The New Mutants Review!

 The New Mutants is a horror movie filled with the fears of five mutant teens!  The film is a survivor, first set to be released on April 13, 2018, then delayed to February 22, 2019, then August 2nd, then April 3, 2020.  Next, there was the acquistion of Fox by Disney and then finally it was set for August 28th!  Is it worth the wait?, yes!  The New Mutants is directed and co-written by Josh Boone who also directed the romantic film, The Fault in Our Stars (2014) and he is also writing episodes of The Stand series based on the Stephen King novel.  His co-writer, Knate Lee, is also the screenwriter for the action movie, Kidnap (2017) and also working on The Stand.  

The film is based on the Demon Bear storyline that was in New Mutants #18-20 (984) by Chris Claremont and Bill Sienkiewicz.  They are given prominent credits in the film and also co-creator Bob McLeod.  The opening scene, previewed in full with the trailer on July 23rd, it begins with snow against a night sky.  There is narration by Dani Moonstar (Blu Hunt) who explains that there are two bears inside everyone, one of “compassion” and the other of “fear”, fighting each other.  Hunt was in the supernatural show, The Originals.  The parable is similar to the two wolves story that was in Tomorrowland (2015).  Dani is wakened by her father, William (Adam Beach) and taken outside to snowy destruction.  Beach played Snipknot in Suicide Squad (2016).  He hides her in the gap of a tree, then his body falls, and Dani starts to run.  Dani is our protagonist, she is trying to discover her mutant power, not a mystery to comics fans.    

Dani wakes up in hospital bed handcuffed, she sees someone in the overhead grate, this is the lycanthorpe form of Rahne Sinclair (Maise Williams) with a security camera like a hexagon watches them.  Rahne is the shy girl who is traumatized by Reverend Craig (Happy Anderson).  Dr. Reyes (Alice Braga) mentions that Dani is a mutant.  Braga was in the horror movie adaptation, I Am Legend (2007) and she will be in the The Suicide Squad to be released next year.  Dr. Reyes tries to control the mutants for a mysterious organization tied to the X-Men films.  The doctor is charge of the unknown hospital, Mid-County Medical Center in the comics, in an undisclosed location.  

Dr. Reyes at group therapy, in a circle is Sam (Charlie Heaton) with a cast on his arm and a blackeye.  Heaton is known for playing Jonathan Byers in Stranger Things.  He starred with co-star Anya Taylor-Joy in the drama, Marrowbone (2017).  Illyana Rasputin (Taylor-Joy) who has a hand puppet dragon she calls Lockheed.  Taylor-Joy is in the adaptation of Emma this year.  She is known for her role in the horror movie, The Witch (2015).  IIlyana is the girl with the superior attitude and she enjoys manipulating others.  Her character is actually the younger sister to Colossus of the X-Men who was in Deadpool 2 (2018) voiced by Stefan Kapicic.  She became Magik in Magik #1 (1983) and was trapped in a dimension for years in Uncanny X-Men #160 (1982).  

Next is Roberto da Costa (Henry Zaga), Zaga was in the comedy show, Trinkets, and will be Nick Andros in the upcoming The Stand mini-series.  Roberto is an arrogant teen believing his family’s wealth puts him above the others.  The actor is Brazilian, but the character was Afro-Brazilian.  The character is not as developed and the actor is not able to give the charm of his comic book counterpart.  His power is slightly different from the comics.  IIlyana calls Rahne “doggie” and Roberto gives Dr. Reyes attitude.  Dani joins them.  Dr. Reyes gives them the hope that they will move to another facility and asks them about their first time using their powers.  Rahne says that she had her powers until confronted at church.  Sam says his fellow miners were hurt by his power.  The original New Mutants team had Sam, Dani, Rahne, and Roberto debuting in Marvel Graphic Novel #4 (1982).  

Dr. Reyes sends Illyana to show Dani around the school.  She tries to insult Dani calling her “Pocahontas” and shows her the open gate, Dani runs towards it, a wolf runs by her.  Dani crashes into a force field.  This is a dome that covers the entire grounds.  She runs at Illyana, but she disappears, teleporting away, a wolf watches her.  Dani breaks through the boards on the clock of the church tower.  She climbs out and is about to step out when she is stopped by Rahne who holds out her hand and reassures her that things will be better.  This is the start of the close bond between Dani and Rahne.  They find Sam attached to a chain, he activates his power with a pinkish energy that shudders around his arms, he blasts off and spins around held by the chain.  The group is in the cafeteria.  Illyana gets into a conflict with Dani again and her arm becomes armored, but this is broken up by Dr. Reyes.  

In the showers, Rahne is showering and Dani joins her, she remarks about the “W” mark on her back.  Rahne walks away.  Later, Dani sees the boys and Illyana walk towards their meeting place.  It is in the attic where they believe is no cameras.  This is a Breakfast Club (1985) moment and there are others later in the film.  Illyana hooks up Sam to a lie detector, he tells them about the time he worked in a coal mine.  Next, is Roberto who has to change how many women he has been with and has to admit three, which is a lie.  Then, Illyana questions Dani, but this turns to her, and she admits to killing eighteen people, the truth.  This is all seen by Dr. Reyes.  We learn about the powers of everyone of the group and their fears.  One of the fears is voiced by Marilyn Manson's song.  This is the best X-Men film because it is not about supervillain battles or taking over the world, it is about five mutants.  New Mutants is about our deepest fears, the struggle of growing up as a teen, and the dangers of institutions and how we need to deal with our fear to move on.  

Four Lockheeds out of Five! 

#NewMutants, #JoshBoone, #BluHunt, #MaisieWilliams, #CharlieHeaton, #AnyaTaylorJoy, #HenryZaga 

The Outpost, “A Life for a Life”, Review!

Yavalla has revealed that Talon’s father may be alive in the Plane of Ashes!  Wren, Janzo, and Talon have uncovered a passage beneath the Smith’s room!  Yavalla and Zed join them.  Talon says Zed has to stay behind to maintain the Blackfists.  Wren vouches for Janzo.  The group with Yavalla descends down the dark tunnel.  Talon has Zed promise to tell Gwynn.  In his throne room, he informs Gwynn.  He questions her about Tobin.  Zed sends out a Lu-Qiri and then has Gwynn locked in her room.  Janzo falls from the rion ladder.  They find a small pyramid sturucture, Janzo finds a key in the sand really ashes, as well as the others.  Wren thinks the doors have something to do with the symbols.  Janzo works out what the symbols mean.  Yavalla uncovers the pyramid chest, they are sealed off, and a fire explodes from the pyramid chest!  

Walking by a stream is Munt singing and Tobin.  He wants to bring Auntie Gertie a pipe in memory of his mother.  Last season, Gertie was a rival and sister to the Mistress and former advisor to Tobin.  Munt is called a hero by Tobin, but he doesn’t consider himself one with the death of the Mistress.  The Locuri is following their trail!  In the room, Wren puts I the key, the door opens a little, the others use their keys.  Janzo takes the last key with the sacrifice symbol, plunging his hand into the fire to turn the key!  Munt is hungry, but Tobin has them continue, they come across a large, wild boar.  Munt chases after it and Tobin follows!  A door slams down in the passage, Wren administers to Janzo’s burn.  Yavalla sees skeletons around the blocked passage lined with writings.  Janzo notes that the Indira was a human civilization that lived with the Blackbloods. 

THE OUTPOST -- “A Life for a Life” -- JESSICA GREEN -- Photo: Aleksander Letic/NBCU International © 2020 Outpost TV LLC. Courtesy of 

Electric Entertainment. 

At The Outpost, Gwynn is restless, and takes a red vial from a secret hiding place.  She requests a meeting with Zed.  Talon asks about the death of her father, Yavalla says it was a disease, she also notes her family books that Yavalla has in her possession.  Janzo finds an unusual word, Wren read it as “erection, the erection of the citadel.”  Yavalla passes out.  Riddles, Raiders of the Lost Ark-style traps, love it!  Janzo despairs and has Talon put out the torch so it won’t burn away their air.  Suddenly, of course the words start to glow, along with hand prints. Janzo and Gwen read, “Life and death are the same piece of thread.”  They place their hands on the hand prints and the door opens and then a gate falls separates Yavalla and Wren from the others.  

A door starts to close and Wren wants to stay with them, Wren pulls her from the door.  A door opens on Talon’s side of the gate.  She turns the burning wheel and opens the gate!  Zed sees a plate of desserts meeting with Gwynn.  She drops the plate of desserts to pour the vial in Zed’s drink.  It is one of Janzo’s poisons.  Gwynn wants the Locuri to be ordered to return.  He blows teh whistle to summon the demon.  Zed holds a knife to Gwynn’s throat and she says the Blackblood saying, “A life for a life.”  She fearlessly stands up to Zed.  Tobin and Munt are continuing their journey.  I would like the appearance of the Greyskins, the troll-like creatures that surround The Outpost.  

THE OUTPOST -- “A Life for a Life” -- IMOGEN WATERHOUSE -- Photo: Aleksander Letic/NBCU International © 2020 Outpost TV LLC. Courtesy of Electric Entertainment.

They have finally reached Tobin’s kingdom.  Tobin sees the Locuri searching for them.  Munt tosses the demon his boar drumstick.  The Locuri knocks down Tobin and then it is hit by Munt’s hammer.  It recovers so they start to run!  They are running through the forest when Tobin asks for the use of a woodcarver’s horses.  The Locuri starts running towards them as Tobin and Munt mount the horses and ride away.  Another door slams down as Janzo finds another symbol.  Yavalla is struck by a dart in her wrist.  Talon says she will cross the room.  Wren realizes the darts are poisoned.  Janzo works out the sequence of the traps from the skeletons.  Talon goes all Tomb Raider and reaches the final group of statues.  She leaps over a fallen piece of the room.  Below, are what Talon says is the last Blackbloods.  

WRen takes her mother across to the room.  Yavalla sees the zinj and reaches for it is bitten by a large snake.  The orange zinj passes up her arm to her temple.  She seems to be restored.  Yavalla thanks Janzo and Talon.  Yavalla tells Talon that her zinj “takes us to paradise.”  Tobin and Munt are racing with their horses.  They are met by Captain Orlick (Dragan Micanovic).  Yavalla addresses all of The Outpost about the “new era.”  Gwynn notes that a message is given about the safety of Tobin.  She says to Zed that it wasn’t poison it was willowbuck that she uses for headaches.  Yavalla talks to Gwynn and then suddenly is stricken with another zinj that travels up to Gwynn’s temple!  They know each other’s thoughts and could possibly rule their peoples together.  This episode is full of a standard dungeon crawl and wilderness travel, but enough twists and character moments!   

Four Zinjes out of Five! 

#TheOutpost, #ALifeforALife, #DraganMicanovic, #AuntGertie   

Happy Birthday Christopher Lloyd!

Happy Birthday Christopher Lloyd!  He of course started out in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) as one of the patients, Max Taber.  One of his iconic tv roles was as Reverend Jim Ignatwoski, a cameo that turned into a series regular, on Taxi (1978-1983).  An early genre role was as Commander Kruge, the Klingon fighting against Kirk in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984).  Then, he was John Bigboote in The Adventures of Bucakaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984).  He will of course be forever known in the charming, eccentric and brilliant Dr. Emmett Brown in Back to the Future (1985).  Lloyd was also Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988).  Then, returned to play Doc Brown in Back to the Future Part II (1989).  Lloyd went back to the past, the Old West, and found Clara Clayton in Back to the Future III (1990).  One of the fun parts of playing Doc Brown was when he filmed several scenes for Back to the Future…The Ride in 1991.  Unfortunately, the ride closed in 2007.  He also starred as Doc Brown in the live action segments of the Back to the Future (1991-1992) animated series.  

Christopher Lloyd played Uncle Fester in the comedy adaptations, The Addams Family (1991) and Addams Family Values (1993).  A nice part was his role as Al the Boss Angel in Angels in the Outfield (1994).  Next, he played Uncle Martin, the Martian, in the adaptation of My Favorite Martian (1999).  Lloyd was also in another theme park attraction playing Cap’n Jack in the Haunted Lighthouse (2003) at Sea World and Busch Gardens theme parks.  It was directed by Joe Dante with a story by R.L. Stine.  In the Tremors (2003) tv series he played Dr. Cletus Poffenberger.  Lloyd starred in the Mick Harris directed episode of Masters of Horror, “Valerie on the Stairs” (2005).  He played the sorcerer Tesselink in the tv fantasy mini-series Knights of Bloodsteel (2009).  Lloyd played Mr. Carl Goodman in the horror comedies, Piranha 3D (2010) and the sequel Piranha 3DD (2012).  He reunited with his Back to the Future co-star as Principal McTavish in a 2014 episode of The Michael J. Fox Show.  Then, he played Kroenig in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014). He was in SyFy’s series adapting the film, 12 Monkeys (2017-2018) playing Zalmon Shaw.  Happy Birthday Christopher Lloyd! 

Happy Birthday Jeff Goldblum!

Happy Birthday Jeff Goldblum!  His career started as an unnamed thug in Death Wish (1974).  Goldblum’s first genre film was 1974’s Invasion of the Body Snatchers as Jack Bellicec.  He was also part of the band as New Jersey dressed as a cowboy, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984).   He played gambler, Calvin “Slick” Stanhope in the Western, Silverado (1985) directed by Lawrence Kasdan.  One of his well known roles was as scientist, Seth Brundle, in David Cronenberg’s remake The Fly (1986).  He won the Saturn Award for Best Actor.  In 1988, Goldblum starred as psychic Nick Deezy in Vibes and as the blue-furred alien in the sci fi comedy, Earth Girls Are Easy.  He had another career defining role as Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park (1993). There was another big blockbuster with Independence Day (1996).  

He returned as Ian Malcolm in The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997).  He voiced Aaron in the animated movie The Prince of Egypt (1998).  In 2004, he began working with Wes Anderson in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.  Goldblum played Deputy Vilmos Kovacs in Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014).  He returned as David Levinson in Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) which is a fair sequel for me.  In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), he had a cameo as the Grandmaster, entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe.   Then, he went in full Grandmaster mode in Thor: Ragnarok.  This year, he focused Duke in Wes Anderson’s animated Isle of Dogs.  In Hotel Artemis, he played Orian Franklin also known as Niagara.  Goldblum also had a cameo as Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.  He hosts The World According to Jeff Goldblum on Disney+ which was Emmy nominated.  Jeff Goldblum returns as Ian Malcolm in Jurassic World: Dominion!  Happy Birthday Jeff Goldblum!

#JeffGoldblum, #TheFly, #TheWorldAccordingtoJeffGoldblum, #JurassicWorldDominion

Swamp Thing, “He Speaks”, Review!

A campfire gets the attention of Alec Holland, he is asked by the camper what he is doing.  Alec gets flashes of his death and then realizes that Zane is the man who also died.  He begins strangling Alec.  The Swamp Thing wakes from this dream and roars!   Insects swarm over the ground and the bloody hand of a man.  Morning, Abby is alone at the house of Lizzie.  She is checked by Lizzie and Abby suspects that a man covered in vines is really Alec Holland from what Susie told her.  Abby gets a call from the hospital and goes there to see Dr. Eli Troost (Al Vicente).  He tells her that Jason Woodrue is there funded by Avery Sunderland.   Woodrue is sawing into Eddy Coyle’s swampy corpse.  Abby introduces herself and Woodrue has contempt for her emotion with Coyle’s death.  

      SWAMP THING -- “He Speaks” -- CRYSTAL REED, AL VICENTE -- Photo Credit: Fred Norris/ 2019 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. 

Sheriff Lucilia Cable talks to Matt Cable and he reports about the murder.  She dresses him down for not following procedure.  She says the case is going to be labeled accidental.  Abby checks on Susie and then finds Harlan is infected by the virus!  He collapses and is taken away by medical personnel.  Abby takes the boat from Lizzie’s place.  Out in the bayou, a hunter, Zane (Estes Tarver) is waiting until he hears a squeal.  The tree branch is crawling with insects and then he sees a zombie, Zane's animated corpse, that sends out the insects from his mouth!  At the Woodrue house, Jason tells his wife, Caroline, about his findings.  Caroline is looking for her pills, but Jason says she has already taken her pills.  Night, the Sutherland Mansion, Avery is checking on Maria.  He is told by the housekeeper that Gordon Haas is visiting.  Gordon (Matt Burke) doesn’t want to be involved fearing jail time.  

On the streets of Marai,  Woodrue gets out of her car to talk to Gordon about a loan to Avery Sunderland. Avery is actually in debt!  Abby has reached Alec’s lab, she goes through his notebook, insects start to swarm the lab!    The sheriff questions Avery Sunderland about Alec Holland.  He tries to compliment Lucilla and almost kisses her.  Maria sees her drive away from her window.  Then, she sees the dead form of her daughter, Shawna, questioning her about Avery.  Abby pours herself a drink bringing back memories of Alec.  Then, she sees the insects scurrying on the floor and sees they are swarming around her!   The zombie leaps through the window, Abby manages to light a flare, and drives him back!  The Swamp Thing rises up and says, “Leave…her.”  Abby stabs the zombie in the back with axe, then Swamp Thing fights him.  He realizes that the zombie is the man he saw and says, “Release…him.”  His gravelly, halting voice is right out of the comics.  Abby asks if he is Alec Holland.  He reaches to her shoulder and says, “Abby.”  The Swamp Thing says the virus is “fighting back.”  

SWAMP THING -- “He Speaks” -- CRYSTAL REED, HENDERSON WADE -- Photo Credit: Fred Norris/ 2019 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. 

At the hospital, Eli says that the virus patients are going into convulsions, Abby injects immuno suppressants and this stops the progress of the virus.  She has new medicine ordered to stop fighting the virus.  Abby checks on Susie who is recovering from the virus. Maria finds Avery at her bed and he apologizes to her.  Maria threatens to cut off the funding for Avery’s projects.  At the bar, Matt and Abby have drinks over her virus cure, they hear Natalie Merchant’s “Kind and Generous” and start dancing.  The Swamp Thing watches them dance as he is there in the swamp at night.  Xanadu startles Daniel who wants to drink and have his cards read. He thinks his destiny is tied to Abby Arcane.  Sheriff Cable calls Lizzie finds wreckage from Holland’s boat and evidence that he was shot.  Jason Woodrue finds Avery angry that he disrespected him in front of his wife.  Gordon threatens to talk about the Conclave and Avery takes his golf cluband strikes him!  Avery strikes a final blow with the golf club and then hears knocking at the door.  It is Caroline Woodrue, but she leaves.  This episode amps up the horror, further explores the mysteries of the town, and a clever solution to the virus! 

Five Vines out of Five! 

#SwampThing, #HeSpeaks, #AlVicente, MattBurke, #EstesTarver

Happy Birthday Carrie Fisher!

Happy Birthday Carrie Fisher!  Our princess’ first role was as Lorna Karpf in the comedy Shampoo (1975).  Her next part was iconic, Princess Leia Organa in Star Wars (1977)!  She sang beautifully “A Day to Celebrate” as Princess Leia in the Star Wars Holiday Special (1978).  Then, returned as Leia in The Empire Strikes Back (1980).  She played the Mystery Woman in The Blue Brothers (1980) and then was in wacky comedy, Under the Rainbow (1981).  Fisher was a sensation in Return of the Jedi (1983) with her metal bikini that was a nod to Dejah Thoris.  Next, Fisher was in the film, Hannah and Her Sisters (1986).  She had her first novel, Postcards from the Edge, published in 1983.  It was made into a film in 1990.  Fisher starred in “Gershwin’s Trunk”, a 1987 episode of Amazing Stories.  She had a cameo as Mary Brown in the comedy, Amazon Women on the Moon (1987).  Fisher was also in the sci fi film, The Time Guardian (1987).  She played the therapist Marie in the Rob Reiner directed romantic comedy, When Harry Met Sally… (1989).  

In 1997, she starred in the comedy, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.  Fisher wrote a 1997 episode of the sitcom, Roseanne, that featured her mother Debbie Reynolds.  She had a cameo as a therapist in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997).  Fisher was in the horror movie, Scream 3 (2000) and then starred in the comedy, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001).  She co-wrote and executive produced the tv film, These Old Broads (2001) starring her mother.  Fisher played Pauline Kahn in “Thirst” (2005), an episode of Smallville.  Another cameo was a doctor in the Fanboys (2009) film.  Fisher finally returned as Leia in Force Awakens (2015).  She published Star Wars stories in The Princess Diarist (2016).  Also, Fisher was in the documentary, Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds (2016).  Then, Fisher had finished filming which was in The Last Jedi (2017).  Her unused footage from Force Awakens was brought in The Rise of Skywalker (2019).  Carrie Fisher died on December 2016, but she will always be remembered as our princess.  Happy Birthday Carrie Fisher! 

#CarrieFisher, #StarWars, #PostcardsfromtheEdge, #ForceAwakens 

X-Men in the Marvel Cinematic Universe!

There are many fan theories on bringing the X-Men to the MCU, here is another. I think there should ONLY be four, young X-Men. The Fox X-Men movies had some of the X-Men from Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975) by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum that relaunched the comic book. The X-films also some of the new, plus hundreds more at the school, the Legion of X-Men approach. This does not make the X-Men unique, no loneliness, or exclusion. 

The X-Men first appeared in X-Men #1 (1963) by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and there was twelve years before Giant-Size X-Men. Ultimate X-Men, created by Mark Millar and Andy Kubert, may be looked at like the MCU Avengers refreshed with The Ultimates version of Avengers. It had Storm and Colossus. So this proposal will have an international and diverse cast, but not in new characters beyond the original members. If the studio wants to expand the cast, it can maybe done in the second or third movies.   

Wolverine was part of the Brotherhood of Mutant Supremacy in Ultimate X-Men. So there will be no Wolverine until later, which gives some time for audiences to adjust to a non-Hugh Jackman Wolverine. The point is to break away from the Fox X-Men and start fresh. So let’s bring it back to the original team created by Lee and Kirby; Angel, Beast, Cyclops, Iceman, and Jean Grey. At the time it was nice kids, not unusual, but we need to bring some diversity into this line-up! 

I would change gender and ethnicities. Angel can be African American, Beast, Latin, Cyclops, Native American, Iceman could be Asian, and Jean Grey, she’s redhead no matter what changes. I would cast actors in their 20’s to keep them away from the teens in New Mutants, the film was just out. Jean Grey is a young girl, red hair, is practicing the piano at home when she hears the distorted thoughts of her parents and then her entire neighborhood. She falls unconscious.  

Charles Xavier, bald, middle aged, is there to help her and the parents agree to let her stay at his school. He has a support staff which will get to later. She settles into her new home at Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters in Salem Center, New York. Jean is taken to a room that blocks out mental signals from the outside. She is the most powerful telepath next to Xavier and also has telekinesis, she can move objects with her mind. 

He is in a high-tech wheelchair and has to stay at the mansion since it has barriers to dampen the thoughts of the outside world. Jean Grey becomes the coordinator and basic team leader with her mental powers contacting other team members. Xavier has her test out her powers. She is learning to use her powers and starts to explore the school, Jean is a young adult now, and Xavier notes that the restricted areas are reserved for when the others arrive. The areas are of course Cerebro, which allows Professor X to tap into the minds of the outside world, and the Danger Room. We follow Jean and get her origin like the others.  

In Alberta, Canada, Scott Summers, from the Sioux nation, is at a hockey rink. He is stricken with eye pains and fears he will go blind. Crimson blasts fire from his eyes. This empties the hockey rink. He is consoled by Moira MacTaggert who takes him to the school. Scott later takes the code name Cyclops. The character of Moira MacTaggert appeared in X-Men: The Last Stand (2008) and also X-Men: First Class (2011). Her character debuted in the comics with Uncanny X-Men #96 (1975). She is a geneticist and science teacher who works with Xavier to understand the students and their powers. 

What makes Scott formidable is he is a tactical thinker. I would like to see him use his optical blasts like in the comics, deflecting all over an area to strike an opponent. Also, he should be effectively blind and not confident of being around others because of the power of his optic blasts. Of course, Jean taps into his mind and knows his fears. Later, of course we have the ruby quartz in his visor that neutralizes his blasts. He is thrown down at one point and a shard is examined by the villains who later bring in ruby quartz shields or gauntlets to deflect his blasts.  

Henry Macaya is studying at the medical library in the University of New Mexico. He is suddenly stricken with body pains. Muscles bulge in his arms and legs. This might be on the body horror level, but the emergence of mutations should be painful and traumatic. The mutations should occur throughout the movie like body horror. The other students run from him. Henry is met by Xavier who gives a school invitation. He of course later becomes massive and muscular, super strong, but also agile. His code name is Beast which comes from Jean Grey surprised at his mutation like the Beast from the Disney movie.  

Henry is brilliant as a researcher, he is able to understand the x-gene physically as well as mentally, and acts as an assistant to Xavier and MacTaggert. He is also the comedian of the team. He does not get the furry, blue mutation, that was a much later addition to the comics. This was in Amazing Adventures #11 (1972) when Hank McCoy was experimenting and transformed into the blue-furred Beast. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, at the University of Puerto Rico, the Rio Piedras Campus, is young Wanja Worthington. She is gracefully going through a gymnastics routine. Wanja is suddenly seized with back pain and falls! 

Painful bone growths burst from her shoulder blades. The students panic and trample her to escape. Dance teacher, Stevie Hunter, checks on Wanja’s back, and then tells her about the school. She takes the code name Angel which is what her mother calls her. Stevie was a human ally to the team introduced in Uncanny X-Men #139 (1980). There needs to be two females on the team, it made sense to make Angel female, but there also was Angel Salvador in X-Men: First Class (2011) played by Zoe Kravitz. 

A note on Angel’s mutant power, it isn’t simply wings. Her mutant power is also to alter her bone density, birds have hollow bones, so she is lighter and more flexible. If she was always light that would make her fragile. Wanja can also increase her bone density so she can punch not like brass knuckles like a brass arm! An opponent would break his hand hitting he! She can contort to yoga positions and would be the ultimate gymnast. Of course Angel and Stevie would help Beast develop as a gymnast. Also, Angel can retract secondary feathers on her upper arm, these are to help her maneuver in flight. 

Another part of her power is visual acuity, she has binocular vision all the time. The last part of her powers is high metabolism. Angel is always active, she eats constantly and her metabolism goes to maximum for flight. This makes her the best scout and she can outfly and evade any superhero flier. At the Platinum Fashion Mall in Bangkok, Thailand, Bobby “Iceman” Devakul is skateboarding with his school friends. The speed and move from his ice slides of course comes from his love of skateboards. He is drinking a cold drink, but suddenly his hand constricts, the drink shatters, and the soda machine bursts. The shoppers are fearful of Bobby and throw trash at him. 

His body seizes up and he collapses, his face rimed with frost, each mutation should be unique and more on the horror side than super hero. His code name comes from his nickname. Nurse Sharon Friedlander examines Bobby and when he recovers, invites him to the school. Sharon's first appearance was in New Mutants #19 (1984). The supporting characters; Moira, Stevie, and Sharon were all part of the Chris Claremont run so this is the support staff to help Xavier run the school. They are female, but also science teacher, dance teacher, and nurse, helpful staff for a school. 

The point is to show an international origin of the mutants like the Giant Size X-Men team, but these locations may be generic so they may be filmed on set and local locations. Similar to the Avengers, it is to introduce the characters and what it is to be a mutant before getting into team action! So who are the villains? I imagine similar to X-Men: Evolution, bring in Toad as the outcast, then Avalanche and the Blob, of course there is a mastermind behind them. They are of course part of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants from X-Men #4 (1964). The team name should just drop the "evil" part. The true villain is revealed at the end of the movie! If you are an X-Men fan, you will know who!    

#XMen, #MarvelCinematicUniverse, #StanLee, #JackKirby, #GiantSizeXMen, #LenWein, #DaveCockrum, UltimateXMen, #MarkMillar, #AndyKubert, #JeanGrey, #CharlesXavier, #Cerebro

#DangerRoom, #ScottSummers, #Cyclops, #MoiraMacTaggert, #HenryMacaya, #Beast, #WanjaWorthington, #Angel, #StevieHunter, #BobbyDevakul, #Iceman, #Toad, #Avalanche, #Blob  

Re:tro Re:view - Star Wars: Caravan of Courage!

The Caravan of Courage is a family television movie with Ewoks, a family, and some magical adventure!  Set the Way Back Machine to 1983, a tremendous finish to the trilogy, Return of the Jedi, that really shaped the lives of every Star Warrior!  There were no plans after that movie, no Prequels, and then suddenly on tv no less there was The Ewok Adventure!  Internationally, the title was Caravan of Courage for a theatrical run which it seems made its way to the home video presentation.  It was six years from the Star Wars Holiday Special, but this one, everyone knew from the credits featured a story by George Lucas!  In terms of canon, usually it is dependent on Lucas’ involvement, he crafted the story, but this story, pre-RoTJ, is contradictory enough that it is not canon.  What I consider canon is the lifestyle of the Ewoks that wasn’t seen in Jedi; their eating habits, fruits and vegetables, more of their language, and family life.  It is directed by John Korty who co-wrote and directed the animated movie, Twice Upon a Time (1983) produced by George Lucas.  The screenplay is by Bob Carrau, his first project, he would write some episodes of the Ewoks animated series.  

It begins with the night sky of the Forest Moon of Endor, above it is another moon, this would be used to form the Second Death Star.  A beautiful matte shot.  The narration is Burl Ives, a gentle, grandfatherly voice, he is also known for voicing Sam the Snowman and singing in the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964).  Unfortunately, Ives died in 1995.  It’s a misty forest with an illuminator, flashlight, which has the atmosphere of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) from the previous year.  These are two parents calling out for their children, Cindel and Mace.  This is Jeremitt (Guy Boyd) and Catarine (Fionnula Flanagan) Towani.  Boyd was known as Major Percy Descoine in the mystery series, Remington Steele. Flanagan was in How the West Was Won playing Molly Culhane.  They reach the crashed family starcruiser.   Catarine fears they went for the transmitter, but worries about them.  They worry if their kids have their life monitors.  Out of the mist comes a gigantic and monstrous form!  It is hairy and carries a massive stone axe.  The giant roars and then we fade to black!  

This shifts to the Ewoks with father, Deej (Daniel Frishman), using a horn to call his lost sons.  Frishman played an Ewok in Return of the Jedi, unclear if he played Deej in it.  Deej is Ewokese for “father.”  His wife, Shodu (Pam Grizz), is there carrying the infant daughter, Winda.  Grizz also played an Ewok in Jedi.  Of course, Shodu is “mother” in Ewokese.  Deej’s youngest son, Wicket (Warwick Davis) is playing on a rope swing next to a pony.  Davis’ first part was playing Wicket in RoTJ and later as the lead in Willow (1988).  On a hillside, Deej is preparing a skin glider, as Wicket comes to play.  A goat gnaws at the rope securing the glider and Wicket accidentally falls on it.  Deej is launched into the sky!  He sees a flashing light in the trees.  The skin glider passes his two sons, Weechee (Debbie Lee Carrington) and Windel (Tony Cox), on a cliff face.  Carrington played Romba Ewok in RoTJ and is well known for playing Thumberlina in Total Recall (1990).  Cox also played an Ewok in Jedi and played Private Zedht in a 1981 episode of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.  Windel was one of the Ewoks that entered the scout walker with Chewbacca in RoTJ.  They are fighting with each other.  

This shifts to the Ewoks with father, Deej (Daniel Frishman), using a horn to call his lost sons.  Frishman played an Ewok in Return of the Jedi, unclear if he played Deej in it.  Deej is Ewokese for “father.”  His wife, Shodu (Pam Grizz), is there carrying the infant daughter, Winda.  Grizz also played an Ewok in Jedi.  Of course, Shodu is “mother” in Ewokese.  Deej’s youngest son, Wicket (Warwick Davis) is playing on a rope swing next to a pony.  Davis’ first part was playing Wicket in RoTJ and later as the lead in Willow (1988).  Wicket is of course enduring and innocent as a young Ewok.  On a hillside, Deej is preparing a skin glider, as Wicket comes to play.  A goat gnaws at the rope securing the glider and Wicket accidentally falls on it.  Deej is launched into the sky!  He sees a flashing light in the trees.  The skin glider passes his two sons, Weechee (Debbie Lee Carrington) and Windel (Tony Cox), on a cliff face.  Carrington played Romba Ewok in RoTJ and is well known for playing Thumberlina in Total Recall (1990).  Cox also played an Ewok in Jedi and played Private Zedht in a 1981 episode of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.  Windel was one of the Ewoks that entered the scout walker with Chewbacca in RoTJ.  They are fighting with each other.  

Deej calls out their names and tosses them some rope.  It is helpful to have a narrator since most of the dialogue is in Ewokese for several minutes unlike the Holiday Special.  They start to climb down, but the unsecure rope snaps and oldest son, Weechee, falls onto his brother.  Deej leads his sons into the forest to check on the object.  They find the crashed starcruiser.  Widdle stands guard as Deej and Weechee enter the starcruiser.  They hear coughing and movement from a container.  Deej opens the container and has his knife, he finds a young girl, (Aubree Miller).  Deej reassuringly takes Cindel from the container.  Widdle is suddenly captured by a taller youth with a blaster!  How this person is able to sneak up on an Ewok on guard is beyond me.  Windel is brought in to the starcruiser with her captor, Mace Towani (Eric Walker) who fires his blaster!  Walker was later in the drama Less Than Zero (1987).  Mace is brash like Anakin, but gains humility and respect for the Ewoks, maybe Anakin needed some Ewoks.  Widdle rolls and knocks down Mace with the brothers piling on him.  Mace is bound which we know from RoTJ and taken to the family hut.  

Wicket sees Cindel and of course we get the contradiction.  He seemed to be surprised by Leia in Jedi, but would be familiar with humans if this story takes place before RoTJ.  Cindel and Wicket make fast friends.  He takes her inside his family’s hut and Mace is brought in by the Ewok brothers.  Mace sees that Cindel is sick and tries to gesture for food to the Ewok family.  Cindel collapses and Mace takes her to a cot.  Shodu shows Mace a leaf of medicine which he gives to his sister.  This helps her to recover.  The next morning, Cindel is still sick, and Mace asks for more medicine.  Deej has Mace go to get more of the medicine from a special tree with his sons.  They tap into tree to get the medicine.  Mace’s attention is drawn by a furry creature in a tree.  He reaches out and his arm is pulled into the tree!  The creature is identifed as a Temptor.  Mace calls out for help and Deej strikes the tree with a branch.   A recovered Cindel tries to talk with Wicket and he picks up her words.  Mace says he wants them to leave once he gets his blaster.  At night, a large, wolf-like beast growls at the moon.  Mace takes his blaster and sneaks with Cindel into the forest.  He makes a fire and admits that he should have acted better with their parents.  

Suddenly, they hear a massive beast, identified as a boar-wolf, hunting them.  Mace tries to drive it off with his blaster and they manage to sneak into a gap in a tree.  The boar-wolf claws at the tree.  They fall asleep and then the morning has the Ewoks tossed at the tree trying to attack the beast.  Absolute fun with the Phill Tippet animation right out of Ray Harryhausen!  Wicket hits it with a blowdart and the boar-wolf collapses trying to chase after Deej.  Mace finds the life monitor of their parents.  Wicket points out that it came from Gorax, it’s master.  They go to the Ewok village in the trees to consult with the shaman, Logray (Bobby Bell).  He is another character from RoTJ.  Images appear of the parents in a crystal image spinner and also the Gorax.  There is a tender moment where Shodu cries and is consoled by Deej.  In the morning, the Ewok family readies for the trip.  The Caravan of Courage is joined by the woodsman and warrior Chukha-Trok (Kevin Thompson) and the shaman Kaink (Margarita Farrell). Thompson was Bear in Blade Runner (1982) and also played an Ewok in Jedi.  Farrell was also in RoTJ as an Ewok.  They have to brave the dangers of the moon of Endor to travel to the mountain of Gorax.  The movie pre-dates Willow with some magical encounters and has shades of the fantasy Krull (1983).  It has a gentle pace, but features some first rate visual effects by ILM, and production design by Joe Johnston.  The Caravan of Courage is a family movie that has some original SW characters, more Ewoks, and a bit of magic! Gunda!      

Four Life Monitors out of Five! 

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