then Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.  What seemed new was the helmeted uniform of Zorii Bliss, Keri Russell must be tiny!, and the full costume worn by Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams).  The center piece is an alien from the Coachella festival in the movie.  Basically, the costume design was uninspired, up close there was no real detail that was interesting.  

Costumes from Us, photo by the author.

Continuing on there was costumes from Last Christmas.  I was fascinated by the dress worn by Michelle Yeoh’s character, Santa, it has a faded jade color and intricate gold and flower designs, but this fades into a brown at the bottom, as if the character was once fancy, but now that has all faded.  I was equally stunned to see the outfits worn by Lupita Nyong’o from Us, the bloody shirt of Adelaide and the scarlet outfit of Red.  The last room has costumes from The Laudromat and next to it is three outfits from Aladdin.  I’ve seen the costumes before, but I will say, I think they are the best in the exhibition in terms of just fanciful designs and intricacy.  Great work by Michael Wilkinson.  Next to it is the costumes from the Eddie Murphy comedy, Dolemite Is My Name.  Finally, there are three outfits from Booksmart.  The opposite wall has costumes from Knives Out.  There is an incredible diversity of movies on display at FIDM.     

#FIDMMuseum, #AcademyAwards, #Joker, #StarWars