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CCI 2019: Women Game Changers

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On the bustling first day of Comic-Con 2019, excited fans gathered to hear the secrets of creative experts on the “Hollywood Game Changers: A Conversation with the Creative Women Behind Popular Films and TV Projects” panel.

The conversation featured a panel of Emmy-winners and established creatives including sound designer Paula Fairfield (Game of Thrones), composer Anna Drubich (Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark), costume designer Mona May (Enchanted, Santa Clarita), animation director Anna Hollingsworth (Unikitty!, BoJack Horseman), costume designer Meghan Kasperlik (The OA Part II, Watchmen), production designer Judy Rhee (Better Call Saul), and costume designer Melissa Bruning (Space Jam 2, War for the Planet of the Apes). The panel was moderated by partner and director at Neer Motion, Chandra Feltus, and cinematographer Fiorella Occhipinti.

To kick off the panel, Paula Fairfield talked about pulling from personal experiences to create her art, “I lost a number of people I love when I started working on Game of Thrones. The first thing I did was to express my story through my sound design. I had people hearing my story through beautiful dragons. I put my heart and soul into the dragon sounds and in return they sounded as I was feeling and it felt like people were hearing my story.”

Discussing the iconic costumes on Clueless, Mona May commented, “Clueless married the two loves of mine, which are costume design and film and the rest was history. You start with a great script and the outfits come from there.”

Speaking about translating a character’s personality to the costume design, Melissa Bruning spoke about Regina Hall’s character on Black Monday, stating “The amazing thing about Regina is that she comes with such internal power. We hit the right tone based on the time period, but also made it feminine enough that she was known as the woman in the office.”
Sharing her wisdom on how to succeed in animation with the audience, Anna Hollingsworth suggested, “As a mom can you have it all when you have a strong support structure. It always helps having a support system, but it is still hard to balance both. However it does make you a great multitasker!”

Judy Rhee shared her experience about being a woman of color in the entertainment industry, “There were very few people of color when I started, but now there are more women than ever, especially of color. As a production designer I am grateful for the people that believed in me from the beginning. We have made progress and I believe it is changing.”

The conversation then transitioned to further discussion on specific highlights on the creatives’ respective shows. Meghan Kasperlik reflected on her Emmy-nominated work on HBO’s Fahrenheit 451, discussing “I researched about firefighters all around the world. I wanted to make sure that the fire reflected off of the jackets when used at night. The textile artist would rewax them every day or week based on the amount of heat that hit the jackets.”

Talking about her work on Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, composer Anna Drubich commented, “On the one hand we wanted a good traditional orchestral score. But there are all these different textures, which we wanted to use to inform the story. So we came up with the idea that every horror sequence was going to have its own sound center to elevate the individual monster stories.”

The panelists closed the panel reflecting on the future of storytelling. Ultimately, they all agreed that female creatives are dominating all over the industry, and are continuing to succeed and grow. Comic-Con attendees left the panel with a newfound appreciation for these fantastic group of trailblazers and female Game Changers, eager and excited to continue their day.

Photo Credit: Art Vega/Impact24 PR
Poster Credit: Impact24 PR

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The Perfect Couple on Netflix – A Twisty and Engrossing Thriller

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Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Netflix’s The Perfect Couple offers an intriguing blend of suspense, romance, and family drama, wrapped in a murder mystery that leaves viewers guessing until the very end. Based on the best-selling novel by Elin Hilderbrand, the limited series dives deep into the complexities of relationships, secrets, and privilege in a story that pulls you in from the very first scene.

The show centers around the seemingly perfect union of Celeste and Jake, a couple whose idyllic Hamptons wedding turns nightmarish when a dead body is discovered. As tensions rise, secrets start to unravel, revealing that beneath the glamour and charm, dark truths and betrayals run deep.

Nicole Kidman delivers a magnetic performance as the matriarch, Annabelle, effortlessly conveying both vulnerability and authority. Her scenes are riveting, and she adds an underlying intensity to the family dynamics. Liev Schreiber as the groom’s father, Tag, gives a grounded and nuanced performance that complements Kidman’s. The young couple, played by Dakota Fanning as Celeste and Billy Magnussen as Jake, share a complex chemistry that evolves with each revelation, keeping viewers both captivated and unsettled.

The plot’s pacing is handled well, with each episode unveiling new layers of the story, drawing audiences deeper into the lives of these flawed characters. The series masterfully combines flashbacks and present-day scenes to reveal motives and hidden relationships, creating a web of suspense and intrigue. While the murder-mystery element drives the narrative, the story’s emotional weight rests on the characters’ strained relationships and societal pressures. This balance between mystery and drama is both compelling and refreshing.

Shot against the stunning backdrop of the Hamptons, the cinematography elevates the series, capturing the dichotomy of beauty and darkness within the affluent world of the characters. The lavish settings, paired with a haunting soundtrack, create an unsettling yet luxurious atmosphere that enhances the story’s tone.

While the series is an absorbing watch, the storyline sometimes stretches plausibility with a few twists that feel overly dramatized. At times, the show leans into melodrama, but the strong performances and complex character arcs keep it grounded enough to stay engaging. Fans of psychological thrillers might find the plot a bit predictable, but the character-driven drama and twists offer enough surprises to keep the experience fresh.

The Perfect Couple is a gripping watch for fans of high-stakes family drama and suspenseful thrillers. With a stellar cast, a visually captivating setting, and a storyline that keeps you hooked, it’s a binge-worthy series that digs deep into the layers of human relationships and the secrets we keep. This series is perfect for a weekend watch, delivering just the right amount of intrigue and emotional depth to satisfy thriller enthusiasts.

Rating: 4/5

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Dragon Ball Daima – A Fresh, Nostalgic Adventure for Dragon Ball Fans

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Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Dragon Ball Daima has landed on Crunchyroll, and it’s a wild, unexpected, yet nostalgic ride that blends the classic energy of Dragon Ball with some bold new twists. This latest addition to the Dragon Ball universe doesn’t just revive the beloved characters and world – it reimagines them, serving up fan-favorite elements while introducing some surprises that make it feel fresh.

In Dragon Ball Daima, the story takes an exciting turn when a mysterious magic spell transforms Goku, Vegeta, and others into children. This reversion back to childlike forms brings a fun, youthful energy to the series that harks back to Dragon Ball GT. Yet, unlike GT, which was often divisive among fans, Daima leverages the “de-aging” twist to delve into new adventures with an old-school vibe. As the characters face familiar threats with newfound challenges in their younger bodies, the plot offers a balance of high-stakes action and a humorous, nostalgic tone that longtime fans will love.

Toei Animation outdid themselves with Dragon Ball Daima. The colors are vibrant, the action sequences are fluid, and the character designs blend the retro look of Dragon Ball Z with a modern twist. The reimagined character designs – especially seeing iconic fighters like Vegeta and Goku as kids again – add a fresh visual layer that makes the series feel lighthearted yet intense, capturing the unique spirit of Dragon Ball.

One of the best aspects of Daima is how it allows fans to reconnect with the characters in a fun new context. Goku’s mischievous personality shines in his younger form, and seeing Vegeta adjusting to being small again is a constant source of amusement. Their dynamic is still strong, yet with new challenges in the mix. The voice acting is top-notch, with Masako Nozawa (Goku) and Ryo Horikawa (Vegeta) bringing the characters to life in ways that feel familiar yet fresh.

Dragon Ball Daima doesn’t hold back on the action, delivering the classic fast-paced, energy-charged battles that fans love, albeit with some interesting limitations due to the characters’ transformed states. The action scenes are a perfect blend of old and new, with each battle sequence bringing out the strategic side of the characters as they work around their changed abilities. The pacing is also well-balanced, keeping the story engaging without feeling rushed or dragging on.

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Anime Review: Tower of God

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Rating: 8.5/10

Tower of God is a unique anime that dives deep into a mysterious world filled with peril, ambition, and complex character motivations. Based on the popular South Korean webtoon by SIU, the series combines fantasy, action, and psychological drama in a way that keeps viewers engaged with every episode.

The story follows Bam, a boy who’s spent his entire life in a dark cave until he meets Rachel, his only friend. When Rachel disappears to climb the mysterious Tower in search of something greater, Bam sets out to find her, stepping into a world full of strange creatures, powerful individuals, and unyielding rules. The Tower promises anything to those who reach the top, from wealth to power, and even the realization of one’s deepest desires. However, each level is a deadly challenge, and Bam soon discovers that the Tower’s residents—both friends and foes—have their own motives and secrets.

The art style is unique, slightly rough but incredibly fitting for the otherworldly setting of the Tower. While some of the animation might feel less polished compared to high-budget series, Tower of God’s style has an authentic, almost raw feel that captures the danger and mystery of each level. The color palette shifts from dark tones to striking colors, setting the mood for each scene and making the intense battles and emotional moments stand out.

One of the show’s biggest strengths is its cast. Bam, the protagonist, is intriguing as he starts naive and innocent but quickly grows more complex as he learns the reality of climbing the Tower. Khun, a strategic and cunning character, becomes a fan favorite due to his loyalty and calculated mindset. Then there’s Rak, a battle-hungry giant with a hilarious personality, bringing some much-needed humor. The character dynamics are strong, and each character’s backstory adds depth, making them feel real and memorable.

Tower of God explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to achieve their goals. It also delves into how power and desire shape individuals and relationships. The Tower itself serves as a metaphor for the hurdles people face in pursuit of what they want most, and it challenges the characters’ morals and values along the way.

Soundtrack: The soundtrack, composed by Kevin Penkin, is exceptional and elevates the anime to another level. The music captures the mystery and tension of the Tower while bringing an almost haunting beauty to the series. Tracks like “Against the Sky” are intense and epic, fitting the show’s dramatic tone.

Tower of God is a must-watch for fans of dark fantasy and psychological thrillers. It combines a complex storyline with unpredictable twists, layered characters, and thought-provoking themes. However, it does leave some questions unanswered and ends on a cliffhanger, so it may feel incomplete without a continuation. Overall, Tower of God offers a fresh take on the fantasy genre and a deep, rewarding journey up the Tower for anyone willing to follow Bam’s quest.

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