Entertainment
Enola Holmes 3 review: Sherlocks sister takes over the game
Sherlock Holmes’ sharp, fearless sister Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) is all grown up and headed for sunnier European shores, as Enola Holmes 3 throws an international case on her desk and a wedding date on her calendar.
Based on Nancy Springer’s The Enola Holmes Mysteries and adapted by Jack Thorne, the Netflix films have seen the British detective solve the case of the missing mum and the case of the missing sister. Now, with Adolescence director Philip Barantini on a much more upbeat project, Enola Holmes 3 sees her off to Malta. And Enola’s got a lot on her plate: She’s conflicted about tying the knot, and her famous brother Sherlock (Henry Cavill) has been kidnapped, leaving behind only cryptic notebooks for Enola to decipher.
With another playful performance from Brown and her accomplished co-stars, and a Victorian narrative that surprisingly acknowledges Britain’s bloody colonial legacy, Enola Holmes 3 files another satisfyingly twisty case for the franchise. And this time, we finally get to hang out properly with Dr. John Watson (Himesh Patel).
Enola Holmes 3 sends Victorian London’s heroes to sunnier shores.
Louis Partridge and Himesh Patel in “Enola Holmes 3.”
Credit: John Wilson / Netflix
Leaving the perilous alleyways of Victorian England behind, Enola Holmes 3 sends our young sleuth to sun-drenched Malta, where another adventure awaits: marriage. Despite Sherlock’s grumblings about losing that all-important Holmes name to an aristocrat, she’s engaged to her dear Lord Ernest Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge). However, Enola’s increasingly cold feet lead to something much more chilling: missing family members and a sinister plot.
But while Sherlock’s sister may be in a completely new setting, the elements of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work have followed her to Malta — as have the charming Enola Holmes-style collage animations and sketches. Though it’s not set on Baker Street, watching Enola teaming up with Watson or in hand-to-hand combat with Moriarty is a pure Sherlockian delight, with the young heroine really getting to step into her brother’s shoes this time around — with hand-drawn CSI effects highlighting clues and forensic detail.
Sharon Duncan-Brewster is truly chilling in her unnerving interpretation of the villainous Moriarty. Henry Cavill ruffles his debonair version of the famous detective. And Helena Bonham Carter seems to have a ball as Enola’s vigilante mother, Eudoria. Thankfully, we get much more time with Patel as the Watson, as the actor brings charm, elegance, and care to Sherlock’s future companion — and watching Enola and Watson bitch about Sherlock’s worst habits is long overdue.
Millie Bobby Brown’s Enola remains on the case.
Millie Bobby Brown in “Enola Homes 3.”
Credit: John Wilson / Netflix
As the titular heroine, Brown has plenty to balance. While bringing that Holmes-style energy, wit, and curiosity to her investigative side, the star also embraces Enola’s struggle with societal expectations, of choosing her now-established career as a Holmes or her marriage as the future Lady Tewkesbury. Enola’s Fleabag-style fourth-wall breaking remains an engaging tool for Brown to lean on, though it does have a cheesy “you’re probably wondering how I got here” effect at times. Nonetheless, she also kicks ass with impressive stunt sequences, jumping across balconies in burning buildings, firing guns from speeding carriages, and doling out some brutal hand-to-hand combat.
Mashable Top Stories
Brown also makes a sweet pair with Partridge, as the film crafts an adorable grown-up romance for the detective and the viscount. And Brown and Cavill’s now worn-in relationship as the Detectives Holmes feels authentic, as Enola relies on her brother’s teachings to track him down.
Barantini and editor Tommy Boulding weave Enola’s memories from the first two films into her present, providing a handy recap of character bonds. But there’s still plenty to reveal, secrets which lead Enola Holmes 3 into delicate territory.
Enola Holmes 3 acknowledges British colonialism within its twisty mystery.
Henry Cavill in “Enola Holmes 3.”
Credit: John Wilson / Netflix
It’s not the first thing you’d expect in a teen adventure movie, but as an adaptation of Victorian literature, Enola Holmes 3 acknowledges the painful legacy of British colonialism in theme and narrative.
Set within the late 1880s in the Victorian era, the Enola Holmes series has already successfully dabbled in real events, with the Matchgirls Strike fuelling the narrative of Enola Holmes 2. In the third film, the reach of Empire is no abstract concept and instead a present reality, with the Anglo-Afghan Wars factoring into the storyline, and the film’s Malta setting as a Crown Colony proving loaded territory for the characters.
The Malta we watch Enola in — as she trawls through crime scenes and chases leads through a carnival — is one of beauty, but also British sovereignty. Maltese characters are openly deemed second-class citizens, and Enola becomes enlightened, especially when she teams up with Mikiel Mizzi (a great Joe Azzopardi) of the real Partito Anti-Riformista, who resist the Crown. This does hinge on virtue-signalling for the heroine, but it’s an acknowledgment by the franchise of the realities of the romanticised period.
Exactly how far characters would go “for queen and country” becomes an underlying consideration. Watson reflects on his father’s role during British Raj, and Enola realises her wealthy British privilege. However, Enola Holmes 3 is not a history lesson, merely a reflection of the context it’s set within.
As the third chapter in this mystery history trilogy, Enola Homes 3 gives our young detective a high stakes case to crack, a sweet, enduring love story, and real-world context to consider.
Enola Holmes 3 is streaming on Netflix July 1.
Entertainment
Netflix Horror Action Epic Turns Iconic Villain Into A Superhero
By Jason Collins
| Published
Apart from Bram Stoker’s Dracula from 1992, which is a legendary movie starring Gary Oldman as the iconic villain, there have been numerous retellings of Dracula’s story throughout cinema and television. Some of these are rather mediocre, like Dracula 2000. Others were outright bad, like Dracula 3000. And some were outright fantastic, like 1922’s Nosferatu or Steven Moffat’s 2020 miniseries, aptly named Dracula. Now, a failed movie, Dracula Untold, has found new success on streaming, turning an iconic villain into a superhero.
Dracula As A Tragic Hero
For those who haven’t seen the movie, Dracula Untold was a critically panned reimagining of the origin of Dracula, which aims to portray the character as a tragic hero rather than a straightforward villain. The film’s narrative is set in the 15th century where Vlad III (Luke Evans), the prince of Wallachia and Transylvania, faces a threat from the Ottoman Empire, which demands 1,000 Wallachian boys (including his own son) as a tribute to the sultan’s army.
Having spent his youth among the Ottomans, Vlad now seeks to protect his son and his country from the enemy.
However, in desperation, he turns to the dark and ancient power hidden in the mountains, a mysterious vampire (portrayed by the Game of Thrones star Charles Dance), who grants him the powers to defend his family and his country but also curses him with the vampiric blood lust. We won’t go into the story any further. Instead, we’ll go on to say that the concept upon which the story was based is actually pretty good. However, the execution of said concept in Dracula Untold wasn’t.
Lights Out On The Dark Universe
Though the critics praised Luke Evans’ performance as the anti-hero, Dracula Untold was heavily criticized for its plot and the perceived lack of emotional depth. However, it did reasonably well at the box office, earning $217 million worldwide against a budget of $100 million. Unfortunately, its earnings weren’t enough to protect it from the apparent pull of the grave and any idea of a sequel unfortunately found a stake to the heart.
At one point, there were discussions and some attempts to retroactively include Dracula Untold into the now-failed Dark Universe born with the release of The Mummy in 2017. However, given the poor performance of that particular release, Universal abandoned every notion of the Dark Universe.
This is really unfortunate because later-revealed Dracula Untold scenes that ended up on the cutting room floor also showed the appearance of Baba Yaga. No, we’re not referring to John Wick, but the actual stuff of nightmares originating from Eastern folklore.
Despite the film’s poor reception, Dracula remains an enduring pop culture icon that transcends the shifting cinematic trends, which explains how Dracula Untold found its resurrection on Netflix.
Entertainment
The No-Cook Trader Joe’s Dinner I’m Making on Repeat
Remember winter? The way it just kept on going until, like, last month? I just put my sweaters away for the season, and it’s already too hot to think. And cooking? FORGET IT. It’s pantry meals and popsicles for now, and it’s got to be quick, too — nothing like being hangry in a heatwave. The other day, while lingering over the fridge, stealing a moment of blissful chill, I spied a container of ricotta cheese. Cold, creamy ricotta. Sold, I thought. Sounds like dinner to me.
And the nice thing about ricotta is that it pretty much can be dinner (or breakfast, or dessert for that matter) with very little dressing up. A hunk of bread, a little salt, and a jar of something, and you’re set. Preserved lemon, pickled peppers — really, anything with a bit of zing will play well with ricotta. That night, I found a jar of Trader Joe’s Slow-Roasted Tomatoes floating around the back of my cabinet — and a bag of their beloved Sandwich Starters — thus, a killer new TJ’s dinner was born. It’s filling, it’s super-quick, and it tastes like a meal you put time and effort into (rather than simply, the first few things you found in the kitchen). It does require the use of a toaster, but only for 90 seconds max, and I promise, it’ll be worth it. TJ’s Sandwich Starters have cult status for a reason: They’re a soft, chewy, dense-in-a-good-way hybrid of ciabatta and burger bun. And even a light toasting adds a satisfying crunch to the creamy textures in this meal.
If it helps, I find this dish is best made while standing in a bra in the kitchen, with an ice-cold Diet Coke on the counter. But that part’s optional. Here’s the recipe…
Summery Dinner Toasts
Serves 1
1 Trader Joe’s Sandwich Starter
1 cup ricotta cheese (I use TJ’s whole-milk ricotta, but any brand is fine)
1/2 a jar of TJ’s Slow Roasted Tomatoes
Salt and pepper, to taste
A few leaves of fresh basil, washed and torn, for topping*
*If you have it around. I often do in the summertime, but this meal is plenty delicious without. For goodness’ sake, do not go to the store!
Split the Sandwich Starter in half, and lightly toast. Plate the toast slices and divide the ricotta between them, spreading over each slice.
Top each piece with a layer of roasted tomatoes, scooping them out of the jar with a small fork. (If you like, you can spoon out a little oil from the jar and drizzle it lightly over the toast.) Add salt and pepper to taste (the jarred tomatoes are a bit salty already, so go easy with the first pinch, you can always add more). Finish with fresh basil on top, if using, and enjoy — shirtless or not.
What are you making for dinner these days? Do you have a favorite stove-free meal?
P.S. More Trader Joe’s meal hacks and ideas:
* My 10 favorite things from Trader Joe’s these days
* Five-ingredient Trader Joe’s shrimp tacos recipe
* A delicious Trader Joe’s breakfast hack
* Taste test: Trader Joe’s knockoffs vs. original brands
* A TJ’s cheese-plate formula
* 10 Trader Joe’s products to shake up breakfast
* Four great Trader Joe’s meal hacks — and three more here!
(Photos by Yossy Arefi for Cup of Jo.)
Entertainment
Supergirl Will Lose Warner Bros. Over $125 Million
By Chris Snellgrove
| Updated
For most DC fans, the critical and commercial failure of Supergirl comes as quite a shock. After all, last year’s Superman was the breakout blockbuster of the summer, earning more at the box office than either of Marvel’s films (The Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four: First Steps). It was directed by geek king James Gunn, the same man who runs DC Studios. He absolutely loved the script for Supergirl and pushed the movie’s production schedule up. With Gunn’s seal of approval, the spinoff featuring Superman’s cousin seemed destined for greatness. But as the opening weekend projections plummeted and the critical reviews came in, it soon became clear that this movie was a failure.
What we didn’t know was how much of a failure. Now, we have the answer, and it’s actually much worse than you thought. According to Deadline, the movie is currently set to lose Warner Bros. a cool $125 million. That would be bad news for any blockbuster and in any circumstance. However, Supergirl bombing is that much worse because it’s not just losing the studio plenty of cold, hard cash; it’s also shaking confidence in Gunn’s ability to lead the DCU in its fight with Marvel for box office supremacy. Now, a sobering fact emerges: the DCU may implode long before we even see the new Justice League onscreen.
Playing The Blame Game
Right now, some of the film’s biggest fans are trying to make the movie into another culture war flashpoint. The more militant fans are claiming that Supergirl’s critics are misogynists and incels who just weren’t ready to see a strong woman on the big screen. However, it genuinely seems like Supergirl was doomed more by the forces of apathy than misogyny. The low opening weekend (lower than Morbius, yikes!) is an indicator of how few people actually bothered to see the movie. Plus, in a bit of Morbin’ (er, morbid) irony, Supergirl undermines much of its girlpower street cred because of a very prominent storyline about sex trafficking.
But how did Deadline arrive at the conclusion that Supergirl will lose the studio $125 million? They looked at factors such as the production cost (somewhere between $170-$186 million) and the movie’s opening weekend box office ($68 million). They also considered how much the domestic publicity and advertising budget was ($120 million) and how much the movie needed to make in order to break even (about $315 million). Throw in the estimates for declining weekly box office, and you get a bleak conclusion: Supergirl is going to lose somewhere around $125 million, making this a very public, very expensive failure for Warner Bros.
The Canary In The Coal Mine
With this kind of box office loss, it’s unlikely that Supergirl will ever headline another future film in the DCU. However, there may be a downstream effect where this impacts larger projects in the future. For example, Supergirl is supposed to be a major character in Superman: The Man of Tomorrow; if audiences hate that film because of her presence, it could spell bad news for James Gunn. If that Superman sequel is a hit, then it will pave the way for Wonder Woman, The Brave and the Bold, and, eventually, a Justice League film. If it bombs, though, the DCU could die before the JL even team up onscreen.
All DC fans should care about Supergirl’s failure because this movie is effectively the canary in the coal mine for the entire cinematic universe. Considering how many skipped seeing Supergirl, how much worse will it be for future projects featuring even more obscure heroes and villains? DC Studios has already shot a Clayface film, and they are currently working on a Deathstroke and Bane movie and a TV show that pairs Jimmy Olsen up with Gorilla Grodd. These are big creative swings, and they might all connect. But even if they all turn out to be excellent, that won’t matter if hardly anybody is watching them.
It’s worth noting that while critics dragged the DCEU for years, it produced about five commercial flops before Warner Bros. pulled the plug. Therefore, it might not be the end of the world now that James Gunn’s DCU has only produced one flop. However, superhero fatigue is dragging down box office earnings, and Gunn is facing stiff competition from Marvel in the form of Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday. Supergirl losing $125 million right before WB gets new leadership potentially changes the game for Gunn, and not in a good way. He’s not going to get five strikes; in fact, he’ll be lucky to get more than one!
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Netflix Horror Action Epic Turns Iconic Villain Into A Superhero
