Sherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady (1991)

In 1910, a Viennese inventor has created a remote detonator.  He views this as extremely dangerous and decides that only the British can be trusted with it.  No sooner has it been handed to the British ambassador than a thief grabs the case and flees.  The inventor gives chase, following the criminal into a theater.  A struggle ensues in the rafters and the inventor plummets to his death on the stage.

In London, Mycroft Holmes demands that his brother depart for Vienna immediately and recover both the prototype of the detonator and the plans.  Though he initially objects, Holmes (Christopher Lee) soon agrees; he and Watson (Patrick Macnee) are bound for Vienna.  Upon arrival, they start with the scene of the crime before migrating to the theater.  Who should be the leading lady but Irene Adler (Morgan Fairchild).  While Holmes and Watson investigate, the thieves plot what to do with both the blueprints to the device and the prototype.  The thieves are Serbs who detest the Austro-Hungarian Empire and want to strike a blow with the detonator.  To complicate matters, Holmes is helped, or more likely hindered, by an over-eager embassy employee, Simpson-Makepeace.  Then there is a peculiar American, Mr. Elliot, who is enamored of Miss Adler, but strangely curious about the missing detonator.

This three-part miniseries is quite slow.  For as much time as it has to develop the characters, it doesn't.  Irene is determined to seduce Sherlock, who proves oblivious to her efforts.  He is interested in nothing but his investigation.  The villains are murderous - or not - depending on the needs of the plot at that time.  For instance, they were more than willing to kill Irene - accidentally getting a different woman - at one point but then later go to the trouble of kidnapping her.  Given why they did it, there was no point in keeping her alive.  When they have the drop on Holmes, they start monologuing rather than shooting.  Is the scriptwriter familiar with Arthur Conan Doyle's work?  As both Lee and Macnee were in their late sixties when this was made, the action is limited.  Watson chasing a drunkard across town is played for laughs.

As it takes place in Vienna in 1910, it was a requirement that Sigmund Freud appear.  Indeed, he has a large role both in hypnotizing a witness and then accompanying Holmes to replace Watson, who was otherwise engaged.  The inclusion of Freud is just schtick.  For a much better appearance of Freud with Holmes, watch The Seven-Per-Cent Solution instead.

Lee is not a convincing Holmes.  He looks the part, but he lacks the energetic spark.  When Jeremy Brett or Basil Rathbone had an insight, they would talk at lightning speed, their tongue barely keeping pace with their thoughts.  There is more thinking to be done so these Holmes communicate quickly so they can get back to the more important task of deduction.  By contrast, Lee has this deep sonorous voice that will not be rushed.  His insights are offered in a deliberative speech; it's not as if he has anything else to do than explain to his fellows.  However, this is an older Holmes, so I may be quibbling.  That his deductions were run-of-the-mill did not help.  There is a lot of filler that doesn't advance the story.

Mediocre.  Skip.

Reacher (2022)

Somewhere under a bridge, a man races through the brush only to be gunned down by an unknown assailant.  The dead man is then severely beaten before a piece of cardboard is laid on him to 'conceal' the body.

Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson) gets off a bus while still on the highway and then starts walking.  He is headed to the small Georgia town of Margrave.  He has hardly been served at the local diner when the police arrive with guns drawn to arrest him for murder!  He happened to walk near where the dead man was found and is now the chief suspect.  At the police station, he finds that there are 5 officers on the force, among them are Captain Oscar Finlay (Malcolm Goodwin) a Harvard-educated Boston cop who has relocated to Georgia for undisclosed reasons and the oddly named Roscoe Conklin (Willa Fitzgerald), a no-nonsense officer who is not intimidated by the hulking Reacher.  Finlay has hardly started the investigation than the nebbish Paul Hubble, a local financial wiz, admits to the murder but provides all the wrong details.  Both Reacher and Hubble are sent to a nearby prison for holding until they can be arraigned.  And here the fun begins.  Through some 'mistake' they find themselves in the general population and are targeted for death by various groups of convicts.  Reacher is not an easy man to kill.  There is a lot more to this murder than it first appeared.  Although he plans to leave town as soon as his alibi is confirmed (he was on the bus at the time of the murder), he changes his mind when he discovers that he knew the victim.

Alan Ritchson is outstanding as Reacher.  His version is very different from Tom Cruise.  Cruise is generally a regular guy who just happens to be a badass who wanders the country.  Ritchson is that as well, but he is an emotional recluse as well.  That Ritchson had 8 hourlong episodes to develop the character surely explains the greater depth to the character.  The flashbacks to his youth where he plays the avenging angel even then provides further development.

Malcolm Goodwin is terrific as the police captain.  There is a lot of character here, from his unexplained move to rural Georgia, his struggles to stop smoking, his habit of spinning his wedding ring on tables, his music tastes, and his habit of always wearing a jacket and vest.  He proves to be an excellent foil to Reacher but also a reliable ally.

Willa Fitzgerald is a combination of love interest and buddy cop.  Roscoe is clearly enamored of Reacher after reading his military record.  She is a competent cop who, despite recruitment efforts by the FBI, has chosen to stay in this tiny town.  Though a local, she doesn't have any close ties.  Why is she staying?  Her parents died when she was a child and the man who was her father-figure committed suicide last year.  She often plays referee when Reacher and Finlay argue.  Fitzgerald does a great job, but the character didn't quite fit the setting.

There are a few instances that are just too coincidental.  It would be one thing if the murder victim had said to meet him in Margrave, but that Reacher should happen to arrive on the very day of the murder is beyond belief.  There are other crazy coincidences that caused some eye rolling.  In the big finale fight, each of the main characters has a one-on-one opponent to overcome, which was a bit too much.  Another issue was that Reacher's fighting ability changed depending on the needs of the plot.  In prison, he took down four guys solo and it is totally believable; Reacher is a huge guy with a Schwarzeneggar physique.  Later, he has trouble with one guy who is dinky by comparison.  Sigh.  That character should have been played by a much bigger guy.

This is an awesome series and I couldn't stop watching once I started.  The action is well done and the body count is off the charts.  In the real world, the FBI would have swarmed this town with a score of agents by the third episode.  Still, this was great popcorn fun and highly recommended.  I can hardly wait for the next one.  Binge this series!

Marines in the Mexican War

This brief book - 66 pages - details the contributions of the Marine Corps during the Mexican-American War.  Like Gaul, it is divided in three parts.

California: Marine Lt. Archibald Gillespie was dispatched from Washington DC with letters for Army Capt. John Fremont as well as orders for the Pacific Squadron - commanded by Commodore Sloat - and the American agent in California, Thomas Larkin.  He made his way to Vera Cruz, crossed Mexico to Mazatlan, and was picked up by the Cyane, an American sloop.  After delivering messages to Sloat and Larkin, he set out to find Capt Fremont in Oregon.  Soon, he was part of the Bear Flag Revolt.  This was short-lived when news arrived that Mexico and America were at war and the Marines had raised the US Flag at Monterey.  Gillespie went south with Fremont's California Battalion and was soon garrison commander at San Diego.  After Los Angeles surrender, he was made the garrison commander there.  This did not go well and soon California was in revolt against the American occupation.  Gillespie had to retreat to the San Pedro where he was picked up.  However, his California adventures were not done.  General Kearny had arrived with his column of Dragoons in California and Gillespie set out with a handful of men to meet him and serve as guides.  Andres Pico and his Californio Lancers were in the area and the Battle of San Pasqual followed (December 1846).  Both Kearny and Gillespie were seriously wounded.  Nonetheless, he was sufficiently recovered a month later to participate in the retaking of Los Angeles.  Other marines - Capt. Jacob Zeilin, Capt. Ward Marston, and 1st Lt. William Maddox - were also noteworthy for their actions in California.  With only the American immigrant volunteers and the sailors and Marines of the Pacific Squadron for the most of the 1st year of war, the Marines were vital for action in California.

Lower California and the West Coast of Mexico: With California secured, the Pacific fleet turned its attention to Baja California and Mexico's Pacific coast.  Where Upper California had plenty of American immigrants to volunteer for service, Lower California did not.  It was left to the sailors and Marines to operate on land here.  Sailing down the coast, various coastal cities were invaded, the flag was raised, and then left; there were insufficient Marines to leave garrisons, thus the towns reverted to Mexican control.  When the New York Volunteers arrived, they were posted in La Paz but did not control much beyond the city limits.  Marine landings were made throughout the Gulf of California and along the Pacific coast, but few were garrisoned.  Captain Jacob Zeilin commanded the garrison at Mazatlan.  Most of the actions in the region were little more than skirmishes and had little impact on the wider war.

Mexico: The Gulf fleet under Commodore Conner was not initially prepared to act against most of the Mexican ports.  There was no Mexican Navy to fight and most of the ports were too shallow to admit the American ships to effectively blockade.  Marines were landed in Texas to protect the supplies at Port Isabel while General Taylor was engaged in battle with the Mexican Army.  Soon after, the Marines were the first to plant the US flag in Mexican territory at the sleepy village of Burrita on the Rio Grande.  Several months later, the Navy captured Tampico and the Marines held it until the Army arrived.  The Marines were included in the amphibious landing at Vera Cruz and the subsequent siege that took the city.  Thanks to an 1834 law, the Marines could be assigned to either the Navy or the Army.  With General Scott short of men, a battalion of Marines under Lt. Col. Samuel Watson was formed and marched inland.  The Marines were commended for their service against guerillas along the march.  During the assault on Mexico City, Major Levi Twiggs was killed while leading his men at Chapultepec.  When the city was finally taken, Marines were sent into the 'Halls of Montezuma' to clear out the looters.  Meanwhile, Commodore Perry used his remaining Marines in his Mosquito Fleet to capture other Mexican ports.  Captain Alvin Edson was usually the leader of those Marines as they trekked through sweltering jungle and charged Mexican cannons.

Gabrielle Newfeld Santelli's brief account of the Marines' exploits during the war is easy to read and always engaging.  Recommended.

Death Valley Days: The Bear Flag

The story opens in Sonoma, California, in 1846.  Mariano Vallejo discusses with Don Miguel Ruiz the troubles being wrought by American immigrants.  Ruiz fears that they will attempt to annex California to America, like has happened in Texas.  To Ruiz's surprise, Vallejo hopes for just such an outcome.  Soon after, a band of Americans steal horses that were set aside for General Castro.  In Sonoma, there is concern that this will soon get out of hand and plans are made to send the ladyfolk to Monterey.  They are too late.  The Americans arrive in Sonoma and take Vallejo prisoner.  To the Americans' surprise, Vallejo invites them into his office and offers them drinks.  He gladly signs a letter of capitulation.  Now in control of part of California, they have the dilemma of what flag to fly.  As they are not sanction by the United States, they don't see it as appropriate to fly the stars and stripes.  Thus, they set to designing a new flag.

"Let's have a lone star on it!" one suggests.  That idea receives mixed reactions, mostly dissent as copying Texas.

"California Republic," one declares to universal approval.

"Let's have a bear!" another suggests.  Though his idea is initially opposed, he sells the idea and it is soon adopted.

The men search for materials and soon stitch together a flag.  William Todd, a cousin of Mary Todd Lincoln, paints the flag.  Shortly, he has painted a lone star in the corner, a grizzly bear, and 'California Republic' on the flag.  They pull down the Mexican flag and hoist the bear flag.  So begins the Bear Flag Republic!

Less than a month later, Vallejo receives word that the US and Mexico are at war; Commodore Sloat of the US Navy has raised the US flag at Monterey and claimed California for the United States.  And thus ended the Bear Flag Republic.

Though generally accurate in the portrayal of the events, this is a kinder & friendlier account.  The American immigrants had been encouraged by Capt. John C. Fremont to both take the horses and revolt.  The treatment of Vallejo, who was clearly eager to join the United States, was not quite as kind as shown.  Rather than being granted parole, he was removed to Sutter's Fort as a prisoner.

Interesting and informative, but poorly scripted.  There are too many characters.  This should have focused on one or two participants.  However, it is clear that the idea was to present the many viewpoints of the era, from Californios who were against, those who were ambivalent, and those who were in favor.  There is a similar diversity of opinions among the immigrants.

Just okay.

The Journal of Lt. John McHenry Hollingsworth

John McHenry Hollingsworth joined the First New York Volunteers in August of 1846 in response to the call for troops in the Mexican War.  The New York Volunteers were dispatched to California, by sea!  Setting sail in September, the regiment did not arrive in San Francisco until April of 1847.  By then, all the fighting in California was done.  So it was that Hollingsworth found himself in garrison duty in Los Angeles until he was mustered out of the service in September 1848.  Before setting sail, every man knew it was a one-way trip; return expenses would be on them.  As such, the near penniless Hollingsworth and many of his fellows set out for the Gold Rush!  Sadly, a year of effort gained him nothing and he returned to the east coast.

The first half of the journal concerns his time aboard the Susan Drew.  Hollingsworth did not like sailing and found the voyage dreary; he was prone to sea sickness.  He offered considerable details to the stops in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and also Valparaiso, Chile.  During the trip, he had the opportunity to taste porpoise and shark, neither of which he liked.  Also of note, the troops spent much of the voyage in some state of mutiny.  He doesn't go into much detail other than to describe it as mutiny.  During the rare stop at port, the men were soon drunk.

The next quarter of the journal details Hollingsworth's time as a soldier in California.  Surprisingly, many of his entries concern fandangos, parties, and balls.  He details several women he courted or met, showing considerable interest in a couple.  His military service was uneventful, a mix of paperwork, guard duty, service on courts martial, and surveys of the surroundings.  Though some rumors of a Mexican Army or a California uprising reach him, nothing comes of them.

The final quarter covers his traveling to the Gold Rush with his comrades.  This is mostly a series of misfortunes that left him no richer than when he started.  After a year of seeking his fortune, he opted to return home.  Of course, his closing thoughts are that he had partaken in a great achievement, having been in California as it dramatically transformed from a sleepy Mexican province to a vibrant American territory.  Despite his failure to enrich himself, he did win the admiration of those around him.  He was elected to transport the new California constitution to Washington DC.

I was drawn to the journal as it concerned a volunteer during the Mexican-American War, but Hollingsworth missed the war.  The war in California was over when he arrived.  His efforts at courting the ladies of California never resulted in a wife, so he missed there too.  Lastly, despite heading to the gold fields in 1848 and beating the Gold Rush of 1849, he missed out here too.  The most interesting bits of his adventure were when he spent time with Kit Carson and chatted with General Kearny, two men who were participants rather than observers.

Just okay.

Narrative of the Central Division

With the start of the Mexican-American War, the US needed more troops.  As was the practice at the time, volunteer regiments were recruited from the states.  These regiments would elect officers, which was not the best means of assembling battle-ready units.  One of the armies raised through this process was the Central Division, also known as the Army of Chihuahua.  Commanded by General John E Wool, the army reported to San Antonio, Texas.  Among the regular army units were units of the 4th Artillery (Captain Washington), 2nd Dragoons (Colonel Harney), 6th Infantry, and 30 pioneers (Captain Robert E. Lee).  The volunteers consisted of the Arkansas Cavalry (Colonel Yell) and four companies of Illinois volunteers.

The army departed San Antonio and made its way to the Rio Grande and thence to Monclova.  Here, they learned of General Taylor's capture of Monterrey and the armistice.  As such, the army wiled away the days in Monclova.  Moreover, the planned march to Chihuahua was nixed and the army was instead dispatched to Parras.  In mid-December, General Worth called upon Wool to reinforce him at Saltillo as Santa Anna was reportedly enroute with a grand army.  Of course, by the time the Central Division arrived, there was no sign of the Mexican Army.

Though it had no battles during months of marching and occupying, the Central Division had several false alarms, called stampedes by the men.  There were always rumors of Mexican forces, starting from the time they marched from San Antonio.  There was an expectation of fighting to cross the Rio Grande, a potential ambush on the road to Monclova, fears of attack while camped at Monclova (this one proposed that Santa Anna himself was spying in the camp while selling sugary treats to the soldiers!), rumors of entrenched forces on the march to Parras, encroaching armies while camped in Parras, etc.  This repeated pattern of stampedes led the army to discount the later rumor that Santa Anna was approaching with a grand army, which happened to be true.

With much of Taylor's army having been appropriated for General Scott's coming campaign to Mexico City, Santa Anna saw an opportunity.  He believed the mostly volunteer forces left to Taylor would be easy prey for his massive army.  It was a nail-biter of a battle, but the American's held Buena Vista and Santa Anna hurried south to meet Major General Scott's forces at Cerro Gordo.

The Army of Chihuahua, which failed to go to Chihuahua, was glad to have had a fight.  Not long after the battle, Colonel Doniphan and his troops arrived in Saltillo with an account of capturing Chihuahua.

The author, Jonathan Buhoup, was a member of the Arkansas Cavalry.  This is a much more detailed account than that of Harvey Neville, a member of the 2nd Illinois regiment, offering a view of the events on the march and some personalities of the officers and men.  Of particular note was the Cherokee who was a member of the Arkansas Cavalry.  His often humorous antics pepper the narrative.  By the end, I was more interested in the adventures of the nameless Cherokee than those of the Central Division.

Wool's March from San Antonio is usually little more than a footnote in most accounts of the Mexican-American War.  There were no battles and Wool maintained good relations with the local populace.  Wool's success as a commander led to an unremarkable march, at least as the big picture is concerned.  Buhoup provides lots of details that demonstrate this was a difficult and eventful march.  Though his prose is sometimes awkward and his frequent reference to 'our readers' should have been nixed by the editor, it is an entertaining and informative read.  Recommended.

The Mexican War Diary of George B McClellan

While working on a biography for General McClellan, William S Myers encountered McClellan's unpublished diary from his time in the Mexican War (1846-1848).  The diary begins with McClellan's departure from West Point with the newly formed Engineer Company, Captain Alexander Swift commanding.  Lieutenant Gustavus W Smith and 2nd Lt. McClellan were the other officers in the company.  McClellan had not yet graduated West Point when war was declared (May 1846) but was now on his way to Texas (Sept 1846).  No sooner had they arrived than word of Taylor's victory at Monterrey was received.  As such, the Engineer Company was left to drill along the Rio Grande.  Capt. Swift, McClellan, and about a score of the men became seriously ill during this time.  It was not until December that the company was utilized.

Major General Robert Patterson's forcers were ordered to join General Taylor at Victoria.  The road from Matamoros to Victoria being of uncertain quality, the Engineer Company was dispatched to make it passable for Patterson's artillery pieces.  As Swift was still seriously ill, command of the company fell to Lt. GW Smith.  Over the next two weeks, McClellan, Smith, and the Engineer Company earned the title of the Pick and Shovel Brigade.  In several cases, the company either enabled or expedited passage over rough ground or difficult fords.  The column arrived in Victoria on January 4, 1847.  While in Victoria, McClellan had the opportunity to meet General Taylor.

On January 13th, the company departed and set to widening the 'mule track' that led to Tampico.  They arrived on the 19th and McClellan found the city to be delightful.  It was filled with foreigners and had shops and restaurants of many cultures.  When the company sailed for Veracruz on February 24th, he was sorry to leave Tampico.

On March 9th, US troops landed on the beaches south of Veracruz, the Engineer Company included.  They were key in establishing the batteries that would pound Veracruz into submission.  During this time, he had dealings with Captain Robert E. Lee and Lt. P. G. T. Beauregard.  Once Veracruz was captured, the army moved in land and soon came upon General Santa Anna at Cerro Gordo.  McClellan and part of the Engineer Company were attached to General Pillow's 2nd Brigade.  McClellan and his men had no orders and stood around while Pillow's command wallowed in confusion after a Mexican artillery barrage.  The battle was won elsewhere while McClellan was able to contribute nothing.

One thing that comes across clearly in McClellan's account is his disdain for volunteer soldiers.  They lacked discipline, required vastly more material support, died at an alarming rate, were commanded by incompetent officers, and were of little use in battle.  He held that the Congress should expand the regular army.  That he was exposed to two of the worst political generals (Patterson & Pillow) surely colored his view.  Patterson had served during the War of 1812 and had some experience in the Pennsylvania Militia, but was hardly Major General material.  Major General Pillow had been President Polk's law partner and had limited military experience via the Tennessee Militia.

A surprising amount of his entries talk about drinking (e.g. brandy, eggnog, etc.) and the type of meals they are having.  He doesn't discuss the local customs or people, but does wax poetic about some of the scenery.  An interesting look at the man who would lead the Union Army during the Civil War.  Recommended.

Osmosis Jones (2001)

Frank (Bill Murray) works at the zoo.  Today, his daughter (Elena Franklin) is advising him on improving his diet and fitness.  He is less than eager.  Instead, he gets in a fight with a monkey over his hardboiled egg.  Despite the monkey having put the egg in its mouth and the egg then falling to the ground of the monkey enclosure, Frank eats it anyway.  His daughter is disgusted.  Meanwhile, in Frank's mouth, Osmosis Jones (Chris Rock), a white blood cell, seeks to intercept a variety of germs that hitched a ride on the egg.  This goes badly as the germs get sucked into the lungs by an ill-timed yawn.  Despite orders to return to his station, Osmosis keeps chasing a fleeing germ.  A poorly-aimed shot from his sidearm causes a massive leg cramp that leaves Frank sprawled on the doorstep of his house.  The politics of the cells that inhabit Frank are explored.  There is Mayor Phlemming (William Shatner) who is entirely focused on a re-election campaign against the upstart Tom Colonic (Ron Howard), who thinks that steps should be taken to improve Frank's health.  As it turns out, something far more serious was in that egg: Thrax (Lawrence Fishburne).  He is out to kill Frank while convincing everyone that he is just a common cold.  The character of Thrax is played excellently and one of the most intimidating animated villains around.

Overall, it's a mixed bag.  William Shatner is absolutely awesome as the mayor.  His continued efforts to avoid dealing with Frank's growing illness lest it damage his re-election chances are hilarious.  Rock and David Hyde Pierce - who plays Drixenol the Cold Pill - are great together.  As a peculiar animated buddy cop film, it works.  What doesn't work so well is the live action.  Bill Murray is phoning it in.  Here is a man whose wife died and whose daughter is concerned about his health and he is actively pursuing the most unhealthy lifestyle he can.  Sure, it's meant to be funny, but it didn't play that way.  Though I generally like Chris Elliott, he is also weak in his role.  He's matching Murray's minimalist performance.  Really, of the live action parts, Elena Franklin and Molly Shannon are the only ones making an effort.

Just okay.  Worth seeing Rock, Fishburne, and Shatner.

Cinco de Mayo

Why do we celebrate the 5th of May?  It is a pro-Mexican holiday, and many think it has something to do with their version of July 4th.  Nope.  Mexican Independence Day is September 16th.  So why Cinco de Mayo?  In 1861, President Benito Juarez imposed a moratorium on loan-interest payments.  Mexico had a long history of not repaying loans, which had triggered foreign interventions previously.  In the wake of the moratorium, England, Spain, and France occupied Veracruz.  Mexico managed to satisfied both Spain and England, but France launched an invasion and imposed Emperor Maximilian as ruler.  This French adventure in Mexico lasted from 1861 to 1867.  No, it did not end on May 5, 1867, but that was a good guess.

On May 5th, 1862, French forces attacked the city of Puebla.  Despite the French having a superior force in both arms and training, the Mexican forces held the town and inflicted serious losses on the French.  This victory was great for Mexican morale.  However, the French returned and captured Puebla the following year.  By June 1863, they captured Mexico City.  Cinco de Mayo celebrates an early victory in a conflict that would drag on for another 5 years.

Oddly enough, Cinco de Mayo is more popular in the United States than in Mexico.  It is a cultural celebration in much the same way as St. Patrick's Day for Irish heritage.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)

Edgin (Chris Pine) and Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), incarcerated in a prison in the icy wastes of the Forgotten Realms, have a parole hearing.  Edgin spins a tale of how the pair arrived and why they should be released.  However, before a decision is made, he and Holga make good their escape.  The fugitives make their way to the city of Neverwinter to reconnect with Forge (Hugh Grant) and Kira, Edgin's teenaged daughter.  Not only does it turn out that Forge arranged their capture in the failed heist, he has also turned Kira against her father.  Edgin and Holga narrowly escape Neverwinter and must now plot how to turn the tables on Forge.  This involves a series of overcomplex plans and a variety of new allies and wondrous magic items.  Firstly, there is Simon (Justice Smith) the self-doubting sorcerer who, though immensely powerful, repeatedly fumbles his magic in embarrassing ways.  Then there is Doric the tiefling druid (Sophia Lillis), who has joined the cause of the elves against those who seek to chop down their forests.  Xenk Yendar (Rege-Jean Page) is a paladin who briefly joins the heroes on a quest through the underdark where they battle the undead, countless traps, and the most rotund dragon one can imagine.

Entertaining in its parts, it is too ambitious in its story.  Rather than establishing a setting and introducing a few characters, the movie never misses an opportunity to always expand the scope.  Oh, look at the pair of rust monsters fighting over a piece of metal.  Look at the intellect devourers.  Hey, there are some cat people.  Let's not forget to include some half-dragons.  Wouldn't it be funny if the barbarian woman had a halfling boyfriend?  Let's do that and make him hilariously small.  The 'hero' of the story, Edgin, is mostly hapless.  Though often in the center of the action, he is never the one who saves the day or defeats the villain.  Simon's spells, Doric's wildshape, or Holga's axe does all the work, while Edgin blathers.

The character classes are not what one expects.  Clearly, Edgin is meant to be a bard.  He was a member of the Harpers' Guild and carries a lute.  However, he has no magic.  The closest he gets to the typical bard role is when he declares his confidence that Simon can do what needs to be done.  Yeah, look at that morale boosting!  Doric is a druid who has only wildshape, but no spells.  Her wildshape is that of a very high level druid, but she never tries an entangle spell or summon nature's ally.  It's all wildshape or her ludicrous wrist-mounted slingshot.  Holga has the look of a barbarian, but she never loses her temper to trigger a berserk rage.

It's a lot of fun and generally a good movie.  There was a lot of room for improvement, but it is still recommended.  Good popcorn fun!

Around the World in 80 Days (1989)

Phileas Fogg (Pierce Brosnan) is an English gentleman who lives his life by a strict schedule.  He arrives daily at the Reform Club at noon and the wait staff are never in doubt of what he will order on any given day.  He plays whist with fellow club members (Christopher Lee, Patrick Macnee, Simon Ward), generally discouraging idle chitchat.  However, the topic of traveling around the world is mentioned and he matter-of-factly states that it would take 80 days to circumnavigate the globe.  His fellow club members are aghast and dare him to prove it.  He readily agrees, staking 30,000 pounds as a wager.  That evening, he and his new manservant, Jean Passepartout (Eric Idle) set out to circle the globe.  As coincidence would have it, the Bank of England was robbed and Fogg's sudden departure is viewed as a sign of his guilt.  The bank president (Robert Morley) hires Detective Wilbur Fix (Peter Ustinov) to capture the fugitive!  Though Fix manages to travel with Fogg from Italy, he is never able to secure an arrest warrant before Fogg moves on to another jurisdiction.

As this was a TV miniseries, it has plenty of time to delve into each facet of the journey.  Their travels take them through Paris, Rome, Bombay, the hinterlands of India - where they rescue Princess Aouda (Julia Nickson) - to Burma, through China, to Japan, San Francisco, the American West, New York City, and finally across the Atlantic.  Along the way, they meet a variety of guest stars: Jack Klugman, Pernell Roberts, Darren McGavin, Lee Remick, Robert Wagner, Jill St. John, John Hillerman, and others.  The long runtime also provides the opportunity for Fogg to transform.  His fastidiousness is chipped away thanks to the needs of travel.  Also, he finds himself increasingly attracted to Princess Aouda though likewise feeling that such is inappropriate.  Should life be nothing more than a well-organized schedule for attending the Reform Club and playing whist?  Has he wasted his life so far?

Ustinov is, as always, quite entertaining.  His Detective Fix is both endlessly determined and also somewhat oafish.  He owes his life to Fogg but also views it as his duty to apprehend the man.  There is an entertaining exchange that goes entirely over Fogg's head as Fix explains that he should not take it personally.

This is an excellent adaptation of the story.  Definitely recommended.  Great popcorn fun.

Swiss Army Man (2016)

The movie opens with Hank (Paul Dano) marooned on an island and preparing to put himself out of his misery.  Before he does, he spots a body on the beach!  Thinking perhaps he is no longer alone, he rushes over to find the man (Daniel Radcliffe) is dead.  Oh well.  Once again, he returns to his makeshift noose and plots his demise but then the corpse starts farting.  The farting is so extreme that the body starts maneuvering through the water.  Hank has an idea!  Using the gassy corpse as a jet ski, he departs the island and hopes to find his way to the mainland.  Sure enough, he and the corpse arrive on the mainland and thus begins their friendship.  Hank names him Manny  Clearly, Hank has suffered a mental breakdown since he is able to have conversations with Manny.  Manny also proves to be useful in many ways, serving as a pellet gun, a knife, an axe, a harpoon gun, a water jug, and more.  In their conversations, Hank often obsesses over a woman - Sarah - he saw on a bus (Mary Elizabeth Winstead).  Clearly, he was smitten by her but was too shy to do anything about it other than taking a snapshot of her with his phone.  This seemingly chance encounter soon becomes the centerpiece of all their conversation and even roleplay.  Weird.

In the end, it turns out that Hank was an unreliable narrator.  By strange coincidence, it turns out that Hank and Manny have been 'stranded' in the woods behind Sarah's house.  The entire ordeal has taken place within a short distance of civilization.  Yes, Hank is a stalker who has been hiding near Sarah's house and his phone has quite a few pictures of her.  The shy guy who found himself a castaway is all in his head while the creepy stalker living with a corpse is the reality.  Any sympathy one had for Hank fades away quickly with this reveal.  His obsession with the 'chance encounter' on the bus is fully explained.

However, in the climactic scene where everyone is on the beach and Hank is being arrested, Manny again begins farting.  Manny slips into the water and jet skis into the sunset, baffling everyone on the beach.  Sarah puts it best when she utters, "What the fuck?"  Indeed.

So, what is true and what is fantasy?  Except for the last 10 minutes, this is all Hank and he is clearly not right in the head.  He's playing make believe in the woods with a corpse.  Fine.  However, the closing scene where all these witnesses see Manny fart his way into the surf tends to confirm Hank's fantasy.  Huh.  Mostly unwatchable and best avoided.