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aion-rsa · 4 years ago

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Dennis ‘Des’ Nilsen is Far From David Tennant’s First Psychopath Role

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David Tennant’s transformation into serial killer Dennis Nilsen for ITV’s Des was unsettlingly convincing. It wasn’t just the physical resemblance, though under that hairstyle and behind those 1980s glasses frames, the similarity was remarkable. It was also the posture, the unwavering eye contact, and the voice; mumbling and unconcerned, listing the terrible details of Nilsen’s crimes as if reciting a recipe instead of multiple brutal murders.

As Nilsen, Tennant pulled off what every actor hopes to in a real-life role – a disappearing trick. He slid clean inside the role, leaving no trace of The Doctor, or Simon from There She Goes, or the demon Crowley, or Alec Hardy, or his funny, self-deprecating public persona. For those three hours on screen, he was nothing but Nilsen.

The role is one in a long line of on-screen psychopaths for Tennant. He might be best loved around these parts as excitable, convivial romantic hero the Tenth Doctor (who, as noted below, also had his villainous moments), but David Tennant has been playing bad guys for decades, starting with a 1995 episode of ITV police procedural The Bill…

Steven Clemens in The Bill, ‘Deadline’ (1995)

In his early 20s, David Tennant went through a rite of passage for the UK acting profession: he landed a part in The Bill. And not just any old part on The Bill, this one was a peach. Tennant wasn’t cast as some kid DC Carver caught snatching a granny’s handbag – he played psychopathic kidnapper and murderer Steven Clemens.

When 15-year-old schoolgirl Lucy Dean (an early role for Honeysuckle Weeks) was abducted after receiving threatening phone calls, the caretaker from her school was brought in for questioning. What followed was a high-stakes game of Blink between Tennant’s character and Sun Hill Station’s finest. Clemens toyed with the police, first denying responsibility and then refusing to tell them where he’d stashed Lucy. It’s a big performance, as suits the soap-like context, but even then Tennant made a good villain, revelling in his evildoing. Clemens came a cropper eventually when Lucy was found alive and the investigation linked him to the kidnap and murder of another schoolgirl. Watch the whole episode here.

Barty Crouch Jr. in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Skipping forward a decade, Tennant’s most mainstream cinematic baddie to date is Death Eater Barty Crouch Jr. in the fourth Harry Potter film. Crouch Jr. was the Voldemort supporter who engineered Harry’s entry into the Triwizard Tournament, and turned the winning trophy into a portkey that delivered Potter straight into Voldemort’s waiting arms (well, Voldemort was sort of soup at that point, but bit of magic and voila – arms!).

Crouch Jr. did all this while magically disguised as Brendan Gleeson’s character Mad-Eye Moody, so Tennant’s actual screen time in the film is pretty limited. In his few short appearances though – in a flashback to his Ministry of Magic trial and after his disguise is rumbled – Tennant makes a real impression as the unhinged, tongue-flicking baddie.

The Time Lord Victorious in Doctor Who ‘Waters of Mars’ (2009)

The majority of the time, the Tenth Doctor was a sweetie – big grin, lots of enthusiasm, two hearts full of frivolity and love. Every so often though, Ten’s genocidal, survivor-guilt past rose to the surface. Never cruel, never cowardly, no, but sometimes a bit… murdery and drunk on power.

One such occasion was his brutal extermination of the Racnoss children in Christmas special ‘The Runaway Bride’, and another was his Time Lord Victorious trip at the end of ‘Waters of Mars’. In the special, Ten changes the events of a fixed point in time to save the lives of Captain Adelaide Brooke (Lindsay Duncan) and her surviving crew, bringing them back to Earth in the TARDIS instead of leaving them to die. Realising the serious ramifications of his timeline meddling, Brooke confronts the Doctor about his arrogance, and puts the mistake right. It doesn’t take Ten long to come back to his senses, drop the god act, and realise he’s gone too far, and it’s David Tennant’s ability to convincingly play both the power-crazed god and the devastated man that makes him one of the best in the business.

Kilgrave in Jessica Jones (2015)

David Tennant played a bonafide demon from actual hell in Good Omens, the TV adaptation of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s 1990 novel, but Crowley still had nothing on his Jessica Jones character.

The first series of Marvel’s Jessica Jones on Netflix won acclaim for its depiction of a coercive, abusive relationship through a comic book fantasy lens. David Tennant was Kilgrave, a villain with the power of mind control following experiments conducted during his childhood. Instead of using his power for good (convincing people to pick up litter, be kind to animals, etc.), Kilgrave exerted his will on the world at large, bending those around him to his sick desires. When he stumbled upon super-powered private investigator Jones, he didn’t stop at using her super-strength for his own ends. Kilgrave also used his powers to keep Jones hostage and manipulate her into coerced sex. Jones’ battle to escape Kilgrave was powerfully acted by Krysten Ritter and David Tennant, who had the range to show Kilgrave’s ‘charm’ as well as his chilling megalomania.

Staged: BBC Comedy Confirms Sheen & Tennant’s Double-Act Greatness

By Louisa Mellor

Doctor Who: David Tennant reflects on his final line

By Kayti Burt

Cale Erendreich in Bad Samaritan (2018)

Director Dean Devlin followed up weather-disaster flick Geostorm with Bad Samaritan, a dark psychological thriller about a small-time crook who gets into the bad books of a wealthy sicko when he stumbles upon his dark secrets while burgling his house. Misfits’ Robert Sheehan plays the burglar, and David Tennant plays the loaded psycho whose obsession with technology earned him the nickname ‘Evil Bruce Wayne’. Cale Erendreich is a Patrick Bateman-like moneybags psycho with a sick taste in torture. Overall, the film itself isn’t a huge amount of cop, but boy, does Tennant commit.

Dr Edgar Fallon in Criminal ‘Edgar’ (2019)

Netflix’s multi-lingual European series Criminal takes the best bit of Line of Duty – the police interview scenes – and strips away everything else. Every episode has a new case, a new interviewee, a new lead actor, and a team of cops trying to break them within a limited time frame.

Kicking it all off with the first UK episode of series one (a second run is available to stream now) was David Tennant as Dr Edgar Fallon. You’ll have to watch the 42-minute episode to know whether or not Fallon is guilty of the crime about which he’s being interviewed (the rape and murder of his 14-year-old step-daughter), but Tennant is chilling and magnetic enough as the well-spoken English doctor to keep you guessing.

Dr Tom Kendrick in Deadwater Fell (2020)

When a tragedy occurs in a Scottish village, suspicion falls on those closest to the victims. David Tennant plays local GP Tom in Channel 4 drama Deadwater Fell, a four-part series available to stream on All 4, about how a small community responds to a terrible event. Is Tom really the perfect family man he appears to be, or is there something else under the surface? Without giving anything away in terms of plot, Tennant moves fluently between the roles of victim and villain in the audience’s mind as this empathetic, clever miniseries twists and turns.

Dennis Nilsen in Des (2020)

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This starring role is the culmination of years spent clocking up experience on how to unsettle on screen. As real-life Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen, David Tennant is chillingly perfect. It’s both an on-point impersonation and a disquieting performance that conjures up this peculiarly banal killer. Tennant is ably aided by co-stars Daniel Mays and Jason Watkins as, respectively, Nilsen’s arresting officer DCI Peter Jay and biographer Brian Masters. It’s a triangle of excellent actors at their best, making for a compelling three-parter.

The post Dennis ‘Des’ Nilsen is Far From David Tennant’s First Psychopath Role appeared first on Den of Geek.

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whatifitscool · 4 years ago

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Recapping the brief history of the TNT Championship – Promoting new talent or securing the legacy of Cody Rhodes?

by Tim

For the month of April 2020, AEW held another tournament in their debut year to determine who would go to the finals at the Double or Nothing PPV for the newly announced TNT Championship. Unfortunately, COVID-19 had affected promotions worldwide and forced AEW to tape multiple episodes without a live crowd, including the entirety of this tournament. Despite this, AEW still delivered their quality product and viewers were treated weekly to the joy that is professional wrestling. Demonstrating that they are the leader of the wrestling industry, AEW were the first to use their own talent to make up for the lack of crowds; a move that has since been imitated by WWE.

A mid-card title on the level of highly coveted championships like the Intercontinental Championship would potentially offer newer stars the possibilities of further exposure in AEW while simultaneously developing the competitiveness of their burgeoning mid-card. Has the introduction of the championship been a success? Has it given opportunities to younger talent? Or has it only been a showcase for Cody Rhodes?

The tournament brought together significant names in the AEW ranks who had graced our screens or were in matches on PPVs but up until that point, they had not been considered as being realistic contenders to any of AEW's then-current championships. The only exception to have competed for the AEW World Championship was Cody. Sammy Guevara, Darby Allin and Kip Sabian are dynamic additions to the AEW line up and each have considerable followings due to their efforts in the independent scene. The other competitors included veterans Dustin Rhodes, Shawn Spears, new signee Colt Cabana and perhaps the most exciting of this year's signings - Lance Archer.

Prior to the tournament taking place, Cody was forced to relinquish his ability to challenge for the AEW heavyweight title due to interference from MJF. Though this was resolved in a serviceable match, Cody would quickly meet his next challenges – firstly with the arrival of Jake Roberts. When introduced to the Dynamite faithful, Jake would deliver a cutting and scintillating promo to announce that he had a client. The man is truly a gift with words and his role as harbinger prior to the arrival of Lance Archer was inspired. Archer's introduction was as a part of the crowd with Manager Roberts. They didn't introduce him by way of a sneak attack a la Moxley (though this was amazing), Jake Hager or Proud and Powerful, to name a few. What has been consistently great about AEW's feuds is how varied they are. Where Cody has been concerned, there's almost always been a slow burn build with teases of betrayal and trials to endure, culminating with an eventual confrontation – with the way his feuds have been presented, Cody has been positioned as the baby face of the company.

Regarding the path of the eventual finalists, viewers would see Cody in a competitive match-up against Darby Allin however the weak transition from Cody taking a Coffin Drop into what looked like an attempt at a crucifix pin hurt the quality of that match's finish. A more interesting match in Cody's path to the TNT Championship final was against the reliable Shawn Spears who kicked out at the 2-count after taking two successive Cross-Rhodes finishers, only allowing his shoulders to stay on the mat for the 3-count while he was held in the Figure Four. Storyline-wise, it teased that perhaps Cody's Cross-Rhodes wasn't as effective.

Enter Lance Archer. Despite his matches going for more than 10 minutes each, the build-up of the Murderhawk as a monster was nothing short of convincing. In his match against Colt Cabana, he laughed off strikes, delivered a pounce that sent the not-diminutive Cabana across the ring before eventually carrying him from the top turnbuckle and delivering a thunderous Blackout. In his match against Dustin Rhodes, he would showcase an impressive arsenal that included power and acrobatic moves while also teasing the ineffectiveness of the Cross-Rhodes when he kicked out at 1. QT would offer to throw in the towel on Dustin's behalf before Cody would come in to offer the same, only to watch as his brother was forced unconscious by the EBD Claw.

Is Cody a fan of Rocky 4? Many have probably drawn comparisons between this feud and Stallone's classic with Cody and Dustin filling the roles of Rocky and Apollo, respectively. Especially when Cody didn’t throw in the towel and watched while his brother fell. Arguments could be made that Archer filled the role of the towering Ivan Drago, albeit with a more sadistic side as he relentlessly taunted and tormented the younger Rhodes in the lead-up to their confrontation.

Rocky 4 comparisons aside, another highlight in this feud was the meeting between their managers. Arn Anderson would memorably say to Jake Roberts, “I want you to be real limber when I Spinebuster your ass and shove your head where the sun don’t shine.” Fantastic!

With the emotional stakes raised along with the motivation to avenge his brother, the showdown was set for Double or Nothing where Cody and Archer would collide in the final to decide who would be crowned the inaugural TNT Champion. Fitting for his monster-status, Archer entered the arena by choke slamming some poor soul while accompanied by Jake Roberts. Cody entered, accompanied as always by the Head Coach of the Nightmare Family, Arn Anderson. They convincingly played this as a tough bout for Cody. Suiting his in-ring persona as the baby face, he was on the receiving end of a lot of punishment. Almost shortly after the first bell rang, Archer hit him with a Blackout. Notable highlights included when Cody pulled out the DDT on Archer. Archer later responded with a Spinebuster. Great bits of fan service for new and old fans alike. But when all was said and done, Cody won after hitting Archer with two consecutive Cross Rhodes.

It was a David vs Goliath (Rocky vs Drago) bout and although I’ve read some criticism that the match was too long for Archer, I do enjoy lengthier paced battles. The length of the match was suitable because they needed the time to tell the story, to show a physical bout, to continue selling that Archer was a believable monster and Cody had to demonstrate his resilience in order to overcome adversity and capture a championship. And when the dust settled, AEW moved on to the next storyline, which set up one of the most interesting schedules for a wrestler I’ve ever seen.

The Fighting Champion

Addressing the viewer, Cody delivered another in a line of charismatic promos drawing parallels between himself and Tom Brady and how he was never the first call. Holding up four fingers, he declared that he would turn a pace and cut a schedule like no wrestler before and issue an open challenge. Cody would like to retire by the time he’s 40 and with the pace he was talking, I couldn’t help but think of a repeated phrase in Hamilton, “why do you write like you’re running out of time”. Cody’s going through matches and maybe even storylines like he’s “running out of time.”

I’ve seen Cody deliver a promo live when he attended a show in Australia. A show he couldn’t participate in due to an injury. A show he didn’t have to attend. But he came down anyway and the audience was appreciative of him showing up. He is passionate and genuine about his love for the business and after his promo about the TNT Championship Open Challenge, I was keen to see him show – together with AEW’s roster – what they could offer bell to bell. This was not going to be shenanigans on the level of a certain 24/7 championship.

The first challenger for Cody’s TNT Championship would be Jungle Boy. This made sense based on his impressive performance against MJF at Double or Nothing. The match up was not overly long and allowed both competitors a chance to show off their skills. MJF would also factor into this match slightly when he was seen mouthing off to Jungle Boy, jealous that Jungle Boy got a title shot before he did. Cody would show colour in the match and the two later crashed through a table, leaving Arn’s jaw on the floor. Including Arn’s facial expressions in the broadcast adds to the presentation of these matches as they either tell a story or echo the audience’s reactions. Cody would win this match in 10:11 after he dropped Jungle Boy with a Cross Rhodes, spiking him somewhat in the process. Though Jungle Boy was unsuccessful, it showcased the young man’s potential. Please give him a solid singles run soon and pick up on his feud with MJF. These two clearly worked so well with each other and there’s further matches to explore with their natural chemistry.

In an interesting match-up, Private Party tag-team member Mark Quen would receive the opportunity to challenge next. Prior to AEW, I hadn’t seen anything Mark Quen had done but this kept things fresh by giving him a singles opportunity. In their debut year, AEW undoubtedly have reels upon reels of highlights and I think Quen delivering an amazing 450 splash onto Cody on the ring platform should be one of them. In the closing minutes, they also delivered a crisp reversal when Quen went for a shooting star press that was caught by Cody who immediately applied an ankle lock. Beautiful work from both and Quen would be forced to submit in 11:43. Cody had overpowered yet another competitor but allowed them some time to shine. No sooner had the show of sportsmanship ended that Jake Hager would appear, entering the ring and eventually putting hands on Arn, backing him into the corner. He would then toss Cody and powerslam him before Private Party and Matt Hardy would save him. The Inner Circle sans Jericho would also show up to help. Once the referees broke this up, Cody got on the mic and said, “Jake, I think I know what you’re asking. You want a TNT title match at Fyter? Is that what you want? You got it!” A very quick progression from the match that just finished and the announcement of their upcoming clash overshadowed the next match in Cody’s march to Fyter Fest.

That booking all but guaranteed that the next person to challenge Cody would lose. Prior to their introduction, Arn noted that the next person to challenge was checked out by him and he was someone that Cody could take it to and hone his skills. Side observation: Again, is Cody or the writers’ fans of the Rocky series? I couldn’t help but draw parallels between Arn Anderson and trainer Mickey Goldmill in Rocky 3 who was handpicking talent for the champ to fight.

This lead to the then-hottest free agent’s introduction to AEW. And it was a very organic introduction to Absolute Ricky Starks. The former NWA World Television Champion has been broke but as he declared, he has work ethic and grit and he was ready to go the distance. May I say that Ricky Starks has awesome ring entrance music? It’s so good!

During their match, a story was still being told. While AEW was demonstrating that they’d opened their doors to competitors from any promotion, there were multiple cuts to Jake Hager intently watching the match to study Cody’s moves, developing the next feud. Starks would prove a nimble and savvy competitor, scouting and preventing a Cross Rhodes attempt as well as preventing a moonsault and hitting a superplex. After they traded several pins, Cody would eventually hit a thunderous Cross Rhodes to win the match at 08:34. Though this was the shortest of Cody’s TNT title defences, Starks was enjoyable to watch. He was so impressive that he was offered a contract with AEW shortly after the conclusion of their match.

At Fyter Fest, Cody and Hager would collide in a match where there was an answer for almost every single one of Cody’s moves with the MMA specialist countering most submissions as well. No Cross Rhodes was landed during this match. I also liked Excalibur calling out the Vader Bomb with Jericho then correcting him and saying that it is the Hager Bomb. Hader Bomb? Cody also hit a beautifully delayed springboard cutter. In the closing minutes Cody would crawl to the ropes while held in an ankle lock, being slapped silly by Catalina in the process. Arn would run interference with the referee while Dustin sprinted out to engage Hager. Hager fought him off. Hager would eventually hit Cody with the uranage and apply a choke but Cody would use his weight to keep Hager’s shoulders pinned to the mat for the 3 count at 14:15. A creative way to finish, seeing Cody retain while protecting Hager as the (mostly) undefeated MMA monster that he is.

The Arrogant Champion

Storyline-wise, Cody’s character was being painted as somewhat invincible with his ability to overcome any opponent and on the 15/07/2020 episode, the signs of the overconfident champion began to creep in. This was evident in his aggressive start against Sonny Kiss and the arrogance was on display when he opted to do a set of push-ups in the ring instead of keeping his head in the game. Cody would lose control of the match and Arn would chew him out by saying, “Get your head out of your ass!” There was another great shot of an Arn reaction, wincing as he saw Sonny Kiss deliver a huge axe kick into Cody’s back. Cody missed a lot of his offence because Sonny had him scouted. This was most evident when Sonny countered out of a Cross Rhodes to deliver one of his own. Arn would later breathe a visible sigh of relief when Cody kicked out of a 450.

Not even an Alabama Slam on the entrance platform, superplex or cross face could put Sonny Kiss away and Cody’s frustration showed, arguing with referee Aubrey Edwards, yelling out after each near fall, hitting more vicious attacks and even taking the top turnbuckle cover off. After getting slapped around by Sonny, Cody eventually hit a furious Cross Rhodes to end the bout in 10:44. Despite the unsportsmanlike conduct during the match, Rhodes still had time for a hug at the end and raised Sonny Kiss’ arm in respect. A courageous effort from the Concrete Rose whose tag team with Joey Janela needs more exposure on the main show.

The following night, Eddie Kingston would make his way out to challenge for the title, delivering an incendiary promo befitting the Mad King. He is a magnetic personality and an amazing addition to AEW. During his captivating promo, he not only threatened Arn but was successful in goading Cody into a no-DQ match and there was nothing technical in what transpired next. This was presented as a brawl with Kingston bringing the aggression, at one point hitting Cody with his own weight belt. Cody was shredded by chops, rocked by body shots before he eventually got his own back, delivering a back body drop on Kingston onto the exposed concrete floor. There was a great shot where Kingston maintained eye contact with the camera while delivering two clubbing blows across Cody’s face while he was on the ropes. Perhaps showing that he is willing to sacrifice his body during this lengthy storyline as champion, Cody was on the receiving end of a power bomb onto thumbtacks. The man does not back away from showing colour or taking painful bumps. Towards the end of the match, he went back to the Figure Four to take advantage of Kingston’s compromised knee. He was slapped in the face during this attempt, slapped Kingston back in return and locked in the Figure Four forcing Kingston to tap at 11:21. Cody was victorious once more and despite the loss, Kingston was not fully vanquished as we have seen in recent weeks on Dynamite, with his sights now set on Moxley.

I initially didn’t know what to think of Warhorse as a competitor as I’d never seen him before. In fact, the first time I saw his match against Cody on 12/08/2020, I felt underwhelmed. I could see the story here where Cody’s offence had been scouted and going back to the well too many times to get the figure four locked in. On a recent re-watch of the match, I enjoyed it a lot more. Again, I don’t know much about Warhorse but I do hope he gets to come back as he is a dynamic and rocking personality. Cody as the overconfident and arrogant champion did something early on when he backed Warhorse into the corner and during the break up, he condescendingly tapped him on the chest – shades of Okada. Arn would encourage him by saying, “Don’t let your anger get in the way of your talent.” But again being the overconfident champ, Cody did the push-ups, pissing Arn right off. I noticed that a lot of the time Cody was on the attack, it was during the picture-in-picture segment – isn’t this usually reserved for heels? Is the arrogance going to give way to an eventual heel turn or was it just there to set him up for the fall?

I mentioned the “going back to the well” and in fact, the first figure four attempt was reversed by Warhorse. The second was reversed into an inside cradle. Warhorse also saw through the sunset flip and reversed that into a pin attempt. Third time was the charm and although Warhorse held onto Cody’s leg to prevent the hold from being applied, Cody would eventually lock it in and Warhorse would tap at 10:32. Because this was a guest spot and not the beginning of a contract for Warhorse, Dark Order unceremoniously kicked him out of the ring at the end. Cody would be knocked down and while Arn Anderson was preparing to fight them off, this lead to the introduction of Matt Cardona. He would deliver his Radio Silence finisher to them and it would lead to a brief reunion between these friends.

Scorpio Sky’s challenge for the title involved walking past Cody, looking at the title and looking back at Cody before nodding. No words exchanged. It was cool. It’s great that he has been freed up from the huge tag team division and has moved near-seamlessly into singles competition. He is a star already and AEW really needs to give him a solid push as a champion and this could have been the beginning of that.

Unfortunately the only memorable things from this match involved Cody embracing more douchebag tendencies like having an overflowing entourage, being announced as the “Prince of Pro Wrestling”, blowing a kiss to disapproving fans and having a lot of his offence during the picture-in-picture. Though it started as an evenly matched bout between the two, any excitement for what could happen was dulled because of how lacking this match was. There was no threat that Sky could capture the championship and it wasn’t a fair representation of what they are usually capable of. During the match, Schiavone would make the points that the work on the ribs, defending the title nearly every week and being EVP of AEW all added up to trouble for Cody. He again overcame the challenger, dropping Scorpio Sky with his second Cross Rhodes at 11:46. Sky wouldn’t accept Cody’s hand to pick him up afterwards. The tease that the two were upset with one another after the match was drowned out almost immediately by Mr Brodie Lee’s video message announcing his intention to challenge next.

“Tick tock, Cody. Time’s up!”

The Fall?

Up to this point, Cody had demonstrated his resilience. He was the first TNT Champion after overcoming the intimidating Murderhawk. He issued the open challenge and fought off all comers, turning the pace and cutting the schedule he promised. His baby face tendencies slowly changed to arrogance and being full of himself. I personally dig the push ups gag. It was a subtle detail but it slightly recalled his excellent heel work in NJPW and ROH.

After the introductions (including the “Prince of Pro Wrestling” moniker), Cody tried to get in an offensive flurry but was quickly overpowered by Mr Brodie Lee. His hubris would lead to his time being up at 3:10 on 13/08/2020 and Cody lost his TNT title.

If Arn’s face could tell the story, it’d say that this was the night when everything came crashing down. But it didn’t stop there – Cody was being stretchered out and the Dark Order brought him back to continue their assault. Arn was taken out. Cody was hit over the head with the bag containing the smashed up former TNT Title. Dustin and QT had already been disposed of. Not even Brandi was spared as Anna Jay choked her out on the entrance ramp. The Nightmare Family was dismantled in one fell swoop with the nightmarish image of the entire Dark Order standing over them. It felt like Bane had waited for his opportunity for the Batman to be weakened before taking him out in a quick and decisive victory.

Mr Brodie Lee – seen in so many of the impressive Dark Order promos, menacing in the well-articulated manner in which he spoke, the exalted one who didn’t suffer fools – finally delivered on all of the threats and squashed Cody like a jobber. This should have been the beginning of the Dark Order’s era.

Yet they were defeated by the combination of Dustin, QT, Matt Cardona and Scorpio Sky at All Out. And even though his first title defence on 09/09/2020 against Dustin was a success, taunting Cody at home via the camera by saying, “Come home, Cody!” he had one other successful title defence against Freshly Squeezed Orange Cassidy on 23/09/2020. On the same night, Cody returned to AEW after Cassidy’s defeat and fought off the Dark Order singlehandedly. Sporting black hair and a black suit, I couldn’t help but think of the return of Superman (black suit) even though he looked more like Bruce Wayne. Furious, Lee would challenge Cody to the dog collar match, which he subsequently accepted the following week.

I’ll get this out of the way first. I have never seen a dog collar match. The commentary did raise that the Roddy Piper vs Greg the Hammer Valentine dog collar match is still talked about to this day so I’ve made a note to seek it out one of these days. But I digress. What transpired on 07/10/2020 was crazy! It had everything. The story of Cody seeking to gain his self-respect and his title back. Commentary hyping up that Cody gained 14 lbs prior to this match to prepare himself for Lee. The nefarious villain Mr Brodie Lee. It had comedy in the form of Alex Silver getting clocked twice. They showed colour with Cody first getting cut up after a DDT and Lee following later in the match. There was a huge package piledriver through a table next to the ring. Cody would also hit his moonsault off the top rope. The drama was created when Lee kicked out of the Cross Rhodes at the 1 count. The attacks utilising the dog collar and chain combo were creative. I’ve never seen Cody use the Final Cut move but it was great in story as he was pulling out all the stops. The combination of wrapping the chain around the mouth, eyes and face of Lee followed by the Cross Rhodes would finally put Lee out for the 3 count and Cody won at 20:26. This match qualified as one of the best matches that Cody (and Mr Brodie Lee) had delivered in AEW. It is memorable in so many ways.

But I find that I’m somewhat torn about this title match. After months of anticipation and prior to his debut in AEW, Mr Brodie Lee was revealed to the Exalted One of the Dark Order. He quickly went into contention for the AEW heavyweight championship at Double or Nothing before he was choked out by Moxley. Though he was killed off as a threat to Moxley and he has left that picture for the time being, it seemed fitting that he’d be the best choice to take out Cody and bring in a new era as the TNT champion. His devastating squashing of Cody in their first match was awesome to see because it finally switched things up and Cody didn’t overcome yet another giant. And because he was such a monster, why would he have difficulties in taking on Dustin and to an extent, Orange Cassidy? With Mr Lee holding onto the title for just under 2 months, it feels like an opportunity wasted for more fun with the Dark Order and if they could have made his title reign a little longer, Cody’s clawing back to the TNT Championship picture would’ve felt more earned. It felt like outside of AEW, Cody needed a break and Brodie Lee was simply the transitional champion while waiting for him to return.

What’s next?

Has the TNT Championship been a success in shining the spotlight on AEW’s burgeoning mid-card? To a great extent, yes. With Cody being a natural and experienced talent in the ring, he was one of the best to act as the conduit to give opportunities to talents like Jungle Boy or to give, up until that point, traditionally tag team competitors like Mark Quen and Scorpio Sky a storyline chance for gold. The TNT Championship also attracted independent talents like Ricky Starks and Warhorse. It also introduced Eddie Kingston and showed Sonny Kiss’ competitiveness – two of my favourite matches in Cody’s list of defences of the title. My only complaint would be that the quality of those matches didn’t match the ones on PPV against people with more experience and exposure due to having worked in either NJPW or WWE.

Has it given the newer stars more opportunities to shine though? That’s where it gets murkier. While Jungle Boy and Quen were the first two challengers, they’ve mostly been returned to tag team work, which is a shame. Especially so in Jungle Boy’s case who, in time, I think will have a number of instant classic matches with MJF. I can see those two perfecting their in-ring styles and creating a series of matches on the level of Steamboat vs Flair.

Sonny Kiss and Jake Hager have also been relegated to mostly tag team duties. Sky appears to be trapped on AEW Dark where he’s in a feud against Shawn Spears. I feel that Sky should stay on Dynamite so he gets more opportunities; he was the first man to pin Le Champion so they should have been pushing him hard. Starks is gifted on the mic and his rivalry with Darby Allin could yield some great results if they give them time to work. Sadly, Warhorse hasn’t come back to show why he rules ass.

While Archer, Lee and Kingston have been or are currently in the heavyweight picture, this is to be expected based on their reliability and bankability as stars.

Though the TNT Championship has given newer stars some opportunities, it’s largely been a storyline device centred on Cody as a champion. Fun Rocky influences aside, it’s been good to see the character work from him on a near weekly basis. As we’ve seen, he’s been a fighting champion, an arrogant champion and set up a classic scenario where his pride lead to his downfall and as the hero, he had to rise up and overcome the villain. He has mused that it is romantic that he can’t challenge for the heavyweight title but with his intention to move to the heavyweight division, it could be nearing time on him closing this chapter to let the newer stars fight it out for the title. His gains have been mentioned more than once on Dynamite and given that he had a 20-minute time limit draw with Orange Cassidy on 14/10/2020, it makes sense that their rematch could be where Cody will drop the belt to Cassidy who is red hot right now and transition to the next challenge.

I have to say that I’ve appreciated this approach to the title as a storyline device instead of a monthly or quarterly feud (e.g. where one challenger is the perpetual thorn in the side of the champion until they get a title shot at the next PPV). I’ve just recapped almost 5 months of a championship mostly focused around one wrestler. While newer talents have gotten some more exposure on TV, this has also served as a great introduction to a new title. It might also be the crowning achievement in Cody’s legacy as he was the first holder of this title reminding people that you don’t have to be the first call to make something of yourself. It’s an underdog story and the choices in who he tangled with also showed that these talents may not have been the first call either but they certainly have the skills to be in AEW and on a show that regularly beats WWE’s NXT in the ratings every Wednesday.

Will people remember Cody’s reign as the inaugural champion (and third)? It’s a case of we’ll have to wait and see. But if you appreciate underdog hero stories (with shades of Rocky thrown in), then maybe you will be remembering the beginnings of the TNT Championship fondly in coming years and what it has done in developing the stars of tomorrow. I can’t wait to see what Year 2 of AEW brings us.

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papermoonloveslucy · 5 years ago

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ELLIS IN FREEDOMLAND

Spring 1952

Directed by Abby Berlin Produced by Roland D. Reed Written by Arthur Hoerl Music by Albert Colombo Choreography by Alex Romero

Synopsis ~ A 82 minute, technicolor promotional film for salesmen of Westinghouse appliances, featuring the voices of major Hollywood celebrities. Westinghouse claims its electric appliances "freed women from the drudgery of housework." The first half involves dream salesman Ellis at work; the second focuses on the "Spring Sales Event," called "Freedomland."

Westinghouse Electric Corporation was founded on January 8, 1886 by George Westinghouse (1846–1914). The corporation purchased CBS in 1995.

Live Cast

Robert Rockwell (Ellis Homan) is probably best remembered as biology teacher Mr. Boynton on the Desilu series “Our Miss Brooks” (1952-56). Although not the first to play Mr. Boynton, he assumed the role on radio and made the transition with the show to television. He played Viv’s handsome match in “Lucy Digs Up a Date” (TLS S1;E2) the second installment of “The Lucy Show” in 1962. He then played night school teacher Jack Scott in “The Not-So-Popular Mechanics” (HL S5;E23). He continued working until 1995 and died in 2003 at age 82.

Robert Carson (Phil Pryor, Westinghouse Representative) was a busy Canadian-born character actor who appeared on six episodes of “The Lucy Show” and made five appearance on “Here’s Lucy.”

Byron Foulger (Andy, Night Watchman) played the leader of the Friends of the Friendless in “Lucy’s Last Birthday” (ILL S2;E25). He appeared on “The Lucy Show” in “My Fair Lucy” (TLS S3;E20) and “Lucy Meets the Law” (TLS S5;E19).

Ann O'Neal (Customer in Mink) appeared in more than 100 films in the 1940s including the Lucille Ball film Lover Come Back (1946).

Betty Furness (Herself, Spokeswoman for Westinghouse) was an actress and model who became the face and voice of Westinghouse in many television commercials. When “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” was sponsored by Westinghouse, Furness appeared with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in commercials for their products.

The Starlighters (Vocals) was a singing group that performed mainly as backing vocalists, frequently backing Jo Stafford as well as many other artists on a number of singles. They also performed songs in cartoon and live short films and the feature films Song of Idaho (1948) and With a Song in My Heart (1952).

Voice Cast

Lucille Ball (Lina the Laundromat) was then filming the second half of her first season of “I Love Lucy” playing Lucy Ricardo, although her voice alone was familiar to radio audiences as Liz Cooper in “My Favorite Husband.”

Edward Arnold (Speedy the Range) lends his deep baritone voice to the role. He appeared with Lucille Ball in Roman Scandals (1933) and Ziegfeld Follies (1945). He died in 1956.

James Mason (Frosty the Refrigerator) was a three time Oscar-nominee who appeared as Lucille Ball’s Angel in Forever Darling (1956).

Percy Kilbride (Drip the Dehumidifier) was best remembered as Pa Kettle in a series of films from 1947 to 1954.

Jerry Colonna (Chop-Along Waste-Away the Garbage Disposal) was a comic sidekick of Bob Hope on radio and television. In 1966 he played Smithers, Lucille Ball’s chauffeur on “Bob Hope’s Leading Ladies”.

Andy Devine (Lanky the Water Heater) brought his high-pitched raspy voice to the film. He was known for his many appearances in westerns on both the small and big screen.

Marie Wilson (Dinah the Dryer) is best known for playing the title role in the film and television series “My Friend Irma”. Later in 1952, Wilson and Lucille Ball were both part of “Stars in the Eye” celebrating the opening of CBS Television Center. Coincidentally, Gale Gordon’s mother Gloria was also in “My Friend Irma” and on “The Lucy Show” Mr. Mooney’s off-screen wife was named Irma in her honor.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Pearly the Dishwasher) played Jane in the early Tarzan films. Her career lasted from 1930 to 1994. In 1987, Lucille Ball and O’Sullivan were two of the many stars in “Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood”.

Mannequins

Jack Mulhall appeared with Lucille Ball in Broadway Bill (1934).

Alan Hale Jr. (Hunter) will forever be remembered as the Skipper on “Gilligan’s Island” but also appeared with Lucille Ball on “The Lucy Show” and “Here’s Lucy”.

Iron Eyes Cody (Chief Running Water) made a career of playing Native American characters despite the fact that he was of Italian ancestry. He first worked with Lucy and Desi in 1940’s Too Many Girls and 1942’s Valley of the Sun both as an Indian character. He played an Eskimo in a 1959 episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour,” but is probably best remembered as the Indian that sheds a single tear in the ‘Keep America Beautiful’ ads that ran from 1971 to the 1980s. He played a Navajo Medicine Man in “Lucy and the Indian Chief” (HL S2;E3).

Willie Best (Chauffeur) was one of the most popular African-American actors of Hollywood's Golden Era. He starred alongside some of film's great comedians including the Marx Brothers, Bob Hope, Laurel and Hardy, and three films with Shirley Temple. He did one film with Lucille Ball: Muss ‘em Up (1936).

Karen Sharpe appeared on the “Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse” in 1959.

Mickey Simpson appeared with Lucille Ball in the 1939 film Panama Lady.

Anthony Sydes (Bobby, the Boy in Buster Brown Outfit) was 8 years old at the time of filming. He left the business in 1958 and died in 2015 at age 74.

With...

Lisa Abbott, Mildred Coles, Richard Crane, Nancy Hadley, Noreen Michaels, Crystal Reeves, Darla Ridgeway, Anne Rubin, Carol Lowe, Frances Zucco

Uncredited Cast

Ralph Brooks (Stove Demonstrator) appeared in four films with Lucille Ball, as well as “The Lucy-Desi Milton Berle Special” and “Lucy Goes to Las Vegas” (TLS S3;E17).

Sam Harris (Showroom Guest) did a dozen films with Lucille Ball before appearing in the audience of Over the Teacups in “Ethel’s Birthday” (ILL S4;E8) and playing a subway passenger in “Lucy and the Loving Cup” (ILL S6;E12). In between, he was a wedding guest in Lucy and Desi’s film Forever Darling (1956). Along with Monty O'Grady and Murray Pollack, he was in the airport when “The Ricardos Go to Japan” in 1959.

Stuart Holmes (Showroom Guest) appeared with Lucille Ball in Lover Come Back (1946) and Critic’s Choice (1963).

Hans Moebus (Washer / Dryer Demonstrator) appeared as an uncredited background performer in hundreds of movies and TV shows, including the Lucille Ball films DuBarry Was a Lady (1943), A Woman of Distinction (1950) and The Facts of Life (1960). He was seen on the dock during the “I Love Lucy” episode “Bon Voyage” (ILL S5;E13) and part of the riverboat chorus in “Lucy Meets Arthur Godfrey” (TLS S3;E23).

Charles Sherlock (Television Viewer) appeared in three feature films with Lucille Ball from 1935 to 1963.

PART ONE - DON’T MEET COMPETITION, MAKE IT!

Westinghouse Rep Phil Pryer meets salesman Ellis Homan at his office on the department store showroom. Ellis tells Phil about the time he dozed off at his desk and the mannequins came to life: menswear, formal wear, beach wear, and (inexplicably) an American Indian in full regalia. Frosty the Refrigerator (James Mason) gets Ellis’ attention to demonstrate his frost-free features, as well as his unique butter tray and meat keeper.

Ellis then has a conversation with Speedy the Electric Range (Edward Arnold) about all its features. Ellis even makes coffee and cookies for Mabel, a mannequin standing in for a ‘prospect’.

MABEL: “Ellis, you’re cute. I wish you were a dummy.”

Ellis then has a chat with Pearly the Dishwasher (Maureen O’Sullivan) and Chop-Along Waste-Away the Garbage Disposal (Jerry Colonna), who sings during his demonstration.

Lanky the Water Heater (Andy Devine) is upset because no one pays him much attention. Pearly draws Ellis’s attention to the drip who has shown up in the showroom lately, the Dehumidifier (Percy Kilbride) who promises to rid homes of damaging dampness.

Chiming in (literally) Lina the Laundromat (Lucille Ball) and Dinah the Dryer (Marie Wilson) sing their greeting. Known as ‘The Westinghouse Twins’, they often finish each others’ sentences and speak at the same time - all in aid of showing that they are a perfect freedom-fighting duo in a home. Ellis demonstrates a typical wash cycle.

PART TWO - FREEDOM FAIR

Back in the present, Phil tells Ellis that Westinghouse is sponsoring radio and television coverage of the summer’s 1952 Republican and Democratic conventions, with ‘Get Out the Vote’ programs to follow. In the meantime, Phil tells Ellis about the big Spring Selling Event - Freedom Fair. The event will be rolled out in the April 11, 1952 issue of Life Magazine and the April 16, 1952 issue of the Saturday Evening Post. On television, it will be announced by Betty Furness on “Studio One”.

After Phil leaves, the scene changes to a typical suburban couple’s bedroom where the morning alarm has just gone off. The bedraggled housewife dances through the home trying to get ready for the day ahead - despite the fact that she does not have any time-saving Westinghouse electric appliances. As the harried husband downs a quick cup of coffee and dashes off to work, the song begins (with offscreen vocals by the Starlighters) and the frustrated housewife realizes just how much work she has ahead of her to clean her home. Just then an ethereal voice sings the name “Westinghouse! Westinghouse!” and there is suddenly a handsome young salesman ringing her doorbell. He sings:

“They say that Lincoln freed the slaves, With that I disagree. Women have been slaves for years Till Westinghouse set them free!”

He whisks her away to ‘Westinghousewives’ Heaven’ where all the products we previously saw demonstrated are extolled in joyous song, some even have angel wings! The housewife (still in her curlers and pajamas) ducks behind a cloud and is suddenly revealed in a diaphanous white gown complete with apron! Amid a large group of ballet dancers, the Westinghousewife and Salesman dance in blissful happiness.

At the last moment the Starlighters appear and sing to us about Westinghouse, while the dancers swirl merrily around the May Pole!

Stereotypes

This film is obviously aimed at a male sales force. All the ‘prospects’ are assumed to be female and referred to in such terms as “the little lady”. The female mannequins are only interested in Ellis as romantic partners. Clearly, housewives were the main target of male salesmen.

The film also presents a stereotypical black chauffeur, the only person of color in the cast. The actor is asked to pull comical faces that make him appear silly - the source of humor

“Mmmm. There’s gonna be a watermelon missin’, ‘round here.”

Needless to say, that an American Indian chasing a scantily clad Caucasian woman around the store plays on stereotypical images of predatory Native Americans. The actor playing the Chief is Iron Eyes Cody, who, despite his name, was born Espera Oscar de Corti, an Italian-American. When trying to communicate all he says is “Ugg!”

Homosexuals don’t escape either. A man with an effeminate manner and lisping voice wearing a coonskin cap swishes in to say “Hello, Fellas” with a toss of the raccoon tail he swans off. The two men in suits look uncomfortable and deny knowing him.

Voice casting reflects gender stereotypes of the time. Cooling and heating appliances are voiced by men while washing appliances are voiced by women.

Trivia

Lucille Ball’s participation in this film may have influenced or been influenced by the fact that for the first season of “I Love Lucy” Lucy Ricardo had a 1951 Westinghouse Frost-Free refrigerator in her kitchen - very similar to “Frosty” - the model shown here in the film. It was widely promoted in print publications and on TV during 1951. Previously, the freezer cabinet had to be thawed manually when frost and ice built up in and around it.

LUCY: “Didn’t you watch the conventions on television?”

Phil tells Ellis that Westinghouse will take out extensive advertising on radio and TV during the Conventions. In July 1952 both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions were televised live from Chicago. Although the conventions were also televised in 1948, few Americans owned a TV set to watch them. This time, an estimated 70 million voters watched the broadcasts, which ended with the nominations of Adlai Stevenson II and Dwight D. Eisenhower. There is a popular myth that Stevenson lost the election because of backlash from interrupting airings of “I Love Lucy” with hour-long campaign ads. Perhaps from Westinghouse? The conventions were mentioned on “I Love Lucy” (appropriately) in “The Club Election” (ILL S2;E19) which aired in February 1953. However, it was filmed in September 1952, when the reference would have been much more timely. By the time it eventually aired, Eisenhower had been inaugurated and the conventions were a distant memory.

Distribution: Who Saw It - The film series reached 25,000 dealers in 75 cities in a single week. Released in Technicolor and in 16mm. Longest of four dealer promotion films in a two-hour series produced to promote Westinghouse home appliances.

The wall calendar above Ellis’s desk matches the calendar for January 1952, which was likely the filming date. The calendar depicts a loaf of bread with the brand name redacted for filming. On the table close to the bottom of the frame are copies of Life Magazine. Later on, Ellis makes instant coffee from a jar labeled Maxwell House Coffee, although the dish washing detergent and the food in the fridge are obviously props with no brand identification. The laundry soap, however, is clearly labelled ‘All’ but is not in their usual bright colored packaging.

Blooper Alerts!

Dates! Phil tells Ellis that Freedom Fair will be announced in the April 11 issue of Life. However, the issue is actually dated April 7, 1952, not April 11. Interestingly, copies of Life Magazine are used as set decoration in Ellis’s office. Similarly, the April 16 edition of the Saturday Evening Post is really dated April 12.

Weather Forecast! The put-upon housewife at the end of the film realizes her wash is still on the line when there is a sudden cloudburst (she does not own an electric dryer). The next moment, she answers the door to the Westinghouse Salesman and it is a clear day. Not really a blooper, just an indication that Westinghouse makes a rainy day into a sunny one - at least in the movies!

Fast Forward!

“Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse” was a television anthology series produced by Desilu Productions. The show ran on CBS between 1958 and 1960. Two of its 48 episodes served as pilots for the 1950s television series “The Twilight Zone” and “The Untouchables.” It also presented 11 of the 13 episodes of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” after its initial sponsorship by Ford.

In joining forces with Desilu, Westinghouse canceled their other anthology series “Studio One” which ran on CBS from 1948 to 1958.

To kick off the partnership between Desilu and Westinghouse, a similar film (informally titled “Lucy Buys Westinghouse”) was produced which depicted Lucy and Desi giving a Westinghouse Executive a tour of their studio, formerly RKO. All through the tour, much to the dismay of Desi, Lucy is trying to order appliances for her dressing room from the executive! At the end, Lucy appears inside a Westinghouse dryer - hiding from Desi! Like Ellis in Freedomland, this film was only shown to Westinghouse employees. Unlike Ellis, it was filmed in black and white - only later colorized for home video. Throughout the film, Desi mispronounces the company’s name as “Westin-Gouse” and its spokesperson as Betty “Furnace”.

During that time, the cast often did long-form commercials for Westinghouse. Here, Betty Furness and Vivian Vance join Lucille Ball to talk about the 1959 Westinghouse washing machine, the same type of appliance Ball voiced in this film seven years earlier.

Naturally, during this period Lucy Ricardo had the most up-to-date Westinghouse appliances in her Westport home. Like this two-toned refrigerator and freezer.

Back in New York City, the Ricardos owned a Westinghouse Clock Radio!

The Handy Dandy vacuum cleaner was actually a Westinghouse model!

In 1954, Lucy made breakfast with her Westinghouse "Grill-n-Waffler" Waffle Iron - if only she can remember to pay the electricity bill, that is!

Lucy squeezes oranges for juice with her Westinghouse Model #FM-511 Food Crafter with juicer attachment (sold separately).

Lucy owned two different models of the Westinghouse Commander Super-Corox Range. This 1950 model was used during season one...

...and this 1954 Model on a later season. It looks similar to the 1950 model, but the controls have a different layout.

In 1953, ownership of a washing machine was a point of contention between the Ricardos and Mertzes. The appliance used in the episode is labeled Epernay (a fictional brand). In actuality, it is probably a Launderall Horton 500 with gas stove handles affixed to the sides to help move it back and forth on the narrow porch.

Lucy uses the washing machine (a lot!) in Yours, Mine and Ours (1968). It is impossible to see what brand it is.

Coincidentally, in April 1952, “I Love Lucy” did an episode titled “The Freezer” (ILL S1;E29) where Lucy and Ethel want to buy a home freezer to economize, but end up buying a walk-in model instead. In Jess Oppenheimer’s book, he states that newspapers and magazines were full of ads for home freezers at the time. Once they came up with the idea of Lucy getting trapped in the freezer, they had to abandon the home freezer idea for a larger, walk-in model.

In 1966, a TV musical titled “Evening Primrose” with music by Stephen Sondheim and a book by George Furth, also explored the idea of department store mannequins coming to life. Anthony Perkins starred.

The idea of anthropomorphized laundry room appliances was also explored in the 2004 Broadway musical Caroline, or Change, in which actors played embodiment of the Washing Machine and the Dryer. A revival of the musical was on track for Broadway but interrupted by the Corona Virus pandemic.

In 1987, the film Mannequin starring Andrew McCarthy and Kim Cattrall also explored the idea of department store mannequin coming to life. It was partly based on the 1948 film One Touch of Venus, although in that film, the mannequin was a statue.

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cinemasnob412 · 6 years ago

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The Definitive Surviving Girls Of FRIDAY THE 13TH

Inspired by an article featured on VHSRevival.com I’ve decided to compile what I consider to be the definitive ranking of the FRIDAY THE 13TH series’s “final girls”. If you’re not well versed into what makes a slasher film “final girl” so special let’s break it down in simple terms: she’s gotta be the smart one, the “pure” one and in a perfect world would go head to head with the big baddie during the film’s finale, ultimately coming out on top, but not successful enough to make it through a sequel. With the ground rules set, here’s a look at the FRIDAY THE 13TH films’ worst to best “final girls”. Warning, there may be spoilers to follow.

12 - Amanda Righetti - Whitney - FRIDAY THE 13TH (2009)

I’ve never kept it a secret just how much I dislike any FRIDAY THE 13TH film post-Paramount. 2009′s reboot has a few good things going for it: Julianna Guill and a pretty aggressive Jason Voorhees (Derek Mears). In all reality they’re about the only two positives I can come up with off the top of my head. What it’s lacking though is what really made the original set of FRIDAY THE 13TH films so enjoyable. Marcus Nispel’s film leans more into TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE territory than it does FRIDAY THE 13TH. It’s also short on a likable and true to form “final girl”. Righetti’s Whitney character, while by all accounts is the smart and “pure” one, is too reliant on her co-star Jared Padalecki’s Clay character to be considered Jason’s nemesis this go-round.

11 - Lexa Doig - Rowan LaFontaine - JASON X (2002)

New Line Cinema’s entries into the FRIDAY THE 13TH cannon are my least favorite of the bunch. Along with JASON GOES TO HELL: THE FINAL FRIDAY, 2002′s JASON X feels almost nothing like a Jason Voorhees vehicle. Too bad for Lexa Doig, whose Rowan LaFontaine character exhibits all the “final girl” traits, but does so in a pretty terrible film.

10 - Monica Keena - Lori Campbell - FREDDY VS. JASON (2003)

Monica Keena’s Lori Campbell character is really unnecessary in a film like FREDDY VS. JASON. If Jason was going to have an adversary to challenge him throughout the film’s final reel it needs only be Freddy Krueger (Robert England) right? Final girl fail!

9 - Kari Keegan - Jessica Kimble - JASON GOES TO HELL: THE FINAL FRIDAY (1993)

Adam Marcus’s JASON GOES TO HELL: THE FINAL FRIDAY is not even a true FRIDAY THE 13TH film in name. It sure as hell isn’t a true FRIDAY THE 13TH film in content either. With body-swapping, newly revealed Voorhees bloodline ties and not a teenager in sight, JASON GOES TO HELL: THE FINAL FRIDAY is just a complete mess. Kari Keegan’s Jessica Kimble character, like the film she appears in, is a “final girl” by default only (she’s the last girl standing, so I guess that makes her pretty “final”). Her contributions to the “final girl” club are minimal. I guess she does get to stab Jason in the chest with a medieval dagger, that’s pretty cool, right? No!

8 - Jensen Daggett - Rennie Wickham - FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VIII: JASON TAKES MANHATTAN (1989)

Ah! Finally, the Paramount Pictures contributions to the Voorhees legacy. 1989′s FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VIII: JASON TAKES MANHATTAN is easily the weakest of the first eight films, as is the “final girl” character of Rennie Wickham (Jensen Daggett). She dresses like a forty year old mom who’s given up on life, is more of a fragile character than usually required to be an imposing, and victorious “final girl”. It’s not all Daggett’s fault. In reality she's ultimately a victim of lousy writing and poor creative choices by the film’s director, Rob Hedden.

7 - Adrienne King - Alice Hardy - FRIDAY THE 13TH (1980)

FRIDAY THE 13TH purists may cry foul with this one. Hear me out. As a die hard fan I love Adrienne King’s Alice Hardy. She’s the perfect “final girl”. The only real drawback to her character is that she never gets to actually go toe to toe with Jason Voorhees. In fact, the one and only time (not counting the first film’s dream sequence finale) she comes face to face with Mr. Voorhees (in 1981′s FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2) she takes an ice pick to the temple! Her “final girl” days were over at that point.

6 - Lar Park Lincoln - Tina Shepard - FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD (1988)

In 1987 when Paramount Pictures and New Line Cinema couldn’t come to an amicable agreement on potentially featuring both of their marquee horror icons in one film, Paramount forged on with another “versus” idea. Jason versus “the new blood” (I guess that’s what they meant by that title) Tina Shephard (Lar Park Lincoln). Tina fits the mold of the “final girl” perfectly. Add to that fact that she also comes equipped with almost supernatural, telekinetic powers, and old Jason was in for one heck of a showdown in his sixth outing, and the seventh overall FRIDAY THE 13TH film.

5 - Kimberly Beck - Trish Jarvis - FRIDAY THE 13TH - THE FINAL CHAPTER (1984)

Ask me now, ask me in one hundred years, what is the best FRIDAY THE 13TH film? Hands down, 1984′s FRIDAY THE 13TH - THE FINAL CHAPTER. Joe Zito’s film has everything the series has come to be known and loved for. In the fourth entry, Kimberly Beck’s Trish Jarvis, along with her younger brother Tommy (Corey Feldman) put a (temporary) end to the hockey masked killer. Trish is fierce and just as brutal with old Jason as he is with her. She protects her brother, faces her fears head on and ultimately holds her own quite well against Crystal Lake’s most famous resident.

4 - Dana Kimmell - Chris Higgins - FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 3 - 3D (1982)

By 1982, the slasher genre’s “final girl” had become well defined. The third FRIDAY THE 13TH entry runs with that established characterization with no hesitation. Dana Kimmell’s Chris Higgins not only finds herself alone, one on one with the seemingly unstoppable force that is Jason Voorhees, but the film, halfway through clues us in that she’s sort of been through this before, having had an encounter with Jason in her younger days that she can’t quite completely recall. Maybe it was her earlier experience with Jason that prepped her for her Higgins’ Haven redux. She hangs the big fella, whacks him in the back of the noggin with a log and a shovel, stabs him in the leg and even tattoos him in the dome with a full on swing of an ax. She thinks and works quickly, constantly keeping herself one step ahead of Jason throughout the entire final reel of the film. Kimmell’s “final girl” would definitely top the list if it were not for our final three candidates.

3 - Jennifer Cooke - Megan Garris - FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VI: JASON LIVES (1986)

Jennifer Cooke’s Megan Garris character is not so much a “final girl” as much as she’s the partner in crime with the sixth film’s “final guy” Tommy Jarvis (Thom Mathews). Why so high on the list then? For starters she’s hot. That counts for something, right? Seriously though, she’s one tough cookie. Not content with just going along for the ride, Megan helps Tommy along the way, compiling all the necessities to return Jason to his watery grave once and for all (?). She even steps in to save the day when Jason gets the best of Tommy during the film’s finale, on the water Crystal Lake fight scene. Just as Dana Kimmell’s Chris Higgins character did in the third film, Megan leaves a permanent mark on Jason’s infamous hockey mask (thanks to her quick thinking and a readily available boat propeller), something that would visually define Jason’s trademark mask throughout the seventh film.

2 - Melanie Kinnaman - Pam Roberts - FRIDAY THE 13TH PART V: A NEW BEGINNING (1985)

I know what you’re thinking. “But Pam never fought Jason, she fought the impostor, Roy”. Well, factually speaking you’d be right. And if you took what I said about Adrienne King early and applied it here, then theoretically Melanie Kinnaman’s Pam Roberts should also be lower on the list. I say you’re wrong though. Kinnaman’s final showdown with Roy (Jason impostor or not) is the stuff of FRIDAY THE 13TH legend. She’s tough, protective of her younger costar (similar to Kimberly Beck in FRIDAY THE 13TH - THE FINAL CHAPTER) Reggie (Shavar Ross) and aggressive when it comes to taking on the masked murderer intent on putting an end to her. She wields a chainsaw for Pete’s sake! Plus, let’s not forget she looks pretty darn good doing all of this!

1 - Amy Steel - Ginny Field - FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2 (1981)

Amy Steel’s Ginny Field is one bad ass chick! Her showdown with Jason is pretty standard fare when you stack it up against the others in the series. What sets her apart though is her quick thinking and use of psychology to take on Jason when the chips are down. Tricking Jason into thinking she’s his beloved mother by donning her rotten sweater in an effort to strike the death blow on the confused Voorhees may have worked had it not been for one false move. No biggie though, she still lays the smack down on him by way of a machete in the shoulder blade that not only saves herself, but her boyfriend Paul Holt as well, who is in a life or death struggle with the maniac until she lands the fateful whack. Like the character of Tommy Jarvis in the later films, it would have been great to see the Ginny Field character return to do battle with Jason again. Amy Steel has talked about her willingness to return to the series, so maybe, fingers crossed, us fans will one day see the return of the greatest “final girl” in FRIDAY THE 13TH history. A boy can hope!

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edgeofthedales · 6 years ago

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A short birthday tribute to Robert Hardy

A little over a year ago today, Robert Hardy passed away at the age of 91. Had he lived, today would have been his 93th birthday.

(Image credit: The Stage)

Having only become aware of his work late last year, I know there are fans who are far more knowledgeable about his life and work and who could give a much more comprehensive analysis of his life and work. So, this essay will not be that.

Instead, I’d like to talk about what makes him stand out to me.

I actually had been introduced to him many years ago in the film adaptation of Jane Austin’s Sense and Sensibility. Hardy played Sir John Middleton, a kindly if boisterous member of the local gentry who shows compassion to the Dashwood sisters and whose first appearance onscreen involves having a pack of dogs travel with him in his carriage (shades of things to come, for me….). At the time, he mainly stayed in the sidelines for me although that was only because he was one in a cast of wonderful actors within a superb period film.

(Image credit: Frock Flicks)

Back then, I was rather ambivalent to period dramas and even more so to romantically themed ones, but Sense and Sensibility won me over with the high caliber of acting and film-making…of which Hardy certainly played a role.

It wasn’t until years later though, that he actually caught my eye in one of the roles he was probably best known for: Siegfried Farnon on All Creatures Great and Small.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

I had enjoyed the James Herriot books immensely when I was a teenager, but never thought to seek out the TV series until late last year. Originally, it was because I had recently became interested in Peter Davison’s work, first on Doctor Who and then on the vintage mystery series, Campion. Thus, I had fully expected to enjoy All Creatures if only to re-acquaint myself with Herriot’s charming stories and enjoy one of Davison’s most popular roles.

What I didn’t expect was how quickly I became intrigued with Hardy’s Siegfried Farnon. I remembered Siegfried as an explosive, eccentric and yet compassionate character from the books. Hardy, however, gave him even more depth on the TV series. Siegfried became hypocritical and yet charming, temperamental and yet loyal, whimsical and yet possessing sharp, clever mind.

Hardy did not shy away one inch from Siegfried’s flaws and instead showed us how those flaws were simply part of the ultimately warm, kind-hearted and yet complex person that Siegfried was. We wouldn’t want Siegfried to change who he was one bit, flaws and all, and it takes a true acting gift to bring a character like that to life while maintaining that careful balance of shortcomings and noble qualities.

Hardy also did plenty of other things besides All Creatures, of course. One thing that I enjoyed in particular was how he made use of his voice for readings and audio plays. Hardy uses pauses, changes in tone and pitch to add interest to his readings of works like H.G Wells’ The Time Machine. I would love to hear how he handed Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories, but sadly, have not come across any of his audio-book readings.

Speaking of Holmes, Hardy did manage to have one role on the Granada adaptations of the Holmes stories: that of Sir Charles Milverton from the story, The Master Blackmailer. The episode is one of the longest in the Granada series for the short stories, and honestly, I can understand the temptation to spend more time with this one. Hardy makes Milverton an absolutely terrible character: condescending, odious, callous and smarmy. He doesn’t resort to the clichéd mustache-twirling techniques too many use when crafting truly evil villains. He doesn’t have to. There is an edge of danger to his Milverton that comes through despite his lack of making few direct threats.

(Image credit: I hear of Sherlock)

In fact, I think this is something that Hardy excelled at. Many of the characters he played, be they heroes or villains, were often a perfect blend of charm and menace. The mix ensured that his good guys were never too bland and that his villains remained thoroughly watchable.

One set of roles that absolutely required this sort of mix is the other series that I know Hardy best for: Hot Metal, a comedy series from the mid-80s. Hot Metal was a satire on the rise of tabloid journalism in general and on the infamous press figure, Rupert Murdoch in particular. It was an over-the-top, brutal satire of how this brand of journalism fueled an atmosphere of distrust, misinformation, and political polarization in the media and, if anything, is even more relevant today than it was back when it was on the air.

In this series, Hardy has the duel role of Terence “Twiggy” Rathbone (a clear spoof of Murdoch), a multimillionaire businessman who buys out The Daily Crucible, a failing newspaper, and Russell Spam, the editor Twiggy hires to steer the Crucible however he wishes. Both Twiggy and Russell are terrible in their own ways with Twiggy leaning toward egotism and vindictiveness and Russell having nonexistent scruples about getting the latest scoop and increasing readership.

However, despite the fact that these two are far from the protagonists of the show, Hardy manages to keep both Twiggy and Russell entertaining and intriguing. Yes, they are villains, but Hardy is wise enough to figure out that the show could get dreadfully dreary fast if he didn’t also give them an odd sort of charisma which makes it easy to laugh at them and with them even while they are being awful.

I think a detail that sums up a facet of Hardy’s acting best is a moment when Twiggy is being interviewed about his plans for the Crucible. During this interview, Twiggy tries to insist that he’s a “life-long socialist” and friend to the workers (both of which are categorically untrue). While he is spinning his lies, he has a charming smile on his face, but he is also playing with a letter opener, brandishing it like a weapon, like he fully plans on stabbing someone in the back. It’s the perfect quirk to remind us what is really lurking below the surface of Twiggy’s apparent goodwill.

It’s also the sort of detail that Hardy is a master at, going beyond just his dialogue and where his mark is onscreen to bring these characters to life.

Even toward the end of his life, Hardy demonstrated a true skill at giving depth to his characters, no matter how brief their time onscreen was. In Familia, short film by independent filmmaker, James Murray showcases this. Here, Hardy has his last film performance as Sir Ashton Leonard, a very old man who apparently has shown up for a driving lesson and ends up in a revealing conversation with the instructor, Nina. Although we are limited to watching him converse with Nina in a car, Hardy gives us a lovely, bittersweet snapshot of a man who is contemplating years gone by and the end that is surely coming soon. He does this with how his expression mirrors (or sometimes reveals) the emotions Leonard is working through during this conversation.

Honestly, I’m not sure how anyone can keep a completely dry eye when Leonard says “where I’m going, you can’t take anything with you.” It’s a heartbreaking thought, but Hardy delivers it with a quiet insight that is peaceful rather than depressing.

Perhaps that is the heart of what made Hardy such an extraordinary actor: his insight. His commitment to his characters to make them as real and as impactful as they could be, even if that impact was mainly about inspiring a laugh or sheer entertainment.

There is a lot more of Hardy’s work that I have left to discover and sadly, none of it will happen while he is still alive. However, I like to think that he’d enjoy the thought of people coming to know him through his work long after his death.

(Image credit: Move Nocitias)

So happy birthday Sir Robert Hardy (yes, he was never knighted, but really should have been). Thank you for leaving so much to those of us who will miss you.

#Random #Robert Hardy

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placetobenation · 4 years ago

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Goldberg is back.

Yes, it’s time for a major PPV with the Royal Rumble in three weeks and again we have a returning superstar from the past trying to worm his way into the main event. Goldberg returning on Legends Night, making the challenge for Drew McIntyre’s WWE Championship makes little sense, as we’ll explain in our RAW recap later. Regardless of the storyline, the match on its face doesn’t make me want to invest in it. McIntyre’s been an awesome champion carrying the RAW brand week-in and week-out. Why on Earth would anyone believe that Goldberg, who hasn’t wrestled since losing to Braun Strowman at WrestleMania 36 in April of 2020, should be able to beat a guy on top of the chain who’s been out there wrestling on a consistent basis? Besides, didn’t Goldberg already call out Roman Reigns at the end of 2020 or are we just supposed to forget about that? And speaking of forgetting, why exactly do we get McIntyre going up against Randy Orton again this Monday night out of the blue? Is there something I’ve missed there? Having your top champion wrestle every week waters down how the effectiveness of the championship and the wrestler. It should be a big deal when the WWE Champion wrestles on the show, not just more of the same old thing. I’m not saying it should be months in between appearances like back in the days of Bob Backlund and Hulk Hogan, but every Monday night for a month is a bit much.

Either way, that bit of business was the oddest thing to go down in what was a pretty eventful and productive week around the WWE.

Star of the Week

And still … #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/WuNF0Yu88M

— Ryan Satin (@ryansatin) January 7, 2021

Finn Balor – Back from a broken jaw, The Prince delivers a main-event victory over Kyle O’Reilly to retain the NXT Championship, returning the jaw injury to his foe in the process. These two have put on back-to-back dynamite matches and here’s one who’s hoping there’s a third one to add to the trilogy down the road. He’ll need to stay on top of his came because here comes Karrion Kross and Scarlett back to take what they think is rightfully theirs.

RAW

RESULTS

The New Day defeated The Miz & John Morrison

AJ Styles defeated Elias

Non-Title WWE Women’s Championship Match: Lacey Evans & Peyton Royce defeated Charlotte Flair & Asuka

Non-Title United States Championship Match: Riddle defeated Bobby Lashley

Dana Brooke defeated Shayna Baszler

Randy Orton defeated Jeff Hardy

Non-Title RAW Tag Team Championship Match: Lucha House Party defeated The Hurt Business

WWE Championship Match: Drew McIntyre defeated Keith Lee to retain title

Someone’s got upset fever in the WWE. Not one, not two, not three, but four upsets on the night. Amazingly enough too, they all made perfect sense!

"GET OUT NOW." Consider @MsCharlotteWWE furious…#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/NyRmekWGsv

— WWE (@WWE) January 5, 2021

Charlotte Flair getting pinned by Lacey Evans after Papa Ric Flair takes his flirting with Evans to a nasty level and “inadvertently” trips his own daughter was a nice swerve. Maybe this wakes up Flair and turns her against Asuka and the true Queen persona returns after a few weeks of being nice.

Riddle over Lashley after seemingly tapping out makes him a US Title contender. That’s a good thing. He’s earned it.

Dana Brooke over Shayna Baszler. I’m good with that for a week. Brooke and Mandy Rose have been beat up so many times the past month, they deserve some positivity.

Lucha House Party wins again! Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin are at odds. It’s a nice mix as we lead to the eventual Four Horseman-esque dumping of Alexander I think it’s coming post-Royal Rumble.

What a BATTLE! #WWETitle @DMcIntyreWWE @RealKeithLee

#WWERaw, 1/4/21 pic.twitter.com/IV2lqkwgPj

— WWE (@WWE) January 6, 2021

Kudos to Keith Lee and Drew McIntyre! Those two put on quite a show as McIntyre defended his WWE Championship. Lee continues to keep himself in the main event mix with another quality showing.

Hope you enjoyed that @Goldberg, because it’s the only push you’re gonna get pic.twitter.com/VFUd150xoC

— Drew McIntyre (@DMcIntyreWWE) January 5, 2021

Now, to the elephant in the room. Goldberg. The whole premise of him coming down to berate McIntyre for tearing the legends down when he’s done nothing of the sort. He’s been as respectful as the day is long. I don’t think for a second that Goldberg will, or should be on McIntyre’s level. Here’s hoping Drew puts his “Dad” in his proper place. Plus, not for nothing, but what a shoddy way to end the night by dumping out at the end of RAW to see Modern Family on the USA Network before we see McIntyre pop right back up from the Goldberg push down that we saw later on social media. Sloppy TV production right there from the WWE who is usually really good at that part of the biz.

Heartthrob @AngelGarzaWwe was ready to party with @iamcardib on #WWERaw but instead ran into THE BOOGEYMAN! pic.twitter.com/oLQQM73Xgn

— WWE (@WWE) January 6, 2021

Speaking of the legends, outside of the ridiculous H-Phone with Hulk Hogan to start the night, I thought it was pretty well done. Nothing crazy. Nothing hugely surprising. But they played the hits. Loved The Boogeyman being a shock to Angel Garza. Melina with the Lucha House Party was a nice touch. It’s too bad Mick Foley has to miss the night due to a COVID-19 positive test. Prayers out to Mick and the Foley family.

NOT AGAIN, RANDY!!!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/KVx5WbNIzH

— WWE (@WWE) January 5, 2021

Otherwise, Jeff Hardy is one good sport for letting Randy Orton continue to stretch out his ears to no end. The New Day vs. The Miz and John Morrison was pretty good to kick-start the night. I’m expecting The Miz to turn on his buddy anytime now and blame him for the losses.

NXT

RESULTS

Karrion Kross defeated Damien Priest

NXT Cruiserweight Championship Match: Santos Escobar defeated Gran Metalik

Last Woman Standing Match: Raquel Gonzalez defeated Rhea Ripley

Shotzi Blackheart & KUSHIDA defeated Candice LeRae & Johnny Gargano

NXT Championship Match: Finn Balor defeated Kyle O’Reilly

New Year’s Evil was a home run folks!

It's only a matter of time before he gets back what's his. 𝑻𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝑻𝒐𝒄𝒌. #WWENXT #NXTNYE @WWEKarrionKross @Lady_Scarlett13 pic.twitter.com/OORdOxs5d2

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 7, 2021

I’ll admit, Karrion Kross and Damien Priest was a little bit of a disappointment for me because I had such high expectations for it. It did what it needed to do though as Kross keeps his title aspirations alive to get back his NXT Championship from Finn Balor.

Santos Escobar continues to dazzle as the highlight of the cruiserweight division. While many can compete, there are few who can or will take him down. Gran Metalik tried but came up short.

.@RaquelWWE is the #LastWomanStanding. Words cannot even describe what we just witnessed. WOW.#NXTNYE @RheaRipley_WWE pic.twitter.com/kn4eCTVbwo

— WWE (@WWE) January 7, 2021

Raquel Gonzalez and Rhea Ripley was a downright epic war. These two took their Last Woman Standing match all over the WWE Performance Center and even took it to another level with Ripley locking Dakota Kai in a locker to prevent further involvement. Gonzalez’ chokeslam of Ripley through the stage was impressive. I’ll have to say, I wonder where Ripley goes next as she hasn’t won “the big one” in almost a year since dropping the NXT Championship to Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 36. Gonzalez stardom continues to rise and now joins Mercedes Martinez and Toni Storm at the top of the charts to take down NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai.

So many questions, so little answers. #NXTNYE @XiaWWE @Bigboawwe pic.twitter.com/cXbnetNiD1

— WWE (@WWE) January 7, 2021

Badass thy name is Xia Li. For the first time since their banishment, Li and Boa are back live and Xia showed she’s for real. She looks the part and has all the feels of a faction led by ???? We’ll continue to guess.

Shotzi Blackheart & KUSHIDA is an interesting combo to take on The Gargano Way duo of Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. It was fun!

Does he have your attention now?

#AndStill #NXTNYE #NXTChampionship @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/lMyzOltoXm

— WWE (@WWE) January 7, 2021

Finn Balor vs. Kyle O’Reilly II. Holy smokes! This was high drama to say the least. It was touch-and-go right until the end. Having Balor take aim at KOR’s jaw seemed right. Balor with a little color the hard-way proved how tough his one was. I like that they didn’t get lazy and make a Kross run-in mar the finish either. It let these two have the stage they so richly deserved.

ABOUT TIME. Per #WWENXT GM @RealKingRegal, the WOMEN'S #DustyCup is coming your way, soon! #WeAreNXT #NXTNYE pic.twitter.com/D7btsuCPso

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 7, 2021

Finally, I love that the women of NXT are getting a Dusty Rhodes Classic of their own. The NXT women’s division is top notch and there’s plenty of match-ups that could be made. Just like the men though, I hope they bring in some other indie teams to spice it up too.

SMACKDOWN

RESULTS

Intercontinental Championship Match: Big E defeated Apollo Crews

SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match: Robert Roode & Dolph Ziggler defeated The Street Profits to win the titles

Gauntlet Match – Rey Mysterio defeated Sami Zayn; Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Mysterio; Nakamura defeated King Corbin; Nakamura defeated Daniel Bryan; Adam Pearce defeated Nakamura to win a title shot against Roman Reigns at Royal Rumble

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/WCsFNufQU4