Movie Review Monday: Harriet

Hello fellow readers and movie goers and welcome to another Movie Review Monday! This past weekend, I decided to go and see the new movie "Harriet" which depicts the escape of Harriet Tubman from the south and how she continued to go back as a conductor on the Underground Railroad to liberate others. This woman was a major historical figure, and I am a sucker for historical pictures, so when I saw previews for this, I was genuinely excited. Let's see if the movie lived up to the hype. 

"Harriet" (Director: Kasi Lemmons)

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The movie "Harriet" depicts probably one of the most well known females of our entire history, no matter the color of our skin. I do not think there is a person alive today who didn't somehow learn the name Harriet Tubman in a history class. The woman was a force of nature when you read about her, and she obviously had such a major impact on many lives back then and now, that when I was watching this movie, I expected PASSION. Passion to show that this woman believed in her cause and believed in doing what was right, no matter that she risked her life over and over again to free those who were in the same situation she was once in. However, I didn't get passion. What I got was a well-written script with half-hearted performances.

Cynthia Erivo is depicted as Harriet Tubman herself, and there are plenty of times where she starts to show passion in some of the monologues she gives, but sadly, they fall flat. She has one expression for the majority of the film, and while I get that she has to remain bland in certain situations, I wanted more from this woman. In fact, I got more out of Janelle Monáe as Marie Buchanon in the extremely short time she was on screen.

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There were plenty of times when the script felt rushed along, and to an extent, I understood the need to rush it along, in order to show the passage of time. But honestly, I wish there were times when the movie SLOWED DOWN! I wanted more about her escape, I wanted more about maybe a time or two when she went back down to free more slaves. Heck, I would have even taken more at the very end, when they showed her at the Battle of Combahee Ferry. Instead, I got a not so rowsing speech and her showing her gun to the enemy.

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For real, while the content of this movie was FANTASTIC, and there was SOOOO MUCH that could have worked, it didn't come across. In all honesty, much of the movie felt disjointed, and shows that this movie has a long way to go before it could remotely win any sort of Oscar.

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Self-Promotion Sunday!

Hello my fellow readers and happy Self-Promotion Sunday! Today, while there is not much to preview, I do have a few cons to announce as well as FINALLY post my NYCC panel video! I hope that my fellow panelists and I get to do this again next year, we had such a good turnout for it this year. We were even asked by someone who missed it if we were showing on a second day. Hear that NYCC? We were THAT popular! So check out the panel below!

Anyway, so, real quick, I have one more con to close out the 2019 year. This is a last minute addition, and it's local to me, so not a huge deal in terms of overhead. It's called AnonyCon, which I have NEVER heard of, but apparently, it's been going for like 3 years, which surprised me! When I got the dealer packet, the dates were a bit messed up, but said it was from 2017. For real?? How had I never heard of this con before? And it's a 3-day con! 

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Anyway, so I have signed up for this con, and I'll let you all know soon if I am going to be there or not. I don't see why I wouldn't be, considering this is a con that takes your money up front. Usually that means, you good to go.

Also, once again I have sent off for CT GamerCon. This con is my kick-off, so to speak. I love this con! I am going to also try for TerrifiCon again next year, and I'm looking into ConnetiCon as well. But for real, make sure you come for CT GamerCon. Especially if you are not ready for the big cons yet, or you have a little one who WANTS to go to big cons, but again, isn't ready yet. It's cons like CT GamerCon that are made for those people.

Movie Review Monday: Judy

Hello fellow readers! It's Movie Review Monday! This week, I went and saw "Judy" at the local indie theater on the recommendation of my mother, who loved Judy Garland (and honestly, how many of us have not hummed along to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" at one point or another?) This was such an interesting movie, although the ending was killed for me a bit as I was jogged out of the moment by the arrival of police in the theater. But otherwise, I was completely immersed. So, it's time to click our heels three times and travel over the rainbow!

"Judy" (Director: Rupert Goold)

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Throughout the movie “Judy”, we are given the side of performing that we never truly see: the human side, the side from the stage. 

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The work, the insurmountable work that they give us, the audience, to make us laugh, cry, and feel the wide range of emotions that we see on and off the screen. They are there for our enjoyment, their lives are almost never their own, and yet, we can’t get enough of them despite tearing them down time and time again. Renée Zellweger as Garland truly gives the audience a chance to think, showing that Judy Garland wants nothing more than to do the best for her kids but it put herself at risk, doing only what she knows: making others happy. There are so many like her out there: the people pleasers, the ones who want what’s best, even at risk of themselves. 

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We’ve seen it time and time again, not just the famous, but the ordinary. Putting on a happy face, getting on stage, and doing what you both love and hate. What you can’t help but love and what gets you into heaps of trouble.

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The performances given all around were fantastic, and the one couple Judy befriends are just the absolute sweetest. The scene with the three of them is just the most human, where you want to both laugh and cry at the same time. On a small side note, I will admit that the wardrobe made me think of my mother, which was not a bad thing.

Even if you aren’t very familiar with Judy Garland herself, no one will forget you, Judy. We promise.

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Self-Promotion Sunday! (Keychains and Figurines!)

Hello my fellow readers and artists! I am sorry it has been so long! Things have been a bit chaotic in my personal life, as well as work, and things have come up that have prevented me from doing much by way of customs. However, there is good news for all!

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I have new pieces up, and new items for sale! Check out below! First up, new figurines! So, with the ending of My Little Pony, there has been worry that the fandom will die out. WRONG! THE FANDOM WILL NEVER DIE! As long as there are Bronies, the fandom will live on!

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So, in the spirit of the fandom, I have been working on a bunch of princess figurines. I have been very successful with this particular style in the past, so I am slowly working on at least two of each of the alicorn princesses (minus Flurry Heart, but I have plans for her), and here are the latest ones complete (I have one more Cadence to do, and I have to finish up Celestia as well). 

First up, Luna! This one has been very successful in the past, and is the inspiration for me doing the rest of the alicorn ponies. She's a bit different than how I've done her before, but I think she looks fabulous.

Next up, two variants of Princess Twilight. Now the variants are pretty much just reliant on the crown. One is her older crown, the other is meant to mimic the new crown at the end of the series. Both crowns have gems in them to give them some sparkle, and her hair is now very sparkly, mimicking how it was when the series came to a close.

Now, my big surprise! I have up some keychains!! This is my first time ever doing keychains, and I think they came out pretty awesome. Here's my unboxing video!:

Here are the actual pictures:

Movie Review Monday!!! (Maleficent and Joker!)

Hello readers! It's been a busy weekend, as I celebrated my birthday (we will pretend I am 29 again), but I did get out to the movies, which has taken me a bit since I haven't really had much desire to see anything as of late. But, this weekend was the opening of "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" and despite my resistance, I caved and saw "Joker" as well. I am going to start with "Maleficent" before I discuss "Joker." So! Let's begin:

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (Director: Joachim Rønning)

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Alright, so, we all know that when it's been coming to live action remakes, for Disney, it's been hit or miss. Beauty and the Beast, hit. Cinderella, hit. The Lion King, miss (for me), Aladdin 50/50 (miss for me). But Sleeping Beauty has always been a soft spot for me, and I have never been able to full explain it. I prefer Aurora to all the princesses (despite that she does nothing and is pretty much only a vehicle for the story to move forward), and Maleficent has been, for me, the ultimate villain. She's just...PERFECTION! And hate all you want on Angelina Jolie, SHE IS MALEFICENT! PERIOD!

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So, I will fully admit that the original 2014 "Maleficent" movie left me...underwhelmed. Oh, I will still watch it whenever it comes on television, and you better believe I own it. But, it just felt like it was lacking. And honestly, that's what happened with "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil." While "Maleficent" became more about learning to love, a mother/daughter relationship and humanizing Maleficent herself, the new "Mistress of Evil" movie feels like it was a continuation of these themes, with some other problems thrown in haphazardly. The relationship between Jolie's Maleficent and Aurora (played once again by Elle Fanning) is strained by the new engagement to Prince Phillip. Now, I WILL give Disney credit for giving Aurora more spirit than in the past, and trying to make her more than just a vehicle. But now, it's a bit of "Guess who is coming to dinner" as Phillip brings Maleficent and Aurora to meet his parents, where already Queen Ingrith (played FABULOUSLY by Michelle Pfeiffer) has an issue with the Fae. We get a very curt story as to WHY this is (honestly, they could have expanded on this more) and Maleficent is brought to the home of the Dark Fae to recover from an injury inflicted by weaponry belonging to the Queen. Yes, Dark Fae, which begins a whole other story line. This is where I say that some things felt like they were haphazardly thrown in. I honestly do believe that between this movie and the previous one, if you trimmed a few things from each of them, you could have combined these two into one longer movie. It might have worked better to go that route than try and do two movies. 

The performances given by both Jolie and Pfeiffer are fantastic in and of themselves, and I am glad it's two female leads are pitted against each other. The visuals are once again stunning, a few cute nods to some of the original cartoon movie, and I can see sooooo many options for costumes and cosplays in the next year or two. But while the acting and visuals are fabulous, they could not make up for a script that was just part of an assembly line. Sorry Angelina!

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Joker (Director: Todd Phillips)

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OK, now, I will fully admit, I was NOT keen on seeing this when I saw the trailers. That opinion has NOTHING to do with Joaquin Phoenix himself. It has to do with the fact that, like Batman, we have had SOOOO MANY iterations of the Jokers that I am just SOOOO SICK OF IT!

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However, with that being said, even with so many reincarnations, we have not had someone fully BECOME the Joker. As The Joker himself has said, "Sometimes I remember it one way, sometimes another ... if I'm going to have a past, I prefer it to be multiple choice!" The Joker himself is a complex character: he is someone who considers himself funny, laughing constantly, all the while delving further into a madness that no one can fully explain except that he is a victim of circumstance. It almost gives new meaning to the phrase "Heading to Hell in a hand basket." I've seen many of the Jokers done, including animated ones and the one version that no DC fan will discuss (side-eye to Jared Leto). Out of all the performances that I have seen, Joaquin Phoenix COMMANDS the screen as the Joker/Arthur Fleck himself. It is quite honestly the CLOSEST we will ever get to a well-rounded Joker. He starts out mild-mannered, trying to keep a smile on his face, have delusions about what he wishes his life is like...until the circumstances continue to conspire against him. We are, quite literally, watching the last few straws snap in Fleck's mind that begin the madness that the Joker becomes well known for. 

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Now, mind you, there were some very throw away moments in the movie that felt completely unnecessary, and some things that could have been cut out (if you go see the movie, you will understand what I am talking about), but I believe they were put in there to help push the madness. I will give a forewarning: if you are squeamish, cover your eyes towards the end, or just be prepared to do so. The very ending gives off a Purge like feel, which when you take into account what Gotham is like before the Batman, it makes sense. However, I will say, do not let the story distract you from the performance. It truly is one of those performances you will rarely see, and should see while you have the chance. 

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Happy SPS!!!

Hello my fellow readers! I am finally out of the post-con funk that I got in after two cons back to back, which included my time at NYCC. I am hoping on Tuesday I will have a double review for you, both on Mt. Vernon ComicCon and NYCC, which I hope will include a video of my panel. We had such a positive response that we hope we can do it again!

I'm also finally getting back into doing some artwork, which I have been meaning to do. The funk got me harder than it has before, and now with my birthday coming up, I've been very distracted. However, I have been working on quite a few new ponies, and I am hoping to do some new Pokemon soon, especially the new version of Ponyta. But for now, I am FINALLY getting up some pieces onto my Etsy site that I needed to get up on there a while ago. And there are official photos of figurines as well. 

So let's start with official photos, shall we?

First up, a Halloween inspired carousel pony that I am calling Asteria. Perfect for any Halloween fan, and can work any day of the year!

Next up, this molded style of the ponies has been very popular for me, so I am trying to do all the princesses in this style. First up is Cadence! I plan to do her in the Celestia style as well, but this one was done using the Twilight mold.

Last, the last two of my Nintendo Princess paintings are up on my Etsy page. I have also linked the designs of all four just below the paintings.

Now, onto what's in the works:

First, I am doing a few charm designs! This is new for me, so check out what should be coming up in my first every charm run! There's one design not up yet, one of Butterfree, which I want to keep a surprise! So keep an eye out for it!

 

Like I said, I am working on the Princesses from MLP in this molded style. I am waiting on a bait for the second Cadence, but I have Luna and Twilight just about done, and once I finish Celestia's tail, I will be able to start painting her. Twilight is going to have two different crowns (one old, one new), and I am just waiting on more crowns to finish up Luna.

I am also doing a second Stranger Things AJ custom. This one has a fun, worried expression!

Happy Fluttershy Friday!!! (#133)

Hello everyone! It's been some time, especially since I have been closing out the con season, and having my panel at NYCC. I am hoping to have the panel video up soon. I have also finally been doing some artwork again, which is good because I have been in a major slump lately. Hopefully I will have up more stuff soon, and I am working on a few designs for an MtG contest--I cut my fan art teeth on MtG, which is how I got started. 

Anyway, more to the point, newest Fluttershy is up! I need to open her up, but this tiny little baby Fluttershy makes 133 (or 132, depending on how you look at it). The fandom will continue on, even after the show ends tomorrow. I will continue to collect Fluttershys, though, so if you know of any cute ones, let me know! Especially since my birthday is next week, I want to indulge myself.