Tag: Ancient Egypt

Stargate’s Next Chapter: Why Skaara’s Afterlife Could Save the Franchise

Amazon passed on Martin Gero’s Stargate pitch, but the franchise’s best next step was never about military ops anyway. Here’s why Skaara’s afterlife is the story worth telling.

Stargate The Skarra ChroniclesMovement on reviving Stargate is on hold following the news that Amazon execs didn’t like the idea showrunner Martin Gero pitched. He worked on SG-1 and Atlantis, and many fans thought whatever he pitched would automatically get green lit. His track record is generally good since he’s even helped bring Quantum Leap back, even though that never saw a finale.

According to Variety, a source with knowledge of the production had to let the cat out of the bag. He did not say what the concerns were, other than that the concept may alienate part of the fandom. The social media post from Joseph Mallozzi didn’t say much either.

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Stephen Sommers’s The Mummy at 25 Years!

If you haven’t gone to the theatrical celebration, that’s okay. We can still have cake to celebrate The Mummy’s Silver Anniversary!

The Mummy PosterToday marks The Mummy’s anniversary! This reboot of the Boris Karloff classic debuted on May 7, 1999, and while I could’ve gone to a theatrical celebration, sadly there wasn’t one screening in my city. The reason this film stands the test of time is that it’s simply fun! It captures the true essence of what pulp fiction should represent and gives us characters I want to root for. It’s not just another Brendan Fraser film. Instead, it’s a career launcher for the other two main leads, namely Rachel Weisz and Arnold Vosloo. The former loves appearing in indie films more than mainstream ones, and the latter continues to pop up in fondly loved projects, ranging from Veritas: The Quest (which I feel deserves a reboot) and even Condor’s Nest to show the type of roles that challenge him as a Hollywood actor.

However, I must note that Kevin J. O’Connor stole the show. As a cowardly and conniving Beni Gabor, without him, I doubt the search for The Mummy’s treasures would’ve been known, and although Evie was the reason for his awakening, both had important roles to play! Continue reading “Stephen Sommers’s The Mummy at 25 Years!”

Digging for the Truth in Panya: The Mummy’s Curse

At long last, we get to know the story of one of the Mignolaverse most enigmatic characters in Panya: The Mummy’s Curse.

Payna: The Mummy's Curse #1 Comic Book CoverDark Horse Comics
Now Available

Panya: The Mummy’s Curse is a wonderful story that brings more of Ancient Egypt to the Mignolaverse. Not even the Heliopic Brotherhood of Ra has formed. This first issue of the four-volume series has a lot of nuances nestled in every page, and for a budding Egyptologist like me, it offers everything I love about this ancient world!

While long time readers of Hellboy know of the mummified version of this character, this story is about her growth from child to sorceress. Here, the title character is thrilled to learn about the old ways, and the true gods. She loves hearing about the eternal war between Ra and Apophis. But when Akhenaten changed the rules in who to worship, anyone who speaks of them better say it in hushed tones, otherwise they’ll be recognised as heretics.

Without spoiling too much, the tale offers everything I’d want to see about this world realised in a fictional form. Between that and showing Tutankhamen got me hooked. Whether this prince has a greater role to play, I’m not sure. I’ll be picking up the next issues rather than waiting months down the road to grab the trade paperback to find out!

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Detailing What’s Missing in Mummies, An Animated Rom-Com

Director Juan Jesús García Galocha could have done more to bring out the romance of what Ancient Egypt represents in Mummies.

Mummies Movie PosterSome Mummies are hard to read, and not all of them experience an easy transition to their afterlife. According to Ancient Egyptian beliefs, their souls first need to get judged and those whose heart is pure get to live on in the Field of Reeds (or the Duat). But for archaeologists looking for evidence of what kind of life they once led, the body they leave behind doesn’t always show if they’re resting in peace.

Here, Thut (Joe Thomas) lost his confidence after a racing mishap and Princess Nefer (Eleanor Tomlinson) isn’t content with her life. She’s almost like Cleopatra (in Space) because she’s fiercely independent and this version didn’t take her life. We meet her as royalty in the undead kingdom, and what’s amusing about how the two are birds of the feather.

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The Spirit of Kahmunrah Rises Again in a Night at the Museum! And He’s Not Happy.

After Kahmunrah Rises Again It’d be a miracle to see A Night at the Museum continue as a series.

Night at the Museum Kahmunrah Rises AgainStreaming on Disney Plus
Mild Spoiler Alert

Disney’s animated continuation of Night at the Museum with Kahmunrah Rises Again is a decent finale to a beloved franchise. Despite having to get other voice over talents in to voice this latest entry to the franchise, I’m okay with it. That’s because bringing Ricky Gervais and Ben Stiller back is probably too expensive. And to continue it as a live action film without Robin Williams, who passed away many years ago, would be a disservice. Thomas Lennon, who replaces him, does his best to honour this comedian, even though his vocal performance isn’t entirely perfect.

I am a fan of 20th Century Fox’s original trilogy, and even after the acquisition by Disney, I’m glad that the roots are honoured. The reason objects come to life is because the Moon God Khonsu empowered the Golden Tablet of Pharaoh Ahkmenrah to animate them. Historically and spiritually, the ushabti figurines placed in the tombs come to life to take care of the deceased person’s needs. However, in this film’s world, any effigy don’t have to do that. They can serve a greater good should they happen across a person whom they recognise needs their help to overcome problems in his or her life. In the live-action films, Larry Daley finds a new purpose, and in the animated continuation, Nick (Joshua Bassett), acquires the confidence he needs to become a young adult who can take on the world.

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There’s Gold with CMON’s Gods of Egypt

It’s not Ankh-expected that CMON’s Gods of Egypt is exceeding expectations amongst board gamers to be a Kickstarter success.

Ankh: Gods of Egypt

It’s not Ankh-expected that CMON’s Gods of Egypt is exceeding expectations amongst board gamers to be a Kickstarter success. That said, just what miniatures enthusiasts and wargamers can expect is finally revealed. This crowdfunding campaign began a week ago and hit six times the amount (at the time of writing) required to get this game into production! They are very close to unlocking all the stretch goals, and this is particularly exciting for me, it’s cheaper to buy this game than to collect the giant-sized knock-offs from a local Arabian shop to display. The difference between those touristy items and the product here is that I can play with them!

Here, the story is simple: Play an Egyptian god or goddess hoping to stay strong–worshipped by the devout as they provide the only means for survival as monotheism crawls closer. Only can survive whilst the others will fall.

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