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A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Saturday 10 November 2018
Latest 'Fantastic Beasts' is a mixed bag of wonders

By JAKE COYLE schoolmate of Newt's, Leta
Associated Press Lestrange (Zoe Kravitz)
Like the bottomless trunk No one does the forebod-
totted by "magizoolologist" ing sense of a looming
Newt Scamander, "Fan- battle better than Rowl-
tastic Beasts: The Crimes ing. Now, it's the rise of Gel-
of Grindelwald" is a mixed lert Grindelwald (Johnny
bag of wonders. Depp), freshly escaped
Newt (Eddie Redmayne) from prison, who casts a
can reach into his suitcase lengthening shadow over
and, like Mary Poppins be- the land. With a blond
fore him, pull out just about shock of hair and a ghostly
anything. And it sometimes white face, Grindelwald is
feels as though J.K. Rowl- Rowling's magical version
ing — a screenwriter here of a white nationalist, only
for the second time — is he believes in the elevation
similarly infatuated by her of wizards — "purebloods"
unending powers of con- — over those who lack
juring. In this overstuffed magical powers, or "no-
second film in the five-part majes."
Harry Potter prequel series, It's 1927 and the dark
every solved mystery un- clouds of fascism are swirl-
locks another, every story This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Johnny Depp in a scene from "Fantastic ing; World War II feels right
begets still more. Narratives Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald." around the corner. In one
multiply like randy Nifflers Associated Press the movie's many tricks,
(one of the many species Grindelwald drapes Paris
of creature in Newt's bag). David Yates. Both movies No, the only real crime of settling anywhere, or with in black fabric, like a wan-
The usual problem for spi- are rooted in purpose. "The "Gindelwald" is its sheer any of its widely scattered nabe Christo. Despite the
noffs is their thinness or their Crimes of Grindelwald," es- abundance. In zipping characters — among them gathering storm, the paci-
unfulfilled justification — es- pecially, is an impressively from New York to London Newt, the conscientious fist Newt (Redmayne, cloy-
pecially ones that stretch dark and urgent parable to Paris (with ministries of dark magic investigator ingly shy), resists drawing
an already much-stretched of supremacist ideology magic in each locale), this Tina (Katherine Waterston), battle lines. When pushed
tale. (There were eight Pot- aimed squarely at today's latest chapter in Rowling's the New Yorker no-maj Ja- by his brother Theseus (Cal-
ter movies.) But neither are demagogues of division. pre-Potter saga feels so ea- cob (Dan Fogler), Tina's sis- lum Turner), who like Tina
issues in the two "Fantastic And neither film lacks in ger to be outside the walls ter and Jacob's sweetheart is an "Auror" who enforces
Beasts" films, each directed density of detail, character of Hogwarts (which also get Queenie (Alison Sudol) magic law, Newt responds:
by former "Potter" hand or story. a cameo) that it resists ever and the haunted former "I don't do sides."q

Ace of Cups, 60's all-women band,

make timely debut

— a collection of old dem- delic and progressive influ-
os, rehearsals and live per- ences also in the mix. Bill
formances — was issued in Withers' "Grandma's Hands"
Britain in the 2000's but this is a tribute to past genera-
self-titled double album is tions but also about their
their studio debut and it's own family roles.
an emotional, absorbing Guests include Taj Mahal,
experience. Bob Weir, Buffy Sainte-Ma-
Helmed by producer Dan rie, Jack Casady, Jorma
Shea (Mariah Carey, Ce- Kaukonen, Charlie Mussel-
line Dion), four of the origi- white and Peter Coyote, all
This cover image released by nal five band members making distinguished con-
High Moon Records shows the
self-titled album for Ace of — Mary Gannon, Denise tributions.
Cups. Kaufman, Mary Simpson The album comes with
Associated Press and Diane Vitalich — show detailed notes to each
how sharp their instrumen- song and the story be-
By PABLO GORONDI tal, songwriting and vocal hind "Stones," with lyrics
Ace of Cups, "Ace of Cups" chops still are. now reworked to reflect
(High Moon Records) The songs, nearly all written Kaufman's harrowing expe-
The all-female Ace of Cups by Kaufman or Gannon, rience at the deadly 1969
was part of the late '60s are brimming with appeal- Altamont concert, is quite
psychedelic scene in San ing harmonies and range distressing and very unflat-
Francisco, opening for Jimi from energetic rockers like tering to the event's head-
Hendrix and The Band but "Feel Good" and "Circles" liners, the Rolling Stones.
without ever recording an to blues ("Mama's Love"), Hearing "Ace of Cups,"
album. Until now, over 50 country ("On the Road") one can imagine what the
years later. and folk ("Macushla/The- band may have sounded
"It's Bad for You but Buy It!" lina"), with some psyche- like all those decades ago.