Fantasy Flix: Giant Snake

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (TV Series 1995–1999)

Hercules, aided by his best friend Iolaus, goes on many adventures helping people and slaying mythical monsters using his half-god strength.

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys was a sindicated TV series of the 90's that spawned a multitude of fantasy related series. None of which (save Xena) enjoyed the success of it's father. Among these series was it's spinoff Xena: Warrior Princess, Beastmaster, Conan, Sinbad, and many others. While I enjoyed those series for what they were, nothing can compare to the original. I even prefer Hercules over Xena in many regards, though I believe I am a minority.

The series was very well done (for the 90's), decent special effects for the day, great action, and fun pacing. Rewatching the series, I kept waiting for it to "catch it's legs". The original movies, and the first season or two was not what I remembered. But, once regulars like Ares and Aphrodite started to appear, I started to enjoy the series like I did in the day.

I decided not to take a number of screenshots as I'm sure most of you know the series and what it looks like. The sets are nicely done and the women get more and more scantily clad as the series progresses.

I'f you've never seen Hercules, check it out as I consider it a "modern" classic. (can 20ish years ago be modern? God I feel old.)

Verdict: Recommended

The Cast

Kevin Sorbo ... Hercules

Michael Hurst ... Iolaus

Robert Trebor ... Salmoneus

Kevin Smith ... Ares

Jeffrey Thomas ... Jason

Paul Norell ... Falafel

Bruce Campbell ... Autolycus

Alexandra Tydings ... Aphrodite

Tamara Gorski ... Morrigan

Gina Torres ... Nebula

Joel Tobeck ... Strife

Lucy Lawless ... Xena

Meighan Desmond ... Discord

Lisa Chappell ... Dirce

Sam Jenkins ... Serena

Monday, January 11, 2010

Conan The Barbarian (1982)

Director: John Milius

A village is attacked by the evil ruler of the Snake Cult, Thulsa Doom and his evil warriors, when Thulsa Doom and his warriors kills his parents, a young boy named Conan is enslaved. Years later, Conan grows up and becomes a mighty warrior and is trained as a fighter. After years as a slave and as a gladiator, Conan is set free. Conan sets out on a quest as he vows to avenge his parents and solve the riddle of steel. Joined by a archer named Subotai, a beautiful thief who falls in love with Conan, Valeria and a Chinese wizard, Conan and his companions sets out to rescue Princess Yasmina, daughter of King Osric, from the Snake Cult, and get his revenge on Thulsa Doom and avenge his parents.

The Cast