DC Comics New Releases from Lunar Distributors for March 9, 2021

DC COMICS:

American Vampire 1976 #6 (Of 10)(Cover A Rafael Albuquerque), $3.99
American Vampire 1976 #6 (Of 10)(Cover B Tula Lotay), $3.99
Batgirl Volume 8 The Joker War HC, $29.99
Batman Urban Legends #1 (Cover A Hicham Habchi), $7.99
Batman Urban Legends #1 (Cover B David Finch Batman Red Hood Variant), AR
Batman Urban Legends #1 (Cover C Kael Ngu Batman Grifter Variant), AR
Batman Urban Legends #1 (Cover D Blank Variant), AR
Black Canary Bird Of Prey TP, $29.99
Earth One Box Set, $49.99
Final Night TP, $16.99
Green Lantern Season Two #12 (Of 12)(Cover A Liam Sharp), $4.99
Green Lantern Season Two #12 (Of 12)(Cover B Ladronn), $4.99
Joker #1 (Cover A Guillem March), $4.99
Joker #1 (Cover B Frank Quitely), AR
Joker #1 (Cover C Francesco Mattina), AR
Joker #1 (Cover D Blank Variant), AR
Joker #1 (Cover E Riccardo Federici), AR
Joker #1 (Cover F Mark Brooks Team Variant), AR
Red Hood Outlaw Volume 4 Unspoken Truths TP, $19.99
Rorschach #6 (Of 12)(Cover A Jorge Fornes), $4.99
Rorschach #6 (Of 12)(Cover B Gabriele Dell’Otto), $4.99
Superman #29 (Cover A Phil Hester), $4.99
Superman #29 (Cover B John Timms Wraparound Variant), AR
Superman The Last Son Deluxe Edition HC, $49.99
Superman Volume 3 The Truth Revealed TP, $17.99
Sweet Tooth The Return #5 (Of 6)(Cover A Jeff Lemire), $3.99
Wonder Woman #770 (Cover A Travis Moore), $4.99
Wonder Woman #770 (Cover B Travis Moore Wraparound Variant), AR
Wonder Woman Earth One Volume 3 HC, $29.99

Recording Academy Announces Lineup of Performers for 63rd Annaul Grammy Awards

GRAMMY Awards® Announce Full Performer Lineup

Music's Biggest Night®, Hosted by Trevor Noah, Airs Live on CBS March 14, 2021

Check out the Performers Here.

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Recording Academy® announced the full lineup for the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards® and performers include Bad Bunny, Black Pumas, Cardi B, BTS, Brandi Carlile, DaBaby, Doja Cat, Billie Eilish, Mickey Guyton, HAIM, Brittany Howard, Miranda Lambert, Lil Baby, Dua Lipa, Chris Martin, John Mayer, Megan Thee Stallion, Maren Morris, Post Malone, Roddy Ricch, Harry Styles, and Taylor Swift. Artists will be coming together, while still safely apart, to play music for each other as a community and celebrate the music that unites us all.

Additionally, Music's Biggest Night® will pay tribute to the independent venues, which have been greatly impacted by the pandemic. From bartenders to box office managers, those who work day-to-day at the Troubadour (Los Angeles), The Hotel Café (Los Angeles), the Apollo Theater (New York City), and The Station Inn (Nashville) will present various categories throughout the night.

Hosted by Trevor Noah, CBS and the Recording Academy present the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards, airing live on Sunday, March 14, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT on CBS Television Network and also available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

To view a list of current nominations, please visit our 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards page here.

The 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by Fulwell 73 Productions for the Recording Academy. Ben Winston is executive producer, Jesse Collins and Raj Kapoor are co-executive producers, Fatima Robinson, Josie Cliff, and David Wild are producers, Patrick Menton is talent producer, and Hamish Hamilton is director.


ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY:
The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum®, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares®, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards — music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators.

For more information about the Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @RecordingAcad on Twitter, "like" Recording Academy on Facebook, and join the Recording Academy's social communities on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

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NatGeo Announces "FAUCI," a Documentary Film on Dr. Anthony Fauci

[Photo by National Geographic/Visko Hatfield]

National Geographic Documentary Films Announces New Feature on Dr. Anthony Fauci from Emmy-Winning Directors John Hoffman and Janet Tobias, Oscar and Emmy-Winning Producing Team Dan Cogan and Liz Garbus, and Story Syndicate

FAUCI Will Unveil an Intimate Portrait of the World-Renowned Infectious Disease Specialist and Ultimate Public Servant

Additional Interviews Include President George W. Bush, Bill Gates and Bono

Link to Trailer is here or https://youtu.be/xorBFNzvMQo

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Geographic Documentary Films announced a new feature documentary about the nation’s top infectious disease expert and dedicated public servant, Dr. Anthony Fauci, M.D., from Emmy winners John Hoffman (“The Weight of the Nation,” “Sleepless in America”) and Janet Tobias (“Unseen Enemy”) and Academy Award winner Dan Cogan (“Icarus”), and two-time Academy Award nominee Liz Garbus (“What Happened, Miss Simone?,” “The Farm: Angola, USA”). With exclusive access, the film — simply titled FAUCI — will deliver a rare glimpse into the long-standing professional career and personal life of this ultimate public servant and American hero, who after a lifetime of public service faced his biggest test: a pandemic whose ferocity is unmatched in modern history.

    “Dr. Fauci has become a household name because of COVID-19, but what people may not realize is the heroic and integral role he has played in shaping our national response to serious health crises for more than 50 years”

Dubbed “America’s Doctor” by The New Yorker, Dr. Fauci has become America’s most unlikely cultural icon, with his signature blend of scientific acumen, candor, courage and integrity in the face of COVID-19. He’s been affectionately spoofed by Oscar winner Brad Pitt and memorialized by Fauci fans who’ve put his face on everything from coffee mugs to candles. He’s a tireless and effective communicator who has captured hearts and minds across the nation and around the world for his willingness to speak truth to power during an unprecedented pandemic. But less is known about the journey that led him to where he is today.

A world-renowned infectious disease specialist, Dr. Fauci has valiantly led the U.S. fight against every epidemic our country has faced over the past 50 years, from AIDS to SARS to Ebola, and now, COVID-19. The longest-serving public health leader in Washington, Dr. Fauci has worked under seven presidents and is revered on both sides of the aisle. He has testified before Congress — with his trademark Brooklyn accent — more than any other person in American history. Through intimate interviews, Dr. Fauci will take us on a journey through his remarkable career, with a particular focus on HIV/AIDS — from the dark years when there was no treatment and little funding to the advent of triple therapy, and his efforts to bring cutting-edge medications to sub-Saharan Africa through the development of The President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has saved more than 18 million lives since 2003.

But the man America has come to know and trust over this past year was forged even earlier: during his childhood in Brooklyn working at his father’s pharmacy, by his rigorous Jesuit education at Regis High School and Holy Cross College that instilled in him a sense of duty to others, and in the endless night shifts during his residency at New York Hospital.

The film will also feature the voices of many of those who have influenced him, and whom he has worked alongside — and for — including President George W. Bush, Bill Gates, Bono, former HHS secretary Sylvia Burwell, former national security advisor Susan Rice, NIH director Dr. Francis Collins, former CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden, key AIDS activists and organizers, and many others, including his family, friends and former patients.

“There is only one Dr. Fauci, and it is an incredible privilege to bring his inspiring, lifelong quest to cure disease and prevent outbreaks, to viewers around the world,” said Hoffman and Tobias. “This film will be an unprecedented, intimate portrait of our nation’s greatest public servant, whose relentless pursuit of truth and devotion to science has never been more important.”

“Dr. Fauci has become a household name because of COVID-19, but what people may not realize is the heroic and integral role he has played in shaping our national response to serious health crises for more than 50 years,” said Carolyn Bernstein, EVP scripted content and documentary films for National Geographic. “We couldn’t ask for better partners than John, Janet, Dan and Liz to bring audiences this inside look at the man behind the legacy, and we hope his remarkable story will inspire a new generation to pursue public service with the same commitment and verve.”

The film is directed by John Hoffman and Janet Tobias, who have spent their careers telling important and compelling stories about science and public health. Over the past 36 years, Hoffman has made a specialty of communicating to a concerned public about disease, starting with HIV prevention and then addiction, Alzheimer’s, obesity, sleep, and the role of the NIH in leading the way on medical breakthroughs. Tobias’ recent film, “Unseen Enemy,” sounded a warning call about the threat of pandemics, which should not have gone unheeded.

FAUCI is produced by Alexandra Moss (“Not Done: Women Remaking America”) and edited by Amy Foote (“Father, Soldier, Son”). Director of photography is Claudia Raschke (“RBG”). For Story Syndicate, executive producers are Cogan, Garbus and Jon Bardin (“All In: The Fight for Democracy”).

National Geographic Documentary Films previously released the Academy Award, BAFTA and seven-time Emmy Award-winning film Free Solo and the Academy Award-nominated film The Cave. Other critically acclaimed films under the banner include Ron Howard’s Rebuilding Paradise; Sundance Audience Award winners Science Fair and Sea of Shadows; Emmy winners LA 92 and Jane, both of which were included in the top 15 documentaries considered for an Academy Award in 2017; and Dupont Award winner Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS.


About National Geographic Documentary Films:
National Geographic Documentary Films is committed to bringing the world premium, feature documentaries that cover timely, provocative and globally relevant stories from the very best documentary filmmakers in the world. National Geographic Documentary Films is a division of National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between Disney and the National Geographic Society. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 133 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching millions of people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27% of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

About Story Syndicate:
Story Syndicate is a New York-based film and television production company devoted to premium nonfiction and scripted content. We provide a home for talented filmmakers, producers, journalists, thinkers and artists to create visual content that innovates, enriches and dazzles viewers. Story Syndicate currently has upwards of 18 films and series in development and production with premium distribution platforms including National Geographic, Hulu, Netflix, HBO, Apple, Amazon Studios and others.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from March 1st to 6th, 2021 - Update #13

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

AWARDS - From THR:   Dwayne Johnson delivers an emotional tribute to his late father, pro wrestler Rocky Johnson, during the virtual Hollywood Association Awards.

DISNEY+ - From Deadline:   Actress Emma Meisel joins "Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.," the Disney+ reboot of classic ABC sitcom, "Doogie Howser, M.D."

FILM/TV - From Deadline:  Sisters Elle and Dakota Fanning have launched a film and television production company, Lewellen Pictures.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Universal has moved the release date for its latest "Fast & Furious" installment, "F9," again.  It's new release date is June 25, 2021.  The "Minions" sequel, "Minions: The Rise of Gru," has been moved from July 2021 to July 2022.

AWARDS - From Deadline:   AARP The Magazine on Thursday unveiled its winners for the annual Movies for Grownups Awards, handing Hulu’s "The United States vs. Billie Holiday" its top prize, Best Picture/Best Movie for Grownups.

EMMYS - From Variety:   The 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ Sunday, September 19th, 2021.

MOVIES - From Deadline:   Hugh Grant will reportedly play the villain in Paramount Pictures and eOne's "Dungeons & Dragons" movie.  Actress Sophia Lillis has also joined the cast.

AWARDS - From THR:   Ahead of the start of Oscar nomination voting on Friday, the Producers Guild of America has determined that Stacey Abrams, who is one of the credited producers of the film, "All In: The Fight for Democracy," merits "the PGA mark" for her contributions to the project (as do directors/producers Liz Garbus and Lisa Cortés and producer Dan Cogan). That makes Abrams eligible to receive an Oscar nomination.

CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment:  Television icon, Tim Allen, talks about being a young drug dealer and his laughably short federal prison sentence.

GOLDEN GLOBES - From Variety:   Here is a complete list of winners at the 2021 / 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

From Variety:  At the 78th Golden Globe Awards, "Nomadland" wins "Best Motion Picture-Drama"; "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm" wins "Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy"; "The Crown" wins "Best Television Series - Drama"; and "Schitt's Creek" wins "Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy."

BOX OFFICE - From Deadline:  The winner of the 2/26 to 2/28/2021 weekend box office is the animated "Tom & Jerry" with an estimated take of 13.7 million.

CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment:  Actress and recording artist Bella Thorne talks about breaking away from being a Disney child star ("Shake It Up," 2010-13).

OBITS:

From CNN:   American Civil Rights activist and business executive, Vernon Jordan, has died at the age of 85, Monday, March 1, 2021.  Jordan is best known for his work with the NAACP and for being a close advisor for the former President Bill Clinton.

From YahooSports:   Former NFL player and sports broadcaster, Irv Cross, has died at the age of 81, Sunday, February 28, 2021.  Cross was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1961 as a corner back, where he played from 1961 to 1965.  He played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1966 to 1968, and returned to the Eagles for the 1969 season before retiring in 1970.  In 1971, he joined CBS Sports as an NFL analyst and became an co-anchor on the network's "The NFL Today."  That made Cross the first Black network sports show anchor.  In 2009, Cross became the first African-American to receive the "Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award" from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Original "Rugrats" Voice Cast Returns for New Series

Nickelodeon’s All-New Animated Rugrats Reunites Members of the Original Voice Cast to Reprise Roles

CG-Animated Series to Debut on Paramount+ in 2021

Share it: @Nickelodeon @NickAnimation @OfficialRugrats @ParamountPlus

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nickelodeon is reuniting members of the original voice cast behind iconic toddlers: Tommy Pickles, Chuckie Finster, Angelica Pickles, Susie Carmichael and Phil and Lil DeVille in the upcoming all-new Rugrats animated series. A reimagining of the classic ‘90s hit, the CG-animated series stars E.G. Daily (Tommy), Nancy Cartwright (Chuckie), Cheryl Chase (Angelica), Cree Summer (Susie) and Kath Soucie (Phil and Lil), all of whom are reprising their iconic roles in this new series. Produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio, the series is set to debut this spring on Paramount+, the highly anticipated streaming service from ViacomCBS.

    “Rugrats is one of the most iconic cartoons recognized by fans around the globe, and this original version is one we are taking great care and pride in creating for a brand-new audience”

“Rugrats is one of the most iconic cartoons recognized by fans around the globe, and this original version is one we are taking great care and pride in creating for a brand-new audience,” said Ramsey Naito, President, Nickelodeon Animation. “Having the voice cast behind these special characters come together is one of the essential pieces to making the show recognizable and we can’t wait to watch this talented group bring them to life again.”

The brand-new series features rich and colorful CG-animation and follows the toddlers as they explore the world and beyond from their pint-sized and wildly imaginative point-of-view.

The all-new Rugrats is based on the series created by Arlene Klasky, Gabor Csupo and Paul Germain. Eryk Casemiro (Rugrats) and Kate Boutilier (Rugrats) are executive producers and Dave Pressler (Robot and Monster) and Casey Leonard (Breadwinners) serve as co-executive producers, with Rachel Lipman (Rugrats) as co-producer and Kellie Smith (The Fairly OddParents) as line producer. Production is overseen by Mollie Freilich, Senior Manager, Current Series Animation, Nickelodeon.

The original Rugrats series launched in August of 1991 and instantly became a groundbreaking phenomenon, spawning consumer products and three hit theatrical releases, and cemented its place in pop culture history through its iconic characters, storytelling and unique visual style. Rugrats was in production for nine seasons over the course of 13 years. The series earned four Daytime Emmy Awards, six Kids' Choice Awards and its own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

About Paramount+:
ViacomCBS’ existing subscription video-on-demand and live streaming service, CBS All Access, will be rebranded as Paramount+ on March 4, 2021 as part of the service’s expansion to feature content from ViacomCBS’ leading portfolio of broadcast, news, sports and entertainment brands. ViacomCBS will also bring Paramount+ to international markets with an initial debut in Australia, Latin America and the Nordics in 2021.

About Nickelodeon:
Nickelodeon, now in its 41st year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of ViacomCBS Inc. (Nasdaq: VIACA, VIAC).

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Amblin to Adapt "Easy Rawlins" Books for Television

Amblin Television Developing Series Based on Walter Mosley’s “Easy Rawlins” Books

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amblin Television announced that it has closed a deal to develop and produce a series based on Walter Mosley’s bestselling books starring the character Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins. Sylvain White (Stomp the Yard, The Losers) will executive produce the series and is also set to direct the pilot episode. Amblin Television co-Presidents Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey ("The Americans," Haunting of Bly Manor) also executive produce, along with Mosley, his producing partner Diane Houslin for their company B.O.B. FilmHouse, Inc., and Jeremy Bolt (Monster Hunter, the Resident Evil franchise) of JB Pictures.

The drama, based on the gritty detective series, will center around Easy, a Black WWII Army veteran turned hard-boiled private eye. The show will be set in 1950’s Los Angeles and will honor the great traditions of storytelling in the detective genre while also exploring the racial inequalities and social injustice experienced by Black people and other people of color.

Mosley has written more than 60 critically acclaimed books, including fifteen novels and a collection of short stories starring Easy Rawlins. His work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine and The Nation, among other publications, and his work has been translated into 23 languages. The character of Easy Rawlins has previously appeared on screen in the 1995 film Devil in a Blue Dress, which starred Denzel Washington. Mosley is the winner of numerous awards, including an O. Henry Award, a Grammy and PEN America’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Mosley was recently awarded The National Book Foundation’s 2020 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters (DCAL). Mosley also serves as executive producer on the FX show Snowfall. His latest Easy Rawlins novel, Blood Grove, released on February 2nd this year.

Acclaimed filmmaker Sylvain White was born and raised in Paris, France and moved to Los Angeles to study film. A series of award-winning short films led him to direct music videos and commercials, before he shot to public prominence with his zeitgeist-defining feature film debut, Stomp the Yard. White worked with Amblin on their critically acclaimed series The Americans and directed “The Heat,” an episode of their recent Apple TV+ show Amazing Stories.

Alex Maggioni, SVP Television, will oversee the day-to-day development of the project for Amblin, alongside Frank and Falvey.

White is represented by UTA, Artist First, and Jeff Endlich at Morris Yorn.

Mosley is represented by CAA, Gloria Loomis, and Tom Selz.

About Amblin Television:
Amblin Television, a long-time leader in quality programming, is a division of Amblin Partners, a content creation company led by Steven Spielberg. Amblin Television’s co-presidents, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey, oversee all development, production and programming for the company. Amblin Television currently has nine projects in various stages of production and release, including Resident Alien for SYFY, the second season of Animaniacs for Hulu, The Haunting of Bly Manor for Netflix, third and fourth seasons of Roswell, New Mexico for The CW, Halo for Showtime, Masters of the Air for Apple, two seasons of Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai for HBO Max, Tiny Toons Looniversity for HBO Max and Cartoon Network, and an untitled Goonies Re-enactment Project pilot for Fox.

Some of Amblin Television’s recent credits include the Emmy Award-winning series Why We Hate for Discovery, three-time Emmy nominated Laurel Canyon: A Place in Time for EPIX, and Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind for HBO which made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival last year. Amblin Television also produced the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning drama The Americans for FX, the Golden Globe-nominated and double Emmy Award-winning mini-series Into the West for TNT, the Emmy-nominated HBO movie All The Way starring Bryan Cranston, Smash for NBC, Under the Dome for CBS, Falling Skies for TNT, The Borgias and The United States of Tara for Showtime, and Las Vegas for NBC.

http://www.amblin.com

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Review: "Aquaman" Rides High on the High Seas

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 23 of 2021 (No. 1761) by Leroy Douresseaux

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

Aquaman (2018)
Running time:  143 minutes (2 hours, 23 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for some language
DIRECTOR:  James Wan
WRITERS:  David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Will Beall; from a story by Geoff Johns, James Wan, Will Beall (based on the character created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger and appear ing DC Comics)
PRODUCERS:  Rob Cowan and Peter Safran
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Don Burgess    
EDITOR:  Kirk Morri
COMPOSER:  Rupert Gregson-Williams

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/SCI-FI/ACTION/ADVENTURE

Starring:  Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Dolph Lundgren, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Ludi Lin, Temuera Morrison, Randall Park, Michael Beach, and Nicole Kidman

Aquaman is a 2018 superhero science fiction and fantasy film from director James Wan.  It is the sixth film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), which is comprised of films based upon DC Comics characters.  Aquaman was created by artist Paul Norris and editor Mort Weisinger and first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 (cover dated: November 1941).  Aquaman the film focuses on a half-breed who is heir to the throne of an underwater kingdom and his quest to prevent an all-out war between the worlds of the land and the seas.

Aquaman opens in 1985.  Thomas Curry (Temuera Morrison), a lighthouse keeper in Amnesty Bay, Maine, rescues Atlanna (Nicole Kidman), the queen of the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, during a storm.  They fall in love and have a son named Arthur, who has the power to communicate with sea creatures.  Eventually, however, Atlantean soldiers arrive to retrieve Atlanna, who had fled her arranged marriage in Atlantis.

The film movies to the present day, several months after the events depicted in the film, Justice League.  Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa), now also known as the “Aquaman,” attempts to live a normal life in Amnesty Bay, but his Atlantean heritage is about to intrude on his life.  Arthur has a half-brother, Orm Marius (Patrick Wilson), who is the current King of Atlantis and who is also the second son of Atlanna.  Orm is attempting to rally the undersea kingdoms to his cause.  He wants to unite and to attack the surface world for polluting the oceans.  Princess Y'Mera Xebella Challa, also known simply as Mera (Amber Heard), is betrothed to Orm, but refuses to aid him or her father, King Nerius of Xebel (Dolph Lundgren), in their plans.

Mera travels to the surface where she meets Arthur and tries to convince him to help her in stopping Orm.  She also wants Arthur to take his rightful place as King of Atlantis.  Before he does that, however, Arthur must recover a magic artifact, the lost “Sacred Trident of Atlan,” which will mark its possessor as the rightful ruler of Atlantis.  The problem is that Arthur does not want to be King of Atlantis nor anywhere else for that matter.

Watching Aquaman, I could not help but notice that many of its story points and plot elements were glaringly similar to that of Marvel Studios' Black Panther, which debuted earlier in the same year that Aquaman hit theaters, 2018.  Whereas Black Panther was edgy, philosophically in tune with Pan-Africanism, and socially relevant, Aquaman is simply a grand, old-fashioned, action-adventure fantasy film, and there is nothing wrong with that.  Aquaman is solidly entertaining.

If Aquaman must be accused of copying other films, in terms of visual concepts and world-building, Aquaman leans heavily on the Star Wars prequel films and on Tron: Legacy.  And once again, there is nothing wrong with that.  Many big-budget, tent-pole films borrow from other movies of similar to its type.  Aquaman dazzles the eyes and blows the mind.  It is such a spectacular visual effects feast for the eyes, senses, and imagination that I am surprised that it did not get any Oscar nominations in the categories of visual effects, art direction-set decoration, and costume design.  That such a visually resplendent film did not get in Oscar nominations says something about the nominating process of the Academy Awards in many areas.

I must admit that I think that this film does have a few sizable problems.  Aquaman's stiff, overly-formal, highfalutin' dialogue hampers the acting, which isn't all that good to begin with.  The character writing is also average, so it is not as if the actors have much to work with in building strong dramatic characters.  Still, I'd have to be feeling generous to say that Jason Momoa was more than average as Arthur Curry/Aquaman, although he does appear to be trying hard.  Patrick Wilson and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II overact and ham-it-up as Orm and Black Manta, respectively.  Willem Dafoe is practically a wooden idol as Vulko, and Amber Heard seems to think that she is playing Mera in a spoof of a superhero movie rather than acting in a “serious” superhero film.

I would normally give a film with such average character drama on the part of the screenplay and such awkward acting a grade of “B.”  The directing by James Wan is strong enough, however, and, once again, the film is such a visual effects orgasm that I will bump up Aquaman's final grade a little.

7 of 10
B+

Saturday, November 28, 2020


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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