Hot Picks
|
|
|
Power of Grayskull: The Definitive History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
USA 2017
produced by Randall Lobb, Isaac Elliott-Fisher (executive), Mark Hussey (executive), Robert McCallum (executive), Adam F. Goldberg (executive) for FauxPop Media, Definitive Film, Pyre Productions
directed by Randall Lobb, Robert McCallum
starring Dolph Lundgren, Frank Langella, Anthony De Longis, Richard Edlund, William Stout, Alan Oppenheimer, Brian Dobson, Cam Clarke, John Atkin, J. Michael Straczynski, Gwen Wetzler, Erika Scheimer, Tom Sito, Dean Stefan, Larry DiTillio, Mark Taylor, Ted Mayer, Paul Cleveland, Martin Arriola, Rudy Obrero, Emiliano Santalucia, James Eatock, Larry Houston, Scott Neitlich, Val Staples, Arnaud Brun, Justine Dantzer, Mark Ellis, Derek Gable, Michael Halperin, Barbara Hambly, Gabe Khouth, Justin Marks, H. Eric Mayse, Joe Morrison, Bob Nall, David J. Negron, Tom Tataranowicz, Eric Treadaway, Janice Varney-Hamlin, David Wise, Lou Scheimer (archive footage)
written by Randall Lobb, Robert McCallum, music by Matthew Hussey
Masters of the Universe
review by Mike Haberfelner
|
|
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe was a pop-cultural
phenomenon of the 1980s that made its transition from toys to comics to an
animated series (plus spin-off) to feature film to (temporarily) vanish
into obscurity by the end of the decade. But who invented the franchise,
who came up with the characters and backstory? The truth is, nobody in
particular - but no, the answer is more complex than that. Back in the
late 1970s/early 80s, toy manufacturer Mattel, maker of Barbie,
had lost out on a deal of making Star Wars action figures and
turned down a deal to produce merchandise for Conan
the Barbarian as it was an R-rated movie not in line with the
company's family-friendly image. But taking cues from both these movies
they developed a series of action figures living in a sci-fi/fantasy world
that could strike a chord with the kiddie crowd - but since action figures
alone are worth little without context, Mattel would add picture
books and comics to each pack - which is where a muddle-up crept in, since
nobody actually invented He-Man and company but he was developed by
several designers, those tasked with doing the companion books developed
their own mythologies, differing wildly from each other. On came DC
Comics, who saw potential in the characters and ran several He-Man
stories in the pages of DC Comics Presents (including a cross-over
with Superman)
to some success that ironed out the mythology, which was followed by
animation studio Filmation
striking a deal with Mattel to develop the now legendary animated series He-Man
and the Masters of the Universe - a sort of first, as it was the
first series specifically developed to sell more toys. Soon this series
was followed by She-Ra: Princess of Power - both as toyline
and on the small screen, and the franchise grew and grew until things
culminated in the Cannon-produced
live action film Masters of the Universe starring Dolph Lundgren
and Frank Langella in 1987. But not only was this movie not free from
flaws, also the interest in the property has already begun to wane - but
an iconic character like He-Man isn't one to die anytime soon ... It
really doesn't matter if you've ever been a fan of He-Man and the
Masters of the Universe (in whatever shape or form) - and for the
record, I haven't -, this is a fascinating documentary, as it manages to
not only tell a rather extensive history of the birth and evolution of the
franchise, it also offers plenty of insight into modern,
corporation-driven myth-building, not in the least by its many interviews
of all sorts of He-Man creators, collaborators, and even Dolph Lundgren
and Frank Langella, and it doesn't sugarcoat to hit a high note with toy
collectors but remains honest throughout - and at the same time it manages
to capture the fascination of the franchise, despite its admittedly
derivative and hodge-podge mythology. Definitely worth a look,
especially if you've grown up in the 1980s.
|
|
|
review © by Mike Haberfelner
|
Feeling lucky? Want to search any of my partnershops yourself for more, better results? (commissions earned) |
The links below will take you just there!!!
|
|
|
Thanks for watching !!!
|
|
|
Robots and rats,
demons and potholes, cuddly toys and shopping mall Santas,
love and death and everything in between,
Tales to Chill Your Bones to is all of that.
Tales to Chill Your Bones to -
a collection of short stories and mini-plays ranging from the horrific to the darkly humourous,
from the post-apocalyptic to the weirdly romantic,
tales that will give you a chill and maybe a chuckle,
all thought up by the twisted mind of screenwriter and film reviewer Michael Haberfelner.
Tales to Chill Your Bones to
the new anthology by Michael Haberfelner
Out now from Amazon!!! |
|