Re:tro Re:view - Universal Monsters: Dracula #4!

The moody adaptation of the 1931 Dracula comes to final conclusion with Universal Monsters: Dracula #4 by James Tynion and Martin Simmonds. Re:cap - Universal Monsters: Dracula #3 - Professor Van Helsing has overheard the conversation of Martin, the psychiatric worker, at a pub. Greyish vertical panels show Van Helsing walking out seeing a bat against the moon lit night and kisses a crucifix. The bat flies over to the sanitarium. Renfield looks out of the bars of his cel. We see the blood-rimmed eyes of Dracula in a closup. He pleads for his master’s help with the treatment by Dr. Seward. Renfield realizes that Dracula intends to take Mina and then begs him to spare her. 

We see Dracula fade into bloody red mist. The bat flies into the night and Renfield collapses saying she was kind to him. Van Helsing meets with Dr. Seward who had previously rejected him. At his fireplace, a masterful blend of wam yellows and oranges to the cold greens. Then, we see a two page spread of Dracula raising his arms and then Mina reflected in his dark eyes while there are insert panels of Van Helsing saying th creature that they are hunting in London. The blood red mist slips into a window while they are talking! Van Helsing says there is hope and holds up his crucifix while at the final panel Dracula’s fanged motuh is above Mina’s bleeding neck! The main cover by   has a red light falling on Dracula upside down resting with his clawed hands to the side, there are splotches of white falling like raindrops and almost like bats flying around, at the sides is the eerie green with clawed hands and branches. 

It begins on a page of a black and white twelve panel grid. Renfield confesses that he was a man as we see a closeup of the light above his cell door. He opens his cell door almost like a host of a horror comic book. Renfield talks about going to Castle Dracula like the adventures he dreamed about since he was a boy. He wanted respect of others braving the dark. Renfield has a fly on his pale palm. We get six vertical panels over two pages following Renfield mentioning the ship journey, his seduction by Dracula’s brides, and the promise of power. He makes his way up stairs, speaking about Dracula taking London, then reaches the rooftop looking out to the city. Renfield says that “men are wicked” and should fall to his master. Except Mina. 

He is afraid what he has to do to help her and that he could not stand against Dracula. Renfield’s pale arm is surrounded by the blood mist. He is hesitant and tries to say he is loyal when Dracula has a gift for him. This is all Renfield’s dialogue, Dracula doesn’t speak, but we see his bloody eyes! We see blood float from his eyes, splattred on his mouth and also a rat on his shoulder smoking blood from its eyes! Dracula faces Renfield with rats around him. Renfield is overjoyed that his master has brought him rats. He crushes the fly in his fingers in a closeup and then brings up the rat to bit it with his red teeth! Renfield thanks his master. We get the two page splash showing Dracula’s blood soaked castle in the dark woods at the title page. 

Simmonds is going all out on bringing his artistry to the pages. Likewise, Tynion IV is bringing the depth of character of Renfield, taking him from repulsive and simpering to sympathetic and capable of redemption from Dracula’s influence. This issue is a perfect encapulation of Tynion IV and Simmond’s adaptation. In contrast, the next pages has the sunlight washing the color in tans and greys. Dr. Seward is concerned over Mina who doesn’t want to be locked in her room by Van Helsing. Also the wolfsbane like Renfield’s spiders. Mina glows like a ghost. She admits that she talked to Count Dracula the other night. We see Mina smile, almost ghastly, and then a closeup of hr yes, rimmed red like Dracula. Then, it shifts into blurry blacks as Mina says the city belongs to Dracula. 

Next, we see the blood red eyes of Mina and her smile like Renfield with his blank face. In Dr. Seward’s office, Van Helsing says Mina is lost to the vampire as his bride, sh will die and her soul will be lost. Seward mentions that he is a man of science, Van Helsing mentions, and we see the shadowy scene of Dracula repulsed by Van Helsing’s mirror box. Also, that a wolf was running to Carfax Abbey where they will find Dracula. Van Helsing drinks during his scenes, getting drunk, or readying for the final battle. He takes another drink in shadow while saying that have kill his daughter if they can’t save her. Van Helsing contemplates what Dracula thinks of them. How he may be their dark reflection. John Harker finally reenters the story and interrupts them to say that Mina is gone. 

Next, we get a splash page that looks like a cover of the abbey, the image of Mina’s face, her walk to Dracula, and reaching out to him in her white dress. The larger image is of Dracula and Mina, darkness and light walking to an altar like a wedding with the blood red  covered pews. Rnfield walks in the night with a lantern heading to Carfax Abbey. John wonders where he is going, Van Helsing knows he is headed to see Dracula, next to Dr. Seward. Renfield announces his arrival. Then, sees Dracula and Mina at the top of some stairs, and says it is “wonderful.” He starts to walk up the stairs and then the others call out for Mina. Dracula snarls. Renfield tries to say he didn’t betray his master. 

Dracula’s claws close around Renfield’s throat. An interesting layout of Dracula taking Renfield as he says he thought he would be saved by his master. He thrown down with his blood splattering and says, “Now I know.” Mina has dark eyes, sees Renfield with blood by his head, and then comes to her senses and screams! The sun is about to dawn over the abbey. John remarks that he heard Mina’s screams. Dr. Seward sees Renfield and asks Van Helsing to save his daughter. Renfield weakily tries to apologize to Dr. Seward who wants to save him. He says he was “too small” and Dracula promised him that he would be “a little bigger.” Van Helsing has found that Mina’s coffin is empty. Renfield says that he only needs some compassion from Dr. Seward like Mina has done. 

Van Helsing finds the coffin of Dracula, his glasses flare, Dracula’s eyes blaze and his bloody influence goes to Van Helsing. He drives it off with his crucifix and stake. Dracula says one of his few words, “Van Helsing.” Then, Van Helsing raises the stake and grits his teeth. Dracla reaches out with his clawed hand, we get a shift of Dracula into his wolf and bat forms, and then Dracula brings down the stake! We see the shriveled form of Dracula like bone is falling from his skull and bloody mouth. Renfield says that little men will go searching for power. He says Dracula is immortal and “will have the world” and Dr. Seward will have his daughter. John reunites with Mina. A greater scene is Dr. Seward saying he forgives Renfield before he dies. A splash page has Dr. Seward holdign the body of Renfield as the orange sunlight falls on them with a bat at the top of the window. Universal Monsters: Dracula #4 brings an artistic end to the story of Dracula and the redemption of Renfield!  

Five Blood Samples out of Five! 

#UniversalMonstersDracula, #JamesTynionIV, #MartinSimmonds, #Renfield, #DrSeward, #VanHelsing, #Dracula, #JohnHarker 

The Art of Costume Design in Film - 2024!

The Art of Costume Design in Film this year has a partnership with ASU (Arizona Statue University) and FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising). It is an annual event usually tied to the Academy Awards. I usually make a visit especially if there are some outstanding costumes and it was held several weeks in advance of the awards. This time it opened on March 8th, a Friday, days before the awards which is today, March 10th. It continues until March 14th. There may have been a preview for Academy members or it may have been delayed by the ASU collaboration. The ASU FIDM Museum is located on Grand Ave. at the Los Angeles campus of FIDM. 

The Art of Costume Design in Film at the ASU FIDM Museum, photo by the author. 

There are some noticeable changes including the book store which has been moved to the other side of the building. This was good to ask any questions about the museum. At the side of the entrance is the first display which is usually a popular movie. Last year, it was The Riddler costume from The Batman (2022). For this year, it was the cowboy costumes of Barbie and Ken from Barbie, the movie’s display was elsewhere in the exhibit. The other feature was the large circular display of a popular movie like Black Panther (2018). Instead, it was an empty space. In fact, there were very few costumes this year, the previous year was costumes from Blonde, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and The Northman. 

The Color Purple costumes designed by Francine-Jamison Tanchuck, author’s photo.

It seems like there were mostly costumes of Academy nominated films and not an overview of the year’s movies. Again, I think this may be hasty mounting of the exhibit, which is fine because I almost expected that this year would be skipped. Still, there was many empty spaces, it was missing some Kenergy. Along the left wall was the costumes from The Color Purple which included the black sequined dress of Celie (Fantasia Barrino) that represented her independence. 

Next to it was the red showgirl dress, headdress, and jewelry of Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson). Then, the workman-like shirt, suspenders, and trousers of Mister (Coleman Domingo). I saw the characters as much as the costumes and I think that is the brilliance of costume designer, Francine Jamison-Tanchuck. The designs were period appropriate, vibrant with color, and a nod to the musical and characters. A shame the film was not nominated.  

Some of Jacquline West work for The Killers of the Flower Moon, photo by the author. 

Then, there were the costumes of The Killers of the Flower Moon by Jacqueline West.  I did see a more comprehensive display of the costumes at the Apple campus. It includes the wedding outfits of Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Mollie Burkhart (Lily Gladstone). The film is nominated and I think is impressive for not only being period appropriate for a troubled time with tradition mixing with the expensive fashion of the time, but also capturing the unique styles of dress. Plus, the involvement of the Osage Nation in creating the costumes. Deserving of a win IMHO. 

On the other side was the royal clothing from Napoleon and his  outfit as a general complete with iconic hat. Then, the suit and dress from Maestro, and the costumes from The Little Mermaid which I had seen at the El Capitan Theatre. It is great to see the costumes up close; the dark blue vest and tan trousers of Eric (Jonah Hauer-King), the simple, blue dress of Ariel (Halle Bailey), and the purple dress of Vanessa (Jessica Alexander). 

Barbie costumes right out of Barbieland, author’s photo. 

The next room was for Barbenheimer. Barbie had a Barbieland backdrop (which I think is new to have images from the film for the displays). It featured the outfit of Barbie (Margot Robbie) when she is leaving Barbieland, her pink and white checkered dress from the start of the film, to the other side is the beachwear of Ken (Ryan Gossling), and also his fur coat and clothes from the real world! No other Barbies, Kens, or Allan! I hope there is a more extensive display at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. 

Barbie won the Costume Designers Guild Award for Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film. At the end of the hall was the suit, hat, and pipe along with the dress from Oppenheimer. In the next room on the left wall was costumes from Air including the iconic shoes in a case and on the other side, costumes from Saltburn. On the right hand wall was costumes from Priscilla and then Poor Things costumes. It had the dresses of Belle Baxter (Emma Stone), complete with poofy sleeves, her Victoria, and the suit of Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo). It won Excellence in Period Film at the Costume Designers Guild Awards.   

Wonka costumes made with Pure Imagination, photo by the author. 

The last room contained some popular movies, to the left were three costumes from The Iron Claw. On the other side was the costumes of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes which surprised me. There was the bloody red fading to white lab coat of Dr. Volumnia Gual (Viola Davis), the rainbow dress of Lucy Gray (Rachel Zegler), and the red and purple dress of Tigris (Hunter Schafer), cousin of Coriolanus Snow. Strangely, no costume of Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth). It was fascinating to see the blue and white flowers with snakes woven in a bow in the corset. 

Against the wall was the outfits from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. There was the uniform of Starlord (Chris Pratt) and the astronaut suits of Drax (Dave Bautista), and Mantis (Pom Klementieff). My favorite costumes at the end of the exhibit were from Wonka! There was the chocolate colored top hat, dark velvet coat, and even his cane, though not suitcase of Willy Wonka (Timothee Chalamet). Also, the costume of Noodle (Calah Lane), and the suit of Slugworth (Paterson Joseph). The Art of Costume Design in Film exhibit gives visitors a look at some of the fine costume work that is featured in 2023 movies up close!  

#TheArtOfCostumeDesignInFilm, #ASUFIDMMuseum, #TheColorPurple, #FrancineJamisonTanchuck, #FantasiaBarrino, #TarajiPHenson, #ColemanDomingo, #TheKillersOfTheFlowerMoon, #JacquelineWest, #LeonadoDiCaprio, #LilyGladstone, #Napoleon, #Maestro, #TheLittleMermaid, #JonahHauerKing, #HalleBailey, #JessicaAlexander

#Barbenheimer, #Barbie, #MargotRobbie, #RyanGosling, #Oppenheimer, #Air, #Saltburn, #Priscilla, #PoorThings, #EmmaStone, #MarkRuffalo, #TheIronClaw, #TheHungerGamesTheBalladOfSongbirdsAndSnakes, #ViolaDavis, #RachelZegler, #HunterSchafer, #TomBlyth, #GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3, #ChrisPratt, #DaveBautista, #PomKlementieff, #Wonka, #TimotheeChalamet, #CalahLane, #PatersonJoseph  

 

The Last Days of Astra Lumina Los Angeles!

Astra Lumina is a stunning experience wandering gardens at night to see the stars nestling in trees. It was created by Moment Factory who also worked on the Las Vegas Sphere and the Happie than Ever World Tour for Billie Eilish.  This is the seventeenth experience in their Night Walk Series and the first in California. 

It started on November 9th last year and tomorrow, March 10th, is the last day! The experience is at the South Coast Botanic Garden at the Palos Verdes Peninsula. I went to Astra Lumina on March 8th which had a Wish pop-up that concluded today, March 9th. It was a sold out event. Hopefully, everyone can attend, or that Astra Lumina will return. Infomation and tickets is at: https://astralumina.com/los-angeles/ 

Astra Lumina at the South Coast Botanic Garden, author’s photo. 

The South Coast Botanic Garden, itself, is 87 acres which was beautiful even at night. I saw bamboo and various cacti. There was a few benches along the trail. The people who worked at the event were incredibly helpful. One of the considerations is a release form since it may be tricky walking in the dark on uneven terrain. It is explained that there are nine areas that last around three to four minutes. 

There are a few visitors who just walk though, but the experience has to start a new cycle. Each area like the Astra Archway has a small circular sign with a QR code. Only a few took the time to read up on the experience and it has a really good storyline. The trees were illuminated in different colors and the archway was a series of curved columns filled with lights and mist. The music and sound effects are great way to bring visitors into this otherworldly experience. 

Starlight Beacon, photo by the author. 

Another sign was set on a trellis and set against the night sky asking “What if the stars could reach for us?” A walk around a dark path leads to the Starlight Beacons. The beacons, dark cylinders that projecting sparkles on the area. One notes that this a place “where humans and stars are united by a common light.” The lanterns explain that falling stars have landed “after a long voyage.” 

You are encouraged to “follow the stars as they regenerate, rise, and regain thir place in the sky above.” This is the basic story. Then, you walk to the Falling Stars, this is a circular structure that has light effects running down poles, stirring music, and thunderous booms. I was just saying wow recording video. There was a worker there who pointed out when to be ready with your phones, without using flash. I asked him what to do if I saw an alien and he said they would be there the next day! Funny! There are strobing light effects. 

Stardust Rays at night, author’s photo. 

The next area is Stardust Rays that just stunned me, “a place where stars and nature are one.” There was a clearing of trees and it felt like stars were nestled there light rays and sparkles. I really wanted to stay there all night! The fifth area was Celestial Trail, there were tiny lights along the gardens below trees while a guitar plays. Surreal. Another amazing area was Stellar Visions, “Observe the cosmos to uncover the story of the fallen stars.” 

This brought many people to watch what was a stargate. Five stars travel through the galaxy together, the orangish globes shatter like rose petals, turning into purplish starstuff. Then, the new stars streak across the night to find their place in the sky above the Earth. The show is impressive with colors and spacescapes. Cosmic Choir is the seventh area. This has New Age-like chorus music while stars like globes floating in the trees. Another area where I wanted to stay, but I did want to stay too long. 

Wishing Well from Wish, photo by the author. 

Astral Genesis has the regeneration of a star. This looked like a sparkly disco globe, glowing and surrounded by lights, among rocks with desert plants. It was challenging walking up the steep part of the trail from there. One of the last areas is the Rise of the Stars as the stars return home in the experience’s climax. Several tall light poles had light features, music, and mist. This felt the most like a Las Vegas light show. You just walk on the path between them to reach the photo op, Beyond The Horizon. 

This has the Astra Lumina sign with various poles behind a stone-rimmed place to take photos. The light directed at you is so blinding you just have to trust the pictures are coming out right. The Wish pop-up was just before the exit. It had a karaoke booth with a screen showing lyrics to songs from the movie. Next to it is a well and tables to write you wish to drop in the well. There were buttons and keychains that were given away. Astra Lumina is an experience not to be missed and a chance to walk in a garden with stars! 

#AstraLumina, #SouthCoastBotanicGardens, #AstraArchway, #StarlightBeacons, #FallingStars, #StardustRays, #CelestialTrail, #StellarVisions, #CosmicChoir, #AstralGenesis, #RiseOfTheStars, #BeyondTheHorizon, #WishMovie 

Strolling Through the (Theme) Park One Day - Food & Wine Festival!

 The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival for 2024 began on March 1st and continues the cuisine journey until April 22nd! Today was the last day of my three day So Cal Resident pass. One of my objectives was to go on attractions that I did not go on my other trip on February 16th for the Lunar New Year Celebation. This of course meant Mickey’s Philharmagic which I had been to at Magic Kingdom. It is a fun trip through Disney films with a 4D effects. There were some Culinary Demonstrations at the Hollywood Backlot Stage. I wasn’t in time for any of them though. 

Food & Wine Festival mural by Marcella Swett!, author’s photo. 

Then, it was a ride on Soarin’ which was back to Soarin’ over California. It should stay that way. I think all of the parks should be unique and of course Soarin’ over California fits with Disney’s California Adventure. The other parks can have the Soarin’ Around the World. At the Paradise Gardens Park was the show, Cookin’ with the Jammin’ Chefs. A lively show with chefs acting as percussionists with kitchen instruments. There was also Clarabelle Cow, Daisy Duck and Chip n’ Dale! It was about working together to bring different ingredients to make jumbo gumbo and other dishes! 

I was walking and passing up some busy and just ok booths and ended up at Cluck-a-Doodle-Moo. They an out of the BBQ Beef Brisket Slider so I went for the Cheese Pizza-flavored Wings, $8.50. I actually didn’t know the flavor of the wings until I looked it up. For drink, I chose the Kiwi-Apple Lemonade, $7.00. This was the best part, Lemonade, Apple Juice, and “Kiwi & Granny Apple Syrups, garnished with a Purple Orchid.” It was delicious, but about half way, became too sugary. There was a beautiful mural of the festival of Marcella Swett whom I saw drawing chalk art by Downtown Disney the other day!  

Cookin’ with the Jammin’ Chefs show, author’s photo. 

At the Disney Animation Building, I when to see Turtle Talk with Crush. Crush is always funny! This is at the former Living Seas at EPCOT which is even more convincing in a large aquarium. Next it was a long wait, about an hour and a half, for the Anna & Elsa’s Royal Welcome. It varied which character would be there since the characters would have to take a break. Still, the cast members for that area were nice, and it was great to see Anna. I had my Lorcana, Anna: Heir to Arendelle, card signed. I saw another performance of Five and Dime at the stage which was great. 

Then, I got some rest and reset, which was helpful since I got to see Minnie. Before I got the rest, her line was closed, and now there was only one person for her queue. She signed Minnie Mouse: Funky Spelunker! This was good since I went over to Avengers Campus and saw the line for Spider-Man! I got signed the Contest of Champions series 2 card, Spider-Man (Classic). This was from the arcade game. I didn’t have my silver pen, but the black pen kinda worked on his red blue costume. The second meal was Grilled Top Sirloin, $9.00 with “Roasted Garlic-Guyere Smashed Potatos and Black Garlic Chimichurri.” 

Grilled Top Sirloin (the chimichurri was tasty!) and Huckleberry-Citrus Cooler, recommended!, photo by the author. 

The drink was a Huckleberry-Citrus Cooler, $7.00, which has “Gold Peak Black Tea, Huckleberry & Agave Syrups, Grapefruit Soda, Lemon & Orange Juices”, it has the rich, citrus taste. Also, it is light, so I couldn’t wait to drink it all. My last food item was the Mickey-shaped Macaron made with SNICKERS. It has a “Chocolate Mickey-shaped Macaron with Caramel Ganache” made with Snickers. $7.75. I saw it in passing and thought, must buy!, it is delicious! Not a healthy option, but you should know it going in. This was at the Nuts About Cheese that is before you reach Avenger’s Campus. There is some delicious food and drink at the Food and Wine Festival, entertaining shows, and you can see a few characters! 

#DisneysCaliforniaAdventure, #FoodandWineFestival, #SoarinOverCalifornia, #CookinWithTheJamminChefs, #ClarabelleCow, #DaisyDuck, #ChipNDale, #CluckaDoodleMoo, #CheesePizzaflavordWings, #KiwiAppleLemonade 

Iwájú, “Iwájú”, Review!

Iwájú is a fresh look at a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria with the new animated series by Disney and Kugali Media. It features two young leads who are drawn into the plots of the man called Bode! Kugali Media  The series has released with the documentary, Iwájú: A Day Ahead, both streaming on Disney+. The series is directed by Olufikayo Adeola with a story by Adeola, Hamid Ibrahim, and Toluwalakin Olowofoyku. The screenplay is by Adeola and Halima Hudson. “Iwájú” means “forward” or the future. A moonlit night falls on the Lagos streets. A young girl, Omotola Abike Martins, Tola for short (Simisola Gbadamosi), rides a hover scooter. Out of her backpack, a orange-headed agama lizard, Otin, crawls out. She waves to the people in the street. Tola passes an alley where the lights of a van suddenly turn on. 

At the highway outside of the city, Tola happily rides her hover scooter listening to music., the series music is by Nigerian composer, Ré Olunuga. The van passes Tola and Otin eyes it suspiciously. A grenade-like device drops out and shorts her hover scooter! The van stops with the occupants walking out. Then, a car stops behind her, two more persons walk towards Tola. Otin’s tail clicks a button on Tola’s neck sending out a protective, pink bubble. This is not the best defense with the device that shorted out electonics. Otin crawls forward and looks at the threatening people. It zips at them and is too fast for them! Its prehensile tongue smacks into one man. Otin zaps two others over the bridge and into the river! I think the button should have sent out an immediate emergency signal, GPS locator, and blaring noise to throw off any attackers! 

Ottin’s eyes glow red, he is an electronic device, detecting the threats, one has a blue electric club and another an electric bola and stick like a flail. Interestring future weapons. Ottin’s vision reads Ija Mode, “Ija” means “fight” in Yoruba. The two sides split the screen, very cool, Ottin starts to send out energy, growing! The two attackers pause shocked, but Ottin’s hulk form still has his tiny head! A malfunction! This is paused by the Tunde, (Dayo Okeniyi) Tola’s father. Okeniyi stars in the sci fi show, Dark Matter. The scene was playing out on a table in front of a holographic control screen. He sits back exhausted. He wonders what he missed in the programming and comes to the news page, The Daily Swipe. The report is on the latest kidnapping and the kidnappers are unknown.

The pilot announces that they are about to land at Lagos. The city itself has curved antelope horn structures and other spires that are beautiful. The other side has several blocky buildings. The sun is setting over Lagos and the Lagos Lagoon. Then, it is morning with the sun flooding the purple bedroom of Tola. Her watch flashes a birthday animation and Tola wakes up from sleeping over her cook book of Puff Puffs. The Puff Puffs are known as Beignets in French, but rolled up as fried dough balls. I want to see them at the parks! She wakes up with a laugh and throws off her pink blanket. A floating robot, Rashedeet, wishes her happy birthday. Tola jumps over to the mirror and sees a hologram of side buns. She swipes until finding a top bun with ringlets. She throws off her sleep cap and puts on her helmet, then it perfectly forms her hairstyle!, I want a hair helmet! 

Rashedeet tries to pull an outfit from her closet, but becomes confused so Tola digs into her closet to find the perfect dress for her tenth birthday. Tola begins to mix the ingredients given by Rashedeet into a bowl to make the Puff Puffs! She takes a pic of the dessert with her watch and then a selfie with the robot making a smile emoji! Tola is notified about her father’s landing. Her house is angular with trees, gadens, and fountains. The driver in a grey suit, Godspower (Toyin Oshinaike) is startled by the new car’s gull wing door flipping open. Then, the seat belt lashing around him, and he gets confused by the new screen! The security guards watch as he sets off the car alarm. Tola runs up to ask Uncle G to go to the mainland. He is frustrated with the car so she flashes him an adorable smile. Godspower gives in winning a bet from one guard! 

He pulls out of the electric gate and it pans back to see the layout of Lagos as Godspower makes his way from the island across one of the bridges to the mainland. We see the citizens at a park and one rowing a boat under a bridge which also carries the new car. Uncle G has to stop with the traffic. He starts the hover mode and the car starts to float above the bridge! Tola is excited to take in everything. A delivery drone takes food to a child at the market. A man drops down with a hover pack. I would like to live in this future more than any other and putting Lagos on my list of places to visit! Godspower is surprised Tola has never been to the mainland, Tola says her father says it is dangerous, and then gives the Lion King line, “I laugh in the face of danger.” Then, she is shocked by several drones hawking goods with the faces of merchants on screens, and hides from them! 

She asks Uncle G if she can buy something and he tells her to be careful. Tola lowers the window and calls over a hawker drone who offers various meats. This includes lizard which Tola finds distasteful! The drone pulls away, Tola waves her money, and then several hawker drones start to crowd in front of her! She closes the window. At the airport, it is busy with passengers, and we see the looming form of Bode de Sousa (Femi Branch). He is imposing like the Kingpin, and wear a fez, he reminds me of the X-Men villain, Shadow King. Bode uses his glasses to casually scan the passengers along with their net worth. This works until he gets to Tunde with a scrambled face profile! His assistant, Happiness (Bisola Aiyola), is on the phone and he angrily tells her he is working. We get Tunde getting a call about another kidnapping. Tola calls out to her father and trips. Tola is a perfect voice of enthusiasm, pre-teen courage, and wanting to be grown up. 

Bode gets a clear scan of her profile and smiles! Tunde is angry that she came to the airport, I understand his worry, but he needs to be kinder with every moment with his kid. They leave the airport and are surrounded by the needy, Tunde continues on, with Tola having a sad expression. Tunde is wealthy and has a healthy child, but ignores the help he could help. Bode walks out saying he can help the people and tosses a bill behind him. He smiles in the backseat looking at Tunde’s car ahead of them. Tunde is angry at Godspower leaving Tola alone. I think this is for Tola, but should be handled privately. Uncle G gives his employer some Agege bread. Tunde breaks a piece and gives one half to his daughter. Tola who likes it. He says it is ok and says the best is from Ajegunle where he grew up. Tola says she wants to go there, a place that is connected to her father, but he says she shouldn’t go. On his glasses, Tunde sees the reports of a kidnapping, and he tells Tola that is why he is worried about her. 

They walk into their home, Tunde is on a call, and distractedly gets his shoes shined by a servant robot. Tola rushes to the kitchen to celebrate her birthday. Her father just walks past the kitchen. She takes the plate of Puff Puffs and shows it to Tunde on the stairs. He says he has to work, takes a Puff Puff, and then continues with his call. Rashedeet sets off a party popper, kinda funny, but the sad Tola walks out to the gardens. She is surprised by an agama lizard and steps on its tail severing it. Her friend, Kole Adesola (Siji Soetan) carries two bin bags. He calls her “madam” and doesn’t want to shake her hands because he is dirty from work. Still, Tola has their greeting, bumping him into the bin bags! Kole wishes her a happy birthday. He says her father must have a celebration for her, but she explains that he is busy with work. Also, eveything that happened at the aiport while Kole holds the heavy bags. He needs to work and Tola tells him that she has time to help him. Kole is a kid who puts in the hard work for his family. His friendship with Tola is really because there is no one else around. 

Five Puff Puffs out of Five! 

#Iwaju, #Kugali, #OlufikayoAdeola, #HamidIbrahim, #ToluwalakinOlowofoyku, #HalimaHudson, #ReOlunuga, #SimisolaGbadamosi, #DayoOkeniyi, #FemiBranch, #ToyinOshinaike

Hollywood Show - March 2nd!

One of the best parts of going to a show with celebrities like the Hollywood Show is meeting them, but also finding out about their projects, and finding unexpected celebrities! The Hollywood Show takes place at the Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel and has upcoming shows on June 28-29th and October 18-19th! Check out more info and the latest guest lists at: https://www.hollywoodshow.com. There were photo ops, a room for the Dallas actors, and panels. The panels were a bit confusing, the room always seemed to be full, but it is nice that they were available. 

Dorsey Wright (Cleon) from The Warriors, Hollywood Show, author’s photo. 

Deep Roy was an incredibly nice person to meet and his filmogaphy includes being the double for Yoda in Empire Strikes Back (1980), playing Teeny Weeny in The NeverEnding Story (1984), and Roy was Keenser in Star Trek (2009). It was also great to meet Kelly Hu who played Detective Veronica Jin in the crime drama, BMF. Hu voices Cheshire in Young Justice and previously played China White in the superhero show, Arrow. Dorsey Wright along with Michael Beck are part of the video, The Warriors: Last Subway Ride Home (2015), are reunion of the cast. A film that I haven’t seen yet that Wright was in is the musical, Hair (1979). A surprise was seeing Peter Sherayko who played Texas Jack in the Western, Tombstone (1993). Sherayko detailed the costumes and firearms in his book, Tombstone: The Guns and Gear.

Laurette Spang, actress and author, author’s photo. 

I talked with Bruce Reitherman who voiced Mowgli in The Jungle Book (1967) and also Christopher Robin in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)! The superheroes were represented with Deidre Hall who was known for the soap opera, Days of Our Lives. She is also known for playing Electra Woman, part of the Krofft Supershow. Judy Strangis played Dyna Girl. She voiced Tammy Vance in the “Baby-Doll” (1994) episode of Batman: The Animated Series. The show, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, were one of the early female superheroes. It was later made into a webseries in 2016. Laurette Spang had played Cassiopeia in the Battlestar Galactica series. She was there with her son, Jake McCook, and they co-wrote the book, The Cliffs of Schizophrenia: Mother and Son Perspective (2023). Check out more at: https://www.jakemccook.com. There were a number of interesting celebrities to meet and have a chat with at the Hollywood Show!   

#HollywoodShow, #KellyHu, #BMF, #YoungJustice, #Arrow, #DorseyWright, #MichaelBeck, #TheWarriors, #TheWarriorsLastSubwayRideHome, #Hair, #PeterSherayko, #Tombstone, 

#BruceReitherman, #TheJungleBook, #TheManyAdventuresOfWinnieThePooh, #DeidreHall, #DaysOfOurLives, #JudyStrangis, #BatmanTheAnimatedSeries, #ElectraWomanAndDynaGirl, #LauretteSpang, #BattlestarGalactica, #JakeMcCook, #TheCliffsOfSchizophrenia  

Dune Part Two Review!

Dune Part Two expands the world of Arrakis on an epic scale and centers on Paul turning away from his destiny and Chani fighting for her people! Denis Villeneuve continues directing and co-writing the sequel. His co-writer is Jon Spaihts who also woked on the screenplay for Dune (2021). The story is based on Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel. A viewer may need a Re:cap of Dune - Young Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) is the son of Duke Leto and a Bene Gesserit sister, Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson). One of Paul’s mentors is Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin), House Atreides’ Warmaster. They travel to planet Arrakis to take over spice mining from their rivals, House Harkonnen. 

The spice melange is the most valuable commodity in the universe, only found on Arrakis, and the spice could expand the mind. A mechanical voice is heard as we get the quote, “Power over spice is power over all”, this must be from the Guild who use the spice to fold space. Duke Leto gets the respect of Fremen leader, Stilgar (Javier Bardem). Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard) orders a surprise attack that ends with the death of Duke Leto. Paul and Jessica manage to escape and are found by Stilgar and Chani (Zendaya). He makes his first kill when challenged by Jamis (Babs Olusanmokun). They are taken by the tribe. The beginning is narrated by Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) dictating to her Imperial diary. Pugh was last in the drama, Oppenheimer (2023). 

Irulan wears a gold headdress. Costume designer, Jacqueline West, continues to impress with otherworldly, but also real world designs. Bodies are piled in a mound that is burned and we see the Atreides symbol. She is on a world with trees which may be Kaitan, the planet of House Corrino, she plays a form of chess with her father, Emperor Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken). The sci fi drama, Severence, starred Walken. The Emperor in robes seems elderly, not engaged directly in events. This shifts to Arakkis where Rabban (Dave Bautista), leader of Harkonnen troops, is given a necklace, governorship of the planet by Baron Harkonnen. Paul (Chalamet) has his eyes closed resting against a sand dune. Chalamet also has out the family fantasy movie, Wonka. 

Chani (Zendaya) silences him and then scrambles away. Zendaya is in the upcoming drama, Challengers. Jessica (Ferguson) signs with her fingers the word, “Enemy.” Ferguson starred in the action movie, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023). Stilgar (Bardem) tells them to stay and hurries off with his Fremen leaving behind the body of Jamis wrapped in cloth. Bardem played King Triton in the live action film, The Little Mermaid (2023). Jessica and Paul crawl up to the edge of the sand dune to see a Harkonnen ship drop soldiers using suspensors, belts that cancel gravity. They are in black, beetle-like armor. Paul and Jessica retreat to a rocky crevice and the Harkonnens see the tracks of the Fremen. 

They are distracted by the sound of a thumper, drawing the attention of the gigantic sandworms! Almost surreal, the line of Harkonnen soldiers drift upwards, on suspensors, along a cliff like a line of ants. Gathered on a cliff, the commander orders a soldier to look for wormsign. He slumps forward off the cliff shot by a Fremen rifle! The Harkonnen bodies  fall in front of Paul and Jessica. One soldiers drops down using his suspensor belt. Paul reaches for a sword from a Harkonnen body and cuts the soldier down. Unnoticed, there is another Harkonnen, but he is struck by Jessica! 

 Five+ Thumpers out of Five! 

#DunePartTwo, #DenisVilleneuve, #JonSpaihts, #TimotheeChalamet, #Zendaya, #JavierBardem, #RebeccaFerguson, #AustinButler, #FlorencePugh, #ChristopherWalken, #StellanSkarsgard, #CharlotteRampling, #LeaSeydoux, #SouheilaYacoub, #DaveBautista,  #BabsOlusanmokun