"THE ARTIST" (2011) Photo Gallery

Below are images from the 2011 movie called "THE ARTIST". Directed by Michel Hazanavicius, the movie stars Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo:

"THE ARTIST" (2011) Photo Gallery

RETROSPECTIVE: “STAR TREK VOYAGER" (6.14) - "Memorial"

RETROSPECTIVE: "STAR TREK VOYAGER" (6.14) "Memorial"

I have never been a fan of "STAR TREK VOYAGER"’s Season Six. It is my second least favorite season of the series, following Season One. But I am not here to discuss the sixth season. Instead, I want to discuss one of the season’s episode – namely (6.14) "Memorial". Despite being part of a mediocre season, I consider this episode to be one of the series’ best.

"Memorial" is an excellent episode that seemed to be – at least in my opinion – misunderstood by many Trek fans. In this tense story, Chakotay, Tom Paris, Harry Kim and Neelix return to Voyager following a two-week Away mission in search for dilithium ore. Upon their return to the ship, the quartet begin experiencing flashbacks, anxiety attacks and hallucinations of a battle they had never fought. Investigations of their flashbacks eventually lead the crew to a planet called Tarakis on which a massacre of civilian settlers called the Nakan, occurred centuries ago. Upon Voyager’s approach to Tarakis, the majority of the crew began experiencing similar flashbacks. Including Janeway. The crew finds a memorial to the massacre on the now-deserted planet which transmits neurogenic pulses that create false memories, intended to make sure that those who came near would not forget what happened there. Because the memorial's transmitter is failing, Janeway considers letting it go offline to spare others the psychological trauma to which the crew was subjected. In the end, however, she decides to repair the memorial because the massacre is too important to forget.

Many fans have expressed dislike of the Tarakis sharing their guilt to passing strangers in such a forceful and unwanted manner, using the memorial. Many have also disagreed with Janeway’s decision to repair the memorial, instead of destroying it. On one level, I had shared their feelings. I commended the Tarakis for facing their crimes and guilt. But their decision to expose their guilt by forcing innocent travelers to relive their crimes with the neurogenic memorial made me wonder if the Tarakis ever truly learned anything from the massacre of the Nakan.

But what many Trek fans and critics had failed to realize that Neelix was the only one who had supported Janeway’s decision to keep the memorial operational and intact. I wondered if anyone had remembered that by the end of the episode, Chakotay, Paris and Kim had expressed dislike and disapproval of Janeway’s decision. They only helped to repair the memorial, because Janeway ordered them to do so. I suspect that the episode’s writers, Brannon Braga and Robin Burger, had ended it with two opposing views in order for the audience to form their own judgment.

Another matter had drawn a response from the fans. Many expressed negative reactions to the argument between Voyager’s lovebirds - the traumatized Tom Paris and B’Elanna Torres. The fans criticized Paris for pushing B’Elanna away when she tried to help him deal with his memories from the memorial. Perhaps Paris had been wrong to push her away. On the other hand, I wish that someone had stopped Torres from seeking Tom out in the first place. Or at least convince her to leave him in peace for a while. I realize that B'Elanna only wanted to help the man she loved, but he was not ready to share his memories of the Tarakis massacre with anyone. Including her. His memories of the massacre were too traumatic and too soon for him to deal with. One cannot force another to deal with a trauma if he or she is not ready to do so. If Torres had attempted to talk with Chakotay or Harry, I suspect that she would have encountered a similar rebuff.

As I had stated before, "Memorial" is an excellent episode. Highlights include the quartet’s comedic return to Voyager, Torres’ surprise for Paris – a mid-20th century television set, their subsequent quarrel over Paris’ memories, Neelix’s breakdown in the Mess Hall, and his later conversation with Seven-of-Nine. I found Harry Kim’s memories of an encounter with a pair of Nakin refugees inside a cave the most chilling moment in the entire episode. The episode also benefited from some superb performances from the cast - especially Robert Duncan McNeill, Roxann Dawson, Garrett Wang and Ethan Phillps; and guest star Lindsay Ginter. However, "Memorial" does have a major flaw. The episode had never revealed what happened to Paris and Torres following their argument. Even worse, Berman and Braga’s writers had failed to follow up on this storyline in any of the following episodes. The series’ fans finally learned that the pair’s estrangement had ended by the later episode, (6.20) "Good Shepherd". Only they never learned how.

Despite this obvious flaw, I believe that "Memorial" is a first-rate episode. Not only do I consider it one of the best from Season Six, but also one of the best from the entire series.

"The Power of One" [PG-13] - 9/20

"THE POWER OF ONE"

PART IX

McNeill Corporation's corporate officers filed out of the boardroom, as they chatted happily over the new deal that had been reached. Even Cecile felt better than she had in the past week. Especially since her business deal with the corporation had concluded successfully. Crescent Software's list of clients has just spread beyond the Lower Mississippi Valley and the Southeast to include the West Coast. Cecile allowed herself a smile, as she followed Cole and the McNeills to the CEO's office.

"That went off well," Jack McNeill declared, as he settled into the leather chair behind his desk. "Once the contracts are signed and processed, we can set about arranging training sessions for our employees. Um . . ."

Cecile interrupted. "I suppose we can discuss the training schedules, later."

Harry corrected, "Sure. But just to let you know, your employees can train our tech people who are employed at the corporate level. After that . . ."

"You will provide training to all of your companies," Cecile finished. "That's fine with me. But right now, I feel like celebrating."

Cole shot her a penetrating glance. "Well, you're certainly in a good mood, today. A first this week, isn't it?"

Cecile's smile faltered, thanks to the half-daemon's cool observation. She suspected that he was thinking about Andre. "Yeah," she said, staring at him. "I guess I am." Cole looked away. "Of course, I . . ." Her cell phone rang. Cecile retrieved it from her purse. "Excuse me. Hello?"

"Hey Cecile, it's me! Olivia! Are you busy?" The redhead's voice rang in her ear. "I've been trying to get a hold of you for the past hour."

The Vodoun priestess commented, "I've had my cell phone turned off. What do you need?"

"I'm just calling to let you know that I'll have to take a rain check on our lunch, today," Olivia continued. "Something has come up."

Suspicion glimmered in the back of Cecile's mind. "Does that something have to do with Donna Thompson?"

A brief hesitation on Olivia's part followed, before she finally answered, "As a matter of fact . . . yeah. It does. Why? Do you want to help?"

Cecile glanced at Cole. "Well, I was thinking about lunch with Cole and Harry."

"Bring them along. Especially Cole."

"Uh . . ." Cecile faced the others. "I'll ask." She removed the cell phone from her ear. "Are any of you guys interested in helping Olivia with a little investigation, this afternoon?"

Harry answered, "Sorry, but I have an appointment. Business."

"So do I," Mr. McNeill added.

Once more, Cecile glanced at the half-daemon. "Cole?"

He shrugged. "Sure. Why not? My schedule is free."

"Cole and I will join you," Cecile informed Olivia. "Where do you want to meet for . . .?"

Olivia told her. "Meet me at P3 in about an hour from now. I have to get something from my apartment. I'll see you then."

"I'll see you." Cecile disconnected her telephone. Then she turned to Cole. "Olivia wants us to meet her at P3."

Looking slightly confused, Cole demanded, "Why? By any chance does this have to do with Wyatt's new nanny? I remember her trying to talk about this Donna, during last night's dinner."

Cecile sighed. "I'm afraid so. Olivia had an encounter with her, yesterday. And now she's become paranoid over the woman. And when she gets like . . ."

"Yes, we all know how Olivia can be when her paranoia gets the best of her," Mr. McNeill wearily added.

Cole murmured, "But she usually turns out to be right."

"Can't deny the truth," Mr. McNeill shot back. Then he added, "By the way, Gwen and I will be holding a little cocktail party, tomorrow night. To celebrate today's deal. It'll start around seven."

Cecile frowned. "Not tonight?"

"Our coven is holding a meeting, tonight. At Phil Bannen's home."

"Oh. I'll be there." Cecile turned to Cole. "Ready?" The half-daemon nodded, as he and the Vodoun priestess bid the McNeills good-bye, before setting out for their new destination.

----------

Family always mattered to the Halliwells. It certainly mattered to Piper, who loved her family very much. But there were moments when her family could be the biggest pain in her ass. Like now.

"Phoebe," the oldest Charmed One said in her most patient voice, "please stop this. Please? I'm trying to finish this inventory of liquor and you're still going on about Donna."

The younger woman had dropped by the nightclub to invite Piper for lunch. Unfortunately, the club owner had no choice but to decline her sister's offer due to her heavy workload. Between checking the inventory, booking new acts for the next two months and finding a new manager, Piper really had no time for ninety minute lunches. But instead of leaving, Phoebe decided to hang around the club . . . and nag her to death about her son's new nanny.

"But Piper, don't you find it strange that she was the last applicant to arrive? One would say that it was pretty convenient that she was around to help you vanquish that . . ." Phoebe glanced around to ensure that no one could hear them. ". . . that demon."

Piper rolled her eyes. "A demon that she had allegedly hired to attack me?"

"Yeah."

"Phoebe, if Donna had hired a demon to attack us, why did she help me vanquish him? Why did he attack her?" The younger sister's mouth fell open. Piper moved in for the kill. "With me dead, no one could have stopped Donna and that demon from taking Wyatt. But that didn't happen, Phoebe. I'm alive and we still have Wyatt with his powers intact - thanks to Donna. And she hasn't made a move in the past few days. Can you explain that?"

Uncertainty replaced the fervent gleam in Phoebe's eyes. "I don't know, Piper. But I can't help how I feel. There's just something wrong about her."

"Something wrong about whom?" a third voice asked. Both Piper and Phoebe looked up and saw two figures descend the nightclub's staircase. It was Cole and Cecile. As usual, Phoebe's face turned slightly pink at the sight of her former husband. The two newcomers approached the sisters. Cole added, "Were you two talking about someone?"

Phoebe remained silent, while Piper sighed. "Wyatt's new nanny. Donna. Phoebe thinks there's something suspicious about her."

"Oh no!" Cecile groaned. "Phoebe too?"

Piper frowned. "What do you mean?"

The Vodoun priestess continued, "Olivia is also suspicious. Something to do with a necklace or amulet that she thinks your nanny has."

An uneasy thought entered Piper's mind at Cecile's mention of an amulet. "Are you saying that Olivia believes that Donna has that demon's amulet?"

Footsteps clattered on the staircase. Seconds later, Olivia appeared before them, carrying a thick book. "Hi guys! What's going on?"

"You tell us," Cole said, as he greeted her with a light kiss. "You asked us to join you here."

Piper added, "We're talking about Donna. Whom Phoebe seems to think has designs on my son. And now, Cecile tells us that you're also suspicious."

Olivia placed the book on the bar's flat surface. "And you're not?"

"What for? She hasn't done anything! I've been trying to tell Phoebe, but she won't listen."

Phoebe retorted, "She hasn't done anything . . . yet. For all we know, she might be biding her time. I mean, this is Wyatt we're talking about. Donna probably has some special potion to strip his powers."

"Or a special ritual," Cecile added. Everyone stared at her. "Look, I'm no more suspicious than Piper. So far, I haven't sensed anything threatening about her and I'm a telepath. But if this Donna is planning on stealing Wyatt's powers, she would probably use some kind of ritual. I know I would."

Feeling slightly annoyed, Piper exclaimed, "Okay, this has gone too far! Neither Phoebe or Olivia have any real proof that Donna has some . . . 'nefarious' scheme planned for Wyatt. Or do you?"

Olivia exchanged a glance with Phoebe before she declared, "Well . . . here's something that you might find interesting. Did you know there are . . . or were two Donna Thompsons born on March 14, 1968? One of them died back in 1996 and the other happens to be Wyatt's new nanny."

Everyone - including Piper - stared at the redhead. "Meaning?" the oldest Charmed One asked, feeling suddenly uneasy.

The other witch revealed what she had learned from the city's police records and the Department of Motor Vehicles. "I can understand if there are more than one Donna Thompson in the world. But two that were born on the same day? And in the same city? What's even more suspicious is the fact that I could only find two driver's licenses issued to your new nanny. And the first one had been issued about two months after the other Donna's death. I don't know about the rest of you, but that seems to be taking coincidence a bit too far. Don't you think?"

Stunned by Olivia's revelation, Piper exclaimed, "Are you trying to tell us that my son's nanny is a fake?" The red-haired witch merely responded with a silent shrug.

"I think that's exactly what Olivia is trying to tell us," Phoebe added. "I haven't been able to sense any emotions from her for the past two days or so."

Piper retorted caustically, "Lucky woman!"

"I'm serious, Piper. I haven't sensed anything from her. And considering my lack of control over my empathy, I should be able to."

Sighing, Piper demanded, "So, what are you saying? That Donna isn't even human?"

"There's a good chance," Phoebe murmured. Piper glared at her. "What?"

"Nothing!" Then, "I just . . . I just find it hard to believe that Donna is a demon. I mean, that demon who had attacked me, nearly killed her."

Phoebe shot back, "I wouldn't be surprised if your nanny had arranged that little attack."

Olivia opened the book that she had placed on the bar. "I don't know if she's a daemon or not. I'm still wondering about the daemon that had attacked you."

"Is that your Book of Shadows?" Piper asked, staring at the thick book.

"Yeah. I wondered if you would be able to identify him."

Piper shook her head. "I've already checked our Book of Shadows. He wasn't in there."

"But he might be in mine," Olivia added. "Your description of him reminded me of someone I had once seen about fifteen or sixteen years ago."

Believing that she was wasting her time, Piper heaved a sigh, as she began to peruse Olivia's book. To her surprise, it did not take long for her to find the demon that had attacked her. Olivia had added a rather well drawn sketching the demon on the book's 14th page. "Oh my God," she murmured. "That's him! That's the demon who had . . ." She stared at Olivia. "How did you . . .?"

"I had spotted him during a family trip to Scotland," Olivia said. "Just before he had killed an old friend of my grandfather and Cousin Keith's. A wizard named Adolphus Grant. Since I was the only one who had spotted him, I added a drawing of him in my Book of Shadows. Only, no one knew his name."

Cole approached the bar and peered at the book. "I know him," he commented. His name is . . . or was Nairn. A demonic assassin. A soldier-of-fortune."

"Like you used to be," Phoebe added. Piper noticed the plaintive tone in Phoebe's voice.

Apparently, Cole did not. He continued, "Actually, I was never really a soldier-of-fortune. Especially since I had worked for the Source. And the Thorn Brotherhood directly. Nairn, on the other hand, was a true soldier-of-fortune. He worked for anyone who would hire him. He had been on the Source's hit list for over forty years. Ever since he killed the head of the Lehme Brotherhood, back in the late 50s."

Curiosity gleamed in Cecile's dark eyes. "He managed to kill the head of a demonic order?"

"Don't ask me how he did it," Cole said with a shake of his head. "Granted, Nairn was a top assassin. But he was also a mid-level daemon. His assassination of Bosaal became the talk of the Source's Realm over the next forty-two years." The half-demon assumed a rueful expression. "Until I killed the Triad."

"Why would he risk the Source's vengeance with such a job?" Olivia asked. "Who hired him?"

Cole replied, "It turned out that a powerful witch coven in Norway had hired Nairn to kill Bosaal. The latter had killed their leader in order to steal their sigil. Which is supposed to be a source of great power for the coven. The coven summoned and hired Nairn, who completed his job. After Bosaal's death, the Source retaliated by putting zoltars on his trail and tried to destroy the coven. Unfortunately, Nairn killed every zoltar who crossed his path. And the coven proved difficult to destroy. Only a few members were killed, but their sigil proved to be very effective in protecting them."

Phoebe stared at her former husband in shock. "Wait a minute! Are you saying that witches had hired a demonic assassin?"

"Yeah." Cole nodded. "And Nairn completed the job. Just as I had told you."

"But witches?" Phoebe paused, and shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe that they would . . . Were they evil witches?"

Cole rolled his eyes in contempt. "Sorry Phoebe," he said sarcastically, "but the Bla Mane Coven are known throughout the Asatru world as decent witches. The death of their leader had . . . somewhat affected them, I think. At least the coven's council members. Besides, didn't Prue and Piper once work with a zoltar to hunt me down? And none of you didn't mind working with me, for a while."

Oh God! Piper heaved a mental sigh. She always tends to forget about Krell, the zoltar who had been after Cole after the latter had killed the Triad. She began to fear that little alliance might haunt them forever.

"Oh yeah," Phoebe murmured. "Krell. I forgot about him."

Piper added sarcastically, "I wish I could."

Cecile continued, "So, this Nairn had no trouble being hired by witches? I'm surprised that he didn't try to double-cross them in the end."

Cole replied, "The Bla Mane witches had something to offer Nairn in return for Bosaal's death. Which is why he didn't double-cross them. Besides, he's not in the habit of double-crossing his clients. That's how he stayed in business for nearly a century."

"Too bad his last client didn't follow the same policy," Phoebe muttered.

Cecile shot back, "You don't know if Donna Whatshername had hired this Nairn."

"Isn't it obvious?"

The frowning Vodoun priestess retorted, "How? How is it obvious? Look, I'm not denying that there is something suspicious about Wyatt's nanny. And I'm not denying that she could have hired that daemon. But we don't know for a fact that she did. And before we start assuming, I suggest we find more proof."

Hands on her hips, Phoebe glared at Cecile. "What more proof do you need?"

Cecile glared back. "A hell of a lot more than you do! Has anyone ever told you that you have a bad habit of jumping to conclusions?"

Phoebe opened her mouth to retort, but Olivia interrupted. "I'm more interested in what the Bla Mane coven may have given to Nairn." She turned to Cole. "Do you have any idea what they gave him?"

Cole shook his head. "Sorry, I haven't the foggiest idea." His eyes narrowed. "What do you think they gave him?"

With a shrug of her shoulders, Olivia replied, "An amulet perhaps? One that once belonged to a dominion spirit named Caspiel?" Everyone stared at Olivia, as she revealed what she had noticed about Donna's necklace, yesterday. Along with her grandmother's book on the supernatural and her knowledge of dominion spirits.

The revelation flabbergasted Piper. She could not believe her ears. "Dominion spirits? Why hasn't Leo ever told us about them? And if this Nairn had been wearing the amulet of one . . . Oh my God! No wonder I couldn't just easily vanquish him!" She frowned at Olivia. "You really think that Donna now has the amulet?"

Olivia sighed. "I don't know, Piper. I don't know for certain that she has it. For all we know, it might still be somewhere inside your house. But if the amulet had originally belonged to a dominion spirit, I doubt very much that it had been destroyed, when you and Donna killed Nairn."

Piper glanced at her watch. It read twelve fifty-one. "So . . . I suppose you want to check to see if she has that amulet?"

Again, Olivia shrugged. "It would be a good idea."


END OF PART IX

"HAYWIRE" (2012) Photo Gallery

Below are images from Steven Soderbergh's new thriller called "HAYWIRE". The movie stars Gina Carano:


"HAYWIRE" (2012) Photo Gallery

"WESTWARD HO!": Part One - "HOW THE WEST WAS WON" (1962)

Below is Part One to my article about Hollywood's depiction about the westward migration via wagon trains in 19th century United States. It focuses upon the 1962 movie, "HOW THE WEST WAS WON":

"WESTWARD HO!": Part One - "HOW THE WEST WAS WON" (1962)

I. Introduction

The sprawling 1962 movie, "HOW THE WEST WAS WON" focused upon the fifty (50) years history of the Prescott-Rawlins family between 1839 and 1889. The movie was divided into five sections - "The Rivers", "The Plains", "The Civil War", "The Railroad" and "The Outlaws". Westbound migration was featured in the movie's first two segments - "The River" and "The Plains".

"HOW THE WEST WAS WON" opens in 1839 (I think) with the Prescotts, a family from upstate New York, westbound to settle on new land in Illinois. After a trip along the Erie Canal, the Prescotts and their traveling companions, the Harveys from Scotland, build flatboats for the westbound journey on the Ohio River. During their journey, they meet a mountain man named Linus Rawlins (James Stewart), who is eastbound to sell his furs in Pittsburgh. The Prescotts' oldest daughter, Eve (Carroll Baker), and Linus fall in love. After a disastrous encounter with river rapids that led to the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Prescott; Eve decides to settle at the very location of their deaths in Southern Ohio and accept Linus' marriage proposal. Younger sister Lilith Prescott (Debbie Reynolds) decides to move on.

"The Plains" picks up over a decade later, with Lilith as a dance hall performer in St. Louis. She learns from an attorney that she has inherited a California gold claim from a now deceased customer. Lilith travels to Independence, where she joins a California-bound wagon train by becoming the traveling companion of a middle-aged woman named Aggie Clegg (Thelma Ritter), willing to use Lilith's looks to attract eligible men for marriage. Lilith also attracts the attention of two men, wagonmaster Roger Morgan (Robert Preston) and a roguish gambler named Cleve Van Valen (Gregory Peck).


II. History vs. Hollywood

To this day, I never understood why screenwriter James R. Webb allowed the Prescotts and the Harveys to travel across the Erie Canal. It is obvious that he had every intention of having them settle in Southern Ohio, along the River. So why use that route? According to the 1840 map below, the Erie Canal was a waterway that stretched from Albany to Buffalo in upstate New York.




This meant that the Prescotts and Harveys's first leg of their journey ended at Buffalo, along the shores of Lake Erie. Are we really supposed to believe that the two families then journeyed from Buffalo to the banks of the Ohio River, in order to reach Illinois, when they could have easily traveled near the U.S.-Canada border to reach their destination? And Webb failed to reveal how they reached the Ohio River without a wagon. He could have allowed Eve Prescott and the other surviving members of the family to settle in Illinois or Ohio near one of the Great Lakes . . . or avoid the Erie Canal altogether and end up in Southern Ohio. Unfortunately, the screenwriter settled for a convoluted route. Even worse, he had mountain man Linus Rawlins traveling toward Pittsburgh to sell furs. Really? In 1839? Linus could have easily sold his furs further west in St. Louis or more importantly, Independence in western Missouri, without having to cross the Mississippi River.

When Lilith Prescott traveled to California after inheriting her California gold claim over a decade later, she chose the correct route - the Oregon/California Trails. However, Webb, director Henry Hathaway, and the producers decide to include nearly every cliché regarding western migration.

One, gambler Cleve Van Valen tried to join Roger Morgan's wagon train in Independence, in order to make acquaintance with Lilith. He was told to get lost. Cleve managed to catch up with the wagon train some 100 miles west of Independence. Yet, the terrain looked suspiciously arid for eastern Kansas. The wagon trains used in this production were very large. In fact, they struck me as looking larger than a typical Conestoga wagon. One scene in the movie featured Cleve and a group of male emigrants playing poker inside one wagon . . . while it was traveling. This was Hollywood history at its worse. And guess what? Those wagons were pulled by horses, not oxen or mules.

"HOW THE WEST WAS WON" never featured any well known landmarks along the Oregon/California Trails. I suspect this was due to the movie's constraining time for each segment. However, there was time to feature a large scale attack on the wagon train by a horde of Cheyenne warriors. And this attack was made against a large and well-armed wagon train. In reality, there would have never been such an attack in the first place. And if such a thing had happened, the Cheyenne would have been seriously wiped out.

I cannot deny that "HOW THE WEST WAS WON" was an entertaining film. But in the end, it turned out to be too much "Hollywood" and not enough "History".

"The Power of One" [PG-13] - 8/20

"THE POWER OF ONE"

PART VIII

"Are you sure that he's here?" Elise McNeill asked her granddaughter. The two women climbed out of Olivia's BMW convertible and approached the Union Square shop.

Olivia sighed. "I don't know. Last I heard, Andre went for a walk, last night. And according to Cole, he was missing this morning." She placed her hand on the shop's doorknob. It turned easily. "I guess he is here." Olivia opened the door and the two witches entered. "Hello? Andre?"

The houngan emerged from the back of the shop. "Yeah, I'm here." Andre strode toward the women.

"How long have you been here?" Gran demanded.

"Since five-thirty, this morning." Andre paused, looking slightly uncomfortable. "I had trouble sleeping."

Olivia sighed. "I knew I shouldn't have told you about Cecile!"

Shaking his head, Andre replied, "No, no! It's okay. At least I won't have to waste my time with a wedding proposal."

Both women reacted with distress at Andre's remark. "You can't be serious!" Oliva protested. "I mean . . . don't you have a ring selected? Gran told me."

Andre leaned against one of the shelves. "Yeah, I know. But since Cecile's no longer interested in me . . ."

"Before you decide that's true," Gran said, interrupting, "why don't you see how Cecile will react to your proposal?"

Olivia added, "May I see the ring?"

With a sigh, Andre moved away from the shelf and headed over to the one of the display cases filled with jewelry. He picked up an object and handed it over to Olivia. "That the ring I had planned to give to Cecile."

A quick appraisal by Olivia enabled her to recognize that the ring had a French design and that it dated sometime back in the seventeenth century. She had studied Art History back in college. "Very nice," she murmured. "There's nothing supernatural about it, is there?"

"No," Andre quickly said. "It's perfectly fine." He sighed. "So, you think I should ask her to marry me, anyway?"

Both women answered at the same time, "Yes!"

Andre turned to Olivia. "Well Livy, you're about to make your first profit. I understand that the ring costs around a hundred-and-eighty dollars."

Olivia walked over to the cash register. "I'll get the receipt pad and cash box. By the way, did you guys find anything interesting?"

Gran replied, "We found a lot of interesting items. Especially that dagger with those markings on the hilt. Remember Andre?"

Looking slightly distracted, Andre nodded. "Oh. Yeah, I . . . uh, remember. The dagger that belonged to a dominion spirit."

"A what?" Andre's news took Olivia by surprise. "Did you say a dominion spirit?" She placed a tin box and the receipt pad on the counter. "Did anyone touch it?"

Gran added, "Andre did."

"And he didn't burn? Or get hurt any other way?" Olivia shook her head in disbelief. "Objects like that contain great power, and they usually affect beings who are lesser than dominion spirits - daemons of all kind . . . and mortals." She paused. "Did the marking show to whom the dagger originally belonged?"

Andre snapped out of his distracted state. "I'll show you." He disappeared toward the back of the shop, while Olivia began to write the receipt for the ring. A few minutes later, the houngan returned with a bejeweled dagger.

Olivia reached out to take the dagger. Gran exclaimed, "No Livy! Don't touch the . . ." She broke off, as her granddaughter grabbed hold of the dagger. "Goddess! You two?" She frowned. "I don't understand. Neither of you were affected."

"Maybe you're wrong about it belonging to a dominion spirit," Olivia said, as she examined the dagger's hilt.

Shaking her head, Gran replied, "I can't be. I saw the marking, myself. It belonged to Caspiel."

"The dominion spirit associated with fire?" Olivia asked.

Realization lit up the elderly witch's gray-blue eyes. "Of course! That's why you two . . ." She turned to Andre. "Are any of your psi powers based on the fire element?"

Andre frowned. "Well, I'm an atmoskinetic. Which means that two of the powers I control - fire and electricity - are based on the fire element."

"And Livy is a fire witch," Gran finished. "No wonder you two weren't affected. If that dagger had come from a dominion spirit associated with another element - like Carnesiel, who deals with the spirit element - you would have been in serious danger."

Olivia turned the dagger over and spotted the marking on the bottom of the hilt. She gasped. "Is this Caspiel's mark?" she demanded.

"Yeah," Andre answered. "Why?"

"I think I may have seen it, before. On something else." And idea came to the red-haired witch. "I've got to go." She returned the dagger to Andre and headed for the shop's entrance.

Gran demanded, "Where are you going?"

"To the station. There's someone I need to check on."

-----------

The images of Donna Thompson removing hair from Wyatt's brush continued to plague Phoebe's mind. She found herself becoming so obsessed with the new nanny that she found it difficult to do her work.

Why did Donna's actions bother her? Why did a knot in her stomach form every time she thought about the other woman? Piper had been right about one thing. There was nothing sinister about cleaning a baby's hairbrush. So, why did she feel there was? Had it something to do with Donna's reaction, when she had entered the nursery? Or that flash of guilt and fear in the other woman's eyes?

Phoebe shook her head. She realized that she was allowing her imagination to get the best of her. If Donna had really wanted to harm Wyatt, she could have done it by now. Besides, the woman did help Piper save Wyatt from a demonic attack. If she had been interviewed before the demon, Piper would have been dead and Wyatt . . .

The middle Charmed One's thoughts came to a screeching halt. "If she had been interviewed before the demon . . ." Of course! Phoebe shot out of her chair, as the epiphany struck her.

Donna must have arranged for the demon to attack Piper. Phoebe recalled her older sister stating that the Vodoun priestess had been the last to arrive that morning. It all made sense. Donna finds out about Wyatt and the position for his nanny. She arranges for a demon to pose as an applicant. Both the priestess and the demon make arrangements on the order of arrival. The demon attacks Piper. Donna comes to Piper's rescue. Only Donna double-crosses her partner and helps Piper vanquish the demon before the latter can escape. And the priestess is hailed as a heroine and rewarded with the position of Wyatt's nanny. Only . . . only Donna has not made any move against Wyatt. And Phoebe could not help but wonder why. Had Donna's lack of action anything to do with future plans that involved Wyatt's hair?

She had to warn Piper. Now. Phoebe reached for the telephone and dialed the number to P3. An employee answered and informed her that Piper was in a meeting with a liquor merchant, at the moment, and could not be disturbed. Frustrated, Phoebe hung up and reached for her purse and coat. As she marched out of her office, her editor - Elise Rothman - materialized in her path toward the elevators. "Where are you going?" the older woman demanded.

"Lunch," Phoebe replied. "I'm taking an early lunch, today."

Elise glanced at her watch. "At ten forty-five in the morning? Aren't you a bit early for lunch?" Her dark eyes penetrated Phoebe's.

Oh shit! Phoebe realized that the editor had decided to become difficult, today. "Well . . . yeah. But see, I have this family emergency . . ."

"What kind of family emergency?"

"Um . . . Piper. She's . . ." For once, Phoebe's imagination failed her.

Elise smirked. "When you can remember the nature of your . . . family emergency, let me know. Meanwhile, I think you can forgo your early lunch for today."

Annoyed by the older woman's tone, Phoebe protested. "Elise! I'm not a schoolgirl, you know! So, do you mind not treating me like one?"

"I'm treating you like an employee who was forty minutes late for work, this morning!" Elise retorted. Her stare remained relentless. "Now, unless you can provide me with a genuine excuse, I suggest that you continue work."

For a brief moment, Phoebe felt tempted to use the "boyfriend" excuse. But instinct told her that Jason would not cooperate. Especially after a few employees had spotted them indulging in foreplay inside her office, two weeks ago. She realized that if she had decided to use Jason to get her way, the other employees - especially Elise - would resent her. And make her life at work very miserable. A sigh left Phoebe's mouth. "Fine. I'll stay."

"Good." Elise flashed a bright smile at the younger woman and continued on her way. Unless she can find a way to contact Piper, Phoebe realized that the next hour and ten minutes might prove to be very long.

---------

Darryl strolled into the squad room, followed by two members of his team - Carlotta Trujillo and Marcus Anderson. While the other two went toward their desks to deal with a suspect they had just arrested, the police lieutenant was surprised to find his partner seated behind her desk, staring at a computer screen.

"Olivia? What are you doing here?" he demanded, as he sat down in the chair, next to the redhead's desk. "I thought that you had taken the day off to work in your shop?"

Her eyes still glued to the computer screen, Olivia curtly replied, "I did. An emergency had popped up. Regarding a certain nanny."

"Huh?" Confusion whirled in Darryl's brain, until he realized that Olivia had referred to Piper Halliwell's new nanny. "Wait a minute. Are you talking about Wyatt's new nanny? What about her?"

Olivia glanced up. "There's something strange about her. Something I can't put my finger on. And it has to do with an amulet that had allegedly been destroyed and a dagger in my shop." Darryl's partner then told him about her suspicions that had arisen from the nanny's odd behavior and a magical dagger that bore a mark to the one she had spotted on the nanny's amulet. "I'm checking our records to see if there's anything on Donna Thompson."

"And?"

With a sigh, Olivia finished, "So far, nothing. Well, I did come across three Donna Thompsons. But none match the description of Wyatt's nanny. Also, one of them is dead."

Darryl made a suggestion. "Why don't you check the Department of Motor Vehicles?"

Olivia did as he had suggested. Within less than ten minutes, the pair received Donna Thompson's DMV records. They also discovered that the nanny lived in the city's Bernal Heights neighborhood. And that she had been born on March 14, 1968; in Oakland, California. The birth date seemed to have struck a familiar note with Olivia. "Wait a minute," she murmured under her breath. "That date."

"What is it?" Darryl asked.

The witch minimized the DMV page, before returning to the police department's records. Olivia typed in the nanny's name. Darryl gasped as he read the file. One of the Donna Thompsons in the Department files had also been born on March 14, 1968. In Oakland. Only this Miss Thompson had died on January 21, 1996. "I'll be damned," Darryl murmured.

"No kidding," Olivia shot back, as she smiled broadly. "I've got her! Two Donna Thompsons born on the same day and in the same city? How often does that happen?" She switched back to the DMV site. "The driver license for our Miss Thompson will expire in March 2008. Which means that her last license had expired in 2002. Now, that previous license had been effective between March 1996 and March 2002. Which means that she had received this previous license about two months after the other Donna Thompson's death."

Darryl shook his head. "You know, this reminds me of Rex Buckland and Hannah Webster."

"Who?"

"They were two warlocks who had gained control of the auction house that Prue worked at, some five years ago. These warlocks had murdered the real Rex Buckland and Hannah Webster, before assuming their identities. It could be that your Donna Thompson may have done the same. What does the Department's files say about the dead Donna?"

Olivia returned to the police database. She whistled. "Wow! For someone who had died two months short of her 28th birthday, she sure led a full life. Arrested four times for possession of drugs between the ages of sixteen and twenty. She spent three years at the Valley State Prison for Women for pushing cocaine. Arrested in October 1995 for drug trafficking. Unfortunately, no conviction could be made. Three weeks after she was acquitted, someone murdered her by filling her capsules with drain cleaner. Probably her employer."

A stunned expression appeared on Darryl's face. "Wait a minute! Are you saying that Wyatt's new nanny might be some kind of drug dealer?"

"Of course not!" Olivia protested. Then she hesitated. "Then again . . . I don't know. But I do have a gut feeling that the real name of Wyatt's nanny is not Donna Thompson. I think she may have been using that name to avoid detection."

Darryl shook his head. "Yeah, but there's something I don't understand. She's already close to Wyatt. She's been close for the past three or four days. What the hell is she waiting for?"

Olivia sighed. "I wish I knew, Darryl. I wish I knew. And I dread the moment when we find out before it's too late."


END OF PART VIII

"SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS" (2011) Review

"SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS" (2011) Review

Following the success of his 2009 movie, "SHERLOCK HOLMES", Guy Ritchie returned to helm a sequel about 19th century detective Sherlock Holmes' battle with his famous arch nemesis, Professor James Moriarty. Both Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law reprise their roles of Holmes and Dr. John Watson.

Loosely adapted from Arthur Conan Doyle's 1893 short story called, "The Final Problem", "SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS" picks up sometime after the end of the 2009 movie. Thanks to Irene Adler's disclosure of the master criminal, Sherlock Holmes has been investigating Moriarty's activities. The latter brings him to the attention of Irene, who is still working as an agent for the professor. He follows Irene to an auction, where she delivers a package to a Dr. Hoffmanstahl as payment for a letter he was to deliver to Moriarty. The package holds not only money, but a bomb that would have killed Hoffmanstahl, if Holmes had not intervened. Unfortunately, Hoffmanstahl is assassinated upon leaving the auction house. And when Irene meets with Professor Moriarty to explain the events, he poisons her, deeming her compromised by her love for Holmes.

Holmes reveals to his friend and colleague, Dr. Watson, that Moriarty might be connected to a series of murders, terrorist attacks and business acquisitions. During Watson's bachelor party, Holmes meets with the Gypsy fortune-teller Simza, the intended recipient of the letter he had taken from Adler. It was sent by Simza's brother Rene, who has been working for Moriarty. Holmes defeats an assassin who had been sent to kill her. Later, Holmes meets with Moriarty after Watson's wedding to Mary Morstan. Moriarty informs Holmes that he murdered Adler and will kill Watson and Mary if Holmes' interference continues. After Holmes help Watson and Mary fight off attack by Moriarty's men aboard a train during their honeymoon, the two men travel to Paris to find Simza. Their journey to Paris, Germany and Switzerland lead them to uncover a plot by Moriarty to instigate a world war and profit from it. This plot will be set off by an assassination at a peace conference in Switzerland.

Although the movie was a hit at the box office, it received mixed reviews from the critics. A good number of them and moviegoers claimed that although it was entertaining, it was not as good as the first movie. In my review of "SHERLOCK HOLMES", I made it clear that I enjoyed it very much. And I still do. But after watching "SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS", I realized that the villain's plot featured in the first movie struck me as a little . . . illogical. Using the illusion of sorcery to assume control of the British Empire? James Moriarty's plot to assume control of the arms market in Europe and instigate a world war for profit strikes me as a lot more logical. And James Moriarty made a scarier villain than Lord Blackwood.

Another advantage that this sequel has over the first film, was the change of location in the second half - from Paris to Germany and later, Switzerland. I loved it. The color, squalor and grandeur that production designer Sarah Greenwood, cinematographer Philippe Rousselot and the visual effects team created for Victorian London in "SHERLOCK HOLMES", were not only re-created for the same setting in this new movie, but for also late 19th century Paris, Germany and Switzerland. My only quibble about the movie's German setting is that Kieran and Michele Mulroney's script failed to inform moviegoers the name of the German town where Holmes, Watson and Simza found themselves.

One outstanding sequence featured a gunfight between Holmes, Watson and Mary and Moriarty's men, disguised as British Army troops. Not only did I find it very exciting, I especially enjoyed that last shot of a half-destroyed train racing forward, with Holmes and Watson staring ahead. But the real outstanding sequence featured the heroes' flight from Moriarty's German arsenal through heavy woods. Yes, Rousselot used slow motion photography during this sequence. A good number of people did complain about it. But you know what? Not only did it fail to bother me, I actually enjoyed it. And watching this sequence made me realize that I would love to see a war movie directed by Ritchie.

As in the first movie, the cast was outstanding. Rachel McAdams returned to give a beguiling, yet brief performance as the doomed Irene Adler. As much as I love this movie, I am PISSED OFF that Ritchie had her character killed. Paul Anderson was very effective as Moriarty's henchman, villainous marksman Colonel Sebastian Moran. By the way, this same character was used by late author George MacDonald Fraser in two of his books, the 1971 novel "Flash For Freedom!" and the 1999 novella "Flashman and the Tiger". Geraldine James made an amusingly brief appearance as Holmes' beleaguered landlady, Mrs. Hudson. Stephen Fry gave a hilarious performance as Holmes' equally brilliant and arrogant older brother, Mycroft. His scenes with Kelly Reilly especially had me in stitches. I was happy to see that Reilly had more to do in this movie, first as one of Moriarty's intended victims, and later as an assistant to Mycroft, as they help Holmes and Watson stop the master criminal. I am a little mystified that Eddie Marsan maanged to receive such a high billing as Scotland Yard's Inspector Lestrade in the end credits by only speaking one line.

Noomie Rapace was passionate in her portrayal of the Gypsy Simza, who is determined to prevent her brother from makingt the mistake of getting caught up in Moriarty's plot. Jared Harris made a subtle and scary villain in his portrayal of Professor James Moriarty. At first, he did not seem that threatening - almost mild mannered. I supposed this was due to Ritchie and the Mulroneys' decision to give the character a position in society as a reputable scholar within Europe's diplomatic community. Bit by bit, Harris peeled back Moriarty's greed and penchant for sadism.

I am trying to find the words about Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law's portrayals of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. I really am. But what can I say? I know . . . they were perfect. They really were. I am not claiming that they were the best to ever portray the two characters. Frankly, I cannot name any one screen team as the best to portray Holmes and Watson. Some might claim Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. Others might claim Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke, or the recent television pairing of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. I refuse to claim that Downey Jr. and Law were better than the other three teams. But I do not believe any of them were better than Downey Jr. and Law. What was their best scene together? Hmmm . . . I find I cannot name one particular scene. Every time they were together, they were magic.

Do I have any complaints about the movie? Well, I did not care for Irene Adler's death, considering the character was a favorite of mine. I found the fight scene between Holmes and Irene's bodyguards a bit confusing and contrived. I wish that Ritchie and the Mulrooney had clarified the name of the German town where Moriarty's arsenal was located. And I finally wish that after the mental strategies of their upcoming fight on one of the balconies at Reichenbach Castle, Holmes and Moriarty's actual fight had lasted a lot longer before the detective pulled his surprise move.

I believe I have said all I could about "SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS". Even though I had a few complaints, I ended up enjoying the movie anyway. Hell, I loved it. The movie became my favorite 2011 movie. Although I had slight doubts, once again, Guy Ritchie, Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law managed to create magic for another Sherlock Holmes adventure.