The Horror Movie Survival Guide: Viewer's Edition

     Hello, night owls! When I was younger (and I mean ages "since as far back as I remember" until about 16), I thought I could never watch horror movies. Back when Blockbuster stores were still around, I remember being terrified by the VHS and DVD covers of slasher movies, supernatural movies, and any other horror movie there was. And every time someone said, "Hey, why don't we watch a horror film?" I would always be one of the ones who said nothing but silently prayed that some other movie would be chosen.

     Years later, I have now seen a few horror movies and watched countless reviews on the ones I haven't seen and I can safely say now that none of these films scare me. It surprises me, however, to see a fair number of my peers whose response to horror films is fear, panic, and all the "nope" hashtags they can find. Perhaps you are one of them.

     In that case, let me lay out for you a survival guide in case your friends decide to throw in Final Destination, The Ring, or The Grudge.

1. Know the tropes!

     If you're unfamiliar with the way that horror movies work (e.g. cliches, character types, and pacing), then walking into a horror movie will be like wading into a murky lake...without knowing if there are leeches in it. The first and most important thing you should do before you watch a horror movie is become familiar with the genre's tropes. Tropes are themes or conventions that are used in all genres of film. In horror, though, the tropes tend to be very specific. You know how several horror films happen in a cabin in the woods? That cabin in the woods is a staple horror trope. How about creepy children singing a nursery rhyme? That, too, is a trope. And as for that creepy basement, the mysterious hitchhiker, the extremely slow killer, moving into an old house, dolls, gore, curses, seances, and jumpscares? All those count as tropes as well. If you watch reviews of horror movies and hear the reviewer lay out the story, you will begin to see these tropes appearing. And the more they appear, the more you expect them to appear. 

     The trick behind this?

     Once you know the tropes are there and you expect them, they don't seem so frightening or new anymore. If you're going to watch Insidious, you can expect there to be creepy ghosts/demons, a dark netherworld, a seance (or seance-like event), a possession, and numerous hauntings. When you know that those things are part of the story, you're all set. And conversely, once you know which horror stories use which tropes, you can look at a trailer and say, "Demons? A kid getting possessed? Ghost experts? Sounds like Insidious!" From this point on, you can look at a trailer or the first 10-15 minutes of a horror film and you can get a general idea of what's in store for you.

     With that, you are already halfway ready to survive a horror film!

2. Embrace the jumpscares!

     One thing about the first tip, though - knowing may prepare you for the story, but it might not always save you from the jumpscares. I mean, after you've seen scene after scene of a scared woman walking towards a closed door, you kind of know what to expect. But for some people, that doesn't lessen the effect of jumpscares. And while horror films can be very cliched, they can have clever scares that take you off guard because you didn't see it coming. 

     So what in the world are you supposed to do?

     This might sound crazy to some of you (and by "you" I mean the people who hide in the comments section on YouTube whenever they watch scary videos or horror gameplays), but this is the best method I know.

     Embrace the jumpscares!

     When you're about to watch a horror film, whether it be serious like The Grudge or silly like any of the Nightmare on Elm Street sequels, you can't think of this movie as a torture fest (unless it's a really bad movie). You've got to see it as an experience - exactly like walking into a haunted house attraction. Sure, it's going to scare you, but that's what makes it fun! Once that sudden jolt passes through your heart, you are free - for the moment - and you might even find yourself laughing because of how good that jumpscare was. Or you'll be laughing at your friends' reactions. Either way, the only way to survive a jumpscare is to face it and embrace it. After a while, you'll find yourself becoming a jumpscare connoisseur because some jumpscares won't get you anymore! 

     Trust me, it works. 

3. Stay calm!

     With horror movies, we know bad stuff is going to happen, regardless of the story. People will die horribly, disappear mysteriously, and there's a chance that the protagonist might not survive. That alone is enough to give our minds a grim outlook on a movie. But for those who are really scared of horror films, it's more than enough. Because they know that bad stuff will happen, they're already curled up in the fetal position on the couch before you've even started the movie.

     If you're one of those people, I have one thing to say to you: breathe.

     If you come into a horror film all tensed up for terrors and spooks, you're not going to fully experience the movie and you'll just end up feeling uncomfortable the whole time. You need to be calm - at least for the beginning. Once you get sucked into the story and you start caring about the characters, any tension you feel has been created by the movie, not your anxious mind. Which is as it should be.

4. Watch out for gore!

     Some people love films that contain lots of gore..............for some reason. 

     However, if you're queasy or don't like seeing characters you love getting killed slowly and miserably, I have two tips for you:

     1. Read some reviews

     2. Close your eyes

     If you've got your heart set on seeing a movie and you want to know if there's anything in there that might get to you, always look at some reviews. Regardless of the critic's perspective, he/she will at least tell you if things like gore and violence get a lot of emphasis. Then when those scenes come up in the film, my advice would be to close your eyes. I personally don't like tons of gore and long scenes containing it, so if a character starts getting torn limb for limb, I simply look away and say, "Tell me when it's over!"

5. Watch with friends!

     This might seem like a given, but really, it is the only way to watch a horror film...and not just because watching a horror movie by yourself will give you the creeps. Regardless of your fear levels, horror movies are meant to be a group experience. Your friends will laugh with you, whimper with you, and occasionally they might try jumpscaring you, but having them with you will enhance the wild ride. If the movie seemed scary before, I can guarantee that your friends (unless they're terribly scared, too) will make the experience a lot more enjoyable.

     And there you have it! If you follow these tips, you will be well on your way to becoming a horror movie survivor...as a viewer.

     If you're in it as a character? 

     Come again next Friday to see what you should do as a character with The Horror Movie Survival Guide: Character's Edition!

                                                                                                         ~Maud,

                                                                                                 Official Night Owl

     

Art Showcase 2

     Hello, night owls! I've been in a bit of a bind lately with college preparations and planning has been crazy. So today instead of talking about another movie, book, or aspect of entertainment, I'll do something similar to my earlier Art Showcase by sharing some of my art work. So without further ado, here is a second showcase.

     And there you have it! All of this was made months before I got tendinitis - hopefully, I'll be able to create compositions of this quality in the future. I miss drawing and I wish I could do more new stuff for The Night Owl Review. Anyway, hope you're all having a great week and I'll see you Friday (with a more focused post)!!

                                                                                                           ~Maud,

                                                                                                   Official Night Owl

Review Adjustments

     Hello, night owls! I have some news for you guys concerning The Night Owl Review posting schedule. As I said in last Monday's post, I was away Friday to enroll in college (and it was exciting!!). Since enrollment, I've had time to look at when my classes come up, I've realized (and I knew this before now) that the posting schedule on this blog would have to change. It isn't merely because of classes or campus jobs. Since I am going to be a theatre student, I may be called away from my normal schedule because of a production I'm in. With homework and rehearsals, I'm bound to be a little bit swamped for time. However, I do not intend on giving up on this blog in college. Once I've settled in and I know what my availability will be like, I will inform you on what the posting schedule will be. 

     So here's what's going to happen. Until the week of August 24th, you will continue to see Monday, Wednesday, and Friday posts on The Night Owl Review. After that point, there will be a two week break so I can adjust to campus life and classes. Around early September, The Night Owl Review will resume - this time, with a new posting schedule. It may be twice a week or maybe even once a week, but no matter what, I will continue to bring you reviews, critiques, thoughts, and rants whenever I can. I love what I do on The Night Owl Review, and I don't want to stop any time soon.

     I will give a warning post before the week of August 24th so that no one will be caught off guard by the lack of posts.

     See you all on Wednesday!!

                                                                                                          ~Maud,

                                                                                                  Official Night Owl

Almost Perfect: Coraline (2009)

     Hello, night owls! When I talked about The BFG movie last week, I mentioned that movies will be different from the books they're adapted from. Some may be more faithful to their source material, but most of the time, there are going to be differences and changes. Why, you might ask? Because the medium of film is different from the medium of literature. Film is all about visuals and the more interesting the visuals, the more likely your audience is going to stick around. Literature, on the other hand, depends entirely on words to paint the world of the story, so there are often a lot more details and pieces of exposition to help the reader understand.

     The simple fact of the matter with a film adaptation is you can't have everything. If you try to keep every expository piece or every little character/event, you're going to have a two hour movie and probably a very bored audience (unless the movie is something like Lord of the Rings, and even those movies don't have every single thing from the books). You have to know what cuts to make in order to keep the story going but to also keep the audiences in their seats.

     There's also another thing that directors do that gets to me more than cutting out story parts - adding in/exaggerating parts. What do I mean by this? Basically, if a director feels that the majority of an audience will find a certain joke, sequence, or character entertaining, they'll throw in either an original character of their own or they'll take one of the book's characters and adapt him/her to a stereotype. Perhaps the director doesn't know what to do with a part of the story or they feel they need to throw in something more, but whatever the case, it bothers me. It makes eccentric characters absolutely unbearable and surreal sequences complete torture to sit through.

     But no matter what changes or cuts are made to a book's story for an adaptation, there is one thing above all that most directors try to keep from the book: its spirit. Above all else, it should have the same atmosphere, the same enchantment as the book - it has to whirl you away into a magical experience like the book did. That way even those who have never read the source material can still get the idea of the world and characters around them. This is more important than leaving in a subplot or secondary character, because the integrity of any story is in its spirit.

     That's why I no longer get pissed at adaptations if they don't follow the books to a T. If they can stick to the main plot and if they can still give me the same atmosphere I felt when reading the books, I'll generally walk out content. 

     With that in mind, how does Henry Selick's 2009 adaptation hold up to Neil Gaiman's Coraline?

     Well...

     I'd better get my biased viewpoint out of the way first. When I was 11, I read Coraline for the first time. I didn't like it back then because I was 11 and scared of everything. Years later though, I read the book again as a teenager - still scared of everything! - and found that there was more to this book than I originally thought. I loved Coraline for her bravery, I loved the creepy Other World, and the Other Mother is still one of my favorite literary villains. So naturally, I loved the book enough to the point where I had expectations for the movie.

     Upon watching the movie, I came away feeling...well, not completely satisfied. However, I watched it again quite recently. After setting aside my partiality, I came away with a slightly different view.

     Coraline, the film adaptation, is almost perfect.

     To be honest, the only part of the movie that really bothers me is the first half before everything goes to hell.

     The parts in the first half that bother me most are the ones that are exaggerated: the real parents, the neighbors, and the scenes with the Other neighbors. My only problem with the real parents is they seemed either too neglectful or too mean at times. But I find more fault with the neighbors. 

     They're too eccentric.

     I never thought I'd say that about Gaiman characters, but in the movie, the neighbors are way too weird. Mr. Bobinsky, Miss Forcible, and Miss Spink are supposed to be "unique" and they are portrayed as such in the book. However, in the book, they seemed like genuine people - albeit a bit strange, but they felt like people you might meet if you moved into an apartment complex...minus the circus mice. In the movie, though, they are played as complete character types. Really annoying character types. They're loud and obnoxious. The moment they appear on screen, you can't wait until they go away.

     In the Other World, they're even worse. I can't watch Forcible and Spink's entertainment scene because it's too obnoxious. It's pure torture to for me to sit through. I know the scene is cheesy in the book, but it wasn't outright unbearable like this. At least in the book, you weren't bombarded by a crazy song and the unpleasant imagery of Forcible and Spink before they become young again. This scene is probably done this way for "humorous" reasons, I suppose, but I can't help but skip that scene every time I watch the movie. As for Bobinsky, he's a little too much for me, too, and I'd probably skip his scene as well if it wasn't for the incredible animation of the circus mice.

     Overall, the scenes with the Other neighbors felt jarring and they just halted the story. It was such that I was desperate for the second half - the part of the story where seriously creepy stuff goes down - to kick in.

     And when that second half kicked in, it was so good!! All the imagery, from the Other Mother's creepy transformation and her insect sitting room, to the deformed Other neighbors was perfect. It was a true nightmare, as frightening and exhilarating as it was in the book. For that second half alone, I would watch the movie again.

     But if only the second half is the best part of the movie, then does that mean the adaptation failed?

     Personally, I don't think so. I feel like it does a good job at portraying Coraline as the tough yet relatable heroine that she is. She's funny, she's fierce, and you really feel for her when everything normal about the real world is taken away from her. And in spite of the changes that were made, I feel that it did a good job of preserving the main story, with all its themes of bravery and togetherness. In fact, some of the changes they made added more to the story in a positive way (e.g. the character of Wybie, who gives more insights about the Other Mother's deeds). Stop-motion animation was the best medium to be used in order to bring out all the spooks, quirks, and charm of this story. The sets/designs bring out the right atmosphere for the real world and the Other World. A quaint, poignant musical score dotted here and there with vocals brings out feelings you might not have felt when reading the book. And over all, it still maintains the spirit of the Coraline story. Because at its heart, it's still about a girl who realizes the worth of her family and decides to fight for it, no matter what enemies she has to face.

     

     P. S. The Cat in this movie is awesome!!

                                                                                                                     ~Maud,

                                                                                                             Official Night Owl

     

      

Shakespeare Like You Wouldn't Believe

     Hello, night owls! Whether or not you like the works of Shakespeare (and it's totally fine if you don't), most of you are at least familiar with the types of plays he writes. Tragedies of ambitious kings and star-crossed teenagers, comedies about twins, lovers, rightful heirs, and occasionally fairies...along with historical plays about the reign of England. After reading a few plays or going to performances in the park, you kind of know what to expect.

     Or do you?

     There are two plays that you should be aware of, because they are not fluffy comedies nor your typical tragedies. 

1. Titus Andronicus  -  Shakespeare's "blockbuster" hit and earliest known tragedy (barring the controversy of it's authorship). Beyond the 17th century, however, it wasn't so popular and today...well, let's just say it's not that popular either. It's a bloody revenge story revolving around the fictitious Roman general Titus Andronicus and Tamora, Queen of the Goths. When Titus has one of Tamora's sons killed in the streets, she decides to exact revenge through the bloodiest, most horrifying and tragic means possible. And when it seems Tamora has stripped him of every bit of happiness, he comes back with even more horrifying and gory revenge. 

     I'm a Shakespeare fan myself and even I had no idea this play existed. So when I sat in the park one summer, waiting for the show to begin and I looked at the summary in the program, I was shocked at what I read. This was a Shakespeare play? I knew some of his tragedies could be dark, but this? The savagery of the Romans and all the horror and gore of Sweeney Todd combined...a Shakespeare play?

     I'm not going to go into details with this, because of the subject matter: trust me, unless you scar yourself by reading or watching the play, you'll thank me for omitting that much. But blood and gore aside, it's a pretty intense play. As the anger between Titus and Tamora grows, the more destruction they cause and in the end, nobody ends up on top. And really, that seems to be the biggest thing you can take away from this play. For every loss, each rival takes, and by the time the taking is done, everything they love is gone. While I was horrified by the stuff that happened in the play, it was as if I was stuck in a nightmare: I couldn't tear my eyes away until I saw how it all ended. 

     My final precaution: definitely DO NOT bring your children to see this!

2. Measure for Measure  -  This is a weird one. It wasn't one of Shakespeare's most popular works and it hasn't been performed many times. If you look at the story, you can see why. There are several themes that are clumsily examined and then dropped. There's moral ambiguity, bawdiness, justice, blackmail, dark humor, seriousness...I can't really describe this one that well. When Vincentio, the Duke of Vienna, claims he's leaving on diplomatic duty, he high-tails it out of town only to return in disguise as a friar. The purpose of this is to find out the status of justice in his city and to see if his deputy Angelo is maintaining justice. And how is Angelo handling things? Not very well at all. He's like Javiert and Frollo combined - harsh, mean, and, well, devious. When he sentences a man to death for making a woman pregnant without being properly married, the guy's sister, a novice nun named Isabella, comes to plead for her brother's life. What offer does Angelo give her? He says her brother can live if she sleeps with Angelo. 

     Just...terrific.

     Of course, the Duke decides to take action and as the friar, he helps set things aright and afterwards he claims Isabella's hand in marriage...without any hint of approval, consent, or even any chemistry to suggest such a thing could have been possible. 

     On top of all that is a subplot involving a brothel and a comedic pimp who passes himself off as a bartender.

     Well done, Shakespeare??

     This one is confusing. It doesn't know what tone it wants to take. There is trickery involved, there are characters of a humorous nature, and the concept of morality's involvement with justice is discussed. But it's written in such a way that you can't tell whether it's trying to be serious or funny. It definitely can't be a traditional comedy, because the themes of justice and purity make for some heavy scenes. Yet it can't be a tragedy, because everyone makes it out alive and okay at the end (aside from Isabella - a novice nun, remember!! - suddenly being roped into a marriage without knowing whether she'd want it or not). 

     Shakespeare listed it as a comedy in his First Folio...a comedy. All I can say is this is not a comedy. Any time I see videos of productions that try to present it as such, it doesn't work. The scene where Angelo tries blackmailing Isabella into sleeping with him - not funny! And yet some productions try playing it for laughs by making Angelo nervous or timid or exaggerating the innate awkwardness of the scene. I'm sorry, but there's no way you can make that scene anywhere close to "hilarious". It's a woman bartering for her brother's life and a corrupt deputy trying to fulfill his lust - it's clear this scene wasn't meant to be funny!

     Final thought: Yeah, don't take your kids to this, either.

     So there you have it - Shakespeare like you wouldn't believe in two plays...I think I'm going to watch A Midsummer Night's Dream now. At least nobody dies or gets brutally dismembered in that one!

                                                                                                        ~Maud,

                                                                                                Official Night Owl

     

     

Why Hamilton Matters

     Hello, night owls! It wouldn't surprise me if a lot of you already know about Hamilton or have listened to the music. In case you're unfamiliar with Hamilton or you're simply wondering what all the buzz is about, well, you're about to find out.
     The basics? It's a musical about the life and deeds of Alexander Hamilton, the first United States Secretary of the Treasury. The incredible Lin-Manuel Miranda (who created Hamilton's music, lyrics, and book) was inspired upon reading Ron Chernow's biography Alexander Hamilton to imagine this Founding Father's life in musical form. From that spark of inspiration grew a Broadway smash hit. It garnered well-deserved attention in 2015 and in 2016, it won 11 Tony awards (including Best Musical), the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, and the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
     Pretty impressive, to say the least.
     But if you're unfamiliar with the show or hear friends talk about it constantly, you might be wondering, "What's so special about this musical?"
     Well, here are a few points that will tell you why this is such an important production.

1. The Musical Style
     Pretty much all of the music is either rap or hip hop. Quite a shocker considering the way most other Broadway musicals sound, don't you think? But no matter how outlandish the idea sounds, it actually works. In fact, with scenes containing intense debates and high-spirited political discussions, it's the most perfect musical style that could have been used. If the debate between Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson in the Cabinet meeting was done with lots of drawn-out notes and over-dramatic scores, everyone would be yawning. But by throwing in rap, you feel more like you're watching an actual debate - as though history itself is replaying in front of your very eyes. It's not just because rap is a popular music genre that it's been successful in drawing in audiences: it's because it brings a sense of immediacy and urgency to the events that unfold. That is the brilliance behind the music. If you want an example, listen to "Non-Stop" here.

2. The Diverse Casting
     If you really think about it, there aren't very many Broadway musicals out there with characters of color. When you think of Broadway musicals, you're bound to think of the famous ones filmed in the 60's featuring mainly white casts. With Hamilton, however, you get diversity with a cast that is composed of actors of color. Now you might be thinking, "But weren't all the Founding Fathers white?" Of course, they were. However, the vision of this musical is supposed to reach out to all the people of America, because everyone in America has a claim to its history. By presenting the people of past America with diverse casting, you can open new, more contemporary eyes to the history and the men behind America. On top of that, it also gives many talented actors and actresses of color the opportunity to show their tremendous skills on stage as well as play characters that are complex and dignified.

3. The Immigrant's Story
     One of the things I love about this show that I know many others recognize is the emphasis on Hamilton's background. In real life, he was a poor orphan who fought for education and knowledge to enable him, no matter what obstacles he faced. He was determined to make a difference in his life and this same determination took him from his home in the Caribbean to New Jersey to seek a college education. His motivation and his success make up the essence of the American dream that so many seek in the world. Instead of living out life as a clerk in some far-off island, he decided he was worth more than that and took a chance. This vision of perseverance and courage is well portrayed in Hamilton and no doubt, it will continue to inspire people for generations to strive higher. If you want a taste of that inspiration, listen to "My Shot" here.

4. Making History Cool (and Relevant)
     The first time I really heard any publicity about Hamilton, it was on NPR, when they were talking about public schools getting special deals to see the show. The fact that kids want to see a show about one of the Founding Fathers says a lot about Hamilton. History can seem a tough, boring subject to many, full of dates and names that seem to have no meaning centuries later. Why should you care about a guy who died a long time ago and whose face is on a dollar bill? Put that face on stage and breath life into the character, and then you find yourself wrapped up in an exciting story about a man helping thirteen colonies unite into a country. Now all those names and dates you were forced to memorize are beginning to mean something to you. And suddenly you realize that the decisions these men made really did have an impact...not only that, but that their decisions and what they stood for still matter in this day and age. No matter how young or old, whether in school or out, the importance of our past will hit home with this musical. Not to mention, the incredible music will help the lesson stick with you long after leaving the theatre.

5. Keeping Theatre Cool (and Relevant)
     You know how people say "Theatre is a dying art"? After working in theatre for a couple years, I've learned that it isn't dying: it's merely fighting to stay relevant, especially in a generation experiencing a boom of instant, electronic everything. Theatre is one of the few places I know where you can come and witness or participate in a raw, human experience. There's nothing quite like being in front of a stage up close to where the action is and I'm sure the audiences of Hamilton would agree. The tour de force that is this show explores not only our country's past, but the feelings and struggles behind it and it reminds us of how even the most heroic people are still human underneath it all. It brings us back in touch with that which modern day technology can't emulate. On top of that, it's a really cool show that can only truly be appreciated live in the theatre. People know that - otherwise, there wouldn't be sold-out performances and upcoming tours. So the next time you think, "Theatre is a dying art", look at Hamilton. It's bringing the people back to theatre and it's bringing theatre back to the people - all the people.

     And there you have it! I highly recommend checking out the Hamilton soundtrack - it's incredibly good and riveting! You'll be amazed as history replays itself...

                                                                                                              ~Maud,
                                                                                                     Official Night Owl

Post Announcement

     Hello, night owls! I have been caught off guard for Wednesday's post, so today I will briefly mention what's in store for future posts. On Friday, we will be talking about why the Tony award-winning, Broadway show Hamilton matters. On Monday I will tell you about two of Shakespeare's most controversial/shocking plays - Titus Andronicus and Measure for Measure. Next Wednesday, we'll discuss the upsides and downsides of Henry Selick's film adaptation of Neil Gaiman's book Coraline. Next Friday, however, I will have to take a break, since I will be away at college for registration that day. Other than that, there might be posts in the future on Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel, Guillermo del Toro's Hellboy movies, a book review, and a rant at some point or other.
     So there you have it! I'll see you on Friday and I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!!

                                                                                                       ~Maud,
                                                                                               Official Night Owl

Thoughts: The BFG

     Hello, night owls! If you recall from Monday's hasty post, I mentioned that I'd seen Spielberg's film adaptation of the Roald Dahl story The BFG. Today, I will now give you my thoughts!
     I'm not going to discuss why movie adaptations are different than the source material - not now, at least. It's a given that the movie will be different from the book, so no serious nitpicking and complaining about details will be done here. And if none of you have read the book or seen the movie yet, this is your spoiler alert - you have been warned!
     The BFG is a 1982 children's book written by the famous author Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, Fantastic Mr. Fox, James and the Giant Peach - all of which have been adapted to film). Written for a daughter who died too young, it's the story of an orphan named Sophie who discovers a world of giants with the smallest, friendliest giant there is - the Big Friendly Giant (hence, the BFG). Together, with the power of dreams and a little help from the Queen of England, they manage to stop terrible, bigger giants from gobbling up children around the world. It's a lovely little story of friendship and courage that is welcome in anyone's library, no matter how old you are.
     It was one of my favorite stories when I was eleven, so when I heard it was getting the film treatment, I was very excited. To be honest, I was more excited than nervous, in spite of having seen some truly awful adaptations of other favorite books (looking at you, Eragon!). However, when I heard that Steven Spielberg was directing it, I felt that it would at least get a decent treatment.
     And personally speaking, I felt that's exactly what happened.
     One of the things that I was glad for was the handling of CGI effects. After The Hobbit movies, I almost completely detest CGI because of how obvious it is. With The BFG, however, I was pleasantly surprised. The look of the BFG's home, Giant Country, and Dream Country didn't feel incredibly glossed over or like a video game. Sometimes, I couldn't even tell how much of the sets were built and how much were CGI'd in later. The BFG himself looked great, still keeping all the facial expressions of the wonderful Mark Rylance and never breaking my suspension of disbelief with weird motions. The only true weak spot this movie has as far as CGI goes are the bigger giants. They were fine for the most part, but their facial expressions kept making me think back to some of the awkward animation of The Polar Express.
     The sets and overall production design, by the way, is amazing. I loved every inch of the world the movie presented us. The city at night, Giant Country, the BFG's home, Dream Country, Buckingham Palace - all of it was well presented. I was especially impressed with the BFG's home and Dream Country. When I'd read the book, I knew he lived in a cave, but I couldn't every imagine a clear enough picture of what it looked like. Seeing Spielberg's vision of the giant's warmly lit living room and his magical dream workshop was mesmerizing and made me smile. Dream Country is especially wondrous, with its star-filled skies, its magical lake, and the dream-giving tree.
     Mark Rylance was everything I could have asked for as the BFG. I'd seen him in his Oscar-winning role in Bridge of Spies, so when I heard he was playing the movie's titular character, I was extremely happy. He brings such sympathy and tenderness to the character that you might not have felt while reading the book, and he handles the BFG's strange vocabulary with perfect grace. All in all, he brings nobility to the lonely giant and shows that he is just as human as anyone else.
     There are really only two major differences in this movie that I think could have been done better or differently. In the book, the plot point of giants eating children is pretty important: it's the very first thing that Sophie and the BFG discuss and it's a constant issue throughout the whole book. While Sophie and the BFG do talk about it in the movie, you almost completely forget about it until many scenes later when Sophie sees the giants marching towards London and figures out why. I feel they could have made the giants a little more of a threatening presence, at the very least.
     The last and most important difference is the ending. In the book, the BFG leaves Giant Country and lives with Sophie in our world, where he can enjoy her friendship (and the superior food - snozzcumbers are nasty!). But in the movie, they have it where he goes back to Giant Country while Sophie lives at Buckingham Palace. Now, here's the thing. Granted, a giant would probably feel strange and a bit out of place living in a world where everything is accommodated to much smaller people. However, the BFG is a very lonely guy who hasn't had a friend in who knows how long...and after finding a great friend in Sophie and kicking out the other giants, what could possibly make him return to the empty Giant Country?
     Otherwise, I enjoyed this film. I was generally pleased with the treatment of the story and I loved the look of the production - something about it kept reminding me of the gritty fantasy films of the 80's (the score by John Williams also helps with that). If you're looking for something pleasant and whimsical, I would definitely recommend seeing this film.

                                                                                                               ~Maud,
                                                                                                       Official Night Owl

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir

     Hello, night owls! Over the past three years as I've delved into films I loved when I was a kid, I've come to learn that some of these "kids" movies/shows we grew up with are actually very good. They have heart and quality that takes you by surprise when you watch them as an older viewer and they make you realize that movies/shows that are "made for kids" can have great entertainment quality.

     Now, while this may translate well for me with movies/shows I've seen before, more modern stuff always makes me a little hesitant. From the glimpses I've had of some children's animated shows and movies over the years, it feels like a lot of them use annoying jokes, loud characters, and obnoxiously overused cliches. For me, it's the kind of stuff I think of when other people say, "It's just made for kids" because it doesn't take much to make and it doesn't use much to distract a five year old. I'm not saying this is how all modern childrens shows/movies are...but if none of them were like that, I wouldn't be mentioning it here.

     So yeah...after being subjected to various annoying kids shows during afternoons at the dentist's and the doctor's, I didn't develop a fondness for more modern stuff.

     However, when I kept seeing two interesting TV show characters appearing while browsing Etsy one day, I decided to check out a newer show. And you know what?

     I'm so glad I did!!

     The show I'm talking about, of course, is Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir or Miraculous Ladybug, created by Thomas Astruc. Combining a love of anime, comic books, and an encounter with a woman wearing a ladybug shirt, Mr. Astruc brought to life the story of two teenagers fighting crime in Paris in the form of a French-Korean animated series. And it is one of the best things to ever exist. The concept of this show is very straightforward...but there is definitely more going on than you might think.

     Our young heroes are gifted with superpowers thanks to two things: a Miraculous and a Kwami. The Miraculous is a specific object that can harbor and transfer power to its bearer but looks like something normal. For Marinette, her Miraculous is a pair of ladybug earrings and for Adrien, it's a ring with a green paw print. The Kwami is an ancient, magical entity that gives power to the Miraculous and to its bearer (Marinette's is the ladybug-like Tikki and Adrien's is the cheese-loving Plagg). A Kwami can also act as a guide of sorts, which is fortunate for our heroes considering they're still teenagers in all this!
     Their biggest enemy is Hawkmoth, a master manipulator who uses butterflies (yes, butterflies) called the akuma to do his bidding. The akuma latches on to ordinary people - generally people who feel sad or angry - and corrupts them into doing Hawkmoth's bidding. They then become super-villains who seek revenge for the wrongs done to them. In return for super powers, they have to bring back Ladybug and Cat Noir's Miraculouses, since Hawkmoth needs them to become even more powerful.
     Ladybug and Cat Noir are perfectly capable of handling Hawkmoth's minions, though, with their parkour/acrobatics, stamina, strength, and basic defense skills. While Cat Noir can easily handle a melee in the streets with his telescoping baton, Ladybug can swing through the streets of Paris using her yo-yo to take care of a crisis on the other side of town. On top of that, each has a special power endowed by their Miraculouses. Cat Noir can use his ability, Cataclysm, to destroy anything his paw touches, and Ladybug can use her ability, Lucky Charm, to create an object that will aide in the defeat of a super-villain. However, they must use their special powers carefully, for after five minutes, they will transform into their normal selves again.
     In spite of the fact that each episode has a pretty basic formula, it never gets old seeing those two transform and take down bad guys.
     The lead characters are refreshingly delightful and easy to connect with. Marinette is a clumsy but lovable girl who does right by her friends and dreams of being a fashion designer. Everyone in school knows her to be a hard-working and nice individual and she means well in everything she does. She also has strong feelings for Adrien, who she doesn't realize is her superhero partner Cat Noir. In the guise of Ladybug, she's a brave and focused hero with a spunky attitude to match.
     Adrien, though a model and the son of a fashion leader, wants to have normal connections with other people at school and is kind to everyone. His friends look up to him for advice and encouragement. He despairs at the estrangement between him and his father, and he misses his mother, who is either dead or missing (still not sure about that!).

     As Cat Noir, he's an energetic and pun-filled fighter, with a clever grin and a green glint in his eyes. In superhero form, he's in constant pursuit of Ladybug's approval and love...all the while not knowing that she's his fellow schoolmate Marinette.

     I'm sure you can see what this is leading up to.

     One of the important plot points of this show is that neither of these kids know who each other really is. As with all other superhero stories, neither Marinette nor Adrien can reveal their secret identities for the safety of their friends and family. But in everyday life, Marinette keeps summoning the courage to speak to Adrien while trying to ignore Cat Noir's flirtatious jokes. And at the same time, Adrien constantly wonders who Ladybug is and if he stands a chance with her.

     For ardent fans of Miraculous, this is the thing that keeps them up at night!

     In any other show, a love square like this might have been handled clumsily or been filled with cliches, but in this show, it works and it's very effective. Marinette and Adrien are both strong characters with established chemistry that translates well whether they're at school or fighting crime. Once you've been with them for a few episodes, they feel like friends and when you see them as superheroes, oblivious to each other's true identity, you're dying to have them find out the truth.

     There are a few other interesting aspects of this show to point out. The first is that the show doesn't begin with Marinette and Adrien discovering their superpowers. In episode one, they've already been superheroes for quite a while and it gives you an idea of how they work. It's only until the two part season finale that you see how they discovered the Miraculouses and began fighting crime. This might seem a bit confusing at first, but somehow for this show, it works better that way. By cutting to the chase in the beginning, you get to see them in action and then when you see their origin stories later, they have more of an impact on you.

     Something to note is the ingenuity used in figuring out how to defeat super-villains. With Ladybug's Lucky Charm power, it conjures a random object to help end the fight. Often, these objects are things you wouldn't think could help in any way (e.g. a towel, a tire jack, and a compact makeup mirror) and when she takes in her environment to see how to use the object, you wonder, "How on earth can this work?" But every time you see how her plan works and how the object plays into it, it's a clever little a-ha! moment. Considering some of the weird super-villains on this show (including Mr. Pigeon, the one no one talks about), our heroes do have to think outside the box on more than one occasion.

     On top of that, the super-villains involved are rather creative. Every time an akuma corrupts a person, it latches itself onto a personal possession like a smartphone, an umbrella, or even a deck of cards. Usually the object plays into the identity of the super-villain and acts as a weapon. In the case of the phone, you get Lady Wifi who travels through Paris via the wi-fi connection and uses icons like lock and pause to trap people. None of these villains are as mysterious or as powerful as Hawkmoth, but they're always entertaining to watch with their imaginative abilities and their over-the-top attacks.

     This show really is something else. It has similar aesthetics of other CGI kids shows and it does contain some cliche characters and cliche plots, but there's so much heart in this that I don't think you'd find in other kids shows. The characters are wonderful, the animation is good, and the action is fun - you really can't get much better than that (although hints about Season 2 suggest that it's about to get better!). If you need something to make your day better, I highly recommend this show (especially with the French voice cast). 

     And with that, I leave you the French trailer for Miraculous Ladybug (here) and a piece of Miraculous/Phantom of the Opera crossover art (thanks, M3!).

                                                                                                              ~Maud,
                                                                                                      Official Night Owl

We Happy Few: A Game Review

     Hello, night owls! I'm not really a gamer - I usually watch games rather than play them - but I'm still interested in games that display good story, good graphics/design, and individuality. So when I started seeing stuff about this game earlier this year, I got very excited. It's unlike anything I've ever seen or heard of and it looks to be very exciting. Though many major plot points are being concealed by the developers as they're putting the finishing touches on this piece, what is known about the story will make you anxious to dive right in.

     This is We Happy Few by Compulsion Games.

     The year is 1964 and the place is Wellington Wells, Great Britain. The welfare of this town (part of which lies in ruins) is dictated by a very simple thing - a drug called Joy. Everyone in the best parts of town takes it to feel happy and to forget about all the bad things in life. But when a redactor named Arthur Hastings goes off his Joy and becomes a "Downer", he starts to realize there's an extremely sinister past behind the present and determines to escape from Wellington Wells.

     That's merely the gist of this intriguing game. 

     We Happy Few is set in an alternative dystopian 60's Britain. Wellington Wells is an island town that was heavily affected by World War II and everything about the place - from the drug Joy to it's heavily censored environment - stems from one horrifying decision the citizens (nicknamed Wellies) made to keep the Nazis away. As of now, there's still no definite explanation as to what that decision was, but you see clues about it everywhere when you explore Wellington Wells, especially the ruinous area - the Garden District. Haunting messages and drawings are scratched on the walls and every child in an old painting has his/her face crossed out. And the mumbles of other Downers suggest that the "Victory meat" the well-to-do Wellies eat may contain very suspicious ingredients.

     In order to escape Wellington Wells, picking up on social standards and cues will be extremely important. Blending into the crowd will insure your survival, especially since you'll have to do a lot of sneaking around. In every district of Wellington Wells, there will be different expectations as to how you behave in public, especially when you get into the main village area. Everything from the words you say to the clothes you wear matter. 

     What happens if you don't blend in?

     Anyone and everyone who sees you acting suspiciously will attack you on the spot.

     You aren't completely helpless, fortunately. In this first-person game, you can put up your fists and stand your ground. However, with villagers wielding weapons like shovels, cricket bats, pipes, and nightsticks, you'll definitely want to make sure you have some similar defense.

     To blend in, you also have the option of taking a Joy pill. There are some places where you need to take Joy in order to make it past the bobbies (police) and to sneak by without causing a stir. Joy must be taken in moderation, though, since OD'ing is a danger in this game.

     In current updates and versions of the game, Arthur Hastings is the only main character present. However, at least two other characters have been said to feature into Arthur's escape.

     There is another character that has been seen and heard a lot in the game simply called Uncle Jack. Who he is exactly and what his role is in all this is still uncertain, but his face is the one you'll see all over town. 

     As of now, there has been no single villain/boss in this game. The villagers and the bobbies are the main threats so far. There has been a character that has shown up in a couple of this game's trailers, however, that appears very sinister and may prove to be a fierce foe.

     There's one final thing I should mention about this game that's very important. There are no saving points and you don't have multiple lives. Every time you play, you've got just one shot. If you're seriously injured during a melee, don't eat/drink enough, and don't sleep enough, your death will instantly restart the game. Each time you die and start over, a new layout of Wellington Wells is made as well, so you can't rely on your last try to navigate your way through this world.
     This game has come such a long way since its Kickstarter campaign back in February 2015, and Guillaume Provost and his team at Compulsion Games have put forth a lot of effort and talent to make something unique and exciting. Now, you'll get a chance to experience that! We Happy Few is being released July 2016 (yes, this month!) for Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS, and Steam. It looks so good, it might be the first game I try to play and complete!
     And if you're still undecided about this game, here's the link to their Official E3 2016 Gameplay Trailer. You'll get a glimpse of Arthur's life as well as a taste of the cool soundtrack in this amazing trailer!
     I also couldn't end this post without a special thanks to M³ for her artistic contribution. You can find her We Happy Few art and other works at M3 Art.
So there you are! Check out We Happy Few and good luck escaping Wellington Wells!

~Maud,
Official Night Owl

   

Coming Soon: Thoughts on The BFG

     Hello, night owls! On July 3rd, I got the opportunity to see Spielberg's film adaptation of Roald Dahl's The BFG. Since this Monday (currently today) falls on the 4th of July and I've been caught off guard by the festivities, there won't be a traditional post tonight. However, I do want to let you know that I will talk about The BFG film next week since the rest of this week is slotted for other things. This film hasn't done so well on its opening weekend, which makes me sad because it's a very pleasant film and a lovely adaptation of one of my favorites of Dahl's works (if you're unfamiliar with the name, he wrote Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and Fantastic Mr. Fox). 

     I guess all I have to say this Monday is go watch The BFG if you haven't already - it's a wonderful, whimsical movie - and we'll talk about it next Monday!!

                                                                                                                ~Maud,

                                                                                                        Official Night Owl

Top 10 List of Fairy Rules

     Hello, night owls! It's finally Friday, and with that, we bring our fantasy extravaganza to a close with the Top 10 List of Fairy Rules! The fairy folk are known in legend and lore to be treacherous and mischievous, so if you're short of iron or lucky clover and you're wandering alone, keep these things in mind.

1. Never wander after mysterious music. Several stories in Irish folklore talk about young men who hear beautiful music from over the hills. Suffice it to say, if you hear mysterious music, the fairies are around and you should leave before you're swept away in their dances. A few minutes in their ring might mean a few years in your world!

2. Never walk into fairy rings. We've seen them before in fairy tale illustrations - those circles of brightly colored toadstool mushrooms. A ring of mushrooms or even a circle of dark grass indicates a popular dancing spot of the fairies and stepping into one will trap you in their dance (which will have the same horrible effect as mentioned in the rule above!).

3. Be respectful and courteous. If you should happen to meet a fairy, this is the most important rule to remember. Fairies tend to be very "black or white" in judgment and even the slightest folly could be perceived as an insult. So basically be polite, be careful with your words, and all should go well.

4. Never be fooled by looks. Fairies have the ability to change form or to make themselves look beautiful and they often use these abilities for mischievous or wicked purposes. And some fairies may look fearsome or wretched, yet they can bring great fortune if you show them kindness. So remember to be kind to the mysterious horse following you a few yards away and know that the lovely lady washing clothes in the river might have an ulterior motive (in case you were wondering, a beautiful woman washing clothes in the river means someone's going to die...probably you).

5. Never give your name. Words and names are everything in the fairy world. By telling a fairy your name, you are vulnerable to being bound to spells, curses, hexes, and all other forms of enchanted enslavement. Think about using a nickname if you're caught in conversation with spirit. Or should you decide to risk giving your name to a fairy, make sure this fairy is one you can absolutely trust...you have been warned!

6. Be wary when presented with gifts. If a fairy desperately wants a new mortal plaything, he/she might try tricking you by giving you a magical gift of some sort. You probably won't be able to refuse the gift, since refusal is seen as rudeness punishable by a curse. If you can, however, you should find some way of disposing the magical, possibly hexed gift when the fairy isn't there. NOTE: if the fairy in question is benevolent or a friend, the item is probably safe and meant to help you. Just be sure you stay in that fairy's good graces!

7. Never eat or drink anything from fairyland/given by a fairy. Getting stuck in a fairy ring might trap you for years, but eating fairy food or drinking fairy wine is a first class ticket to trapping you for eternity. Because of this, it's extremely important to remember that if you plan on traveling through fairyland, you should bring your own lunch if you wish to return home. NOTE: some say that if the fairy is benevolent or a friend that it's okay to eat/drink whatever he/she gives you. This might be true, but it's a good idea not to take any chances as far as food is concerned!

8. Never thank fairies. There are many occasions in folklore where fairies will voluntarily help humans in housework, quests, and other such tasks. But the instant they are thanked - whether through words or gifts (like clothes) - they vanish! To fairies, being thanked for their actions takes out the significance of what they've done and it insults them (definitely adds a whole new meaning to the phrase "Don't mention it"). So keep in mind that if a fairy assists you in slaying a dragon or cleaning your room, think of how lucky you are and just leave it at that.

9. Never make deals with fairies. Why? For the exact same reason you wouldn't make a deal with Rumpelstiltskin - the price you have to pay may be more than you bargained for. Fairy godmothers don't work for free and assistance for a heat-of-the-moment desire may turn into a life-long payment or enslavement. On top of that, you don't want to run the risk of breaking a deal. Fairies mean their word and if you break your word, they'll break theirs before you can blink.

10. Be careful what you wish for. After I just said it was a bad idea to make deals with fairies, throwing this in might seem crazy. However, there are times when the hero needs some otherworldly assistance and in that case, this is extremely important. When you are wishing for something, spell out what you want to the letter. If you make a generic wish ("I wish I was anywhere but home!"), you create loopholes that the fairy might exploit to their advantage/your misfortune (this happens very often in folklore!). Be precise, and you should get your wish exactly as you wanted...oh, wait. There's still a price for all this. In this case, don't simply wish and wait for things to happen - negotiate your terms to reach some form of agreement. Then you'll be able to enjoy your wish without worrying about what will follow.

     And that is the Top 10 List of Fairy Rules and the end of The Night Owl Review's fantasy extravaganza! Have a great weekend and I'll see you all on Monday!!

                                                                                                     ~Maud,

                                                                                           Official Night Owl