House of the Dragon – Season 3
I know some fans who gave up on the Game of Thrones TV universe after the way season 8 ended, and I can respect that. However, I actually love the new prequel, House of the Dragon, even more than the original series, and I was so excited for a new episode each week this summer.
I thought the first season of House of the Dragon was phenomenal, particularly the performance of Milly Alcock as young Rhaenyra Targaryen. I still enjoyed season 2, even though it didn’t feel quite as strong or narratively focused. I’m happy to report that I thoroughly enjoyed the third season, even though there were some plot twists that gutted me (I’m still not over the “Battle of the Gullet”).
The performances in this show are endlessly compelling, and I’m so impressed with the level of talent across this ensemble cast. Even with characters that I am actively rooting against (looking at you, Aegon, Alicent, and Criston Cole!), I can admire the care and craft that goes into each performance. James Norton has been great as this season’s new villain, Ormund Hightower, and I really appreciate the nuance Emma D’Arcy brought to the role of Rhaenyra this season. Minor spoilers/speculation for future seasons: Based on what I’ve heard about George R.R. Martin’s original writings, Rhaenyra’s reign is doomed to end in failure. I really feel for her: she’s trying to be a fair, just, and compassionate ruler, but she has so many forces working against her.
Despite the fact that just like in Game of Thrones, many of my favorite characters will probably not get happy endings, I’m fully invested in this show and am prepared to watch to the bitter end!
The Odyssey
It took me three attempts to see Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, despite really looking forward to it. (Catching a stomach bug during the middle of the summer is not a very fun experience.) However, I finally got a chance to watch it, and I ended up really enjoying it. If you’re a big Nolan fan, I think you’ll enjoy seeing him take on a massive mythological epic using his trademark style (which leans more realistic than fantasy-based). However, there were moments when I wished he’d allowed the mythological elements to be a bit more bombastic and over the top.
My favorite performances included Robert Pattinson as Antinous. This character is a sniveling schemer, but Pattison’s performance is top notch. I also thought Himesh Patel was great as Eurylochus, Odysseus’ second in command and a voice of caution throughout the film. Of all the Greek gods and goddesses we meet, the one who stuck with me the most was Samantha Morton as Circe. The scene in her cottage crosses over into true horror, yet her character still felt human and sympathetic to me.
Nolan has received criticism in the past for the portrayal of female characters in his films (or lack thereof), but I felt he really allowed (most of) the female characters to shine in The Odyssey. Anne Hathaway is wonderful as Odysseus’ wife Penelope, who must guard a kingdom while waiting for a husband who may never return home. Also, I’m dying for a full length spinoff starring Lupita Nyong’o as twin sisters Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra. We only catch glimpses of these characters in Nolan’s Odyssey, but I wanted so much more. I also felt that unfortunately, the script’s portrayal of Calypso fell a bit flat. Which is a shame, because Charlize Theron could have done a lot more with the role, given the chance.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Even though I’ve enjoyed all the Tom Holland Spider-Man movies, I was a little nervous about this newest one. The trailer for Brand New Day looked intriguing, but I wondered:
- Would it have too many villains?
- Would Jon Bernthal’s Punisher appearance simply be a glorified cameo?
- Would the story feel like a repeat of what we’d already seen in the previous three films?
Thankfully, not only did I highly enjoy this movie, all my concerns were addressed. Yes, there is a compelling villain; Punisher is used very well and gets his own mini character arc; and this movie fits along nicely with the other three films but also has its own unique story to tell.
There’s a lot going on in the trailers for this film, but all the visuals and plot points they throw at us ultimately make sense within the context of the story. I don’t want to say more and give away all the twists, but the story is both suspenseful and emotionally satisfying (even if the runtime is a little long).
It was also really cool to see a crowded theater filled with people in Spider-Man attire. I feel like going to the movie theater hasn’t felt the same since the COVID pandemic, but watching Spider-Man: Brand New Day with a bunch of fellow fans was a great moviegoing experience. I’m still worried about Avengers: Doomsday, but go ahead and sign me up for Spider-Man 5!
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