An Alternate Reality: I saw Yesterday...

"Yesterday" is a "Twilight Zone"/Beatles variant: for me, a tailor-made treat.

Directed by Danny "28 Days Later" Boyle and scripted by Richard "Mr. Bean" Curtis (from a concept co-conceived with Jack "the Simpsons" Barth), "Yesterday" centers on an aspiring, Clacton-On-Sea musician, Jack Malek (portrayed with everyman charm by Himesh Patel). During a global blackout, Malek gets hit by a bus (ouch!) and awakens to a world where no one has ever heard of the Fab Four (not to mention Coca-Cola and cigarettes). 

Though there are initial hints that a cultural alteration has occurred, it becomes ever more evident, when Malek performs "Yesterday" to his friends, who praise his moving composition. When he corrects them with attribution to Paul McCartney, they express ignorance. Malek then comes to terms with the gravity of the circumstance. 

In a desperate effort to share the Beatles' greatness with the oblivious masses, he performs their tunes to anyone who'll listen, but in so doing, receives accolades galore and reluctantly accepts credit for their work.

Malek's childhood friend, Ellie Appleton (Lily "Cinderella" James), a sweet-hearted teacher, lends support, falling ever deeper in love with the songster as he ascends the charts, with a little help from bumbling gofer Rocky (Joel "Game of Thrones" Fry), music producer Debra Hammer (Kate "Ghostbusters" McKinnon) and singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran, who plays himself.

Wonderment and guilt track Malek, but he comes to discover that there are others who remember as he does. This makes the surreal set-up all the stranger, but also gives tender closure to this alternate-reality, "magical, mystery tour". 

In addition to experiencing Patel's wonderful covers, what I adore about "Yesterday" is how the songs click with its intent. As others digest the Beatles' genius for the first time, we're reminded how their songs have touched our lives. From this, we realize how we may have taken such for granted, as if these caring creations were always meant to be. 

This, in turn, encourages us to consider other things that matter: loved ones, sunny days...all those special luck-of-the-draws that come our way. It's easy to complain why our lives aren't richer, but if the things we appreciate most were ever taken from us (if we never had the chance to seize them), think how poor we'd be.

"Yesterday", as it plays through Malek's awestruck eyes, captures this message with remarkable empathy. Malek's relationship with dear Appleton is but another compassionate case in point: an essential motif that ideally ties to the Beatles' legacy.

I'm grateful to "Yesterday" for its loving, resonating lesson: a great concept, great music...great entertainment. 

SO LONG, TADAO TAKASHIMA...

You were an  honorable genre-jumper, but to Toho fans (to kaiju connoisseurs) you were a giant in the acting field.

"King Kong vs Godzilla"; "Frankenstein Conquers the World" ("Frankenstein vs Baragon"); "Son of Godzilla"; "Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla II"; and "Atragon" sealed your legendary fate.

You remained earnest and empathetic in your roles: easy to look up to and respect. This added solid credibility to the fantastic scenarios that you visited.

May you reign supreme in all your ethereal adventures, Mr. Takashima, aware that your titanic contributions will continue to delight grateful generations. 

THE UNBEATEABLE BRICK #5: A SURPRISING ADVERSARY!!!

Surprising Comics and Lloyd Smith bring us The Unbeatable Brick #5, and boy, is it ever a thriller, empowered by an unnerving twist.

This time our malleable hero faces an unexpected adversary (one who's otherwise proven himself a true-blue hero). For whatever odd reason, he holds a grudge against F.L.A.G.G. and of course, the big, red one.

What's the catch...the motivation behind the resentment? Well, the mystery just adds to the suspense in this terrific issue, energized by Smith's jolting dialogue and Donnie Page's edgy plot and artwork.

Don't let this historic clash slip by. Order The Unbeatable Brick #5 at ...
https://www.drivethrucomics.com/product/281104/Unbeatable-Brick-5a?manufacturers_id=7565&fbclid=IwAR0cy9eRtiwaD8aZuIOAF-rHMX_Beic0dvOgPIw3FncSXiRlUwVGhu-tOFc.

RIP BILLY DRAGO...

Where does one begin to describe the unique glories of an actor of your caliber? You were amazing on all levels and in all genres, Mr. Drago, though you seemed to excel best with the anguished and intimidating.

That intense persona ignited so many exciting entries: "Windwalker"; "Banzai Runner"; "Cutter's Way"; "Invasion U.S.A"; "Hero and the Terror"; "Dark Before Dawn"; "Pale Rider"; "Hunter's Blood"; "True Blood"; "The Untouchables '87"; "Lady Dragon 2"; "Martial Law 2"; "Cyborg 2"; "Death Ring"; "Deadly Heroes"; "Never Say Die"; "A Doll in the Dark"; "Mirror Mirror III - IV"; "Lunar Cop"; "The Hills Have Eyes '06"; "Sci-Fighters"; "Demon Hunter"; "Blood Money"; "Blood Relic"; "Seven Mummies"; "Copperhead"; "Dark Moon Rising"; "The Takeover"; "Tremors 4"; "Wolf Moon"; "Vamp"; and many, many more. 

On television, you appeared on "The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.", "The X-Files", "Friday the 13th: the Series" and "Masters of Horror": in each instance, leaving an indelible impression. 

You were the consummate, phenomenal performer: a man who toiled in the shadows, but who was always worthy of the limelight. 

GODSPEED, SUSAN BERNARD...

You were a Playmate of the upper echelon: an actress who's consumed the big and small screens; daughter of legendary photographer, Bruno Bernard (of Hollywood); spouse of actor supreme, Jason Miller; and mother of acclaimed author/director/producer, Joshua John Miller. 

Your impressive credits include "Room 222"; "General Hospital"; "The Witchmaker"; "The Mao Game"; "The Phynx"; "Teenager"; "The Tender Touch"; "Machismo"; "Stranger in Hollywood"; "Necromancy" (for Bert I. Gordon); and "The Killing Kind" (for Curtis Harrington). 

However, most cinema connoisseurs love you best for Russ Meyer's bad-girl, exploitation epic, "Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!", where you played the good one among the curvy, featured four. 

Your beauty is eternal, Ms. Bernard; your contributions revered: a goddess who proved she could excel on many titillating tiers. 

SO LONG, EDITH SCOB...

Your career was rich and deep, but to horror fans, you became a preeminent symbol, due to your role in Georges Franju's "Eyes Without A Face" ("The Horror Chamber of Dr. Faustus".)

As the disfigured Christine Genessier, you floated with forlorn grace, your poignant eyes beaming beyond your mask in a most memorable way. 

In fact, so strong was your spectral visage that it inspired a long queue of homages, including Leos Carax's "Holy Motors", where you resumed your iconic guise, as well as a classic Billy Idol tune. 

To give fans a further treat, you even haunted Christophe Gans' inventive "Brotherhood of the Wolf", fortifying your dark-fantasy ranking.

You've attained something that most can only imagine, Ms. Scob: an immortality that now twines both heaven and earth. 

GOODBYE, BRYAN MARSHALL...

You exuded distinction and high class, Mr. Marshall, which made great productions all the greater, particularly those of the fantastic, historic and adventurous. 

There's "Rasputin the Mad Monk"; "The Viking Queen"; "Quatermass and the Pit/Five Million Years to Earth" (all three for Hammer); "The Witches"; "Mosquito Squadron"; "Man in the Wilderness"; "The Spy Who Loved Me"; "BMX Bandits"; "The Punisher '89"; "The Phantom Horseman"; "The Long Good Friday"; and "Selkie". 

Your television work was as intriguing, with "The Buccaneer"; "Armchair Thriller"; "The Boy Merlin"; "The New Adventure of Robin Hood"; "The Frighteners"; "Thriller"; "The Saint"; "Return of the Saint"; "Warship"; and "The Professionals". 

An actor of your caliber will be sorely missed; your opulent work will forever live on...

FAREWELL, STEVE HAWKES...

You had your heart and ambitions in the right place, Mr. Hawkes: a Tarzan who wasn’t really one, due to licensing costs. 

This doesn’t diminish your work, however, and to those in the know, “Tarzan and the Golden Grotto” and “Tarzan and the Brown Prince” hold significant status.

You also made history as the transforming Herschell in “Blood Freak”: a bizarre favorite that continues to fascinate.  

May you swing free (with all the acknowledgement and prestige you rightly deserve) in Heaven's boundless jungles.