Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 9
July 9, 2025
Lilies Nor For Me
Just stopped watching "Lilies Not For Me" released by Wolflight Films, LLC..
Now one of the supposed selling points about "Lilies Not For Me" is that its from the producers of the popular movie "Call Me By Your Name."
"Lilies Nor For Me" is meant to be a historical period movie of the United Kingdom of the shadow life of gay men in the 1920s where homosexuality was considered to be a crime and punishable with lengthy prison sentences.
Basically, the story centers around a gay novelist who is recounting his romance with a friend from boarding school to his psychiatric nurse and how it spiraled out of control for them and how they decided to cure themselves of their gay desires.
I stopped watching "Lilies Not For Me" about 30 minutes into the movie. It's just not a believable or an engrossing story.
NOT RECCOMENDED!
ZERO STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Lilies-Not-Blu...
Now one of the supposed selling points about "Lilies Not For Me" is that its from the producers of the popular movie "Call Me By Your Name."
"Lilies Nor For Me" is meant to be a historical period movie of the United Kingdom of the shadow life of gay men in the 1920s where homosexuality was considered to be a crime and punishable with lengthy prison sentences.
Basically, the story centers around a gay novelist who is recounting his romance with a friend from boarding school to his psychiatric nurse and how it spiraled out of control for them and how they decided to cure themselves of their gay desires.
I stopped watching "Lilies Not For Me" about 30 minutes into the movie. It's just not a believable or an engrossing story.
NOT RECCOMENDED!
ZERO STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Lilies-Not-Blu...
July 8, 2025
Death Of A Unicorn
Just finished watching "Death Of A Unicorn" released by A24 Studios.
I was fortunate enough to see "Death Of A Unicorn" when it was first released to theaters and I thoroughly enjoyed it's original take on mythology and horror with family drama and comedy.
"Death Of A Unicorn" opens with Elliot Kintner and his teenage daughter Ridley are spending a weekend at the estate of Elliot's boss, Odell Leopold, and his family- his wife Belinda and son Shepard. On the way, Elliot accidentally strikes and injures a small unicorn with his car. When Ridley touches its horn, she experiences strange, cosmic visions, which Elliot abruptly stops by bludgeoning the creature with a tire iron, splashing blood on them both.
The Kintners arrive at the Leopolds' estate with the unicorn's body hidden in their car. Shortly after, Ridley discovers that the unicorn's blood has cleaned away the acne on her face; Elliot's vision has also improved, and his allergies are gone. The Leopolds eventually discover the unicorn still alive in the car, and Leopolds' assistant Shaw shoots it. Upon learning that the unicorn has magical healing properties, Odell suggests they experiment with it.
A group of scientists working for the Leopolds, led by Dr. Song, create a concoction by grating off some of the unicorn's horn, which cures Odell of his cancer. Odell orders the unicorn taken to their laboratory for further testing, planning to monetize its healing properties. Having read the story behind The Unicorn Tapestries, Ridley argues that the Leopolds should not be misusing the body of the unicorn, but they dismiss her concerns. As the unicorn is being transported to a laboratory, a pair of much larger unicorns kill Song and several security personnel before disappearing into the woods. Odell organizes a hunting party and insists that Elliot join them.
Shepard steals a vial of the unicorn's grated horn, which he snorts, and orders another scientist, Dr. Bhatia, to saw off the entire horn. Ridley realizes the unicorn is a foal and is still alive. Meanwhile, Elliot and the hunting party fall into a lethal trap set by the older unicorns. Several people are killed, including Odell and Shaw. Elliot returns to the estate, where they realize that the unicorns are the foal's parents. The group sends Bhatia to offer the foal back to the unicorns. Upon realizing its horn has been removed, the unicorns kill her while Griff, the butler, flees.
The unicorns follow the remaining survivors into the estate. Shepard and Belinda hide in the wine cellar and Shepard proposes an idea of a unicorn ranch to breed them to harvest their blood and horn but one unicorn breaks through and Belinda is disembowelled by one of them. Elliot apologizes to Ridley and, having stolen the horn, lures the other unicorn outside so she can escape. Ridley is caught and held at arrow-point by Shepard, having learned that unicorns are docile toward "a pure-hearted maiden" after experiencing visions from snorting the horn. The parent unicorns arrive and are immediately docile to Ridley. As Shepard ties up the unicorns' legs, Elliot stabs him with the horn, only to get stabbed back with an arrow.
Shepard collapses and is fatally kicked by one of the unicorns. Ridley describes her visions to Elliot as he dies. Seeing Ridley mourning him, the unicorns magically revive Elliot and their foal and leave peacefully. Griff returns with the police, who promptly arrest the Kintners. As they are being driven away, the unicorns return and ram the police car, which swerves off the road as they brace for impact.
I suspect that "Death Of A Unicorn" will become a cult classic because its a quirky fun movie that isn't afraid to take chances.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Unicorn-...
I was fortunate enough to see "Death Of A Unicorn" when it was first released to theaters and I thoroughly enjoyed it's original take on mythology and horror with family drama and comedy.
"Death Of A Unicorn" opens with Elliot Kintner and his teenage daughter Ridley are spending a weekend at the estate of Elliot's boss, Odell Leopold, and his family- his wife Belinda and son Shepard. On the way, Elliot accidentally strikes and injures a small unicorn with his car. When Ridley touches its horn, she experiences strange, cosmic visions, which Elliot abruptly stops by bludgeoning the creature with a tire iron, splashing blood on them both.
The Kintners arrive at the Leopolds' estate with the unicorn's body hidden in their car. Shortly after, Ridley discovers that the unicorn's blood has cleaned away the acne on her face; Elliot's vision has also improved, and his allergies are gone. The Leopolds eventually discover the unicorn still alive in the car, and Leopolds' assistant Shaw shoots it. Upon learning that the unicorn has magical healing properties, Odell suggests they experiment with it.
A group of scientists working for the Leopolds, led by Dr. Song, create a concoction by grating off some of the unicorn's horn, which cures Odell of his cancer. Odell orders the unicorn taken to their laboratory for further testing, planning to monetize its healing properties. Having read the story behind The Unicorn Tapestries, Ridley argues that the Leopolds should not be misusing the body of the unicorn, but they dismiss her concerns. As the unicorn is being transported to a laboratory, a pair of much larger unicorns kill Song and several security personnel before disappearing into the woods. Odell organizes a hunting party and insists that Elliot join them.
Shepard steals a vial of the unicorn's grated horn, which he snorts, and orders another scientist, Dr. Bhatia, to saw off the entire horn. Ridley realizes the unicorn is a foal and is still alive. Meanwhile, Elliot and the hunting party fall into a lethal trap set by the older unicorns. Several people are killed, including Odell and Shaw. Elliot returns to the estate, where they realize that the unicorns are the foal's parents. The group sends Bhatia to offer the foal back to the unicorns. Upon realizing its horn has been removed, the unicorns kill her while Griff, the butler, flees.
The unicorns follow the remaining survivors into the estate. Shepard and Belinda hide in the wine cellar and Shepard proposes an idea of a unicorn ranch to breed them to harvest their blood and horn but one unicorn breaks through and Belinda is disembowelled by one of them. Elliot apologizes to Ridley and, having stolen the horn, lures the other unicorn outside so she can escape. Ridley is caught and held at arrow-point by Shepard, having learned that unicorns are docile toward "a pure-hearted maiden" after experiencing visions from snorting the horn. The parent unicorns arrive and are immediately docile to Ridley. As Shepard ties up the unicorns' legs, Elliot stabs him with the horn, only to get stabbed back with an arrow.
Shepard collapses and is fatally kicked by one of the unicorns. Ridley describes her visions to Elliot as he dies. Seeing Ridley mourning him, the unicorns magically revive Elliot and their foal and leave peacefully. Griff returns with the police, who promptly arrest the Kintners. As they are being driven away, the unicorns return and ram the police car, which swerves off the road as they brace for impact.
I suspect that "Death Of A Unicorn" will become a cult classic because its a quirky fun movie that isn't afraid to take chances.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Unicorn-...
Tex & Zagor - The Omens of War
Just finished reading "Tex & Zagor - The Omens of War" by Mauro Boselli and Alessandro Picconelli, published by Epicenter Comics in 2025.
A direct sequel to "Tex & Zagor - Bandera," "The Omens of War" story arc, which was originally published back in 2023. It's set decades after the events portrayed in "Bandera" but is still in the same setting.
Having successfully cleared his name, Tex is a ranger now that he is no longer considered an outlaw. Chico is no longer traveling with Zagor and owns a cantina which he runs with his wife and family near Bandera. Colonel Baylor is seeking to stir up a Comanche uprising in the hopes to force the government to exterminate Indians. Zagor is trying to keep the peace and prevent an all out war and his path crosses once again with Tex.
Yet while Tex and Zagor are successful in stopping Baylor and handing him over to the rangers for justice, they are not successful in stopping the impending war and its consequences.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/167344921049
A direct sequel to "Tex & Zagor - Bandera," "The Omens of War" story arc, which was originally published back in 2023. It's set decades after the events portrayed in "Bandera" but is still in the same setting.
Having successfully cleared his name, Tex is a ranger now that he is no longer considered an outlaw. Chico is no longer traveling with Zagor and owns a cantina which he runs with his wife and family near Bandera. Colonel Baylor is seeking to stir up a Comanche uprising in the hopes to force the government to exterminate Indians. Zagor is trying to keep the peace and prevent an all out war and his path crosses once again with Tex.
Yet while Tex and Zagor are successful in stopping Baylor and handing him over to the rangers for justice, they are not successful in stopping the impending war and its consequences.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/167344921049
Tex - The Valley Of The Shadow
Just finished reading "Tex - The Valley Of The Shadow" by Mauro Boselli, published by Epicenter Comics in 2025.
"Tex - The Valley Of The Shadow" originally back in 2023 in homage for the 75th anniversary of Tex.
"The Valley Of The Shadow" opens with Tex on the trail of an outlaw when he discovers an oddly familiar town that appears to be a fading boomtown; only nothing is what it seems and Tex recognizes people from his past and to be moved forward in time and to a destination at the town's cemetery where he is confronted by an outlaw, which he seems to have lost and is unexpectedly reunited with his first horse Dynamite as he is propelled forward on a journey where he learns that he is on the precipice of life and death and that his actions may trap him in the shadowlands forever if he doesn't find a way to escape.
A very intense journey filled with information on Tex's personal history which Epicenter Comics will hopefully get around to publishing one day.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/167344910528
"Tex - The Valley Of The Shadow" originally back in 2023 in homage for the 75th anniversary of Tex.
"The Valley Of The Shadow" opens with Tex on the trail of an outlaw when he discovers an oddly familiar town that appears to be a fading boomtown; only nothing is what it seems and Tex recognizes people from his past and to be moved forward in time and to a destination at the town's cemetery where he is confronted by an outlaw, which he seems to have lost and is unexpectedly reunited with his first horse Dynamite as he is propelled forward on a journey where he learns that he is on the precipice of life and death and that his actions may trap him in the shadowlands forever if he doesn't find a way to escape.
A very intense journey filled with information on Tex's personal history which Epicenter Comics will hopefully get around to publishing one day.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/167344910528
Tex - Rentless
Just finished reading "Tex - Relentless" by Mauro Boselli and Claudio Villa, published by Epicenter Comics in 2025.
"Rentless" is what's known as a "Texone" - a massive Tex story arc, which was originally published back in 2020.
"Rentless" is a classic Western and opens with the town of Tucson is building a gallows from which Harry Logan will be hanged from for his crimes of murder and robbery. Tucson is under lockdown due to fears of Logan's gang is going to try to break him out of jail. Unbeknownst to the sheriff, Logan's brothers are in town and are planning a bloodbath to free their brother.
Tex and Kit meanwhile are on the trail of the surviving outlaws of the Logan gang and when they return to Tucson with the sole survivor of the gang, they learn of how the Logan brothers massacred just about every lawman in town, with only two survivors.
Tex and Kit immediately set out and what follows is a tense tale of loyalty and justice.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/167436789124
"Rentless" is what's known as a "Texone" - a massive Tex story arc, which was originally published back in 2020.
"Rentless" is a classic Western and opens with the town of Tucson is building a gallows from which Harry Logan will be hanged from for his crimes of murder and robbery. Tucson is under lockdown due to fears of Logan's gang is going to try to break him out of jail. Unbeknownst to the sheriff, Logan's brothers are in town and are planning a bloodbath to free their brother.
Tex and Kit meanwhile are on the trail of the surviving outlaws of the Logan gang and when they return to Tucson with the sole survivor of the gang, they learn of how the Logan brothers massacred just about every lawman in town, with only two survivors.
Tex and Kit immediately set out and what follows is a tense tale of loyalty and justice.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/167436789124
Zagor - The Red Sand
Just finished reading "Zagor - The Red Sand" published by Epicenter Comics back in 2016.
Zagor is the hero of a popular Italian comic book series that launched back in 1961.
Zagor is a western-tarzanesque character living in a fictional forest named Darkwood, located in Pennsylvania, north eastern United States. His name Zagor comes from his Indian name "Za-Gor Te-Nay", whose fictional meaning is "The Spirit with the Hatchet". Though the writers do not mention exact dates, Zagor is supposed to be active during the first half of the 19th century, or around 1825–1830. Zagor fights to maintain peace all over his territory, protecting the Indian tribes and hunting down criminals regardless of their skin color.
"The Red Sand" opens with Zagor and Chico attempting to build/rebuild their cabin when after Chico causes the building to collapse, Zagor realizes that he forgot about the annual meeting of tribal chiefs at Darkwood and he needs to arrive in advance to prepare for the event since local Indian tribes believe that he is the immortal representative of the Manitou on Earth. Yet chaos reigns during the meeting and Zagor promises to resolve a situation with wealthy European aristocrats who are wantonly slaughtering buffalo on Indian land.
Zagor and Chico are forced to save the aristocrats when the Indians attack them with the intent of slaughtering all.
A very intense tale of survival in the old West as cultures clash and lives hang in the balance.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/167266754476
Zagor is the hero of a popular Italian comic book series that launched back in 1961.
Zagor is a western-tarzanesque character living in a fictional forest named Darkwood, located in Pennsylvania, north eastern United States. His name Zagor comes from his Indian name "Za-Gor Te-Nay", whose fictional meaning is "The Spirit with the Hatchet". Though the writers do not mention exact dates, Zagor is supposed to be active during the first half of the 19th century, or around 1825–1830. Zagor fights to maintain peace all over his territory, protecting the Indian tribes and hunting down criminals regardless of their skin color.
"The Red Sand" opens with Zagor and Chico attempting to build/rebuild their cabin when after Chico causes the building to collapse, Zagor realizes that he forgot about the annual meeting of tribal chiefs at Darkwood and he needs to arrive in advance to prepare for the event since local Indian tribes believe that he is the immortal representative of the Manitou on Earth. Yet chaos reigns during the meeting and Zagor promises to resolve a situation with wealthy European aristocrats who are wantonly slaughtering buffalo on Indian land.
Zagor and Chico are forced to save the aristocrats when the Indians attack them with the intent of slaughtering all.
A very intense tale of survival in the old West as cultures clash and lives hang in the balance.
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/167266754476
July 6, 2025
Murder By Cheesecake
Just finished reading "Murder By Cheesecake - A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery" by Rachel Ekstorm Courage, published by Hyperion Avenue.
I was more than a little hesitant about reading this novel. Mom, Dad, Selma, and I enjoyed watching "The Golden Girls" when it first aired on old-fashioned network television and we enjoyed the series. We weren't fans of the spin-off sequel series, "The Golden Palace."
Original novels based on television series are not new. Novelizations of "The Avengers," "Get Smart," "Dark Shadows," "Land of the Giants," "Lost In Space, "The Six Million Dollar Man," "Bridget Loves Bernie," "Star Trek," ect, were extremely popular in the 1960s and even on up to present day. I believe Star Trek holds the record for the most original novels continuing the adventures of characters from a television series with "Murder, She Wrote" coming in a distant second with 65 books so far about mystery writer Jessica Fletcher. Keep in mind though that not all original novels are faithful to the series.
So does "Murder By Cheesecake" actually work? Keep in mind that the Golden Girls did actually solve mysteries from time-to-time on the show, and there was one time Blanche was accused of murder and Dorothy had to solve who killed the man.
Courage did capture the essence and most of the magic of the show, but translating the charm of the Golden Girls onto the written page - she doesn't always succeed.
Central to the plot line is the marriage of Rose's cousin/niece and in order for her niece to get her inheritance from a St. Olaf trust, Rose must put together a traditional St. Olaf wedding that keeps all the customs. Que Dorothy who is using a video tape dating service to find a date to the wedding. She goes on a date with the man, who turns out to be a jerk; and as luck would have it, the jerk winds up dead in a freezer at the hotel where Rose's cousin/niece is having the reception - the very same hotel owned by the groom's family.
Dorothy turns into the number one suspect by the police and the Golden Girls work together to find out who the killer was.
It's a fun, quick read, and it's not a bad way to keep the series going.
Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1368102980/...
I was more than a little hesitant about reading this novel. Mom, Dad, Selma, and I enjoyed watching "The Golden Girls" when it first aired on old-fashioned network television and we enjoyed the series. We weren't fans of the spin-off sequel series, "The Golden Palace."
Original novels based on television series are not new. Novelizations of "The Avengers," "Get Smart," "Dark Shadows," "Land of the Giants," "Lost In Space, "The Six Million Dollar Man," "Bridget Loves Bernie," "Star Trek," ect, were extremely popular in the 1960s and even on up to present day. I believe Star Trek holds the record for the most original novels continuing the adventures of characters from a television series with "Murder, She Wrote" coming in a distant second with 65 books so far about mystery writer Jessica Fletcher. Keep in mind though that not all original novels are faithful to the series.
So does "Murder By Cheesecake" actually work? Keep in mind that the Golden Girls did actually solve mysteries from time-to-time on the show, and there was one time Blanche was accused of murder and Dorothy had to solve who killed the man.
Courage did capture the essence and most of the magic of the show, but translating the charm of the Golden Girls onto the written page - she doesn't always succeed.
Central to the plot line is the marriage of Rose's cousin/niece and in order for her niece to get her inheritance from a St. Olaf trust, Rose must put together a traditional St. Olaf wedding that keeps all the customs. Que Dorothy who is using a video tape dating service to find a date to the wedding. She goes on a date with the man, who turns out to be a jerk; and as luck would have it, the jerk winds up dead in a freezer at the hotel where Rose's cousin/niece is having the reception - the very same hotel owned by the groom's family.
Dorothy turns into the number one suspect by the police and the Golden Girls work together to find out who the killer was.
It's a fun, quick read, and it's not a bad way to keep the series going.
Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1368102980/...
July 5, 2025
Doctors By Nature - How Ants, Apes, & Other Animals Heal Themselves
Just finished reading "Doctors By Nature - How Ants, Apes, & Other Animals Heal Themselves" by Jaap De Roode, published by Princeton University Press.
From chimpanzees treating parasites with bitter plants to monarch butterflies protecting their offspring with toxic milkweed, Doctors by Nature uncovers how animals instinctively use nature’s pharmacy to heal themselves and their communities. Jaap de Roode weaves together cutting-edge research, engaging stories, and his own scientific journey to show how animal medication behaviors can inspire new approaches to human and veterinary medicine.
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Nature...-
From chimpanzees treating parasites with bitter plants to monarch butterflies protecting their offspring with toxic milkweed, Doctors by Nature uncovers how animals instinctively use nature’s pharmacy to heal themselves and their communities. Jaap de Roode weaves together cutting-edge research, engaging stories, and his own scientific journey to show how animal medication behaviors can inspire new approaches to human and veterinary medicine.
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Nature...-
"Bleach - Thousand-Year Blood War - The Separation - Part 2"
Just finished watching "Bleach - Thousand-Year Blood War - The Separation - Part 2" released by VIZ.
A Warning - If you suffer from seizures like I do, there is a seizure warning before the second part of the Bleach finale begins and you do need to pay serious attention to it because each episode has serious strobing and flashing lights.
"The Separation" begins with Ichigo training with Ichibe'e Hyōsube, the captain of Squad Zero. Meanwhile, Yhwach gathers the Quincy army to announce that he has chosen Uryū as his successor, causing discord between many of the Stern Ritters who considered Haschwalth more worthy for the post. Askin Nakk Le Vaar stops the ruckus between other ones, specifically Bazz-B and Haschwalth. Orihime and Chad train at Hueco Mundo, while Urahara researches the Quincy Medallion. Ichibe'e leads Ichigo to a special place in the Royal Palace, which can only be accessed with permission from the Soul King, in order to make him stronger. New Head Captain Shunsui Kyōraku gives Ichigo's human friends a Soul Ticket into the Soul Society in case Ichigo's spiritual pressure becomes too much for the Human World to bear. Rukia and Renji continue their training in the Royal Palace, while Byakuya recovers with Kirinji's help. A dark dome engulfs the Seireitei and the Quincy army returns for the next battle. Yhwach declares that he will retake the world in the next nine days, as per the Quincy Song, the Kaiser Gesang.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/BLEACH-Thousan...
A Warning - If you suffer from seizures like I do, there is a seizure warning before the second part of the Bleach finale begins and you do need to pay serious attention to it because each episode has serious strobing and flashing lights.
"The Separation" begins with Ichigo training with Ichibe'e Hyōsube, the captain of Squad Zero. Meanwhile, Yhwach gathers the Quincy army to announce that he has chosen Uryū as his successor, causing discord between many of the Stern Ritters who considered Haschwalth more worthy for the post. Askin Nakk Le Vaar stops the ruckus between other ones, specifically Bazz-B and Haschwalth. Orihime and Chad train at Hueco Mundo, while Urahara researches the Quincy Medallion. Ichibe'e leads Ichigo to a special place in the Royal Palace, which can only be accessed with permission from the Soul King, in order to make him stronger. New Head Captain Shunsui Kyōraku gives Ichigo's human friends a Soul Ticket into the Soul Society in case Ichigo's spiritual pressure becomes too much for the Human World to bear. Rukia and Renji continue their training in the Royal Palace, while Byakuya recovers with Kirinji's help. A dark dome engulfs the Seireitei and the Quincy army returns for the next battle. Yhwach declares that he will retake the world in the next nine days, as per the Quincy Song, the Kaiser Gesang.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/BLEACH-Thousan...
July 4, 2025
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Just finished watching "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" released by Touchstone Pictures.
"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" is a cinematic achievement that seamlessly merges live-action storytelling with classic animation, delivering a visually stunning and engaging film. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the movie’s unique blend of genres and technical innovation sets it apart as one of the most memorable films of the late 1980s.
Now having said that, sadly "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" would not be made by any Hollywood Studio today.
Bob Hoskins shines as Eddie Valiant, a gruff detective who reluctantly helps Roger Rabbit, a frantic and lovable toon falsely accused of murder. Their dynamic creates both comedy and tension, leading to an adventurous noir-style mystery filled with brilliantly animated sequences.
The film’s use of Disney, Warner Bros., and other iconic animated characters is a delight for audiences, adding nostalgia and clever interactions between cartoons and real-world environments. It also played a key role in revitalizing American animation, leading to the Disney Renaissance era.
"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" is based on the original mystery/alternative universe novel "Who Censored Roger Rabbit" by Gary K. Wolf, who went on to write three original sequels set in the universe of the movie, not the original novel - which spoiler alert - doesn't have the same happy ending of the movie.
In 1947 Los Angeles, animated cartoon characters or “toons” live next to people and often use their abilities to entertain their audience as movie stars. Private investigator Eddie Valiant, once a loyal Toons ally at his brother Teddy's side, has become a depressed alcoholic after Teddy was murdered by an unknown toon five years earlier. Maroon Cartoon Studios owner R.K. Maroon ((Alan Tilvern) is upset by the recent poor performance of his Toon star Roger Rabbit and hires Eddie to investigate rumors that Roger's glamorous toon wife Jessica is having an affair with Marvin Acme (Stubby Kaye), owner of Acme Corporation and Toontown, the animated metropolis where the Toons live. After watching Jessica perform at Ink and Paint Club, Eddie secretly photographs her and Acme playing an erotic bake cake game. He shows the pictures Roger, who is desperate and flees as he refuses to believe that Jessica was unfaithful. The next morning, Acme is found murdered and evidence at the scene suggests Roger is a suspect. Eddie meets Judge Doom (Christopher Lloyd), a truly sinister human judge from Toontown — who bribed voters to win their votes — and his five weasel policemen, the Toon Patrol. Doom confirms that he plans to execute Roger with “Dip,” a chemical mixture of acetone, benzene, and turpentine that is capable of destroying the otherwise invulnerable toons. Roger's Toon co-star Baby Herman points out to Eddie that Acme's missing will — which Toontown supposedly bequeathed to the Toon Toons — could have been the killer's true motive. Eddie returns to his office and finds Roger waiting. Roger insists that something has been attached to him, and Eddie reluctantly agrees to help after finding evidence of Acme's will. He hides Roger in a bar run by his occasional girlfriend Dolores (Joanna Cassidy). Femme Fatale Jessica tells Eddie that Maroon threatened Roger's career if she didn't pose for the compromising photos. Dolores' research, meanwhile, uncovers a plot. Slowly, the private investigator believes Roger Rabbit is completely innocent...
Now here's the kicker, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" was a global sensation when it was released, and I do recall seeing it in the movie theaters with Mom, Dad, and Selma, yet despite having a sequel script written Disney - in it's current state of affairs - refuses to make a sequel because the powers that be at Disney believe that Jessica Rabbit is problematic because she's a "fantasy" woman who is too sexy.
Disney should wise up since "going WOKE" has caused them to loose hundreds of millions of dollars in theatrical bombs after theatrical bombs.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Who-Framed-Rog...
"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" is a cinematic achievement that seamlessly merges live-action storytelling with classic animation, delivering a visually stunning and engaging film. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the movie’s unique blend of genres and technical innovation sets it apart as one of the most memorable films of the late 1980s.
Now having said that, sadly "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" would not be made by any Hollywood Studio today.
Bob Hoskins shines as Eddie Valiant, a gruff detective who reluctantly helps Roger Rabbit, a frantic and lovable toon falsely accused of murder. Their dynamic creates both comedy and tension, leading to an adventurous noir-style mystery filled with brilliantly animated sequences.
The film’s use of Disney, Warner Bros., and other iconic animated characters is a delight for audiences, adding nostalgia and clever interactions between cartoons and real-world environments. It also played a key role in revitalizing American animation, leading to the Disney Renaissance era.
"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" is based on the original mystery/alternative universe novel "Who Censored Roger Rabbit" by Gary K. Wolf, who went on to write three original sequels set in the universe of the movie, not the original novel - which spoiler alert - doesn't have the same happy ending of the movie.
In 1947 Los Angeles, animated cartoon characters or “toons” live next to people and often use their abilities to entertain their audience as movie stars. Private investigator Eddie Valiant, once a loyal Toons ally at his brother Teddy's side, has become a depressed alcoholic after Teddy was murdered by an unknown toon five years earlier. Maroon Cartoon Studios owner R.K. Maroon ((Alan Tilvern) is upset by the recent poor performance of his Toon star Roger Rabbit and hires Eddie to investigate rumors that Roger's glamorous toon wife Jessica is having an affair with Marvin Acme (Stubby Kaye), owner of Acme Corporation and Toontown, the animated metropolis where the Toons live. After watching Jessica perform at Ink and Paint Club, Eddie secretly photographs her and Acme playing an erotic bake cake game. He shows the pictures Roger, who is desperate and flees as he refuses to believe that Jessica was unfaithful. The next morning, Acme is found murdered and evidence at the scene suggests Roger is a suspect. Eddie meets Judge Doom (Christopher Lloyd), a truly sinister human judge from Toontown — who bribed voters to win their votes — and his five weasel policemen, the Toon Patrol. Doom confirms that he plans to execute Roger with “Dip,” a chemical mixture of acetone, benzene, and turpentine that is capable of destroying the otherwise invulnerable toons. Roger's Toon co-star Baby Herman points out to Eddie that Acme's missing will — which Toontown supposedly bequeathed to the Toon Toons — could have been the killer's true motive. Eddie returns to his office and finds Roger waiting. Roger insists that something has been attached to him, and Eddie reluctantly agrees to help after finding evidence of Acme's will. He hides Roger in a bar run by his occasional girlfriend Dolores (Joanna Cassidy). Femme Fatale Jessica tells Eddie that Maroon threatened Roger's career if she didn't pose for the compromising photos. Dolores' research, meanwhile, uncovers a plot. Slowly, the private investigator believes Roger Rabbit is completely innocent...
Now here's the kicker, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" was a global sensation when it was released, and I do recall seeing it in the movie theaters with Mom, Dad, and Selma, yet despite having a sequel script written Disney - in it's current state of affairs - refuses to make a sequel because the powers that be at Disney believe that Jessica Rabbit is problematic because she's a "fantasy" woman who is too sexy.
Disney should wise up since "going WOKE" has caused them to loose hundreds of millions of dollars in theatrical bombs after theatrical bombs.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Who-Framed-Rog...
