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Reviews, tv series

(tv series) Obi-Wan Kenobi: Star Wars series just never disappoint me!

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When Disney took over Star Wars movies and other projects I was a sceptic and turned out that I was right. First, they just wiped out the book story line turning it into name Star Wars Legends and the new books they called New Canon and since I am an avid collector and fan of SW expanded universe books, the newer books that I read until now are just inferior compared to the older SW novels and storyline.

Then came the movies. Episode VII was decent and I enjoyed it wishing to see how the story will evolve further. Rogue One is excellent, dark war movie which is just fantastic for me, Solo sucked big time and episode VIII was okay, but finale, Episode IX was just a thing that made me want to cry what they did to my beloved SW. When Solo failed big time, fortunately they turned more to tv, Mandalorian was just fantastic, both seasons, also Book of Boba Fett was a rollercoaster of happiness for me.

I was eager to see what will they do with Obi-Wan Kenobi, six episode series which was supposed to bring back Ewan McGregor to the role of Obi-Wan and how they will connect it to story in Episode IV. Well, they did a fantastic job.

The story happens ten years after Order 66 and events of Jedi Purge and rise of Empire led by Darth Sidious and tragic events that led to end of brotherhood between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, two of best Jedi in the galaxy. Obi-Wan now lives as a recluse on Tattooine, watching from afar over young Luke, his uncle Owen and aunt Beru. He is bittered, disillusioned and doesn´t want to mix in the fight anymore. But, then Empire´s Inquisitor Reva kidnaps young Leia from Alderaan and Bail Organa(Jimmy Smits from the movies) convinces Obi to return to one last fight and help save Leia, not knowing it is a trap for him.

Well, then the action and rollercoaster ride starts. New bad guys, Grand Inquisitor whom we also saw in cartoon SW Rebels series, Reva and others are spooky and eerie, but you imagine, the main bad guy and star of this series besides Obi is Darth Vader with none other than Hayden Christensen repeating the role, a bit older without mask as Anakin, but imposing as never before seen brutal and killing machine, Vader similar to the one portrayed in Rogue One. There are couple of epic fights between Obi and Vader, but we all know their destinies, so we are not so worried for them both, but we learn some great written details that were missing link between the past and movies. Actors and characters are superb, especially little Vivien Lyra Blair as ten year old Leia reminding so much of Carrie Fisher that my eyes became wet remembering her. Also, Moses Ingram as Inquisitor Reva is a great character, I heard that maybe she will get her own series. Scenes of SW fights, worlds, story, everything in this one is enough to make old SW heart beat faster with joy and your eyes wet at some moments wishing for more and more. Thank you sir, thank you Mr Lucas for bringing this fantasy to us, we will never be able to say to you how much we owe you for creating this world and universe to us legions of fans.

10/10

Reviews

(review) Love Equals Death – Gravity And Grace(SBÄM Records, Say-10 Records)

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California´s veterans Love Equals Death are back with their brand new full length album, long awaited and it is a blast. There is an instrumental intro A Tale Of Two Storms and then nine songs of absolute darkened vibe and beauty. Love Equals Death play melodic punk rock with base in horror punk but evolving into a darkened punk rock yet staying in horror and a bit depressive sounding melodies, melancholy and a bit sadness. Musically, if I must compare them to some one it would be AFI certainly with a bit of Blitzkid here and there. Vocals are great, varying from melodic and clean to more shouted and aggressive sounding voice. Superb lyric lines, such nice choruses and melodies make my blackened heart jump with joy, although they sing about fighting your inner demons, suicide, depression, loss and surviving. My personal favorite are The Letter, which was an excellent choice for a single, Hollywood Ghost, Adolescent Heart and A Sequence Of Arcs. This one is for me one of the highlights of this year in punk rock for sure. My total wholehearted recommendation.

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(movie) Woodland Grey (2021) is a paranoia infused folk horror beauty.

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Folk horror is very popular these last few years and in the flood of some great and some bad movies sometimes there are some indie low budget films that are jewels in the crown of underground. Well, Woodland Grey by director Adam Reider, who is also co-writer managed to create that creepy absurd atmosphere that I lack so much in newer horror movies.

There are only four actors in this one, but this one manages to do some scare. Emily(Jenny Raven) tries to cope with the death of her grandfather, Vietnam veteran (Art Hindle) and goes to a camping trip in the woods. She gets lost and William(Ryan Blakely), weird recluse who lives in the woods saves her life. But, things sometimes go wrong way and Emily discovers in the shed a little girl and then things start to go spooky and there is no certainty what is real and what is not anymore.

Well, that is the story. I will start with something that really bothers me in whole screenplay and the movie and bothers me a lot. That is, how a girl with dialysis goes to camping? Huh? Wow. But, there are much better moments in the movie which cover that bad and illogical one. This is basically a mixture of mindfuck, psychological horror and folk horror. Atmospheric and strong, absurd in its eeriness with that girl and rabbit mask, that red ribbons around trees and some more ugly scary moments which are not so scary per se, but their absurdity and madness spooked me while watching this one. There is also a story how mind copes with loss of beloved persons as an underlayer of the horror story. Ending is okay, but could have been a bit better and is a little let down, but the movie is okay.

6/10