Celebrating World Animal Day today

 

Dear Readers,

Today is World Animal Day.

Over the past century, a number of animal species have gone extinct or are on the verge of extinction. The reason in most cases is human activity that results in deforestation and other ways in which man disturbs the natural equilibrium of ecosystem.

We humans need to remember that we are also part of the ecosystem and not above it. We are all part of the same family that is Mother Nature and have a specific role to play to ensure that a healthy balance is maintained.

Let us take a pledge to remember our roots and treat our animal brethren with the respect and compassion that they richly deserve.

“All life deserves respect, dignity, and compassion. All life”

                                                                               - A.D. Williams.

Click here to read all my Nature related posts.

Image Source: Themetapicture.com

 

You might also like:

Save the Mountain Gorillas

Attenborough's Life Stories

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) Trailer - Reaction/Review

This is the third film in the series, following Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far from Home. Joining our friendly neighborhood superhero is Dr Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), who uses his powers to separate Peter Parker from Spidey. Peter is having issues from the secret identity disclosure (courtesy of Mysterio) in the previous movie and Sorcerer Supreme tries to help his fellow Avenger, against Wong's advice.

Seems Wong is right. The third movie in the MCU's Spider-Man franchise promises to be a true crossover - we see Doctor “Doc Ock” Octopus (Alfred Molina) and Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) return to harass Peter. Electro/Max Dillon (Jamie Foxx) also is listed in the IMDB credits.

The only question that remains is: Will Andrew Garfield have a cameo as well. I am sure/hoping that Tobey Maguire will be back.

Check out the trailer:

 

The trailer was ok. I found it to be mildly interesting. The only parts that piqued my interest was Willem Dafoe's return as Green Goblin. I am more excited for his return than for Doc Ock, even though we only heard Dafoe's voice. Dafoe did a great job as Aquaman's mentor and I cannot wait to see him menace Spidey once again. 

 

For the rest of the cast, the regulars are ok. Tobey Maguire's incarnation and his fellow cast continue to be my favorites and while I enjoy the ongoing MCU series, the tone is a bit off for my taste. Nevertheless, Cumberbatch is having fun and having JK Simmons and Dafoe makes the movie a must watch.

 

Fun Fact: Sam Raimi, who directed the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man trilogy, is directing the Doctor Strange sequel: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Click here to read more posts related to Marvel Comics.

Image Sources: Pascal Pictures, Marvel Studios, Columbia Pictures

You might also like:

Suicide Squad Trailer - Review

Batman: Assault on Arkham - Review

RIP Una Stubbs [1 May 1937 - 12 August 2021]

Una Stubbs, who played Mrs Hudson in BBC Sherlock passed away on 12th August.

 

She was the heart and soul of the series (sorry Martin Freeman) and enjoyed excellent chemistry with Benedict Cumberbatch in particular. Her version of Mrs Hudson is cheeky and caring - consistent with the overall tone of the show.

 

RIP.

 
Check out this tribute:

 

Click here to read all my posts about BBC Sherlock.

 

Image Sources: BBC Wales, Hartswood Films, Masterpiece Theatre

You might also like:

Canonical Nods in "The Empty Hearse"

Canonical Nods in "A Study in Pink"

Snake Eyes (2021) Trailer - Reaction/Review

Snake Eyes is one of the most popular G.I. Joe characters. The black clad ninja is one of the most recognizable and it was a matter of time before he got his own standalone movie.

 

This is the third film in the series, following G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) and G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013). The ensemble cast includes Henry Golding as the black clad ninja, Andrew Koji as the titular character's blood brother Storm Shadow, Úrsula Corberó as Baroness, Samara Weaving as Scarlett, Iko Uwais as Hard Master and Peter Mensah as Blind Master.

 
Check out the trailer:

 

 

Snake Eyes is recruited by Storm Shadow to join the Arashikage, a centuries old Japanese clan of ninjas. The clan has been protecting the world from threats and Cobra (a terrorist organization) is the latest. Snake Eyes has to pass the requisite tests to become an accepted member of the clan and join the fight.

I am not familiar with G.I. Joe lore and am not sure how much this story line is faithful to the character's mythology. As a general fan of movies, this one piqued my interest. The casting choices looks solid for the main characters. Henry Golding and Andrew Koji seem to be having fun in their roles. Úrsula Corberó is well cast as Baroness.

 

I am looking forward to watching Samara Weaving and Iko Uwais as Scarlett and Hard Master respectively. I liked Samara's performance in Ready or Not and The Raid: Redemption is one of my favorite action movies. The action sequences in the latter were amazing and the finale fight between Iko's character and his brother vs Mad Dog is a classic.

Speaking of action sequences, this movie too promises lot of fun. Hopefully, the movie will live up to the high expectations set up by this trailer and not go the route of Mortal Kombat.

 

Image Sources: Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Skydance Media, Hasbro, Di Bonaventura Pictures, Entertainment One

You might also like:

Suicide Squad Trailer - Review

Batman: Assault on Arkham - Review