I don't know about anyone else, but Wonder Woman 1984 is another movie I'm anticipating. I was also interested in delving into her history, which I've never really done before. Thing is, though, I hesitated to even post this because of studios constantly pushing back release dates during the pandemic. Or just throwing theaters under … Continue reading Origins: Wonder Woman 1984
Origins: Tenet
Well, lookee here, it's our second Origins post of 2020, and it's only the end of August. The year is young, guys. Heh. Seriously, it's been touch-and-go as to whether or not there would be any Origins this year, what with features either getting ported to video on demand or having their release dates bumped. … Continue reading Origins: Tenet
Origins: Bill & Ted Face the Music
Well, well, our first Origins post of 2020, and what better to see in this year of crazy than Bill & Ted Face the Music? To quote Bill S. Preston, Esquire, and Ted 'Theodore" Logan, "Excellent!" Like most Gen-Xers, I have plenty of memories of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. I even had a Bill … Continue reading Origins: Bill & Ted Face the Music
Origins: The Rise of Skywalker
Ugh, I hesitate to even write about the newest Star Wars movie, but here I am, and I'm feeling a little annoyed. Disney and Lucasfilm haven't exactly ingratiated themselves to the fans since The Last Jedi, and I'm not at all happy that Disney bought Twentieth-Century Fox, because Disney's dogged committment to artificial scarcity stinks. They might be … Continue reading Origins: The Rise of Skywalker
Origins: A Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood
When Mister Rogers' name comes up, people invariably smile. So do I. Fred Rogers was an unfailingly pleasant part of many Americans' childhoods. It was a comforting thing to see him come through the door, go to the closet, change his coat for a cardigan and leather street shoes for sneakers, all the while singing, … Continue reading Origins: A Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood
Origins: Midway
When I heard there was going to be a movie about Midway, I thought, "Cool!" It's not a topic that's been delved into much in Hollywood, probably because it wasn't as high-profile as Pearl Harbor or Iwo Jima, although it was extremely important to the Pacific theater. My dad's stepdad was at Midway--he was a … Continue reading Origins: Midway
Origins: Harriet
Here's something completely different: A Harriet Tubman movie. I don't know why this woman hasn't been featured in films sooner and more often. Her story has it all--intrigue, espionage, and stealth, with a whole lot of moxie. So yeah, it's about time. Harriet Tubman wasn't the only slave who successfully ran to freedom, and she … Continue reading Origins: Harriet
Origins: The Addams Family
Let's get one thing out of the way first: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ5IWRz78DY You're welcome. Good luck getting it out of your head (chuckles fiendishly). So yeah, there's a new Addams Family movie coming out. Among the many voices bringing the characters to life this time around are Poe Dameron as Gomez, Will from Stranger Things as Puggsley, Snoop Dogg from Compton … Continue reading Origins: The Addams Family
Origins: Joker
Another superhero movie? Groan. Oh, wait. We're talking about a villain this time. Still "Groan." Catwoman got there first, guys. Every Batfan knows who the Joker is. Even non-Batfans know who the Joker is. He's been around long enough. The guy is iconic. He's also highly malleable. But we'll get to that. This began as … Continue reading Origins: Joker
Origins: Judy
Many of us in the film blogging world love Judy Garland. We pay tribute to this genius every chance we get. Judy could switch between comedy and drama with the barest flick of an eyelid. She felt so much deep emotion and gave the world glimpses into her busy mind. She had lashings of charisma … Continue reading Origins: Judy
Origins: Spider-Man: Far From Home
Another Spider-Man movie. How many of these have we had so far? Well, I guess Batman and Superman have had more, but Spider-Man is hot on their heels. The latest installment is Spider-Man: Far From Home, which stars Tom Holland as the title character, Zendaya as Mary Jane (only called MJ this time around) and … Continue reading Origins: Spider-Man: Far From Home
Origins: Yesterday
We've all heard of the Beatles. That goes without saying. Today's bands have to be some kind of something to be compared to them, and even if they're not, it's not uncommon to bask in Beatle glow (Bay City Rollers, anyone?). But what if someone woke up in a world where no one had heard … Continue reading Origins: Yesterday
Origins: Godzilla: King of the Monsters
I'll be honest: Godzilla isn't really on my radar. I mean, I know about the character and how he's a huge deal in Japan and all, but my experience with him amounts to this itty-bitty epic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R-rbzcEM8A Yep. Godzilla and Bambi were memes before memes were a thing. Anywhoo, on to the upcoming movie. It … Continue reading Origins: Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Origins: Aladdin
Ah, yes, another live action Disney remake. Yay. The 1992 original, of course, featured the often-missed Robin Williams as the Genie, as well as Scott Weinger as the titular character and charming songs like the Oscar-winning "A Whole New World," sung by Lea Salonga and Brad Kane. It still holds up today, but Remake Fever … Continue reading Origins: Aladdin
Origins: Shazam!
Shazam! comes out tomorrow. I don't know why anyone felt the need to make a feature out of this one, because the character always seemed like a cutrate Superman to me. Either that, or he brings Gomer Pyle to mind. I never saw Shazam but in little five minute cartoons stations would run as filler. … Continue reading Origins: Shazam!
Origins: Dumbo
Historically, circuses were a way of exposing a largely hometown-bound public to exotic animals they would never see in the wild, and shows have always tried to outdo each other in spectacle and novelty. In 1941, Disney asked, "What could be more novel than a flying elephant?" and released its classic film, Dumbo. In 2019, Tim Burton … Continue reading Origins: Dumbo
Origins: Mary Poppins Returns
Full disclosure: I was all set to announce that this would be the last installment in the Origins series, because there are only so many ways to say today's Hollywood mostly stinks. However, that was before I peeked at what's lined up for next year. Put it this way: 2019 may reveal whole new levels … Continue reading Origins: Mary Poppins Returns
Taking Up Room 