Welcome back to Recommendation Monday, where I give you something to look forward to that hopefully helps you get through the week.

Every Monday, I recommend a book, TV show, movie, podcast, comic, or video game that are related to sci-fi/fantasy in some way. My goal in doing this is to draw attention to some great works as well as some amazing indie content producers.

This week, I am recommending the musical comedy fantasy series Galavant.

Galavant is fairly unique. And for that reason I think it flew under a lot of people's radar. It sadly struggled in the ratings throughout its run, with only a truly stunning renewal giving it a season two and a sense of closure.

But this series is fantastic and truly deserves a second look. The songs are all extraordinarily catchy, courtesy of Disney music legend Alan Menkin. Tim Omundson really steals the show as the evil King Richard - heck, almost all of the villains are interesting and sympathetic.

If you could use something to brighten up your day, give this one a watch.

Welcome back to Recommendation Monday, where I give you something to look forward to that hopefully helps you get through the week. (Sorry this is being posted a day late, on Tuesday - I was out of town on a family emergency.)

Every Monday, I recommend a book, TV show, movie, podcast, comic, or video game that are related to sci-fi/fantasy in some way. My goal in doing this is to draw attention to some great works as well as some amazing indie content producers.

This week I am recommending Pixar's newest film, Onward.

In hindsight, I should have posted this last Monday on the heels of its opening weekend, even though I had already planned and drafted most of my Mark of the Conifer recommendation. Oh well.

The situation this movie is in is truly a tragedy as well, as the Covid outbreak has made going to see it not very feasible. Stay safe, be considerate to other people, and follow the advice of governments and health organizations. But I highly recommend seeing it when possible.

I'll admit, I was a little nervous going into this one. The last time Pixar had such a unique and amazing premise, it was entirely squandered (The Good Dinosaur). Fortunately, Onward, while not objectively the studio's best, did not waste its cool premise and was a very enjoyable ride. It is now my second favorite Pixar offering after Ratatouille.

Onward tells the story of a fantasy world where magic eventually went by the wayside to make room for modern conveniences. Why take the time to learn magic and conjure fire when you can just flip on a lightbulb? In true Pixar fashion, though, there is a strong human element to the story. The plot is set in motion when brothers Barley and Ian Lightfoot are gifted a magic staff from their deceased father and a spell that can bring him back for just a day.

There was a lot to like in this film. The concept of a Dungeons & Dragons-style roleplaying game that is historically accurate was hilariously great. They kind of present it as a combination of fantasy geeks and history buffs wanting to be as historically accurate as possible at Renaissance Fairs and reenactments. The characters are all developed and three-dimensional, with a special shout-out to their mom because she was awesome. The entire story felt like a fun D&D quest with a lot of heart.

​The conclusion of the film was very good, both in how it handled the end of its protagonists' journey to reunite with their father and the survival of magic in this world. 

I want more movies like this.

Welcome back to Recommendation Monday, where I give you something to look forward to that hopefully helps you get through the week.

Every Monday, I recommend a book, TV show, movie, podcast, comic, or video game that are related to sci-fi/fantasy in some way. My goal in doing this is to draw attention to some great works as well as some amazing indie content producers.

This week I am recommending Mark of the Conifer by ​L. K. D. Jennings.

Epic fantasy. Dinosaur novel.

Do I need to say more?

​This is an independently published book that caught my attention from the moment I first heard about it. I'm sad I didn't get the chance to contribute to its Kickstarter because it was already over before I learned of the project's existence. But I bought it as soon as I was able, and it did not disappoint.

Mark of the Conifer tells the story of the raptor Sunstrike who embraces his destiny as an upholder of the sacred Pact between hunters and hunted as he combats the tyrannical regime of Empress Charr.

It's an engaging story with a cool mythology and interesting characters with depth (including the villains). In addition to being a pretty good story, the author is also an artist who painstakingly drew and painted many illustrations that are included in the book.

It's an animal xenofiction fantasy in the vein of Watership Down, Fire Bringer, and The Sight, all of which are other books I love and may talk about here in the future.

If this sounds like something up your alley, give it a try!

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Welcome back to Recommendation Monday, where I give you something to look forward to that hopefully helps you get through the week.

Every Monday, I recommend a book, TV show, movie, podcast, comic, or video game that are related to sci-fi/fantasy in some way. My goal in doing this is to draw attention to some great works as well as some amazing indie content producers.

This week I am recommending fantasy film Willow (1988).

From the mind of the great George Lucas, I'd been aware of this film for some time before I was finally able to sit down and watch it. I even gambled and bought it new on Blu-Ray because I was convinced I'd like it enough.

I was not wrong.

While in many ways it's a fairly typical fantasy film, it's well-done. The effects are very good for the time and it's great to see actors with dwarfism featured in prominent roles. It's nice to see a lot of female characters, especially with one as the main villain and another the subject of a prophecy that sets the story in motion.

I wish certain deleted scenes had been included in the actual film to give the actions and backstories of certain characters more depth and alleviate a plot hole, but these are fairly minor issues.

It's too bad this film isn't as well known. Hopefully that will change, especially with the announcement that they're developing a TV series.