I am a child of the 1980’s. I remember Saturday morning cartoons, breakfast with lots of sugary cereal and the awesome action figures. One of the shows I missed out on, and really didn’t have much of a desire to watch, was He-Man.
Maybe because it ended before I was able to start watching cartoons on my own or maybe watching Real Ghostbusters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and pro wrestling interested me more. One of the spin offs of He-Man was She-Ra. She was a female equivalent to He-Man and uses a similar weapon, a sword which transforms into a mighty warrior.
That’s the cliff-notes in my head that I remember of the original show. Netflix has relaunched She-Ra with new animation and hopefully some fun and original stories. With that in mind, I figured I should give the show a try. See if it makes me crave nostalgia of yesteryear or does it stand on its own two feet as a modern hit that both men and women could even enjoy. This will have spoilers. I will be breaking down what happens in the episode, my overall feelings of how the episode was and whether it is worth the recommendation.
The opening episode of She-Ra is very reminiscent of the Captain Marvel movie. Adora is training in a simulation room with some soldiers of the Horde, where they practice killing princesses because they have uncontrollable powers and society needs order. Adora was found as a baby by the teacher of the Horde, who has trained her to fight and serve Lord Hordak. Adora is pretty skilled as a tactician. With one of her best friends Catra, she is promoted up the ranks which will let her see actual battles. To celebrate the promotion, Adora and Catra sneak out of their training facility and ride into the woods. There are many stories about them, so they try to be careful, but end up being reckless.
Adora ends up falling off and while she is calling for Catra, she finds this glowing sword. When she touches it, a spirit calls for her and tells her to defend Etheria and Greyskull. Without any understanding, she ends up getting woken up by Catra. Adora is confused but goes back with Catra to their facility. After some nightmares, Adora sneaks back out to go look for the sword. In the woods, as she sees the light glowing, she runs into Princess Glimmer and her best friend Bow (a Green Arrow like archer).
They scuffle and as Adora becomes captive, Bow tries to make sense as to why Adora thinks what she is doing is good. Bow even makes the joke ‘have you even met a princess before’ to which Adora says she hasn’t. Like I said in the beginning, it has a very Captain Marvel feeling. You have a brainwashed or amnesic character, who is trained to be a fighter for what they perceive to be good, only to discover they have been manipulated or tricked.
While Adora hasn’t gotten that far yet, and doesn’t in the first episode, it really is foreshadowing the conflict of interest plot line. While they are all lost in the woods, a giant spider-like creature attacks Bow and Glitter. Adora grabs the sword and when she tries to save them, the spirit of the sword asks Adora once again if she will fight, Adora agrees. She then transforms into She-Ra, which ends the episode.
So, this is a nice way to start a show. Though Princess Glitter is kind of annoying with her trope of proving she is indeed a great fighter against the Horde, she is still immature and is slightly grating. Bow is a nice balance to Glimmer’s immaturity, grounded and has some nice lines that give him some personality as well. Adora is a nice character. She has some humor, but can turn on the seriousness when she needs to. She is that nice stock-heroine character type that is familiar but, over the season, will make it unique to her.
Overall, this series started off pretty promising with some background of the setting, some of the characters and the conflict that has been plaguing the area. I think this is a show made for both men and women. It doesn’t pander to any specific gender and the comedy and action can be enjoyed by everyone.
Movie
Movie Review: Katamarayudu
Directed by: Kishore Kumar Pardasani
Written by: Siva
Studio: North Star Entertainment
Runtime: 149 minutes
Genre: Action, Drama
Cast:
Pawan Kalyan as Katamarayudu
Shruti Haasan as Avanthika
Siva Balaji as Katamarayudu’s younger brother
Ajay, Kamal Kamaraju, Chaitanya Krishna in supporting roles
Katamarayudu is a Telugu-language remake of the Tamil film Veeram. This movie blends family drama with high-octane action sequences, delivering a narrative that is quintessentially rooted in southern Indian cinema’s flair for heroism and larger-than-life characters.
The story revolves around Katamarayudu, a righteous and fiercely protective elder brother who has dedicated his life to looking after his younger siblings. Known for his aversion to marriage, his life takes a turn when Avanthika, a poised and graceful woman, enters his life. The movie skillfully combines lighthearted romance, brotherly camaraderie, and intense action sequences, creating an engaging watch for the masses.
Kishore Kumar Pardasani delivers a visually grand spectacle while staying true to the essence of its Tamil original. While the screenplay lacks novelty, it compensates with fast-paced action and emotional beats. The dialogues, although simple, hit the right chords when it comes to showcasing family bonds and love.
Pawan Kalyan is the heart of the film. His screen presence and charismatic portrayal of Katamarayudu dominate every frame. Shruti Haasan offers a refreshing on-screen presence, and her chemistry with Pawan Kalyan adds charm to the narrative. The supporting cast, especially the actors playing the brothers, do justice to their roles, adding depth to the storyline.
The film boasts meticulously choreographed fight scenes, which are a visual treat for action lovers. Anup Rubens’ background score and songs elevate the emotional and action-packed moments. His mass appeal and command over action and emotion anchor the movie effectively.
The film adheres to a conventional template, leaving little room for surprises. At 149 minutes, the film feels stretched, especially in the second half.
Katamarayudu is a feast for fans of Pawan Kalyan and action-packed family dramas. It carries the essence of mass entertainment but doesn’t break new ground. While it caters to the sensibilities of Telugu cinema audiences, others might find its predictability a drawback.
Rating: 8/10 Fans of Pawan Kalyan and high-energy action films will undoubtedly enjoy this one, but those looking for a novel story might find it wanting.
Movie
You Are Not Ready for ‘Marcel the Shell with Shoes On’
“Do you want to watch a film with me? It’s called Marcel the Shell with Shoes On”
“What?”
“It’s about a little shell named Marcel who wears shoes.”
“…”
And that about sums it up! It’s the blob of a week between Christmas and New Year so it was the optimum time to watch a very surreal film recently added to UK Netflix.
Released in 2021 (a blob of a year) Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is about a one-inch-tall shell called Marcel who lives with his grandmother, Connie, in an Airbnb. Marcel usually stays out the way of the house’s various guests as he utilizes his only means of fast transportation (a tennis ball) and walks his pet lint on a string (Alan). This is until a documentary filmmaker named Dean, who is staying at the Airbnb, discovers Marcel and his unique lifestyle.
As filmmakers are wont to do Dean begins to film interviews with Marcel, consequently we get an insight into Marcel’s world both inside and out. Yes, Marcel is a stop-motion hermit crab shell with surprisingly expressive googly eyes but he feels very human. I was unsure about Marcel’s age and gender because he sounds a lot like Lisa Simpson, I did even check that Marcel wasn’t voiced by Yeardly Smith. But Marcel is voiced superbly by Jenny Slate. Marcel comes off as quite childlike with his wide-eyed optimism and naivety (he is a shell I suppose). Yet, like many children, Marcel will utter something so profound he will seem more of a fossil than a shell. When Dean uploads Marcel’s interviews onto YouTube Marcel of course becomes a viral sensation. Marcel reads the comments on his videos, using his tiny shoes to activate the laptop touchpad, which is just adorable! Despite his obvious popularity, Marcel remarks; “It’s an audience. It’s not a community.” Which just drives a stake into the heart of social media.
No, Marcel does not become a teeny-tiny-TikToker, he in fact uses the internet to find his lost community. The house used to be full of anthropomorphic objects including Marcel’s own shell family. They had been living in the house for generations, Connie herself came from the garage travelling by coat pocket to the main house; it’s why she has an accent. Among the community there are anthropomorphic pieces of cereal and because the internet notices this stuff; a tampon! An unfortunate event occurred and the community were accidentally removed from their home one tragic night, leaving Marcel and Connie on their own.
Being an A24 film I knew it would get deep. Marcel’s journey gives the audience a unique perspective of life, death, and community. In a modern world where we are more connected than ever but loneliness has been recognized as a universal health crisis. We could all learn something from this talented little shell and his grandmother. Be like Marcel and don’t get sanded down by life, stay connected to your community and know you are not just rattling around on your own!
It’s a beautifully poignant and quirky film. Despite its metaphysical and existential content, the film doesn’t take itself too seriously. Whether it’s Marcel making rope by winding together the pubic hairs he finds in the drain (he calls them ‘hardy hairs’) or sleeping on slices of bread referring to them as his ‘breadroom’. The film is painstakingly detailed and you can see its roots in a short film. It’s a delightful adventure that has something far bigger to say than its minuscule protagonist.
Five stars.
Streaming
Top Five anime in 2024
As an anime enthusiast and entertainment journalist, I’ve curated a list of the top five must-see anime series of 2024. These selections showcase the diversity and creativity that define the medium, offering compelling narratives and stunning animation.
Delicious in Dungeon
This series combines culinary arts with fantasy adventure, following a group of dungeon explorers who cook and eat the monsters they defeat. The unique premise and mouth-watering depictions of fantasy cuisine make it a standout this year. Kaiju No. 8
Set in a world plagued by kaiju attacks, the story centers on a protagonist who gains the ability to transform into a kaiju himself. The series offers a fresh take on the kaiju genre, blending action with deep character development.
Kaiju No. 8
Set in a world plagued by kaiju attacks, the story centers on a protagonist who gains the ability to transform into a kaiju himself. The series offers a fresh take on the kaiju genre, blending action with deep character development. Solo Leveling
Adapted from the popular web novel, this anime follows a weak hunter who becomes the world’s strongest after a mysterious system grants him unique abilities. Its dynamic animation and gripping storyline have captivated audiences worldwide.
Solo Leveling
Adapted from the popular web novel, this anime follows a weak hunter who becomes the world’s strongest after a mysterious system grants him unique abilities. Its dynamic animation and gripping storyline have captivated audiences worldwide. The Elusive Samurai
Set in feudal Japan, this historical series follows a young samurai who uses his agility and wit to survive in a turbulent era. The anime’s blend of historical context and engaging action sequences has garnered critical acclaim.
The Elusive Samurai
Set in feudal Japan, this historical series follows a young samurai who uses his agility and wit to survive in a turbulent era. The anime’s blend of historical context and engaging action sequences has garnered critical acclaim. Dragon Ball Daima
The latest installment in the iconic Dragon Ball franchise, this series introduces new transformations and challenges for Goku and his friends. Its high-octane battles and nostalgic elements appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers.
Dragon Ball Daima
The latest installment in the iconic Dragon Ball franchise, this series introduces new transformations and challenges for Goku and his friends. Its high-octane battles and nostalgic elements appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers. These anime series exemplify the innovation and storytelling prowess that continue to drive the medium’s global popularity. Whether you’re a seasoned otaku or new to anime, these titles are essential viewing for 2024.