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https://nerdist.com/article/100-jellicle-questions-we-have-after-watching-cats/
It’s finally happened. The biggest, most important, and most exciting film of the year has arrived. No, silly! We’re not talking about The Rise of Skywalker, we’re talking about Tom Hooper’s surreal fever dream adaptation of the classic smash Broadway musical Cats. Words can’t really get the magic of Cats across (though you can read our very positive review here) watching the CGI heavy story about a tribe of so-called Jellicle cats who have to have a dance off in order to be chosen to ascend to the Heaviside layer (heaven?) does raise some questions.
Here are the hundred biggest queries we have after watching this exceedingly strange and uniquely terrifying film.
1) What the f*ck is a Jellicle cat?
2) If there are Jellicle cats, does that mean there are other tribes of cats?
3) How exactly does a regular cat become a Jellicle cat?
4) Humans do exist in this world–we see one abandon Victoria at the beginning of the film–so how do they feel about these large/tiny monsters?
5) Has Cats ever been sued by Popsicle or Jell-O brand snacks for their Jellicle name?
6) Why did Tom Hooper think this movie would work with all that awful CGI?
7) Seriously, the costumes are so iconic. Why wouldn’t you just spend $100 million dollars on those and some nice-to-look-at sets?
8) Did this movie really cost $100 million dollars?
9) How many times will you have to leave the theater to stop laughing and catch your breath during Cats?
10) Why was that one actress playing a gray cat in a completely different, emotional, and completely serious adaptation?
11) How many Razzies will Cats win?
Universal
12) Why do they keep talking about what “Jellicles do” when it’s totally unclear what they do except for constantly reintroducing themselves to each other?
13) Did you realize that Cats is a musical made up entirely of introductory songs?
14) Where do the Jellicle cats get their cat names?
15) Is it the graveyard? Because if so, the humans in this world have weird names.
16) What was Victoria’s secret cat name?????????????
17) What is a Gumby cat?
18) Has Andrew Lloyd Webber actually ever seen a cat?
19) Speaking of which, has Tom Hooper ever seen a cat?
20) Is Cats the new The Room?
21) Is there an alternate reality where Cats beat Star Wars at the box office?
22) Why was the wrong cut of Cats released to theaters with unfinished fx work?
23) Did you see Judi Dench’s human hands?
24) In ten years, will Cats super fans be petitioning Universal to release the “Hands Cut”?
25) Will you back my Indiegogo to release the “Hands Cut” on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray?
26) Speaking of which, why did all of the cats have human hands? Is it a Jellicle thing?
27) Why did they put CGI collars on the characters instead of real collars?
28) Why did Tom Hooper insist on making the cats a third as big as the sets?
Universal
29) Where on Earth did he get that scale?
30) Is the Heaviside layer heaven?
31) If it is, does that mean that the Jellicle choice has to die to get there?
32) Does that mean Jennifer Hudson’s Grizabella was sacrificed?
33) Is Cats actually about human/cat hybrid sacrifice?
34) Who made Judi Dench’s Old Deuteronomy the Queen of the Jellicle Ball?
35) Is Old Deuteronomy immortal? Apparently she’s lived 99 lives…
36) Who will take over the Jellicle choice after Old Dute?
37) Why do they want a second life? They apparently have the run of weird London.
38) Also, when is Cats set? They keep talking about Queen Victoria, so…
39) What kind of magic gives all of these cats human faces? Is it a curse? We think it’s a curse.
40) Is Idris Elba’s Macavity meant to be the devil?
41) If so why do all the cats keep falling for his schtick?
42) How did Macavity get the power to turn cats to dust/teleport them to his barge?
43) Where did he get a barge?
44) Did you know Ray Winstone was in this movie?
45) We didn’t either. It’s as good as you imagine, but does he die at the end?
46) Why does Macavity want to go to the Heaviside layer layer so much?
47) Have any of the Jellicle cats met before the night of the Jellicle Ball?
48) How old is Victoria meant to be? Because she looks creepily young.
49) Why are they doing a patch to fix what is a near perfect movie?
50) How did this chaotic madness ever actually get released?
Universal
51) Are there some kind of Jellicle gods?
52) Is the Jellicle leader their spokesperson on Earth?
53) How do they choose a new Jellicle leader?
54) Does the Jellicle leader eventually ascend to the Heaviside layer?
55) They mention that the Jellicle Ball happens once a year, so simply by the fact that there are only a few of them, will all the cats ultimately be chosen to go to the Heaviside layer?
56) Why didn’t they just use real cats? It somehow would have been less chaotic.
57) Why did they cast Jason Derulo only to write out most of Rum Tum Tugger’s role?
58) What is the Jellicle hierarchy?
59) Is the Jellicle leader like Jellicle royalty?
60) Are their Jellicle wannabes who try to become Jellicle cats?
61) If that’s the case then where do they live?
62) Does their possible existence imply a subculture of non-Jellicle cats?
63) Will they rise up? Could that be the Jellicle sequel?
64) Will Tom Hooper ever make the horrifying live action Mr. Toad movie we all deserve?
65) What happens to the cats once they get to Heaviside layer?
66) Are they reborn as kittens?
67) If they are, does that mean they’re eligible to reapply to go to the Heaviside layer?
68) Are there other Jellicle creatures aside from pets?
69) Jellicle birds?
70) Jellicle tigers?
71) Jellicle pigs?
Universal
72) Jellicle… humans????
73) Do each of the separate groups have their own Jellicle Ball?
74) Why are the Jellicle cats so good at dancing?
75) Is their entire economy built on the performing arts?
76) They mention money, but how would they earn or spend it?
77) If there is Jellicle money does that mean there are Jellicle jobs?
78) If there are then are there Jellicle hobbies?
79) They say that a cat like Macavity can never reach the Heavyside layer, but the question is why? If the Jellicle leader judges by cats souls then how can they know that one day a cat like Macavity won’t be the right soul to go to the Heaviside layer?
80) Remember that bit when Macavity magicked away Ian McKellen and said “Macavity?”
81) What was Ian McKellen’s whole deal?
82) Was Old Dute married to Ian McKellen’s theater cat?
83) That was a joke about the OG cut of Cats.
84) What can Jellicles can and do?
85) How did Rebel Wilson unzip her own skin… TWICE?
86) Do you know how to get to the Heaviside layer?
87) Why did Rebel Wilson cat have clothes under her skin?
88) Why do all the mice in this world have children’s faces?
89) Are they Jellicle mice?
90) Why are all the cats so horny yet chaste?
91) Why did Skimbleshanks want to go to the Heaviside layer when he clearly loves trains and being in charge of them? Also, did he really think that song showed his soul?
92) How many Jellicle cats are there in total?
93) Can the Jellicle cats have kittens or are they just all special abandoned/house cats?
94) Can you look at a king?
95) Would you sit on his throne?
96) If you were a Jellicle cat, what would your name be?
97) Will Cats get a sequel? We really want one.
98) Will Tom Hooper’s career ever recover?
99) Was Thundercats just ripped off from Cats??
100) Will Tom Hooper make a Zoobilee Zoo movie next?
Header Image: Universal
The post 100 Jellicle Questions We Have After Watching CATS appeared first on Nerdist.
It’s finally happened. The biggest, most important, and most exciting film of the year has arrived. No, silly! We’re not talking about The Rise of Skywalker, we’re talking about Tom Hooper’s surreal fever dream adaptation of the classic smash Broadway musical Cats. Words can’t really get the magic of Cats across (though you can read our very positive review here) watching the CGI heavy story about a tribe of so-called Jellicle cats who have to have a dance off in order to be chosen to ascend to the Heaviside layer (heaven?) does raise some questions.
Here are the hundred biggest queries we have after watching this exceedingly strange and uniquely terrifying film.
1) What the f*ck is a Jellicle cat?
2) If there are Jellicle cats, does that mean there are other tribes of cats?
3) How exactly does a regular cat become a Jellicle cat?
4) Humans do exist in this world–we see one abandon Victoria at the beginning of the film–so how do they feel about these large/tiny monsters?
5) Has Cats ever been sued by Popsicle or Jell-O brand snacks for their Jellicle name?
6) Why did Tom Hooper think this movie would work with all that awful CGI?
7) Seriously, the costumes are so iconic. Why wouldn’t you just spend $100 million dollars on those and some nice-to-look-at sets?
8) Did this movie really cost $100 million dollars?
9) How many times will you have to leave the theater to stop laughing and catch your breath during Cats?
10) Why was that one actress playing a gray cat in a completely different, emotional, and completely serious adaptation?
11) How many Razzies will Cats win?
Universal
12) Why do they keep talking about what “Jellicles do” when it’s totally unclear what they do except for constantly reintroducing themselves to each other?
13) Did you realize that Cats is a musical made up entirely of introductory songs?
14) Where do the Jellicle cats get their cat names?
15) Is it the graveyard? Because if so, the humans in this world have weird names.
16) What was Victoria’s secret cat name?????????????
17) What is a Gumby cat?
18) Has Andrew Lloyd Webber actually ever seen a cat?
19) Speaking of which, has Tom Hooper ever seen a cat?
20) Is Cats the new The Room?
21) Is there an alternate reality where Cats beat Star Wars at the box office?
22) Why was the wrong cut of Cats released to theaters with unfinished fx work?
23) Did you see Judi Dench’s human hands?
24) In ten years, will Cats super fans be petitioning Universal to release the “Hands Cut”?
25) Will you back my Indiegogo to release the “Hands Cut” on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray?
26) Speaking of which, why did all of the cats have human hands? Is it a Jellicle thing?
27) Why did they put CGI collars on the characters instead of real collars?
28) Why did Tom Hooper insist on making the cats a third as big as the sets?
Universal
29) Where on Earth did he get that scale?
30) Is the Heaviside layer heaven?
31) If it is, does that mean that the Jellicle choice has to die to get there?
32) Does that mean Jennifer Hudson’s Grizabella was sacrificed?
33) Is Cats actually about human/cat hybrid sacrifice?
34) Who made Judi Dench’s Old Deuteronomy the Queen of the Jellicle Ball?
35) Is Old Deuteronomy immortal? Apparently she’s lived 99 lives…
36) Who will take over the Jellicle choice after Old Dute?
37) Why do they want a second life? They apparently have the run of weird London.
38) Also, when is Cats set? They keep talking about Queen Victoria, so…
39) What kind of magic gives all of these cats human faces? Is it a curse? We think it’s a curse.
40) Is Idris Elba’s Macavity meant to be the devil?
41) If so why do all the cats keep falling for his schtick?
42) How did Macavity get the power to turn cats to dust/teleport them to his barge?
43) Where did he get a barge?
44) Did you know Ray Winstone was in this movie?
45) We didn’t either. It’s as good as you imagine, but does he die at the end?
46) Why does Macavity want to go to the Heaviside layer layer so much?
47) Have any of the Jellicle cats met before the night of the Jellicle Ball?
48) How old is Victoria meant to be? Because she looks creepily young.
49) Why are they doing a patch to fix what is a near perfect movie?
50) How did this chaotic madness ever actually get released?
Universal
51) Are there some kind of Jellicle gods?
52) Is the Jellicle leader their spokesperson on Earth?
53) How do they choose a new Jellicle leader?
54) Does the Jellicle leader eventually ascend to the Heaviside layer?
55) They mention that the Jellicle Ball happens once a year, so simply by the fact that there are only a few of them, will all the cats ultimately be chosen to go to the Heaviside layer?
56) Why didn’t they just use real cats? It somehow would have been less chaotic.
57) Why did they cast Jason Derulo only to write out most of Rum Tum Tugger’s role?
58) What is the Jellicle hierarchy?
59) Is the Jellicle leader like Jellicle royalty?
60) Are their Jellicle wannabes who try to become Jellicle cats?
61) If that’s the case then where do they live?
62) Does their possible existence imply a subculture of non-Jellicle cats?
63) Will they rise up? Could that be the Jellicle sequel?
64) Will Tom Hooper ever make the horrifying live action Mr. Toad movie we all deserve?
65) What happens to the cats once they get to Heaviside layer?
66) Are they reborn as kittens?
67) If they are, does that mean they’re eligible to reapply to go to the Heaviside layer?
68) Are there other Jellicle creatures aside from pets?
69) Jellicle birds?
70) Jellicle tigers?
71) Jellicle pigs?
Universal
72) Jellicle… humans????
73) Do each of the separate groups have their own Jellicle Ball?
74) Why are the Jellicle cats so good at dancing?
75) Is their entire economy built on the performing arts?
76) They mention money, but how would they earn or spend it?
77) If there is Jellicle money does that mean there are Jellicle jobs?
78) If there are then are there Jellicle hobbies?
79) They say that a cat like Macavity can never reach the Heavyside layer, but the question is why? If the Jellicle leader judges by cats souls then how can they know that one day a cat like Macavity won’t be the right soul to go to the Heaviside layer?
80) Remember that bit when Macavity magicked away Ian McKellen and said “Macavity?”
81) What was Ian McKellen’s whole deal?
82) Was Old Dute married to Ian McKellen’s theater cat?
83) That was a joke about the OG cut of Cats.
84) What can Jellicles can and do?
85) How did Rebel Wilson unzip her own skin… TWICE?
86) Do you know how to get to the Heaviside layer?
87) Why did Rebel Wilson cat have clothes under her skin?
88) Why do all the mice in this world have children’s faces?
89) Are they Jellicle mice?
90) Why are all the cats so horny yet chaste?
91) Why did Skimbleshanks want to go to the Heaviside layer when he clearly loves trains and being in charge of them? Also, did he really think that song showed his soul?
92) How many Jellicle cats are there in total?
93) Can the Jellicle cats have kittens or are they just all special abandoned/house cats?
94) Can you look at a king?
95) Would you sit on his throne?
96) If you were a Jellicle cat, what would your name be?
97) Will Cats get a sequel? We really want one.
98) Will Tom Hooper’s career ever recover?
99) Was Thundercats just ripped off from Cats??
100) Will Tom Hooper make a Zoobilee Zoo movie next?
Header Image: Universal
The post 100 Jellicle Questions We Have After Watching CATS appeared first on Nerdist.
We can’t believe the first season of The Mandalorian is already over. The show arrived on our Disney+ services this November and immediately stole our hearts. Baby Yoda was just the beginning. This Star Wars series–the first live-action show set in the galaxy far, far away–is full of heart, love, friendship, action, and so much more. It’s got a little bit of everything for every kind of fan, and we’ll miss it so much.
Luckily, the show will be back for another season, so we don’t have to mourn too hard. And the season finale teased something huge in its final moments. Something that has us even more amped up for whatever comes next than we could have possibly imagined. But if you’re not steeped in Star Wars lore, the significance of a certain object that appeared in the finale might have you confused.
Here’s an explainer for what the weapon is, where we’ve seen it before, and what it means for season two of The Mandalorian.
Spoilers for the season finale of The Mandalorian below.
Lucasfilm
We learn a lot about Giancarlo Esposito’s Moff Gideon in this episode, which was directed by Taika Waititi and is titled “Redemption.” Namely, that he was a leader in the Empire’s siege of Mandalore, that he knows Mando’s real name (Din Djarin), and that he’s in possession of a black lightsaber. If you’re a fan of the Star Wars animated series The Clone Wars and Rebels, then you’ll recognize this iconic blade. It’s called Darksaber, and it belonged to the first Mandalorian to join the Jedi Order, Tarre Vizsla.
The weapon was an invention of George Lucas–who wrote it into The Clone Wars–and The Mandalorian executive producer Dave Filoni, who came up with its backstory. We learn from Pre Vizsla, an ancestor of Tarre’s, that the Darksaber was stolen from a Jedi Temple during the fall of the Old Republic. “Since then, many Jedi have died upon its blade,” Pre explains. The Darksaber was passed through generations, acquiring a prideful symbol-like status for the Mandalorians, who see it as part of their heritage. It’s a sacred weapon, and knowing it’s in Moff Gideon’s possession has several terrifying implications.
For starters, it means that Bo-Katan Kryze is likely dead. Kryze was the leader of Mandalore (known as their Mand’alor) who was given the Darksaber by Sabine Wren in Rebels. According to Darksaber legend, one can only come into possession of the weapon by defeating its former master in combat. So, does that mean Moff Gideon killed her? Or is there more to the story?
Lucasfilm
Luckily, we might not have to wait for the second season of The Mandalorian to find out. The seventh season of The Clone Wars is set for release in February 2020 on Disney+ and will focus on the Siege of Mandalore. Maybe we’ll see an animated version of Moff Gideon, and learn how he came into possession of the Darksaber–and what really happened to Bo-Katan Kryze. It’s possible Gideon seized it without winning it, and his claim to its ownership is illegitimate. That opens up a world of possibilities for both The Clone Wars and The Mandalorian.
And what does it mean that Gideon has the Darksaber? Well, for starters, it means we’ll probably see Din Djarin try to reclaim it for his people. We’ve already seen the Empire try to crush out Mandalorian culture by turning beskar into Imperial currency. There’s no way Gideon’s possession of such a powerful piece of Mandalorian culture will sit well with Din.
But how will learn that Moff Gideon is not only alive, but alive and with the Darksaber? That one will have to wait for season two.
Featured Image: Lucasfilm
The post What Was That Mysterious Weapon In THE MANDALORIAN Finale? appeared first on Nerdist.
The long-awaited animated television series She-Ra (1985) has finally received its reboot, and this new series is making a big splash with its four award nominations.
The show carefully blends heartbreaking themes with humor for a powerful series with a labyrinth of emotions. The show’s creator, Noelle Stevenson, has produced a work that reflects, refines, and reifies the concentration of diversity and inclusion. She-Ra is a spectacular show and enforces what Wonder Woman started — that female superheroes slay.
The reimagined show comes to delight both fans of the original and those who are new to the series. It is currently now on its fourth season, and it is not slowing down. The new She-Ra has a stunning new series of princesses of color (POC) and ages, while keeping as close to the prototype. The series rivals that of Voltron and The Dragon Prince, with its incorporation of LGBT members appearing as normal as any other characters. Each episode delivers a tear-jerking conflict that slowly simmers underneath the surface, setting up a powerful reveal. The four seasons present two characters, almost sister-like, going through a journey of realization, friendship, bravery, and understanding.
The charming cast is composed of strong and talented voice actors. The strong Adora/She-Ra is voiced by Aimee Carrero. The loveable Bow is voiced by Marcus Scribner, and the dazzling Glimmer performed by Karen Fukuhara, which concludes the best friend squad. The villainous assemble is composed of equal talent. AJ Michalka voices the fantastically strong feline, Catra, and her good nature gal-pal who stands by her side, Scorpia, is voiced by Lauren Ash. The leader of the Horde, Hordak, is voiced by Keston John, and the evil sorceress, Shadow Weaver, is voiced by Larraine Toussaint. This cast proves to be as strong as the sword She-Ra holds.
The show begins with its introduction to the titular character, Adora, who will later be known as She-Ra. The opening theme song “Warriors,” by Aaliyah Rose, is a beautiful work that balances female empowerment with friendship that effortlessly syncs with the message of the series. The setting is Etheria during a great war where we find Adora in the middle of training. She, with grace and skill, is brushing her teeth and striking a punching bag with a silhouette image of the soon to be named queen. This initial point of view reveals that Adora is on the side of the evil Horde, which shows that good and evil are not as distinctly clear as other shows have established. Adora along with her friends/team in the training room take down the evil princesses. This animated series has an explosive start, yet the way it maintains that momentum is truly a feat worth all its accolades.
One of the most notable aspects of this show is its multidimensional villains. Characters are galvanized forward to feel more real with every delicious narrative arc that gives rise to their backstories. These descriptions of their lives allow us to see that being empathic is a superpower we all hold. Each villain makes known why their characters are as they are. Villains are beaten down, pushed aside, and forgotten, but they never give up hope that they will rise from the ashes. They are survivors. Catra is probably the most misunderstood super-villain on the show. Her past, however, is not the only one that is revealed in the span of the program. Scorpia was pushed aside by her best friend. Shadow Weaver had the best intentions but was clouded. Hordac was discarded and hopes for his redemption. These villains show sides that are more multifaceted than other villains.
Adora and Catra are sisters in arms. They grew up together and endured so much pain. They are now comrades turned enemies battling one another, and the cause of this stems from hurt. Their battles are more meaningful because of how close they were. These two young women are complementary opposites at odds with one another. Their costume design helps to emphasize their polemic relationship. Adora is orphaned and taken in by the Horde. Her life begins to change when she is a teenager. Her life has been taken from her in more than one way as the story develops. She has been selected to wheel the sword of power and will be the one to free the people of Etheria. This honor is not a choice for anyone. Adora’s life in the Horde was slightly different than that of her friends. She received more encouragement, praise, and even more attention from Shadow Weaver. Meanwhile, Catra has lived in the shadows of the golden child (Adora). Catra had to be satisfied with second place, with less love, and with less trust. The only way she can win is through rising in the ranks against her best friend.
As the year has developed and the number of superheroes grows, She-Ra has come to offer something more than just another hero with great hair. She-Ra stands for empathy, compassion, and self-sacrifice. The magic that is She-Ra and the Princesses of Power speaks volumes to how friendships can corrode. These friendships often do so because of toxicity and a lack of understanding of the other person’s pain. She-Ra expresses that no matter how strong and brave a hero is, they are not without their own struggles. This superhero show reveals that not all who are evil are truly evil; some are just misunderstood, and sometimes good is found in the most unlikely places. Adora/She-Ra’s compassion, love, and gentler qualities prove that heroes can be defined by more than just brute force.
These strong princesses are warriors. They fight their enemies with power, skill, and bravery in order to protect the world they love. Catra is the only person who understands Adora and vice versa. Yet, the show always walks a fine line between their friendship. The contrast of good and evil, and even the blending of it, at its core, is what makes the spectacle worth watching. She-Ra lives and fights for something bigger than herself, and that is a hero’s journey. She-Ra proves that anyone can be a hero.
The post Review: ‘She-Ra and the Princesses of Power’ Is Worthy of Your Time and My Personal Female Icon appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.