My Review of The Boys In The Band (1970)

 

Written by Mart Crowley

Directed by William Friedkin

Michael: "What's so fucking funny?"

Harold: Life. "Life's a goddamn laugh riot."

Five years ago when Netflix did a remake of this movie and filled it up with Ryan Murphy alumni, I watched it and enjoyed but I knew that I owed myself the chance to check out the original version. It only took fifty five years since it's released to do such a thing.

The premise was simple. It was Harold's (Leonard Frey) birthday and his friend organised a party. Mostly it was Michael (Kenneth Nelson) doing the heavy lifting in that sense but that didn't mean that other friends Emory (Cliff Gorman), Donald (Frederick Combs), Larry (Keith Prentice), Hank (Laurence Luckinbill) and Bernard (Reuben Greene) all didn't contribute to the evening.

A birthday party, even for someone as highly critical and fussy as Larry should've been a joyous occasion. Instead it was an event that descended into chaos, fist fights, name calling and our gays (with one token "straight" man) bringing out the absolute worst in one another.

Getting to the straight guy in question, that was where Alan (Peter White) slotted into proceedings. He was an old friend of Michael's and it seemed like his marriage to the unseen Fran was on the rocks. Alan took an instant dislike to the more effeminate Emory and it wasn't long before Alan's past dalliances with men surfaced.

The first half of the movie set up the tension but the second half seriously upped the ante with a game of telephone. Yup, ringing the person you loved the most ended up making the few people who took part in the game feels worse about themselves rather than better. Michael's own little mind games blew up in his face by the end of this movie.

Michael was the main focal point of the movie and there wasn't a single person who didn't get some pithy comment or analysis from him. Even the sweet but dim witted Cowboy Tex (Robert La Tourneaux) wasn't spared Michael's acid tongue but he also bore the least of it too.

What of the birthday boy himself? Harold was there as a counter to Michael. He knew Michael's game because by his own admission he played the game better than Michael could himself. His barbs were just as funny and he got a hot cowboy for his birthday, so if anything, Harold was the only one to really enjoy the night.

- William Friedkin directed this movie a decade before he'd take on the more divisive Cruising (1980).

- There's an actual sequel to this play from Mart Crowley called The Men From The Boys that features these characters. Someone needs to adapt that.

- Apparently this was one of the first mainstream movies to use the word "cunt" and it's said quite a lot in the film.

- Michael had been trying to quit drinking and smoking, only to resume both as the night went on while Hank was stated to be bisexual. Harold and Donald were the only two not to play the telephone game.

- Standout music: Martha and the Vandellas Heat Wave and Harpers Bizarre Anything Goes.

- Chronology: 1968, Upper East Side, Manhattan in New York, predominantly set in Michael's apartment.

Now I loved the 2020 version but it really does go without saying that this version of The Boys In The Band would be the superior version. There's certain dialogue that made me since but the performances were sublime along with Friedkin's direction. I loved this from start to finish.

Rating: 10 out of 10 

My Review of The Innocents (1961)

 

Written by William Archibald And Truman Capote

Directed by Jack Clayton

Miss Giddens: "All I want to do is save the children, not destroy them. More than anything, I love children. More than anything. They need affection. Love. Someone who will belong to them, and to whom they will belong."

Nearly a year ago, I watched The Haunting Of Bly Manor and upon reading up further about adaptations of The Turn Of The Screw, I knew I had to watch this one too.

Starring Deborah Kerr, this version had her playing the new governess, Miss Giddens. She's given the job of looking after two children - Miles (Martin Stevens) and Flora (Pamela Franklin) by their uninterested uncle (Michael Redgrave). As in every adaptation, she should've turned it down.

Anyways, moving to the fictional Bly Manor and having the housekeeper, Mrs Grose (Megs Jenkins) for adult company, Giddens thought she was going to have an easy time. Flora was odd but generally co-operative. Then there was Miles, who was more of a challenge for the new governess.

He started off as a sweet kid, despite being sent home from his private school for fighting. At first, it even seemed like he was going to get along with Miss Giddens. However, it soon became apparent that there was more to Miles than Giddens suspected.

As with every adaptation, there were the ghosts of former governess, Miss Jessel (Clytie Jessop) and her abusive lover/former groundskeeper, Peter Quint (Peter Wyngarde). Possession was at the heart of the story and it was up to Miss Giddens to save the children. Too bad it took a large of screen time to get Mrs Grose on board.

The movie was at its best/most chilling with Giddens confrontation with Miles/Peter as she tried to do everything in her power to save Miles. There's a genuinely chilling performance from Martin Stevens as the possessed Miles and the ending, while faithful to the source material itself was definitely heartbreaking. 

- A prequel movie, titled The Nightcomers that focused on Miss Jessel and Peter Quint would come out in 1971.

- I can't believe Truman Capote rewrote this screenplay while taking a break from writing In Cold Blood.

- Standout music: O Willow Waly by Georges Auric used to creepy effect at the start of the movie.

- Chronology: Set in 19th century Bly Manor, located in Essex.

Now that I've watched it, I can see why The Innocents would be the best adaptation of that particular novel from Henry James. Every single thing about this movie just worked to perfection. It's genuinely chilling and that ending. Perfect.

Rating: 9 out of 10 

A Tale Of Two Psychopaths

As usual, it's been a while since I've done one of these but a look into some of the shows I've watched over the last few weeks.

And Just Like That: Talk about having cancellation creep up on you. It's pretty obvious that Michael Patrick King and his three leads thought they had more time but HBO thought otherwise. These last few episodes saw Carrie ditch Aidan and almost get with the English writer while coming out with an ending for her book. Miranda and Steve found out they were going to be grandparents and Charlotte and Harry started having sex again. If this show hasnt wasted most of its time giving audiences everything they didn't want from a sequel series, we'd probably be getting a fourth season. Live and learn.

Dexter: Resurrection: On to a sequel series that gave audiences exactly, how fucking good did this show turn out to be? It's like the writers managed to recapture the heights of the original show's first four seasons. There's so much to praise here, but the Dexter/Harrison dynamic was what it needed to be for both characters and Leon Prater turned out to be one of the best season Big Bads we've had on the show. Add Dexter bumping off fellow serial killers, an expected but affecting exit for Angel and this season just hit all the right spots. 

Only Murders In The Building: With previous seasons, I'd usually wait until the finale and binge watch the lot but I decided to go weekly this season instead. Four episodes in and you've got Charles, Oliver and Mabel trying to solve their former doorman's death, along with a mob hit and coming to the realisation that being mainstream podcasters can get you censored. Throw in Logan Lerman, Christopher Waltz and Renee Zellweger as a trio of scheming billionaires and it's a good start so far.

The Girlfriend: Ah, another glossy thriller with a female protagonist who's a psychopath. Actually this time, it's two of them with both Olivia Cooke and Robin Wright giving it their all. The former as unhinged estate agent, Cherry and the latter as the equally unbalanced Laura. The object of their psychopathy - the rather dull Daniel, played by Laurie Davidson. He's Cherry's new boyfriend and Laura's son with incest vibes between the two. Throughout the six episodes both Cherry and Laura up the ante in their crazy pursuit of Daniel but only one could come out on top. It does lag in the middle but it's enjoyable enough.

Wednesday: Season 2 of a show where the writing isn't that different to an episode of Riverdale. I snark but in fact, I do enjoy this show. This second season was neither better nor worse than the first season. Jenna Ortega still ruled the roost as Wednesday Addams but the season expanded her family, brought back other characters, wasted a plot on Enid that amounted to very little overall and was a bit hit and miss with new cast members like Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper and Joanna Lumley. The show might have overplayed it's use of Lady Gaga as well. With all that said, I'll still watch Season 3. 

- Kit Harrington will star in an upcoming adaptation of A Tale Of Two Cities for BBC/MGM+.

- HBO will air A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms from January 2026 with the third season of House Of The Dragon likely to air next summer.

- Wonder Man will be split into two parts when it's released on Disney+ in December. Marvel Zombies premieres from September 24th.

- Daredevil: Born Again has been renewed for a third season. It's second season will premiere on Disney+ early 2026.

- The upcoming fourth season of The White Lotus will be set in France. Will likely premiere in 2027 on HBO.

- There are plans for further seasons of House Of Guinness for Netflix. The first season premieres September 25th.

- Paramount+ have cancelled Dexter: Original Sin but it does seem that Dexter: Resurrection will get a second season.

- Despite wrapping up this week, Amazon announced that The Summer I Turned Pretty will get a wrap up movie.

- Jessica Chastain and Ben Stiller will star in upcoming Apple TV+ limited series, The Off Weeks.

- Nine Bodies In A Mexican Morgue will air on BBC1 from September 28th.

- Pamela Anderson will executive produce a TV adaptation of Barb Wire.

- Hacks will end with a fifth season for HBO Max.

- The fourth season of The Witcher will be released on Netflix from October 30th.

My Review of Peacemaker: "Back To The Suture"

 

Written by James Gunn 

Directed by Alethea Jones

Economos (re QUC): "Use it? Why are we going to use it?"

Harcourt: "Because we're going to get Chris back."

It's amazing how Harcourt looked like she was all set to betray Chris in order to get back into ARGUS but in reality, she had a clever plan. Except it fell apart because Chris couldnt tell the meaning of a code word.

Chris showed up to the meeting point and wouldn't take the hint to leave. He knew it was a trap and even managed to use Kline as a human shield. Then Emilia knocked his ass out and he ended up being brought to ARGUS. On the other hand, Chris did manage to avoid death by Sasha Bordeaux.

While Harcourt failed to stop Chris being taken by ARGUS, she did manage to make Economos useful by having Chris booked. Just in time too as a vengeful Flag Sr was having too much fun beating the shit out of Chris. Also, another ruse as Harcourt reacted exactly how Flag Sr predicted. Looks like Rick has been able to think big picture strategy after all.

By the end of this episode, Chris was done and decided to take himself and Eagly to the other world. He got to be part of the Top Trio and by the end of the episode, it looked like Chris also got to be with the other Emilia Harcourt as well. Yeah, this isn't going to end the way that Chris hopes it will.

As for the rest of the 11th Street Kids, I did feel for Adrian feeling ignored by Chris and crying when the latter left. However, I did like his delight in the possibility of him meeting another version of himself. Yup, Emilia mobilised the team into using the Quantum Unfolding Chamber into getting Chris back. Next week that is.

Last but by no means least, there was the demise of Red St. Wild. Oh, Michael Rooker, your record for playing characters who wind up dead in James Gunn's world remains unmatched. Red got an absolutely well deserved and satisfying demise thanks to Eagly. I guess we'll see Michael Rooker in Man Of Tomorrow as anothrr new character.

- Eagly was revealed to be the prime eagle. Keith also seemed a bit weirded out by his presence when introduced to him.

- The Top Trio killed the Kaiju in a nod to Superman (2025). Judomaster also followed Chris and Eagly into the other world.

- Sasha was revealed to be part cyborg and Economos had a photo of her pre-op as his phone screen for a bit. Emilia's reaction to that was spot on. Fleury was less objectionable this week.

- This week it was manta rays that Adrian had the most extensive knowledge on. Also factored into the post credit scene this week.

- Standout music: Diemonds Ain't That Kind Of Girl and Guns 'n' Roses November Rain.

- Chronology: From where the previous episode left off. The opening scene was Rick Flag Jr's funeral from three years ago.

Back To The Suture was another set up episode but it had it's moments and the stage has been set for the last three episodes. Given how much hasn't been revealed about them, here's hoping they truly deliver. This was pretty great though.

Rating: 7 out of 10 

My Review of Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

 

Written And Directed by Gary Dauberman 

Judy: "What else did you touch?"

Daniela: "...Everything."

I'm impressed that a spin off managed to complete it's trilogy before the parent movie but that's kind of what happened here. Although if you do love Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga), you get some of them here for this third instalment on that killer doll.

Although it's a movie that had their daughter, Judy (Mckenna Grace) play a much larger role than before. Yup, because of her patent psychic powers and the parents she has, it's not too surprising that Judy would be something of an outcast with her peers.

Unfortunately for Judy, she had a birthday party looming and her classmates didn't seem interested in attending. Judy also had a babysitter named Mary Ellen (Madison Iseman) who was nice to her. Mary Ellen also had a friend named Daniela Rios (Katie Sarife). Daniela had some nice words to say to Judy about feeling like an outsider.

Daniela had also lost her father to a car crash and it was her snooping into the Annabelle doll that caused the mayhem in this movie. Add in a love interest for Mary in the form of shy grocery worker, Bob (Michael Cimino) and it wasn't just Annabelle who wrecked havoc in this movie.

Why just have Annabelle creating mayhem when you can also add Black Shuck, the Ferryman, ghost priest and a werewolf into the mix? It's enough to make you think that poor Bob was done for. Enough for Daniels to wind up possessed while Judy and Mary had to work together to put everything back together and save both Bob and Daniela.

Surprisingly enough, this managed to be low on the body count for this franchise. There's a birthday party for Judy with new friends and a nice closure moment for Daniela courtesy of Lorraine.

- The end credits had a dedication to the real Lorraine Warren who died the same year as this movie's release.

- Mckenna Grace replaced Sterling Jerins as Judy. Jerins would reprise the role for The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.

- Standout music: King Harvest's Dancing In The Moonlight.

- Chronology: The film was set around Judy's birthday.

Well, I gotta admit that I liked Annabelle Comes Home a lot more than the previous one. It still doesn't touch the same greatness as the first movie but it had some better jump scare moments and a better third act.

Rating: 6 out of 10 

My Review of Annabelle: Creation (2017)

 

Written by Gary Dauberman

Directed by David F. Sandberg

Janice: "Forgive me, Father, for I am about to sin."

How do you follow the success of Annabelle? Well, you follow it up with a prequel that gave the evil doll it's origin story of course. Yup, that's how you do it.

You've got the Mullins family - doll maker, Samuel (Anthony LaPaglia), his wife Esther (Miranda Otto) and their daughter, Annabelle (Samara Lee). They're a happy family until tragedy struck and poor Annabelle died early in the movie.

It also didn't take this prequel to change course a little by having a group of characters who'd end up on the Mullins land and would interact with a certain doll. Those people included Father Massey (Mark Bramhill), Sister Charlotte (Stephanie Sigman) and a bunch of young girls.

The girls in questions were Linda (Lulu Wilson), Carol (Grace Fulton), Nancy (Philippa Coulthard), Kate (Tayler Buck), Tierney (Lou Lou Safran) and Janice (Talitha Bateman). It's not long before Annabelle and the Demon (Joseph Bishara/Fred Tatasciore) began to terrorise everyone.

Things didn't particularly end well for the grieving Mullins family and the demon in particular took something of an interest in Janice. In fact Janice's story tied in rather fittingly to the first movie when she ended up with a new family and a new name.

Janice became Annabelle Higgins and her unfortunate adoptive parents, Pete (Brian Howe) and Sharon (Kerry O'Malley) would later become victims of Annabelle. Yup, this really did tie nicely back to a key event from the first movie.

- David F. Sandberg who directed this movie would later feature the Annabelle doll in both of his Shazam! movie. His wife, Lotte Losten had a small role in the film.

- There's a teaser for The Nun at the end of the movie.

- Standout music: Charles MacDonald's You Are My Sunshine.

- Chronology: Twelve years before the events of Annabelle.

Annabelle: Creation is a very dull, often confusing prequel. I've watched it enough times and I just don't like it that much as either a prequel or movie (though I did appreciate the brief appearance of what the real doll looks like in real life). It's very tedious and drawn out.

Rating: 5 out of 10 

My Review of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (2025)

 

Written by Julian Fellowes 

Directed by Simon Curtis 

Lady Mary Crawley (from the trailer):  "Families like our must keep moving to survive and all of your support is more important to me than I can say."

It feels like the moment has been prepared for. In the span of fifteen years, we've had this world encompass six series, five Christmas specials and now three movies. Is it really the end? For now, seemingly so.

Last time we left things, Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith) had died and her presence still was felt amongst the characters throughout this movie. Particularly with the ex Lady Mary Talbot (Michelle Dockery). Yup, she's a divorced woman and yes, for this era it was a scandal.

Mary being separated from Henry had her thrown out of a party organised by Lady Petersfield (Joely Richardson), much to the annoyance of Robert (Hugh Bonneville) and Cora Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern). Unfortunately as the movie progressed, Robert ended up channeling his anger at Mary for being a divorcee.

Yes, Mary somewhat dominated this last movie. Being a divorced woman made into something of a social pariah but it also made her vulnerable to the scheming conman, Gus Sambrook (Alessandro Nivola). The latter brought into Mary's orbit due to the return of Cora's brother, Harold Levinson (Paul Giamatti). Harold's still a bad businessman by the way but he's at least nice to Mary during the whole movie.

Mary's plight also inspired playwright, Noël Coward (Arty Froushan) to put on a play named Private Lives. Froushan's portrayal of Coward was a big highlight in this movie. We got funny lines, a single song and an implied threeway relationship with him, Thomas Barrow (Robert James Collier) and Guy Dexter (Dominic West). Oh and Molesley (Kevin Doyle) was also rather taken with Noel to boot. He was easily my favourite character that wasn't one of the main family/staff members.

As for the rest of the movie, there's a true passing of the torch moment. Mary took over Downton while Robert and Cora moved into the Dowager's house. There's a beautifully touching final scene that evoked so much of the series rich past. I had a tear when I watched it and it was clever use of archive clips. It might rank as one of my favourite movie moments of 2025.

Elsewhere, the rest of the movie had nice moments with Tom Branson (Allen Leech) and Edith Pelham (Laura Carmichael) and Bertie (Harry Hadden-Paton) truly stepping up for Mary, along with Isobel Grey (Penelope Wilton) and even Daisy (Sophie McShera). Not to mention another look into Mary's relationship with Anna (Joanne Froggatt). As you can tell, this movie was very much Mary's from beginning to end and no, that wasn't a bad thing at all. Let the divorced diva be lady of the manor for a good few years. 

- Henry cheated on Mary with another woman but hired a different one for the separation to be made official. All because Matthew Goode had scheduling conflicts for these movies.

- Cora and Harry's mother, Martha (Shirley McLaine) died between movies. There's also a tribute to Maggie Smith at the end of the movie.

- Anna and Mr Bates (Brendan Coyle) were expecting another child, while Molesley/Miss Baxter (Raquel Cassidy) and Mrs Patmore (Lesley Nicol)/Mr Mason (Paul Copley) got married between movies.

- Andy (Michael C Fox) succeeded Mr Carson (Jim Carter) as butler and there was some nice scenes with the latter and Mrs Carson (Phyllis Logan). Sir Hector Moorland (Simon Russell Beale) was also a minor thorn for Mary.

- Standout music: Arty Froushan's Poor Little Rich Girl.

- Chronology: 1930 at Downton Abbey for the majority of the movie as well London.

For a finale, I think Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale truly stuck the landing. It's a beautiful ending (for now) for this world and it had so many gorgeous character moments, dialogue and that last scene truly made the movie for me.

Rating: 9 out of 10 

My Review of Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022)

 

Written by Julian Fellowes 

Directed by Simon Curtis

Violet: "Stop that noise. I can't hear myself die."

The not surprising success of Downton Abbey (2019) meant that a sequel had to happen and after setting up a major storyline, this would be the movie to pay off that story in particular.

Yes, I'm talking about the imminent death of Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith). Between movies, Mary Talbot (Michelle Dockery) was no longer the only person who knew. Everyone did and there's moments where both Robert Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) and Isobel Grey (Penelope Wilton) confessed to their spouses about their feelings of losing Violet.

However there was also the issue of a villa in France. Violet was left one y a former paramour and she felt that Sybbie deserved it, much to the delight of the newly married Tom (Allen Leech) and Lucy Branson (Tuppence Middleton). Tom and Lucy along with Robert, Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), Edith Pelham (Laura Carmichael ), Bertie (Harry Hadden-Paton), Lady Rosamund (Samantha Bond), Maud (Imelda Staunton), Mr Bates (Brendan Coyle), Miss Baxter (Raquel Cassidy) and Carson (Jim Carter) head to France to inspect the property.

While in France, they met up with the deceased Marquis de Montmirail's wife (Nathalie Baye) and son, Edouard (Jonathan Zaccaï). For a large portion of the movie, Robert feared that he might be half French (he wasn't) while also worrying about Cora's health (her symptoms were curable). Then there was the event itself.

We've had shocking deaths in the past like with Sybil and Matthew but Violet's was sweet, with her family and even Denker (Sue Johnston) by her side. I also think that Violet's death added more poignancy to the subtitle of this movie along with a few characters pointing out that Mary would be her natural successor.

Speaking of Mary, she might not have gone to France but she had her own adventure at home. Downton became the set of a movie named The Gambler and despite being a married woman, Mary was very tempted by charming director Jack Barton (Hugh Dancy). Is it bad that I wanted Mary to cheat on her absent husband?

The movie plot was a lot of fun. You had both Anna (Joanne Froggatt) and Daisy (Sophie McShera) fangirling actress Myrna Dalgleish (Laura Haddock). Myrna turned out to be a nightmare who had to have her lines dubbed by Mary when the movie had to retooled into a talking picture. This part of the story also had Molesley (Kevin Doyle) become a screenwriter.

However the best thing to come out of the movie - Thomas Barrow (Robert James Collier) found love with closeted leading man, Guy Dexter (Dominic West). In fact, he hit the romantic jackpot that he handed his notice in so he could be Guy's right hand man in Hollywood. After all he's been through, Thomas deserved his shot at love here. Oh and it meant that Andy (Michael C. Fox) would be his successor at Downton.

- The movie started with Tom and Lucy getting married and having a baby by the end of the movie. Edith and Bertie's son was called Peter.

- Andy and Daisy married offscreen and set up Mrs Patmore (Lesley Nicol) and Mr Mason (Paul Copley). Molesley also proposed to Miss Baxter. Mrs Carson (Phyllis Logan) had a nice scene with Thomas before the Guy plot kicked off.

- At one point, both Carson and Maud were mistook for a married couple. Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton are married in real life. Elizabeth McGovern's husband also directed this movie and the next one.

- With this film, Robert and Cora now have six grandchildren, although Sybbie was the only one who got any lines in the movie.

- Standout music: Guy, The Handsome Mr Barber, Am I Blue? and Next Generation. 

- Chronology: 1928 at both Downton Abbey and in France. 

Although I did prefer the first movie, there's a lot to enjoy with Downton Abbey: A New Era. I'll admit the movie plot was more fun than the France story. I definitely would've given that more screen time. Violet's passing was handled well and this felt like a good note to end her formidable character on.

Rating: 8 out of 10 

My Review of Downton Abbey (2019)

Written by Julian Fellowes

Directed by Michael Engler

Henry Talbot: "Leave Downton? We're stuck with it, aren't we?"

Lady Mary Talbot: "Yes. Yes, I believe we are."

I was a fan of Downton Abbey in the day. I caught up with the first series in time for the second and watched the remaining series until it's end on Christmas Day 2015. However, it's really taken me this long to catch up with the movies.

Four years after the show ended, it was time to go back to Downton and for two hours, there were a lot of plots to get through with this film. Some are resolved better than others but all of them at least managed to hold my general interest regardless.

First of all, there's a Royal visit that had the downstairs staff in quite a tizz. Notably because it was only King George V (Simon George) and Queen Mary (Geraldine James), along with Princess Mary (Kate Phillips) and the latter's much older and cantankerous husband, Henry, Viscount Lascelles (Andrew Havill). Their arrival caused quite the fuss.

Let's see, we had poor Thomas (Robert James Collier) demoted from butler so that Carson (Jim Carter) could come out of retirement. Carson butted heads with Mr Wilson (David Haig) while Mrs Carson (Phyllis Logan) also clashed with Mrs Webb (Richenda Carey). Add a snooty chef in the form of Monsieur Courbet (Phillippe Spall) to get Mrs Patmore's (Lesley Nicol) back up and Anna (Joanne Froggatt) going up against the thieving Miss Lawton (Susan Lynch) and it's proof that even the staff will clash over the least thing.

Moving away from the staff for a bit, who would've thought that Branson (Allen Leech) would've scuppered a would be assassination attempt from Irish sympathiser, Major Chetwode (Stephen Campbell Moore)? I didn't predict it. However, the romance between between Branson and the rather sweet Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton) was as telegraphed as possible. It's like they found Brandon's perfect woman in this movie after a string of post Sybil misfires in later series of the main show.

Lucy came under a lot of fire in this movie for being the ladies maid of Maud Elliot, Dowager Baroness Bagshaw (Imelda Staunton). Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith) wanted a possible inheritance to go to Robert (Hugh Bonneville) and was pushing the point too much that even Isobel Grey (Penelope Wilton) had to step in. Of course the real reason behind Maud's devotion towards Lucy also made a lot of sense before it was made clear.

What of everyone else in this movie? Mary Talbot (Michelle Dockery) spent most of it away from her husband, Henry (Matthew Goode) while trying to organise the big event. She was also the one whom Violet confided her health issues to. Edith Pelham, Marchioness of Hexham (Laura Carmichael) was expecting a baby and didn't want Bertie (Harry Hadden-Paton) away for the birth. She ended up getting her wish. Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) arguably had very little really do compared to the rest of her family or even some of the staff.

- Even I was a little exasperated with Molesley (Kevin Doyle) being too much of a Royal fanboy. Fortunately, Daisy (Sophie McShera) provided a good contrast to that.

- Thomas got to see an underground gay nightclub, got arrested and then bailed by Royal footman, Richard Ellis (Max Brown). There was a spark with them.

- Other characters that appeared were Mr Bates (Brendan Coyle), Miss Baxter (Raquel Cassidy), Andy (Michael C. Fox), Albert (Charlie Watson), Mr Bakewell (Mark Addy), Tony Sellick (James Cartwright), Lord Merton (Douglas Reith) as well as the children. There's a few missing recurring characters but also so many characters to keep up with.

- I continue to love the snarky relationship that Violet and Isobel have with each other. Mary's daughter is named Caroline.
- Standout music: Traditional arrangements of On Ilkla Moor Baht 'At, God Save The King as well as I've Danced With A Man.

- Chronology: It's 1927 at Downton Abbey. Over a year since the series finale. Henry was in Chicago for the majority of the movie.

It had a lot going on with it and while some plots might have felt a little too easy in how they were resolved, I love this movie. Downton Abbey (2019) could've felt like a desperate cash in but it managed to avoid that general pitfall. It was nice catching up with these characters again. Now onto the sequels.

Rating: 9 out of 10 

My Review of Peacemaker: "Need I Say Door"

 

Written by James Gunn 

Directed by Peter Sollett

Adebayo: "Chris, no matter how green the grass is over there, our biggest problems in life are the one that we carry within ourselves. Everything else evens out. This is where God put you. You belong here."

With that very speech, Leota spoke like she was a member of the audience trying to warn Christopher that his perfect world likely isn't so perfect after all. Did he take anything she said on board? Not really. Will there be consequences? Most definitely.

I do like that when things go to hell, Leota's the first person that Christopher would ring for help. That's after the fact that Economos actually put his neck on the line to warn Christopher that ARGUS were about to get him. He really did just about manage to escape them this and with a certain item.

This episode gave a quick origin into the Quantum Unfolding Chamber and of course it was something that Augie callously stole off a harmless alien than something he made. Even Christopher had to remind Leota of how thick his father actually was. 

Economos provided enough of a distraction to set the QUC in an old cabin with Vigilante getting some doors to help out. I love that Leota was the rational one about Christopher's hopes of living in his other self's life. He can't do it and within the next four episodes, he'll find he won't be able to either.

As for the rest of the episode, Rick Flag Sr managed to get a down and out Emilia Harcourt to betray Christopher by offering her way back into intelligence work. I actually don't blame Emilia for taking it, though like Economos I do think she'll try and undermine Flag Sr's one man revenge mission.

Going into other dynamics, I forgot how much annoying Judomaster can actually be in parts. Still though, I'll give him points for his tenacity in his fights with Peacemaker and the unbridled disgust he had with being around Red St. Wild. The banter between Judomaster and Economos was funny enough too.

Speaking of Red St. Wild, I am rooting for that guy to get mauled to death by Eagly. His high key racism, cultural appropriation and general grossness I find to be on a par with Fleury. Unfortunately he did actually have the type of magic that allowed him to track Eagly, so he did have that advantage.

- Sasha Bordeaux seemed to be mildly irritated by everyone but also winked at Fleury. Both Kline and Vega got a little more screen time here.

- Harcourt was about to have her utilities switched off before getting a job offer from Flag Sr. Waller was responsible for her being blacklisted.

- Economos hacked into the CIA when he was fourteen and Red St. Wild tasted Eagly's poop, knowing what the bird has eaten.

- Did Leota really waste money on an adventure for her security firm in a magazine with twelve readers? Use social media for your business already.

- Standout music: Pretty Maids Please Don't Leave Me and H.E.A.T. A Shot At Redemption.

- Chronology: From where the previous episode left but also a flashback to thirty five years ago for the QUC story.

Need I Say Door did feel like another episode that didn't move things too much along but I really liked it. I liked that Leota raised the questions about the other world that Christopher should've been asking. I liked this one a lot.

Rating: 8 out of 10 

My Review of Lilo & Stitch (2002)

 

Written And Directed by Chris Sanders And Dean DeBlois

Lilo (to Stitch): "'Ohana" means "family." "Family" means "no one gets left behind." But if you want to leave, you can. I'll remember you though. I remember everyone that leaves."

With a live action version of this movie released early this summer, I'll confess to have never watched the original. I thought I'd rectify that before eventually watching the live action. Here goes.

The start of the movie took place on the planet Turo. You've got an experimental half dog-half koala named Experiment 626 (Chris Sanders) brought into existence by mad scientist  Dr. Jumba Jookiba (David Ogden Stiers). 626 turned out to be quite indestructible and something of a quick learner.

Instead of accepting an exile, Experiment 626 decided to head for Earth and ended up in Hawaii. It was there he had to evade capture from Jumba and Agent Pleakley (Kevin McDonald) and the more overzealous Captain Gantu (Kevin Michael Richardson). A lot of chaos ensued with that.

On the plus side, it also didn't take 626 long to make a new friend with orphan outcast Lilo Pelekai (Daveigh Chase) who mistook 626 for a dog and renamed him Stitch. Stitch turned out to be a chaotic nightmare for Lilo, her older sister Nani (Tia Carrere) and even gruff social worker, Cobra Bubbles (Ving Rhames).

As a protagonist, Stitch easily turned out to be the most chaotic character. Fun as his antics are, they're also damaging to Lilo and Nani and it's Stitch's actions that saw the destruction of their home, Nani unable to secure work, Lilo nearly being taken away and then actually taken by Gantu. Stitch's quite the engine of chaos throughout the movie.

On the other hand, Stitch also formed a genuine bond with Lilo and Nani and even the latter's love interest, David Kawena (Jason Scott Lee). It was cute when he learned to talk and he took their family motto to heart. The ending's exactly the type of ending you'd expect and it's a nice ending too.

- This movie spawned animated sequels and TV shows and a live action movie. 

- Theres some nice supporting performances from Amy Hill and Zoe Caldwell as Mrs. Hasagawa and the Grand Councilwoman respectively.

- Standout music: A* Teens version of Can't Help Falling In Love as well as several Elvis Presley songs.

- Chronology: Started on the planet Turo but mostly was set on the island of Kauaʻi, Hawaii.

Lilo & Stitch was certainly chaotic from start to finish. Both characters are troublesome but sympathetic, both are outcasts who found one another when they needed each other the most. A very enjoyable 2000s era Disney movie.

Rating: 8 out of 10 

My Review of Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)

 

Written And Directed by Rian Johnson 

Benoit (to Miles): "You dimwitted... brainless... JACKASS! Your one murder with any panache at all, and you stole the whole idea from me!"

It's interesting that in spite of the first movie being an actual hit in theatres, the decision for this sequel (and the upcoming one) would be to give it a limited theatrical release in favour of Netflix having dibs on it.

Once again, we're thrown into the world of private investigator, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig). Only this time, it's in the era of COVID and Benoit was barely amused by online chatter with famous faces. The man needed a case. Luckily for him, he got one in the form of a puzzle.

Heading off to a Greek island, to a place owned by technology company owner and billionaire, Miles Bron (Edward Norton), Benoit had to solve the mystery of Miles's death. Except he wasn't dead and it was more of an extraordinary game of Clue that Benoit disliked.

Of course for this game to have the desired effect, we needed a bigger cast. This included Miles's friends - Connecticut governor, Claire Debella (Kathryn Hahn), scientist Lionel Toussaint (Leslie Odom Jr), fashion designer Birdie Jay (Kate Hudson) and her assistant Peg (Jessica Henwick) alongside men's rights activist, Duke Cody (Dave Bautista) and younger girlfriend, Whiskey (Madelyn Cline).

Yet again, a group of mostly shallow and self serving people but the arrival of Miles's former Alpha partner, Andi Brand (Janelle Monae) certainly complicated matters. Andi wasn't happy with the way Miles ousted her from their company and she was less happy that their so called friends abandoned her. She was also wasn't Andi Brand.

Halfway through the movie and the around the same time that Duke died from consuming pineapple juice, it was revealed that Andi's twin sister Helen had hired Benoit in order to expose Miles's many misdeeds. Needless to say one of them being the fact that he killed Andi.

The third act's brilliant. It gave a wonderful deconstruction into the absolute absurdity of Duke's death and demonstrated to Miles that money won't always buy someone out of trouble. Oh and the destruction of the Mona Lisa, giving Miles the type of infamy he wasn't looking for.

- Hugh Grant was revealed to be Benoit's domestic partner, Phillip while cameos included the likes of Angela Lansbury, Stephen Sondheim, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jake Tapper, Yo-Yo Mama, Serena Williams, Ethan Hawke , Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Jake Tapper.

- Natasha Lyonne who also had a cameo would later go on to star in Rian Johnson's Poker Face. There's references to Jeremy Renner and Jared Leto.

- Standout music: Nat King Cole's The Mona Lisa, David Bowie's Starman and The Beatles Glass Onion.

- Chronology: May 2020, mostly on a Greek island.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery had a lot of pressure to prove that Benoit Blanc wasn't a flash in the pan and it did so with panache. It's so dumb that it's brilliant in spite of Benoit himself would say. Actually, it's really clever and I had a lot of fun with it.

Rating: 8 out of 10 

My Review of Knives Out (2019)

 

Written And Directed by Rian Johnson 

Marta: "You're not much of a detective, are you?"

Benoit: "Well, to be fair, you make a pretty lousy murderer."

It's amazing that for a director, one franchise can make you a villain within it's fandom and the other can make you a hero of sorts. Star Wars fans might not have appreciated Rian Johnson but everyone else took to him.

Mainly because Johnson clearly revealed himself to be more suited to the murder mystery genre than anything involving the force. This movie in question could've been fine as a one and done murder mystery but instead it introduced audiences to a Columbo/Poirot for the 21st Century.

Excellently cast as Inspector Benoit Blanc, Daniel Craig bagged himself a role different to James Bond and equally as interesting to boot. For his first onscreen case, Blanc found himself amongst the wealthy and they're not a nice bunch to be around.

Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) was a mystery writer celebrating his 85th birthday with his children and grandchildren alike. He also was found the next morning dead by unfortunate housekeeper, Fran (Edi Patterson). This automatically put Harlan's family in the frame but also his nurse, Marta Cabrera (Ana De Amas).

With Marta, the movie really teased the possibility of her being the killer for the longest time. She had blood on her shoes,Blanc did suspect and it was revealed that she had inadvertently given Harlan a morphine dose that she shouldn't have. All of that alone would then rule her out, along with Harlan's grandson Hugo (Chris Evans) attempting to blackmail Marta. 

Harlan's children - Lynda (Jamie Lee Curtis), Walt (Michael Shannon), their spouses, Richard (Don Johnson), Donna (Riki Lindhome) and Joni (Toni Collette) along with their own children, Hugh, Meg (Katherine Langford) and Jacob (Jaeden Martell). What can I say? All strong actors all give great performances and mostly all of them are horrible people with little concern for Harlan's passing and more for his inheritance.

The killer reveal was actually done pretty well and even I was surprised by the culprit a little. As for the end with Marta, there's something delightful in that outcome, considering that she's one of the few people who seemed to care about Harlan. Basically, everyone somewhat got what they deserved here.

- Other standout performances included LaKeith Stanfield as Detective Lieutenant Elliott and K. Callan as Wanetta "Great Nana" Thrombey. The latter being Harlan's mother.

- Daniel Craig and Ana De Amas would later reunite for No Time To Die. 

- Standout music: Roxy Music's More Than This, The Rolling Stones Sweet Virginia and Follies by Stephen Sondheim – Daniel Craig's Losing My Mind.

- Chronology: The film was made in Boston and Maynard, Massachusetts.

Knives Out served as the perfect revival for the murder mystery genre in a time where Agatha Christie adaptations have fared less well on both the small and big screen. The story was great, the cast were chosen wisely and Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc has cemented himself as one of the best modern detectives.

Rating: 8 out of 10 

My Review of The Man Who Laughs (1928)

 

Written by J. Grubb Alexander And Walter Anthony And Mary McLean And Charles E. Whittaker

Directed by Paul Leni

Gwynplaine: "A king made me a clown! A queen made me a Peer! But first, God made me a man!"

There's always that ovie from that one actor that you haven't watched but know you should. The one actor would be Conrad Veidt and the one film of course would be The Man Who Laughs.

It's a film that has quite the reputation, both in the genre of movie it belonged, the adaptation of a classic novel from Victor Hugo and of course, it's even a movie where the central character's appearance would later go on to inspire one of the most iconic fictional villains of all time.

Getting to the movie itself, I can see this movie has been lauded so much. Conrad Veidt's transformation into Gwynplaine was something to behold. A victim of a surgeon named Hardquanonne (George Siegmann) knife at the behest of the King James II (Sam De Grasse). 

The act was done to spite Gwynplaine's father, Lord Clancharlie (Conrad Veidt), who was executed early in the movie. Time passed by and Gwynplaine and Dea (Mary Philbin) were travelling and performing the plays by Ursus (Cesare Gravina) while also being in love with each other. 

Despite his frozen smile, Gwynplaine also attracted the attention of the Duchess (Olga Baclanova), who found him both repulsive and arousing. She also saw his royal heritage as something to boost her own social standing while being openly mocking of Gwynplaine.

The second half of the movie varied between Gwynplaine being both a prisoner, a free man and believed dead by various characters as well as a deeper connection between Gwynplaine and the blind Dea. Their love story did have a sweetness to it along with Gwynplaine's dynamic with Homo the Dog and the more antagonistic one with the brutal Barkilphedro (Brandon Hurst).

- The book this movie's based on came out in 1869. This adaptation followed a successful version of The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1923).

- The popular villain whose look would be inspired by this film of course was the Joker. 

- Standout music: When Love Comes Stealing, composed by Ernö Rapée.

- Chronology: Late 17th and early 18th Century England.

The Man Who Laughs nearly a century later has held up as an extraordinary film. Conrad Veidt gives such a compelling performance throughout this entire movie.

Rating: 9 out of 10 

My Review of The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)

 

Written by Ian Goldberg And Richard Naing And David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick And James Wan

Directed by Michael Chaves

Lorraine: "Ed, there's an evil here. Something I've felt before."

Last week, I did a rewatch and review of the previous three movies in this successful horror franchise. It was time for the final chapter and oh boy, did this one really do it's level best to go out on a bang for the Warrens. 

Once again, we're thrown into a case. The one that would be the last for Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine (Vera Farmiga). Also, funny story before this particular case in question, we'd see the paranormal pair doing the lecture circuit and avoiding the real reason why they were no longer taking on cases.

Of course it had to do with Ed's health, something which now the much older Judy (Mia Tomlinson) also addressed. In the previous movies, Judy was very much a background character. In this one, she's effectively co-leading with her parents as her own supernatural powers (same as Lorraine's) came to the forefront.

On top of that, Judy had a lovely fiancé named Tony (Ben Hardy), who was generally a bumbling sweetheart with a nice backstory about being a former cop. His scenes with Judy and her parents were actually some of the strongest in the movie and I'm happy to report, the movie ended with Judy and Tony actually getting married.

As for the case itself, it was the Smurl family, which saw parents Janet (Rebecca Cowan) and Jack (Elliot Cowan). Their house was possessed and the eight people that lived in the house all had their own demonic encounters. Naturally the press took an interest and the Warrens themselves came out of retirement to check it out.

This case definitely felt like it was the most personal for the Warrens. Lorraine learned more about the demons and murder, Ed and Tony tried to remove a cursed mirror and Judy herself was terrorised by a rather familiar doll. While the Smurl case had more to it than what the movie covered, a large chunk of the haunting was depicted here before offering a sense of closure to the series.

- In flashbacks to 1964, Ed and Lorraine were played by Orion Smith and Madison Lawlor respectively.

- Characters such as Carolyn Perron (Lili Taylor), Cindy Perron (Mackenzie Foy), Peggy Hodgson (Frances O'Connor), Janet Hodgson (Madison Wolfe) and David Glatzel (Julian Hilliard) also appeared during the end of the movie.

- Standout music: Benjamin Wallfisch provided the score for this movie.

- Chronology: Mainly set in 1986 Pennsylvania as well as the opening 1964 flashback.

The Conjuring: Last Rites not only felt like an ending to this part of the franchise but it could've been the end of the whole franchise. It's certainly a good place to end Ed and Lorraine Warren as protagonists but I'm sure this also just laid the groundwork for a new Annabelle movie in due course.

Rating: 7 out of 10 

My Review of The Goonies (1985)

 

Written by Chris Columbus And Steven Spielberg

Directed by Richard Donner

Mikey: "Goonies never say die!"

Before the year is out, I want to watch and review more movies from 1985 that I've either not watched before or haven't watched in a long time. This falls into the latter category.

Okay, so we've got four lads named Mikey (Sean Astin), Chuck (Jeff Cohen), Mouth (Corey Feldman) and Data (Ke Huy Quan). One has asthma, the other knows Spanish badly, the other's a habitual fabulist and the other one knows their way around gadgets. As a friendship group though, they oddly compliment one another.

Throw in some older kids into the mix as Mikey's older brother, Brand (Josh Brolin), his girlfriend Andy (Kerri Green) tomboy Stef (Martha Plimpton) and you've got a bunch of characters thrown together on a rather madcap adventure. An adventure that would force all of them step up as characters.

The adventure involved a villainous family led by Mama Fratelli (Anne Ramsay). She had two able bodied but still incompetent sons with Jake (Robert Davi) and Francis (Joe Pantoliano). There was also the deformed Sloth (John Matuszak). Sloth's poorly treated by his family but would end up forming a bond with Chuck.

The big story involved all of these characters being a mission to find One Eyed Willy's treasure and it's definitely a madcap adventure in doing so. I mean there's even most of the characters having to walk the plank of an underground pirate ship before the good guys won.

As antagonists, the Fratellis are hardly scary but they're a nice mixture of would be intimidating (they didn't have an issue with nearly blending Chuck's hand), mean spirited (Mama's horrible to kids) and laughably incompetent. Their just desserts at the end of the film were definitely deserved.

- Earlier this year, a sequel was actually announced for this movie. Richard Donner had a cameo in this movie.

- There's nice references to both Superman: The Movie (1978) and Gremlins (1984). 

- Standout music: Cyndi Lauper's The Goonies 'R' Good Enough.

- Chronology: 1980s, Astoria in Oregon.

Although not my favourite movie from 1985, I do enjoy The Goonies a lot and it's hard to deny it's overall cultural impact as a film. It's definitely a lazy afternoon sort of watch. 

Rating: 8 out of 10 

My Review of Peacemaker: "Another Rick Up My Sleeve"

 

Written by James Gunn 

Directed by Greg Mottola 

Peacemaker: "Best dimension ever!"

Ah yes, three episodes into Season 2 and Christopher Smith still thinks that the grass is greener on the side. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop with this other world. This wasn't the episode for that. It's coming though.

However in this world, there's another notable difference. Rick Flag Jr (Joel Kinnaman) happened to be very much alive and also in a relationship with Emilia Harcourt. He's also a lot on the bumbling side of things and was very intimidated by Christopher stopping ARGUS to pay a visit to Harcourt.

Speaking of Harcourt, this version's certainly less abrasive than our one but she's also wary of Christopher. Clearly the other version hurt her, leading to their break up and Emilia being with the less threatening Flag Jr, whom she doesn't seem that into. 

I'm ambivalent about the whole Peacemaker/Harcourt pairing but I liked this episode exploring all sides of their mutual attraction to each other. Watching Chris and Emilia 2 working through issues while the Sons of Liberty tried to blow up was actually pretty entertaining.

I can see why Chris is getting more drawn to this world. His chances with Harcourt are less complicated than his own version, he's being hailed a hero and admired by the public and he's got a fantastic relationship with Keith. Keith did show the odd moment of suspicion but genuinely seemed touched by Chris admitting to missing him.

As for our world antics, Economos nearly got away from Sasha Bordeaux and Fleury but instead wound up in a team with Judomaster (Nhut Le) and Eagly's new nemesis, Red St. Wild (Michael Rooker). I kind of have new respect for Economos treating Red with pure contempt. I'm also here for him betraying ARGUS to help Peacemaker and Eagly.

- Opening flashback revealed that in our world Rick Flag Jr was also dating Emilia Harcourt as well as June Moone. That would make both movies canon to this series.

- This is Michael Rooker's third DCU role, following roles in both Creature Commandos and Superman (2025).

- Leota also grilled Emilia about her feelings for Peacemaker in our world while Economos had to quiz Adrian on spiders. He's also a fan of crows.

- Both Rick Flag Sr and Eagly were absent from this episode.

- Standout music: Ozzy Osbourne's Dreamer and Shining's Animal.

- Chronology: Flashback was two hours before the events of The Suicide Squad.

Another Rick Up My Sleeve somewhat gave away the big spoiler of the episode and I kind of wish we had seen a bit more of Rick Flag Jr but it's an enjoyable episode and it had some nice moments. Peacemaker's dealing with the Sons of Liberty in particular was good.

Rating: 7 out of 10 

My Review of Wonder Woman (2011, NBC TV Pilot)

 

Written by David E. Kelley

Directed by Jeffrey Reiner

Diana (to Henry): "I never said to merchandise my tits."

Etta: "Wonder Woman isn't vulgar."

Yesterday I watched and reviewed the TV movie pilot for the Cathy Lee Crosby show that never happened. Now it was time to do the same to the NBC pilot starring Adrianne Palicki that also suffered the same fate. After watching, I can see why NBC chose not to continue.

To say this pilot episode was rough would be an understatement because it's fucking rough and often ridiculous. Sadly with the latter part, not in an entertaining way either. I found this to be quite a chore to watch.

First of all, Adrianne Palicki probably could've been an interesting version of the iconic character but there's so much here they doesn't work in her favour. Even for network TV, she's given not one but two very garish versions of her signature costume that looks like they had been pulled from a thrift store.

Then there's the overall characterisation. She's closer to the more mean spirited and harsh versions of Batman and was a bit too casual about torturing people for information and even killing security guards. This was all so she could get to the villain of the piece, Veronica Cale (Elizabeth Hurley), owner of Cale Anderson Pharmaceuticals. In some ways, Diana's almost no better than Veronica.

Diana's day job as Diana Themyscira, the CEO of Themyscira Industries had her mostly arguing about doll branding with her second in command Henry Detmer (Cary Elwes) and right hand woman, Etta Candy (Tracie Thoms). That was when she was publicly putting Veronica on blast and grudgingly working with police detective Ed Indelicato (Pedro Pascal).

Trundling through this episode, there's some horribly coordinated fight sequences, a young guy who's death propelled Diana into aggressive action and flashbacks detailing the break up of her relationship with Steve Trevor (Justin Bruening). Then Steve reappeared as part of the Justice Department and Diana realised he was engaged. She wasn't pleased about that news.

- Pedro Pascal would later go on to portray Maxwell Lord in Wonder Woman 1984 and yes that film's better than this pilot episode.

- We saw the Invisible Jet a few times in the episode as well as the Lasso. However we didn't see or hear anything about Themyscira. Cheetah was also name checked. There was also a Diana Prince alias too.

- Did Facebook pay them to promote their site so extensively? Dr Phil also had a cameo appearance in the episode.

- Chronology: Diana's currently located in Los Angeles with Steve having relocated there six months ago from New York.

That was a very ropey Wonder Woman pilot. In the space of 41 minutes I can see why this wasn't picked up as a series. There's just so much within it that didn't work and it likely would've cancelled after a few episodes had NBC even bothered to take it to a series.

Rating: 5 out of 10 

My Review of Wonder Woman (1974, TV Movie)

 

Written by Vincent McEveety

Directed by John D. F. Black

Steve: "Oh Dee, you didn't tell me. When you finally caught up with him, how was your bout with the dentist?"

Diana: "Painful. A little."

In a different universe, Lynda Carter might not have been the definitive version of Diana Prince/Wonder Woman. Had this TV movie actually led to successful, it could've been Cathy Lee Crosby but things have a way of not working out.

Like the pilot movie that would come out a year after the release of this one, this ABC offering from 1974 kept things simple. If you're hoping for some iconic rogue gallery members, you're out of luck here. 

Instead you get a brief look at Diana's life in Paradise Island as her mother, Hippolyta (Charlene Holt) sent her to Man's World to make it a better place. This meant working as a secretary for Steve Trevor (Kaz Garas) and assuming the mantle of Wonder Woman.

The main plot for this pilot TV movie involved ten books being stolen from Rio De Janeiro, Paris, Berlin, Istanbul and London. They were stolen by the devious George Calvin (Andrew Prine) at the behest of the oddly charming Abner Smith (Ricardo Montalbán). That and the identities of thirty nine agents.

Abner wanted $15 million to be delivered to Nevada by donkey and George wanted to kill Diana. I mean, George really wanted to kill her and tried multiple times and failed each time. Even the assistance of rogue Amazon Ahnjayla (Anitra Ford) didn't exactly yield the results he wanted. 

As baddies, George was the most despicable of the bunch and his eventual downfall was rather satisfying. Abner on the other hand was almost too courteous in defeat. He was way too happy about being bested by Wonder Woman and even declared his love for her upon being arrested. It was very odd indeed.

- Diana was called Dee by both Steve Trevor and Bob (Jordan Rhodes). Diana's relationship with Steve was strictly professional.

- Kaz Garas who played Steve Trevor would appear in the Lynda Carter show as Lucas.

- Unlike the TV show, it seemed like everyone was aware that Diana Prince and Wonder Woman were the same person.

- Chronology: Present day and in multiple locations for the whole movie.

As a TV pilot episode, Wonder Woman could have maybe worked. I know Cathy Lee Crosby looked nothing like the character (and neither did her costume) but I thought she did fine in the part. A decent if not spectacular live action debut for the iconic character.

Rating: 6 out of 10 

Buffy Sequel Series - Pilot Wrapped, Subtitle and Further Casting Revealed

I didn't want to do too many blog about filming for the pilot of the upcoming Hulu sequel series to Buffy The Vampire Slayer but here's the last relevant round up of information to go over.

- Once again our main cast for now are Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), Nova (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), Mr Burke (Jack Cutmore-Scott), Abe (Daniel Di Tomasso), Gracie (Sarah Bock), Larkin (Ava Jean) and Hugo (Faly Rakotohavana).

- The official title for the show will be Buffy The Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale.

- Filming for the pilot has officially wrapped. Filming for the series will happen later on.

- Chloe Zhao (Eternals, Hamnet) who directed the pilot confirmed that the show will take place 25 years after the series original ending.

- Chase Sui Wonders will guest in the pilot episode as a vampire named Shirley.

- Other characters confirmed for the pilot are Mrs LaDuca (Merrin Dungey), Jessica (Audrey Grace Marshall), Cole (Jensen Gering), Carson (Kingston Vernes), Keiko (Audrey Hsieh) and Shaz (Winston Vengapally).

- Again will air on Hulu (Disney+ for international audiences) but a release date has yet to confirmed.

Right now, some snippets of the script have leaked and some cringe dialogue to one side, it seems like there's potential with this series. We're still none the wiser if any other characters from the original series will pop up but neither are they being ruled out for now.

Are you looking forward to Buffy The Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale? I'll be reviewing it when it does eventually release.