Hawkeye (Limited Series)

Since viewing the Hurt Locker in theatres many years ago, I unknowingly became a fan of Jermey Renner, and his array of performances on both small and big screen. His past late night talk show interviews where it was revealed to me, he has a version of rested face - I found to be highly amusing, and kin to his dry humor, learning how he sustained serious injury in the movie Tag and that prevented him from doing action centric films for a small period left me sympathetic. However, after Bourne Legacy and Ghost Protocol the attachment of him refusing to commit to other franchises had me dubious on his personal motivations or the external forces of Hollywood in regard to his career choices. Unfortunately, all of the above aforementioned items and inquires will not get addressed in this blog. But, despite his under the radar portrayal of Clint Barton, the actor has far more ambitions than anyone is privy to see off the surface level of performances or arranged press junkets.

Since the forming of phase 1 of the MCU, the character of Hawkeye was first introduced as an agent of SHIELD in the Kenneth Branagh directed movie of THOR (2011). Since then, Renner's Hawkeye has made 6 appearances in the MCU and now headlines the titled series' Hawkeye.  Drawing from the artwork of David Aja for clips of the show's intro and extro, and receiving a producer's credit from comic-book writer Matt Fraction the series tangentially connects to the saga of Barton and Bishop's Hawkeye. The story has to first and formally line up with history of the character within the MCU,then  flush out the character development and backstory from within the pages of the comic book to provide this particular tale.  Taking place, a week away from Christmas, Clint Barton must separate from his family to aide a young Kate Bishop to recover a relic from his past that could have far reaching implications to him and his new protege. 

Haliee Steinfeld plays a fast talking quick on her feet Kate Bishop a super fan of Hawkeye, and a girl who the series revolves around. The moment she stumbles into a black-market auction until we reach the climax at Rockafella place; the arrows don't fly as furious as one would hope.  The series rests on Steinfeld's charisma and performance as a gallery of characters become largely the driving force for the series.   Bro! we get the track suit mafia, the one-eyed pizza dog, a girl who will be known as echo, and a low-level swordsman.  Oh! and comic-book assassin who for the sake of maintaining the MCU narrative is portrayed as a second-tier enforcer and a rich uptight and protective mother. This is the rogue gallery of characters who ultimately power this 6-episode limited series forward. Also, in this stew we are given some spices, which is A watch, A costume, and some LARPers who become quintessential as the show draws near to its conclusion. But the costume is what becomes the ultimate McGuffin for our band of characters, as for the Watch, it falls in line with Chekhov's theory, and the introduction to Grills and the LARPers opens the title character of Hawkeye in a different light and takes him out of his comfort zone to broaden the experience.

Like the character in Thor (2011), Hawkeye is a lone wolf character, who remains in the shadows, and is acutely present.  The general public becoming aware of the Avengers in 2012 from the attack of New York and is commemorated in 'Rogers' a Broadway play with the character of Hawkeye being dismissive from his lack of presence and his unwelcomed need for the spotlight. That lack of attention serves as mellow low-key mannerism of the character in the series and plays for more effect when working with energy of Kate Bishop.  The need to re-join his family gives us the urgency from days to the hours ticking away, as a battled wary Barton is man who experienced the cost of loss, on the facets to his life and is seeing his past interfering in the life of new.  

Hawkeye questions - will Clint Barton Return, will the mantle be passed on, what happens next in storytelling, what set up does the show offer in phase 5 and 6? only time will tell.

Thor :Love and Thunder

 

Contributed By Guest Blog writer – Evy

 To Begin with a forward - on behalf of the resident blog write Ray Schoonberg  and myself, we wish both Chris  Hemsworth  and his family our continued thoughts and prayers as it was revealed on the Disney+ streamed National Geographic Docu-series “Limitless”, the sharing of his health news.  While examining how people can live longer and better, Mr. Hemsworth blood work revealed he has two copies of the gene called APOE4, which has been linked to Alzheimer disease. Soon after the airing the Australian actor announced he is taking a break from acting and focus more time with his family.

 

Thor: Love and Thunder became a family affair as Chris Hemsworth brother, daughter, and wife make an appearance in the movie.

Thor is back!  Joined by another who is worthy to be the God of Thunder.  From the director of Thor Ragnarok and the Marvel One shots – Team Thor & Team Darryl.  Thor must rescue the kidnapped children on New Asgard as a threat emerges that endangers all celestials. 

The movie was very good, a good mix of rock songs and ballads to keep us moving, and a comedic and fast paced tempo that gets us to the finish line to face darkness of this all new villain.  The story was good, adapted loosely  from the 2015 Mighty Thor comic book run. As this movie rekindles a long awaited love Story between Thor and Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman.   The post credit scene gives  us a  good conclusion to the story on top of its normal ending. A strong recommend for fans of Thor Ragnarok or just fans of the Thor in general.

 

 

She Hulk

 

She-Hulk Attorney at law, the above line creative and decision-making force are women. With credited Executive Producer and head director Kat Coiro, who recently released “Marry Me” with Jennifer Lopez in theatres for Universal Pictures. And at the helm is Creator and Show Runner Jessica Gao.  Who was recognized for her work as part of the writing team for HBO’s Silicon Valley, Bajillion Dollar Properties and a brief season 3 writing team stint on Rick and Morty that gained her an Emmy Win. 

The 1995 Graphic novel and the 1996 Sensational She-Hulk comic book series provides an acting baseline/ reference point to creating the Disney+ series.  Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Walters for reasons the series will reveal, joins a law firm that provides legal representation to superpower/meta beings with the She-Hulk becoming the new face of that divisional legal branch. In the process our main character breaks the fourth wall sparingly in each episode to address the audience in which to touch upon minded topics or issues that would come up at that pivotal scene and acknowledge the obvious question or the absurdity of its presence.  The levity of breaking the fourth wall and provided inclusion to the audience is what gives the show a comedic slant while the entire cast of characters are oblivious and plays their roles straight.

Drawing from the female experience of male toxicity in the work place, the She-Hulk series, leans into that world and holds men accountable. As our hero navigates a world who view her as either friend or foe, We continue to watch Jennifer Walter’s hold her ground and move forward with all the scenario setbacks. At its basic core the story lays the groundwork of a reluctant superhero; a woman who only aspired to be a lawyer, eventually accepting her new place in the world, owning it, while struggling with maintaining her own sense of identity.  With a roster of guest stars, supporting cast and an invisible Cabal who wants the power of the Hulk. She Hulk Attorney at Law, struggled with viewers and critics, trying to satisfy CGI & rendering expectations. A Protective portrayal of the beloved character of daredevil. And a continuing/continuity story that would branch into phase 5 story threads like the Skrulls in Secret Invasions, Daredevil: Born Again, and possibly the Thunderbolts.  She Hulk’s connection to phase 5 now appears tangential, and the sublime acting of it’s Star Tatiana Maslany was overshadowed by talks of how acceptable the look of her Hulk persona came across.  The only guarantee we may have revisiting the character post season 1 is either in verbal passing or in cameo appearance in another Marvel property, as no word on a season 2 will be pursued since the release of show’s finale.

Legion (Series)

 Legion is not a television show for the casual viewer, devoted fans will slowly become aware of the structure that Showrunner and creator Noah Hawley built. As the title suggests to us a character created by former X-men writer Chris Claremont but delivers a vague perception or opinion of things to come. By the time you reached the series finale, fans will have found a rewarding and engaging closure across the board, Or/while casual viewers will have dwindled from its once massive audience.

Legion is a story of a man David Hailler (Dan Stevens) who happens to be a powerful mutant whose abilities appear to be limitless. Creator Noah Hawley designed a 3-season series which was composed of a three sectional arc. Season one was the ‘beginning’ we establish and get to know all the characters of the show, let them all meet and interact as we the audience gets to know them. Season two was the ‘middle’ they are let loose to play, characters begin to develop and change, there exists an unseen narrator (Jon Hamm) who educates or enlightens us on the developmental stages of a Delusion and the erosion of rational ideas that gives way to psychosis. The first line “A delusion starts like any other idea, as an egg. Identical of the outside, perfectly formed. From the shell, you’d never know anything was wrong. It’s what’s inside that matters.” The series moves away from season one’s theme of mental health, to social behavior and how symptoms and disease act and react in similar ways as with social behavior. Season three is an ‘ending’ and uses time itself to conclude the series journey with the hope the writers provided a satisfying ending to all main characters. On the series finale we are provided a cryptic set of graphics at the open. “This is the end. The beginning. The end. What it all means is not for us to know. It is for history to decide. All we can do is play the parts as written. All we can know is ourselves.” As passive or dismissive as this line is, or maybe how we are to take away from the finale; there is wisdom in the cipher which gets revealed.

This series is intelligent, season 2 maybe argued as overly ambitious, but by the end all things, even minor details are called back upon at some point in the show. An example, there is a 30 - 40 second elaborate Bollywood dance number in the 1st season, besides an interrogation scene, it never gets revisited or explained in either season one or two, we see David again for the first time in the opening of the 3rd season wearing the clothes from that dance number as he leads his own harem. From Chapter One after the first montage of David growing up in trouble with the law, to the climatic final battle in Chapter 27, the story is delivered non-linear. Which for some individuals who expect direct answers over tangential answers, could be dismissive of the displaced framework of this series. The easiest comparison would be reading the novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, the opening chapters is difficult to fully comprehend, but as soon as you completed the reading of the novel. Go back and read the first few chapters, and you’ll find the beginning tells you the future of characters once you completed the novel. In the opening episode of the 3rd season, we get various quotes... one in particular is “The past is the Future”, as the first episode introduces us to time travel, which is entirely coincidental to Avengers Endgame as the final season aired only a few months after the debut of Endgame.

Legion predates the concept of 'time variants or the multiverse'; its atmosphere is neither Kafka nor Lovecraftian though at times the atmosphere feels to skirt around in that hemisphere. But Legion as we learn to know stems from scripture Mark 5:9 as Jesus came across a man possessed by a demon. The passage is a metaphor as it points to the realism of everyday life, that we are not a unity, but a multiplicity. Having multiple sides to our personality all vying to take control of our Ego <the part of the brain that acts as the executive integrator of the outer/inner worlds>. As such this battle to take control causes our own madness, our disease within… and with our own self.

On the biblical page it’s a metaphor that serves a message of what we all could become. Don’t be a Christian in name, but to be Christ-like, as the sermon would end. Peace be with you…. And Peace BE you.

David Hallier is a man suffering from schizophrenia, he hears voices, is distracted, unable to concentrate, experience mood swings, experiences blackouts in time. As the show develops, the voices in his head are his own thoughts but materialized as other versions of himself a kind of splintering of his psyche. The villain throughout the series, is the shadow king, a being who found a place within the schism of his mind. The series Legion acknowledges this schism in the final season. Like ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ the show goes back to revisit the early chapters as it too writes its own future. The complex nature of the story will lose the casual viewer, the design will either compel you to journey forward or view an episode as diminished returns. The series began with a viewership of around 1.8 million households, its series finale had just over 288,000 viewers. Legion could possibly obtain a cult following, that can sustain outside the influence of Disney, the company that bought Marvel Television and all rights. Noah Hawley who also was the showrunner for the series Fargo (season 4) and was set to debut his second directed motion picture film at the time ‘Lucy in the Sky’. Knew he was ending Legion at 3 seasons and had enough foresight to give the audience who beloved the characters and their story a satisfying conclusion.

What If (Animated Series)

Aristotle wrote "Everything happens for a reason"

As there's purpose, meaning and growth to be gained from whatever tough times you face.  All life's challenges are there to offer you special miracle-growth-insights to help you rise up stronger and higher as your mightiest self.

As a philosopher Aristotle believed the universe is in a state of constant motion, always changing, always in motion, and there is one thing that always remains a constant, he gave it a word 'Entelechy' which means "your unique-to-you highest potential" and that everything on this planet possesses its own entelechy.

In the comics, Watchers were ancient species dating back to the beginning of the universe.  
Initially they took action and became involved but decided to be observers, as they are committed to observing and compiling knowledge of the growing vast universe. Their oath or rule was that of non-interference which stems from an ancient incident that lead them to share their knowledge to another civilization whose inhabitants ultimately destroyed themselves from it.  So, who watches the Watchers? it's a paradox, in the principle of universes and possibilities; the quick answer are the readers and viewers.

On the Disney+ animated series the viewers are introduced to Uatu - The Watcher, voiced by actor Jeffery Wright. Uatu serves as show narrator and guide, appearing at the start of the story and again at its conclusion. This holds true in either print form of the comic-book series or streaming as an animated series, The formula is not new; Director Alfred Hitchcock and Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling are prime examples of that presentation structure. With their stories varying from lighthearted to dark and serious tone, 'What If' is less like the Mothman prophecies and more just an anthology.  First published in 1977, The 'What if' series tells alternative reality stories outside the mainstream marvel continuity. More precisely, 'What If' tells an alternate story from an event that existed in the 616 Universe. 

It serves a creative outlet for the writers and illustrators of the comic books, as Marvel & DC comics had all their characters confined to beholden for 20 -50 years of continuity in storytelling, this else-worlds anthology gave liberty to explore characters with less restraint in a complete one-off story that tells an alternative outcome from a significant moment in 616 - history.

Uatu - in the final episode of season one, breaks his oath, In the comics he breaks his oath throughout his history, his actions were made aware to the other Watchers after he revealed himself and his kind's existence to the fantastic four and engaged in battling a number of catastrophic turn of events alongside the fantastic four.  The question in season 2 of What If, Is that, will his punishment for breaking his oath hold true in the animated series.  as it was in the comic-books.

Moon Knight - Limited Series

 

Moon Knight

Is a bold and different choice of hero to join the collective that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  This portion of the blog is based on watching only the first 3 episodes of the limited series.

The show begins with cold opens for both the pilot episode and the third episode; the pilot cold open really sets the tone, with Ethan Hawke’s Character Arthur Harrow.  Arthur is already seated at a table bearing a tattoo of a scale or the deity Ma’at in symbol form on his right arm. Breaking a rock glass by the metal handle of his cane, in which he had prior poured some water and drank from, then proceeds to walk with shards of glass in both his shoes. I hypothesize this as a sign of his righteous commitment in his belief for a cause; of what we will learn to be bringing forth Ammit the devourer of souls. The tonal shift and difference begins here with the music selection,  though there is no dialogue in the cold open, a song plays through the open, Bob Dylan’s ‘Every grain of Sand’ it’s  somber in delivery which In both lyrics and Dylan’s intention  was  allusions to faith and spirituality. The next scene is the Marvel Studio’s logo opening and like the cold open, the musical bed or orchestral score is removed and Engelbert Humperdinck 1968 hit song ‘A man without love’ is played. The song is continued over into the first scene with Oscar Isaac’s Character Steven Grant awakening in bed undoing his safe guards used to prevent his sleepwalking patterns.

Whether or not Isaac’s British accent is plausible is of no concern, It is the examination and introduction of the character of Steven Grant.  A mild manner character, working in a museum gift shop who just so happens to be versed in Egyptian history & mythology.  That small detail becomes paramount in telling this series.  After watching the first 3 episodes, the first scene becomes somewhat ironic and easily overlooked.  Steven is speaking to his mother via her voice mail happy to receive her posted letter.  We learn by episode 2 that his alter has not spoken to his mother in years, and Steven ends the voice recording saying ‘later gators’  which is animal head of Ammit. 

The show feels it was shot less on green screen and more on location; however, make no mistake the show is heavily laden with special effects and all sorts of composites, proof is sitting through the closing credits which was 95% CGI departments and personnel.  Director Mohmad Diab is an Egyptian filmmaker and given the title of ‘lead director’ as he directed 4 of the 6 episodes. This includes the pilot, while doing press to promote the series Diab had mentioned in several interviews that he was disappointed of the depiction on how Egypt was received in Wonder Woman 1984, and wanted to really show his homeland as it was meant to be seen. That meant scrubbing the Hollywood interpretation which left him feeling a better representation was required.  With a place that felt lived in with a vibrant and enriched cultural mosaic, an example would be Marc and his wife are on a small-to-mid size boat sharing  space with a wedding party  demonstrating life is going on all around them.  The Pilot episode is outstanding as it plays it from Steven’s perspective a man who we learn is diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)   the use of mirrors, reflective surfaces, shadows and darkness for Khonshu  or Marc Spector to communicate with Steven. This was exciting and delivered in a way that would be considered horror but, lands just as effectively without the scares.

The plot is straight forward, a prevention of an Egyptian minority report; there are ancient beings called the Ennead who are Eternals from another dimension from a place called Heliopolis, the gateway to Earth connects through Egypt.  The Ennead as an article reads “the rift between man and god”   are a group of 16 who have human avatars, and like Eternals they have inhabited Earth 10,000 years ago and have chosen not to interfere, but merely observe humans.  Khonshu was the only member who actively disobeyed that rule with his Moon Knight Avatar.  Ammit appears to be another member who actively went against the collective and was imprisoned sometime prior.

DID  has been used in cinema , for decades ,  Films that come to mind are the 1994 Movie Color of Night starring Bruce Willis where the victim had form of DID as a coping mechanism to survive their situation. 2003 Thriller ‘Identity ‘starring John Cusack, where identities were cannibalized until the single dominant survives.  2007 BBC mini-series ‘Jekyll’ starring James Nesbitt as Dr. Tom Jackman and Mr Hyde, when ultimately faced with an even greater threat that either of his alter states can escape from; they form an alliance which has an almost supernatural effect.   2016 Hindi film Housefull 3 with a character named Sandy/Sunday whose split personality is incredibly destructive. The 2017 film from M. Night Shyamalan titled ‘Split’, where a motherly persona named Patricia oversaw all 23 personalities and the 23rd personality was the most dangerous of them all. 

 In Moon Knight, Marc Spector and Steven Grant are the 2 distinct personalities but by the third episode a 3^rd personality appears to take hold and murdered a few assailants without either Steven or Marc being made aware of.  The slow building revelation is very reminiscent to the 2009 Showtime series “The United States of Tara” a Character who suffers from DID and later develops additional personalities on top of the 3 characters she had inhabited when the show began. 

The cold open in episode 3 revolves around Marc Spector’s wife Layla, who is not only aware of Marc Spector’s lifestyle but his alter ego and powers of the Moon Knight costume, She is forging passports and falsifying  documents for herself with routine knowledge and ease that is both alarming and curious. The history of not seeing Marc for months distills the notion that Steven is the more recent construct personality from Marc’s mortal agreement with Khonshu.  Steven’s  love for French poetry, the location of his flat are indicators of Marc’s earlier relationship with Layla; of when they first met and highlights a more softer and tender side of Marc Spector when he was courting Layla.

Pros and Cons - (Pro)Marc can call upon his costume at will; as it manifests around him like armor and provides healing and invincibility. Episode 3 displays Moon Knight getting stabbed deeply with 4 or 5 Javelin spears.  (Con) On the other hand the character is unreliable as hero to be part of a team like the avengers initiative, and too mythical and rooted with his environment to be in a Space odyssey like with Guardians of the Galaxy, Characters like the Eternals or Blade are likely areas for further character involvement if Moon Knight Branches beyond the limited series run.

Strange New Worlds

 

Strange New Worlds, debuted in the summer of 2022, as a spinoff of the series Star Trek Discovery, with its star Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) having ties to the original 60’s series. Hardcore fans will find easter eggs connecting planets, ships and names of characters popping up somewhere in every episode, with an underlining storyline that leads up to an inevitable future for both its captain and crew.

We learn Discovery commenced a mission unsanctioned by Starfleet to jump into the future to defeat an A.I., While Pike and the enterprise stayed in the present, Pike saw his future, and to fans of 60’s series titled The Cage/The Menagerie. Fans old and new know what the future has in store for its captain.    Looking back to the original series; episode 4 – titled The Naked Time, it shares a story to that of Strange New Worlds Episode 3: Ghost of Ilyria -how the crew become infected with an alien virus.  New Worlds episode 5 Spock Amok , that plays with original season 2 episode 1’s  Amok Time, we witness the first meeting, and the start of Nurse Chapel’s crush on Spock, that pays off in The Naked Time several years into the future.  Which puts a question of chief security officer La’an Noonien-Singh a descendant of Khan who in accordance with the original series episode called Space Seed, has Khan currently adrift in space in suspended animation. As he and his augmented crew where tyrants in the 1990s and attempted to take over world, her last name is a source of ridicule and a reason why the federation does not accept creatures who genetically modify themselves.  Which sets up the character Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijin), Captain Pike’s number One. In episode 3 Ghosts of Ilyira – Ilyrians were never accepted into Starfleet as they experimented on themselves with genetic modifications, and Una is an Ilyrian but from a distant planet.  …  Trivia note - Majel Barrett played unnamed first officer for Captain Pike in “The Cage” episode; which was also Barrett’s first role on Star Trek…  making her the original Number One.

As tightly woven Strange New Worlds is to shows of the past like Enterprise, Discovery, Deep Space Nine, Next generation, and the original series.  The show keeps the traditional format of an A and B story subplot, but that B subplot will have a C & D side story that along with keeping true and accurate to the rich lore of Star Trek history. ….  In layman’s terms, if you never watch Star Trek, you will find each episode engaging with a new set of circumstances and location, while also getting a closer look at a crew member and situation involving them to this over arching story and how their captain and crew work in that member’s situation. Making each episode engaging, complex and packed with story; fans of previous shows will draw lines, find small connections, they will debate or have water cooler talk of who is the better captain, that can begin from Pike losing crew members early in the season, The Kobayashi Maru, the test Kirk reprogrammed to cheat the no-win simulation test; to each Series Captains’ sense of charisma and valor. Or just the shear performances of other actors on their captains’ interpretations from Janeway, Sisco, Picard, Archer, Lorca and Kirk.  It honestly should come down to who would you want to be your boss, that you’d have to report to for 5 straight years, A surprising number has pointed to Strange New Worlds Christopher Pike, his fatherly warmer approach to his crew, and open lines of communication is more calm, easy, and mutually enriching as compared to the more ritual hierarchy of past/future commanding officers.

 

This Fall, Ikiru celebrates its 70^th Anniversary of its theatrical release, considered one of the many masterpieces from director Akira Kurosawa. Kurosawa who got into the industry in 1936, made his first film in 1943, however many of his earlier films were released decade or more later due to the restrictions put on during and post the second world war. 

From 1950 to 1961 was the heart of his more noteworthy accomplishments. Ikiru (To Live) falls in this period; and amongst critics and his own peers (like Fellini or Kubrick) have been regarded as one of Akira Kurosawa’s finest works in the history of cinema. 

Akira Kurosawa began as an artistic painter, transitioned and really got his start as an assistant director and excelled in storytelling and became known as a scenarist, some of his best scenarios he came up with, that didn’t make it to film, was published in journals and was noticed for their freshness of representation and as such were awarded prizes.

Ikiru is no exception, the most recent remake was in 2007; Ikiru (‘To Live’) is a rich compelling movie, Hollywood could not resist but take inspired adaptations like DOA (1949, or 1988 remake), Netflix’s Kate (2021), or in Marvel Comics 1986 miniseries Strikeforce Morituri, but Ikiru was more complex than these  one note films.  It’s a film abound more for its Moral messages.  The concept in short and straight forward. a petty government official learns he has only half a year to live until he will die of cancer.  Hollywood focuses on more the ticking time clock and made it a noir and solving the mystery of him dying.  Whereas Kurosawa made it more societal introspective and spiritual.

The Official is named Kanji Watanabe, he turns to his family for solace when learning he is terminal, but is betrayed, he then seeks enjoyment but becomes disillusioned, and in the end is redeemed when uses his position to work for the poor.  It’s a very realistic depiction in the manner of a collapse of a family system, and the hypocritical aspects of officials in postwar Japanese society, as Japan desperately recovers from defeat in the second world war.

Ikiru (To Live) was an outstanding document of the life and the spiritual situation of Japanese people, who were then beginning to recover from the desperation caused by defeat in war

Rudyard Kipling

 

To start this topic with a personal connection; Kipling's literary works to which at the time I did not connect with as the author, but like many of my contemporaries was aware of the titles, his stories or short stories would bring.  For Example - 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi' and 'The Man Who would be King', where names or titles heard in passing many-a-times by my parents, classmates or by literature commentators in some regard.  The  Nursey Rhyme "Baa Baa, Black Sheep" is a semi autobiographical short story published in 1888, The actual rhyme was written in 1744, and the only thing that survived in the collective consciousness, from the two was the Rhyme.  That being said, I had experienced a wonderful childhood in Cub/Scouts with his established archetypes he created, found enlightened with timely exposure to his work in the classroom, or witness the spectacle of his imaginations on the big & small screen in both film and animated adaptations. His most celebrated works has left an indelible imprint to generations.

Rudyard Kipling is an English Author, Born in Bombay, India, on December 30th, 1865. He was educated in England.  In 1882 he returned to India, where he joined the staff of the Civil and Military Gazette in Lahore.  His earliest tales were published in that paper.  In 1892, he married  Caroline Balestier, an American. He lived in Vermont for four years, where he wrote 'Many Inventions (1893), The Jungle Book (1894), The Second Jungle Book (1895), The Seven Seas (1896), and Captains Courageous (1897). He returned to England in 1896

In 1900, Rudyard Kipling went to South Africa to report the Boer War and served for a time as an editor of The Friend in Bloemfontein. In Kim (1901) a long discursive novel on modern India, he tried to fulfill the promise of his shorter workers.  He failed , in the opinion of many critics, but this remained his most ambitious novel.  His later writing was often criticized as propaganda for British colonialism  and as showing more sympathy for institutions than individuals.  Regardless of the social content  of his writing, however, he was recognized  as one of the most talented literary craftsmen  of his age. An international celebrity, he waas honored by the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Paris, and Edinburgh, and in 1907 received the Nobel prize in literature. Among his other works were Department Ditties (1886), Plain Tales from the Hills (1888), Soldiers Three (1888), Wee Willie Winkie (1888), The Phantom Rickshaw (1890), Barrack-Room Ballads (1892), Recessional and other Poems (1899)....Something of Myself (1937), He died January  18th, 1936, His Wife Caroline became custodian of is literary legacy after his death. She past away December 1939.

One of Rudyard Kipling's most acclaimed poems was 'If' (1910),  its an inspirational poem on how one should live one's life - in a way that provides advice.. The poem is curated in a way that at least one advice will be relevant to you at some point in life.  The second last line of the poem was either  conscious /unconscious, but provided inspiration to create a famous line in Scarface (1983)  "Yours is the Earth and Everything that's in it,"

Fate of the Furious (Fast 8)

Fate of the Furious is a 2017, film directed by F. Gary Gray. It is a direct sequel to Fast 7 (2015), with characters and story arcs carrying over onto this film.  The movie introduces us to what will ultimately be a tetralogy story arc involving cyber terrorist Cipher – played by Charlize Theron.  In a quick overview provided by Kurt Russell’s Mr. Nobody   Cipher hired Owen Shawn played by Luke Evans to acquisition Nightshade (Fast & Furious 6)   and hired Mose Jakande played by Djimon Hounsou to steal the software program God’s Eye (Fast 7).  In both instances Dominic Toretto and his family had intervened and thwarted her plans.   

The Question is why use Dominic in the first place?  She has a small group of very resourceful mercenaries at her disposal and the tech and intelligence to rival and crush opposing law enforcement.  The only posing and physical threat to Cipher is DSS agent Luke Hobbs a super cop that is hard to kill and has been making the arrests of all her plans stick.  Blackmailing Dominic Torreto only works in her favor to being able to get close enough to Hobbs without him knowing it and removing him as an obstacle, which is how Dom get Hobbs incarcerated in Prison, while also securing a very powerful EMP device.  Once her obstacle is out the way, and weapon in hand, Getting the Russian Football as they tailored it can be done by anyone of her  highly trained operatives, at this point the blackmail leverage of Elena, the baby, and Dom are just baggage moving forward, there is was no need to hold anyone or keep anyone alive any further. The moment the EMP landed in her possession. She could have sent Dominic on a mission unbeknownst to him into Nobody’s head quarters on a false mission; and suicide bomb him remotely on top of seizing the God’s Eye and ensuring the multiple deaths of Dom’s family to be an added revenge from past grievances and possibly eliminating Mr. Nobody the secret agency leader tasked to stopping her.  This in tally would reduce loss of man power and personal resources on Cipher’s end, while securing the God’s Eye and surgically removing her only opposition in the process.

The Film begins in Cuba, With Dominic and Letty on their honeymoon, it’s a lighter happier time before the story switches into an action drama, According to the Director F Gary Gray , he wanted to acknowledge older fans who wanted the franchise to revisit its roots and offer just street racing.  Cuba was an original choice; as the Obama administration had lifted the embargo from Cuba, Marking this movie to be the first big budget film production in the country. Without decades of trade relations Cuban Cars have remained classic cars from 40’s and 50’s era, with Domenic Toretto racing against a classic 1956 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria.   Gray had worked with all principle actors directing Dwayne Johnson in Be Cool, and Charlize Theron & Jason Statham in the Italian Job, Ludicris on a Pepsi commercial, and Vin Diesel on the film ‘A Man Apart’; and had established a good rapport. 

Which helped as these actors were all in high demand, Dwayne Johnson was filming the HBO series Ballers and was near completion on production of the Baywatch movie, while Jason Statham was in the middle of filming the movie ‘The Meg’.   Between working out the logistical scheduling and working through the alleged behind the scenes drama, Gray ironed out a pretty smooth filming production. The film’s budget was somewhere between 250 to 270 million dollars; which had used about 30 million dollars worth of cars in the making of the movie and some of those nice cars got destroyed, and nearly a million dollars in fuel to maneuver and operate a submarine.

With Fast X set for theatrical release in May 2023, viewers will see the final chapter of the Fast Saga, Justice for Han, and Justice against Cipher is expected to be realized.  Directed by Louis Leterrier known for Transporter movies will also have us see Jason Statham return one last time as Decker Shaw. This story promises an even bigger ensemble cast out for one last ride and hopefully put to rest many story arcs including that of Brian/ Paul Walker’s character to rest.

 

The Eternals

 

The Eternals was a creation of Jack Kirby, having its first publication in July of 1976.  The story(s) history and various volumes since its conception is as long to cover as it would be to somehow to summarize in a few sentences, the genealogy though not too complex, is meaningless because the comic book never had a broad general audience.  The film’s success would be heir apparent to its own source material as was the hopes of Marvel Studios.

I, this blog writer have heard of The Eternals, and of it’s existence from the 70’s comic book series, but know absolutely nothing about it, and many or if not  all of my contemporaries who read comics or was into some genre of comics did not either.  As the characters did not associated or appear in any other comic books, but their own title, which gets explained why in the cinematic movie.

Critiques who discount marvel movies, have pointed out that the films are heavy on CGI , and stories are formulaic and repetitive.  Chloe Zhao the academy award winning director, and Marvel studios ensured to point out that this film the 26^th Marvel cinematic movie is distinguished as the film is very much shot practically in real world settings. The film wrapped principle shooting in 2019, just before the pandemic hit, and the Director used physical locations and natural lighting as many of the films set pieces.  The fight sequences and choreography is mostly practical with added in CGI to work alongside with the actor in post.  Chloe Zhao who wrote and director the film was extremely well versed with Jack Kirby’s work, and continues to be an avid comic book reader.  Nomadland was shot and completed before production began with Eternals but during that process Zhao had already pitched the idea to Kevin Feige and his team at Marvel Studios and they were sold on her vision.  Instrumental by taking part in casting to include a culturally diverse cast, to make inclusion and representation a priority, swapping genders with some key characters Zhao placed her own signature to this film, a sentiment expressed by Kevin Feige while doing press for the film.  Post production was spent during quarantine months Chloe Zhao was heavily involved with the editing.  So success and failure of the 200 Million Dollar movie can rest squarely on her shoulders, as how it was presented in the promotion of the film; marqueeing it's visionary direction.

The Eternals begins with an opening graphic to set up the film, this read through tells how the audience can expect the story to begin and foreshadow how what will be revealed to us.  We are to assume or know ahead that the film takes place after the events of the infinity war.  …  Here are spoilers ahead…

Eros is the god of love & sex in historic literature, in marvel comics he is an Eternal also known as Starfox the mid post credit scene introduces the character played by Harry Styles. Who looks the part 100%; going by comic book lore as source material he can affect your emotions as one of his gift. Originating from the moon of Titan, he is brother to Thanos, which automatically makes Thanos an Eternal with that revelation.  Their  father

A’lars has a brother Zuras whose daughter is Thena  making Angelina Jolie’s character and Eros 1^st cousins, and his comment to her “you are as beautiful as legends say” sort of inappropriate.   Having his own device which links him to his own celestial like  Sersi/Ajak  had with Arishem  the judge; Starfox has knowledge of the sudden turn of events befallen  Sersi, Kingo and Phastos.  This by its design also suggests other Eternals similar to Ajak are aware of their true nature and disagreed with the celestials.  And thus Giving Thanos an additional layer, Thanos viewed himself as a hero, his own action defies all Celestials across the universe by delaying an Emergence on all chosen Sentient life planets.  

100 deviants were created to eliminate planetary Apex predators who would delay and stall a planetary Emergence once a celestial seed was placed.  Unfortunately deviants evolved and became Apex predators themselves, so powerful beings known as The Eternals were created 100 to be exact to battle the Apex predators deviants.  To ensure the growth of sentient life; The distinction of these celestial creations is on- one-hand Eternals do not evolve, and initially cannot pro-create with humans or other species, deviants can absorb and evolve from sentient life, Eternals exist in their current form for multiple millennia as disgruntle Sprite can attest to. In the source comic book material - children can be created with their own kind as sons of Eros & Thanos are products of.  Making questionable “how” if their form is immortal; in the movie their true creation is revealed in the final act as something completely different.

The second is the post credit scene which introduces Dane Whitmore the black knight whose family history dates back to King Arthur and his knights.  The Ebony blade which is mentioned in conversation between Sprite and Thena (In a scene where Thena wields Excalibur).The Ebony is a dark soul entity that corrupts the wielder. The more powerful the wielder the more the blade corrupts them.  The material made of from the Ebony blade is what cut off the head of “Knowhere” a giant celestial which now floats as a mining colony planet in deep space. One rumor is Dane Whitmore’s sword however is speculated not to be the true ebony blade, but some soul sword with connections to Dracula or vampires, which is why Blade was the voice speaking to Dane off camera.  Director Chloe Zhao in an interview confirmed that, Mahershala Ali’s Blade was the voice heard addressing Dane Whitmore as he was about to touch the sword.

With a very quick cameo appearance of the Living Tribunal showing up in Loki, a strong speculation that Sersi and her team are about to be judged on a cosmic court; that visual should have promise.  As the closing credits indicate “The Eternals shall return”.  Here is the problem that’s reflective upon general audience scores, according to rotten tomatoes.  The film was good and rich and complex, but did not connect fully with its audience.  The movie is more dialogue than action and relied on flashbacks, and 25 % of the movie had action while the remaining three quarters of the film was strictly dialogue.  This told a difficult story, of why they split up, and why no one knows about them.  This is also the case regarding the killing of Tiamut.  The audience has absolutely no reason or need to connect or empathize with any Eternals, The only shared desire is final result of not destroying the Earth.  Ikaris, Druid, Gingo , Sprite, and Thena are characters if they were to perish there would be no outcome, nor would audience cared if they faded back into obscurity.  For the most part the Eternals have no Arc like other characters.  For example Stark being a weapon’s builder looking to make amends for his deeds that made him  rich, Steve Rogers a man out of time trying to find his place in the world, or a Peter Parker an unassuming teen given an extraordinary gift which burdens him while hold him accountable for his gift.  Eternals are supermen born that way and disconnected with humanity and all life events unless deviant harms humanity…  Full stop … nothing else.. the attack on New York, an avenger may have passed an Eternal and not know it and since they won’t die, and the casualties of war does not affect them.

Phastos is Marvel Studio’s first openly gay character; on screen progressively shown displaying an onscreen kiss performed with sincerity and nodes of the drama which is called for under the circumstances and stakes given in that scene.  The lesser known actors have the most screen time and established stars like Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie are given very little screen time,  Sprite is reminiscent to Kirsten Dunst Character ‘Claudia’ in interview with a vampire, as a cursed  immortal viewed forever as child, and harbors great resentment for her  appearance; ironic since her power is illusion.  At the end of the movie Druid remains untrusting of humanity, Phastos disassociates with humanity on a macro level, Sprite is on her own self fulfilling journey, Gingo who disguised himself as four generations of himself recorded the adventure for self profiting means and remains superficial , and is also disconnected to humanity, he just parodies it.  Makkari – we absolutely know nothing about, and still no nothing, as she is living inside a space ship for hundreds of years and continues to do so. Thena struggles with mental health, and remains locked away in solitude either in remote part of the country or in deep space aboard their ship.  And Ikarus has no connection to humanity at all and lives up to his mythology. Sersi is the audience surrogate in this world and serves strictly as a plot device, similar to Edward Scissorhands she can’t touch or be part of humanity and hides from it, she serves as romantic love interest for Dane and Ikarus , but that is only to serve to introduce Dane as what will be the Black Knight Character ; and in the final act, a revelation in the movie when Ikarus reveals the film’s final twist. So in the end we know nothing of these 10 heroes, no one else within the Marvel Universe will know of these characters even after the events of Emergence which largely impacted humanity on a global scale. We as an audience are given representation of a minority with heroes of color, of gender equality as lead by women, and the inclusion of LGBTQ community which are all commendable and should rightfully be displayed as common place in these stories, but the film doesn’t provide a fulfilling story, as it opens up a new world of heroes, it does not stick the superhero landing for us to care. We can expect a division amongst characters like Druid, Sprite, Ikarus, and very likely Thena being villainous with self interested ways, but no interaction from an invisible war makes the film moot and an the audience lethargic.