The Silver Screen Study

Of all the What If’s we’ve had so far, this one seems the most far-fetched, but entertaining nonetheless. I found myself asking a ton of questions as to the logistics of the episode, but I put all that behind me as I actually enjoyed this episode quite a bit. I love a good zombie story, and while this one didn’t make a whole lot of sense, I did like it.

This episode is definitely a lot more light-hearted than that depressing Dr. Strange episode… despite the zombies and death. There are a few one-liners that got a laugh out of me, especially from the dad joke king, Scott Lang. And OF COURSE, there is a fight scene on a train between Bucky and zombie Steve.

I finished this season in a matter of a couple of days despite how long it took me to write this review. I cannot emphasize enough the quality of this show. I'm a big history lover, and the fact that no detail is left behind is super appreciated. As time progresses at the beloved Downton Abbey, so do the characters and setting through wardrobe changes and references to current events. I also appreciate the changes in social climate and the roles between the classes. Such attention to detail demonstrates that the creators put a lot of time and effort into making Downton Abbey as historically accurate as possible.

Like in season 1, the drama is there, but it's not overdone. Nothing seems forced or exaggerated, but the drama is still juicy. I find myself attached to all of the characters and invested in their storylines. I think Lady Mary came a long way since season 1, and I'm anxious to see how her character will continue to evolve. However, the character that I am liking more and more is none other than the Dowager Countess of Grantham, Lady Violet Crawley. I despised her in season 1, and now I'm absolutely in love with her snarky remarks and her meddling. I am definitely looking forward to her scheming in season 3.

I know I’ve been falling behind on my reviews, don’t come for me; life already has. Anyway, this episode left me feeling quite depressed, more so than usual. It was difficult to watch a grief-ridden Dr. Strange become consumed by himself in his efforts to get back what (or rather who) he lost. I think maybe it hits home more than you would expect from an animated Marvel series.

The story follows Dr. Strange as he is slowly consumed by his grief, trying to reverse the irreversible despite the warnings, and he ends up battling himself, as we often do.

To be honest, I don't know enough about Dr. Strange's character to compare him with this portrayal in the episode. Part of me wondered if the decisions he made were relevant to his character. But this is an episode about infinite possibilities, so I suppose there are infinite Dr. Stranges.

Ah, yes, The Swan Princess. This is a classic in my book. I can vividly recall my six-year-old self sitting on my couch in my childhood living room before a grey TV that was the size of a mini-fridge and weighed just as much. This movie screams nostalgia for me. And I was sitting here, scrolling aimlessly on the void that is Tik Tok, I stumbled across a clip from this movie. So naturally, I had to rewatch this long-forgotten gem of a film.

This is not your classic princess movie, nay nay. This movie stands just as well against the corporate machine known as Disney, and boy does it hold its ground. Inspired by the renowned ballet Swan Lake composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1875, The Swan Princess follows the story of young Odette and Derek, who are the respective Princess and Prince of neighboring kingdoms. Since birth, the two were destined to marry, as Odette's father, King William, and Derek’s mother, Queen Uberta formulated a scheme to meet up every summer in hope that their children will fall in love and unite the two kingdoms.

However, dark magic is afoot (of course), and King William’s greedy chancellor, Sir Rothbart is an evil sorcerer who wants the kingdom to himself by using The Forbidden Arts. But alas, his evil plans are foiled by the King, and Sir Rothbart is banished, but not without swearing his vengeance.

Meanwhile, things are going not so great with Odette and Derek, who loathe each other throughout their childhood as they are forced to spend time with each other. Until one summer, when the two are all grown up, Derek finds himself falling in love with Odette because surprise, she’s hot as fuck now. They dance and he wants to marry her, but she thinks he only loves her for her beauty, and dumbass Derek has nothing to say to this, thus Odette rejects him and leaves with her father.

But trouble is brewing, and Odette and her father’s entourage is attacked by Sir Rothbart, who has come to enact his vengeance. Odette is kidnapped by Sir Rothbart who curses Odette after she refuses to marry him. She is transformed into a swan during the day, and she can only turn back into a human at night if she is on the lake and moonlight is touching it. She makes some talking animal friends because at the end of the day she is an animated princess and that is a requirement.

Shit happens and because this is a kids movie, Derek breaks the curse and he and Odette live happily ever after, sorry if that’s a spoiler, but for one this movie came out in the 90s, so if you haven’t seen it, did you even have a childhood? And two, what do you expect from a movie called The Swan Princess?

I have not seen the first Candyman (1992) so don’t come for me. I understand this movie is to act as a continuation of that film and to expand on it. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this film, but upon seeing Jordan Peele’s involvement I knew I was in for a ride.

And a ride it was. The cinematography, score, and DaCosta’s direction made this one of my favorite films of the year so far. I loved the Candyman story, but I also love that this film shed light on gentrification and how black artists are viewed within the community, which is something that I feel is not addressed enough.

As far as scare-level, it’s not that scary. I’m saying that as someone who spends most horror movies hiding behind a blanket in the safety of my own home. I saw this in theatres with nothing to cower behind. Instead, my eyes were fixed on the screen utterly transfixed by this movie. So if you’re looking for a good jump-scare kind of horror, this isn’t it. But if you’re looking for a well thought out suspenseful and unraveling thriller, then this is definitely the movie for you. It has violence and gore and some frightening visuals that will definitely keep me up at night, but it also has a great story, which I feel that sometimes horror movies don’t take the time to flesh out.

I actually didn’t enjoy this episode as much as the others so far. Maybe because it was depressing to see all the avengers get killed in a matter of 30 minutes. I also felt that the story on this episode was all over the place, especially with the jumping around with the setting.

This What If… scenario also just didn’t seem as plausible as the other episodes. Not to spoil anything, but I felt that it would take a lot more to kill the Avengers. So I guess the way they died was disappointing and underwhelming.

This film is extremely entertaining. I was confused about what was happening in the beginning as they jumped right into the story, but it’s not hard to figure out. I especially enjoyed Loretta Young’s performance as the witty and sly Tony Gateson. Her scheming nature and easy-going personality had me in love with her character.