The Traffic Homicide Unit from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a fatal crash that occurred Tuesday morning, November 22, 2022, which shut down part of a busy Lakeland highway for about three hours.
The crash was reported to the Emergency Communication Center at about 5:58 am. PCSO deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene on US 98 North, near the intersection of Mann Road.
Upon their arrival, a pedestrian, 27-year old Marcus Sullivan of Lakeland, was pronounced deceased.
The driver of the silver 2011 Honda CRV that hit Mr. Sullivan was uninjured.
Detectives reported that it was dark and cloudy at the time of the crash, with no street lighting, and only a moderate amount of light from local businesses. Mr. Sullivan was wearing a dark shirt and light-colored pants.
Evidence and witness statements from the scene indicate that Mr. Sullivan was pushing a grocery cart in the northbound lane of US 98, near the median. The Honda was in the same lane and approached Mr. Sullivan from behind.
At this time, it does not seem likely that the driver will be cited or charged.
Welcome, World Travelers: “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” Dares to Be Stupid!
by James Coulter
Originally, I was going to review Disenchanted on Disney Plus; however, since I still have not watched the original Enchantedmovie, I decided to postpone the review of its sequel until next week. Until then, here’s a review of a great movie NOT made by Disney and NOT on Disney Plus.
Do I need to sell Weird Al Yankovic? He’s Weird Al, the most prolific parody songwriter of our time. There’s no one else like him. Go ahead: name a parody songwriter greater than him. You can’t! Because he’s the greatest! From “My Bologna” to “Party in the CIA”, all his songs slap and everyone likes them. In fact, I think it’s impossible to hate him. You may not like his style, but it’s hard to actively dislike him or his work. That’s how great his music is.
So, when I say there’s a parody movie about him streaming free on Roku, do I need to sell it to you? It’s a satirical biopic about one of the greatest satirical songwriters. Of course, it’s going to be comedy gold because everything Weird Al touches turns into pure comedy gold. So, what more can I say other than “go watch it”?
Well, I guess I technically need to write a formal movie review. So, is Weird: The Al Yankovic Story any good, or…ah, that’s a trick question! Of course, it’s good. It’s better than good, and here’s why:
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story tells the story about the life and career of Weird Al Yankovic, from taking accordion lessons as a child to being discovered and promoted by Dr. Demento to his inevitable rise as a Billboard chart-topping musical superstar. Of course, as this movie is a parody—and, really, what better way to tell the story about the world’s greatest parody songwriter than with a parody musical biopic?—there’s far more fiction than truth to the story. While most celebrity biopics are infamous for taking the truth and exaggerating it to fit a narrative more dramatically, this film takes only the tiniest sliver of truth and uses it to veer wildly off the rails into the realm of the absurd.
For example, Weird Al was inspired to become a musician after being sold his first accordion from a traveling salesman; however, his father did not get into a bloody fistfight with that salesman because he disapproved of his son playing “the devil’s squeezebox”, nor did Al ever get busted for playing in polka parties as a teenager. Also, while Madonna did, indeed, approach Weird Al to have him make a parody of one of her songs, that request did not result in a steamy love scene in his mansion or in her becoming a clingy girlfriend.
Like a good parody, this movie follows the conventional storyline of a celebrity musician biopic, with the usual character and story beats followed to a tee, and exaggerates it to the point of absurdity, taking a normal situation and fouling it all up beyond recognition: from his disapproving parents forbidding him from following his dreams and living his true self, to skeptical music agents (one played by Weird Al himself) berating him for being a weirdo with no talent, to him boldly declaring that his life’s dream is literally to take songs other people have written and change the words to them.
Perhaps the most shining example of satire comes from the act where Weird Al decides to stop writing parody songs and write original music. What “original” song does he decide to pen? “Eat It!”, which Al sincerely asserts is “100 percent original.” Later in the film, the joke becomes even more absurd when Al receives a call from his agent informing him that Michael Jackson has released a “new” song, “Beat It!”, which is like Al’s “original” song. This news enrages Al into a steaming fit, as he rants about how other people will now assume he wrote his song as a parody to “Beat It!” despite his song being written first. (The fact that this is not what really happened at all in real life only makes this scene even more knee-clappingly hilarious!)
What makes this movie work is its absolute sincerity. This movie may be a total fabrication of Weird Al’s life and career, but it plays that fabrication 100 percent straight. At no point do the actors turn to wink at the camera. This film is 100 percent serious about its portrayal of events not being 100 percent serious. As Tony Goldmark from the Escape From Vault Disneypodcast mentioned in his review:
“Weird‘s primary joke is that it doesn’t even try to be accurate. It uses what really happened as the loosest of jumping-off points and then careens further and further into Looney Tune Land. It’s like the cinematic equivalent of a late-2000s Colbert Reportsketch, playing itself up as something constantly trying to gaslit you with lies but doing such a patently-ridiculous job at it that we can’t help but laugh at it, which, of course, is the joke.”
This absolute sincerity, while mostly highlighting the absolute absurdity, also lends itself to providing real pathos for some honestly heartfelt moments. This fact becomes most evident near the end. I will not spoil anything, but let’s just say there’s a reason why his father was so disapproving of Al becoming a musician. There’s also a long-running joke about one of Al’s biggest fans being a South American drug cartel that serves as a pivotal plot point in the movie and results in an ending that is so far from reality it lets you know, without a doubt, the film is a parody.
In short, this movie is great. If I had a nickel for every time I reviewed a non-Disney movie that ended up being one of my absolute favorites of the year, I would have two nickels, which isn’t much but it’s weird it happened twice. (The first time was RRR.) What else can I say but…stop reading this and go watch Weird: The Al Yankovic Story!
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 9-1-1 call this morning at approximately 8:11 amto a north Lakeland neighborhood (Plantation Ridge development) about an arsonist who was throwing a “Molotov cocktail”-type incendiary weapon at a residence.
When a deputy arrived (8:12:32) he witnessed the man getting into an older-model Chevrolet pickup truck and fleeing the area. The deputy attempted a traffic stop, but the truck did not stop, and fled south on US 98. Given the arson charges, the deputy attempted a precision immobilization technique (PIT) on the fleeing truck on US 98/Florida Avenuethe attempt did not result in the immobilization of the truck. The truck fled on I-4 west-bound with deputies in pursuit.
In the area of the west bound on-ramp to I-4 from Branch Forbes Road in Hillsborough County, the fleeing truck slowed because of damage sustained by the PIT maneuver, allowing deputies to block and ram the truck ending the pursuit.
30-year-old Luke Neely of Lakeland exited the truck. He was in possession of an “AR-style” rifle. Polk deputies immediately engaged him, firing at Neely, incapacitating him. Deputies then disarmed him, including another firearm he had on his person, and began treating his wounds. He was transported to an area hospital with gunshot wounds. We are told the wounds are non-life threatening.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the deputy involved use of force because the incident occurred in Hillsborough County. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office crime scene unit is assisting with the investigation at the scene. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the arson and fleeing-to-elude incidents occurring in Polk County. Attached is a photograph of roof damage of a residence caused by the Molotov cocktail.
“We are in the early stages of this investigationwe thank the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for independently investigating this use of force and we appreciate the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office assistance with the scene investigation. One of our deputies sustained a wrist injury, but other than that, the only person who was injured is the arsonist who fled from our deputies and threatened them. For this I am very thankful.” –Grady Judd, Sheriff
Neely was arrested by the PCSO in 2016 and charged with disorderly conduct, using a firearm under the influence of alcohol, and resisting arrest. He was Baker Acted by the PCSO in 2020.
From Purple Ants to Talking Pants: 33rd Cracker Storytelling Festival Tells Tall Tales
by James Coulter
Once upon a time in Africa, there were four colonies of ants: red, black, yellow, and purple. Each of them lived in different parts of the jungle. Each of them hated the other ant colonies, and they refused to associate with ants different from there.
Each of the four ant colonies went searching for food. They searched high, and they searched low. They searched far, and they searched near. Their search stopped when they met a beautiful princess cooking a great meal in her iron pot. She happily shared her food with them, but she was saddened to know the ants refused to talk or befriend or even look at an ant different from them.
The next day, the ants returned to the princess cooking another meal. However, she chose to ignore them and pretend they were not there. The ants became hungry and angry. They jumped up and down. They shook fruit from their trees. Soon, they crawledcloser and closer to her. Closer and closer they came until all the different colored ants were mixed. It was then they realized they were better when they were together as one.
Suddenly, a small ember flew from the princess’s fire and set the village aflame. She rushed from the river to fill her pot with water from the river and set out the inferno, but the fire kept burning. The ants rushed to the river to fill their mouths with water and spray it on the raging inferno, but the fire kept burning. Then, the ants ate a giant grape and sprayed the juice on the fire, extinguishing it once and for all.
The ants and the princess celebrated their victory, and from then on, the different ant colonies decided to work together rather than remain divided amongst themselves.
Storyteller Tamara Green told this African folk story to children from different schools during the annual Cracker Storytelling Festival, hosted last Wednesday and Thursday at Homeland Heritage Park in Bartow.
Tamara told her story using different colored ant puppets that she provided to the children in the audience. As she told them her story, she had them sing a song along with her: “Oh, the ants went searching, yeah, yeah, yeah, and they all went searching for food, yes, they all went searching for food.”
Tamara was one of 11 storytellers who participated in the storytelling festival. Many of them shared different stories from different cultures, from American folk stories and European fairy tales to African folk stories.
Robin Shulte, meanwhile, shared a personal story about her son, Jack. As a storyteller, she decided to name him Jack because so many story protagonists are named Jack. He loved magic, he loved stories about magic, and growing up, he loved reading the Harry Potter series.
So, when the Wizarding World opened in Universal Studios, she decided to take him there to visit. Together, with two other friends, they ate chocolate frogs, they drank butter beer, they went shopping for wands, and they even visited Hogwarts Castle.
On their way out of the park, they stumbled upon a magic showin a back alley. The magician demonstrated a trick using a device called a levitator. He used it to make a magic playing card levitate in his hands and move where he wanted it to move. He sold this device for only $39.99.
Jack, his eyes wide as saucers, and with his pockets stuffed with $40, asked his mom if he could buy it. Reluctantly, not wanting to disappoint him and tell him no, decided to let him buy it. He and his friends were excited and eager to return home to see how it worked. Jack speculated it used magnets, while his friends claimed it was a small leaf blower.
After an hour-long car drive, Jack and his friends opened the package, dumped its contents on the table, and discovered the secret behind the magic trick: a thin black thread, a decoy card, and an instructional DVD. Though initially disappointed, Jack learned how to perform the trick, and so did his mother, who performed the floating card trick in front of an audience of wide-eyed children. She then went on to tell another story about living pants by Dr. Seuss.
This year marked not only the 33rd year of the Storytelling Festival, but also the return of the event after being postponed the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, explained Kara Wiseman, Youth Services Librarian from the Lake Wales Library.
This year drew in more than 600 children on Wednesday and 600 on Thursday from local public schools. Aside from listening to stories, they were able to peruse various crafts vendors and see demonstrations of vintage games and traditions.
The Homeland Heritage Park has served as an appropriate setting for the festival, as the location and its many historic landmarks serve as a great venue for stories to be told of days of yore, Wiseman said.
“We have 11 tellers this year telling many different stories for many different cultures,” she said. “I like the tellers, they have such great personalities, they are wonderful people, they love doing this for the kids. They are animated and having a blast in all these different little venues, they are some of the most amazing people you will meet.”
AdventHealth Offers $1.7 Million for Polk State Nursing
by James Coulter
Zachary Weathers remembers several years ago when his best friend was admitted to the emergency room. She had become violently ill, yet the doctors there dismissed her, assuming she was merely “seeking attention.” The nurses, on the other hand, advocated on her behalf and insisted that she remain at the hospital.
His friend was soon diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. Had she returned home, as the doctors initially suggested, she would have died. She would not be alive today to be his wife and the mother of his child.
That moment changed his life forever. Remembering the dedication of the nurses who cared for his future wife, Weather was determined to become a nurse himself. His mother-in-law recommended that he enroll in Polk State College, as they had the best nursing program, he said.
Weathers was honored to have received his education and certification from Polk State College. He remains grateful for their commitment to excellence, and he hopes to bring that commitment to his career and his future teammates.
“It is clear that nursing is not for the faint of heart; however, if you are able to make it through to the end, it is easy to say that Polk State has prepared you with a wealth of knowledge and unforgettable experiences unlike any others,” Weathers said. “There is a reason why, when I tell people I am a Polk State Nursing Student, that I am met with impressed looks. This community knows that Polk State produces excellent nurses.”
Weathers was one of several dozen nursing students who attended a special media event on Tuesday to accept a $1.7 million endowment to the Polk State College Nursing program from AdventHealth. This generous donation will provide funding and resources to help invest in the leadership of the nursing program.
Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti, in her opening remarks, mentioned how her college’s nursing program more than exceeded the rigorous expectations for statewide certification. On the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN), 2021 PSC graduates boasted a nearly 91 percent exam pass rate “compared to 64% at the state level and 82% nationally,” according to a press release.
“Polk State is grateful to AdventHealth for its commitment to the advancement of quality education and training in health sciences,” Falconetti said. “AdventHealth’s donation will further support our College in recruiting and retaining highly skilled talent and further enhance the Nursing Program for both our students and the community, where our graduates are successfully filling critical workforce needs in healthcare.”
Tim Clark, President and CEO of the AdventHealth Polk Market, mentioned how the endowment will help recruitment efforts in the healthcare sector, especially during these uncertain times when the COVID-19 crisis has disrupted the market. Currently, there are approximately 300 vacancies annually, as listed on the 2021- 2022 Regional Demand Occupations List for Polk County, according to the press release.
“That is the need in our community,” Clark said. “We know that, with this endowment, this will help build the workforce of tomorrow in nursing…Our dire need for highly-trained nursing professionals and our passion for supporting the educational institutions in our community, I look forward with this endeavor at Polk State College, and I look forward to many of you [nursing students] looking at AdventHealth as an [employment] option.”
Dr. Michael Bleich, Interim Dean at Polk State Nursing, mentioned how the endowment will not only benefit their program but will also benefit the local community, especially organizations like AdventHealth, by connecting their students and professors to them. He pledged that his university’s program will help uplift the community and provide it with high-quality professionals in important decision-making positions.
“I pledge…that we will lead with high standards to build a community that uplifts and inspires faculty, staff, and students regarding others as worthy of respect…to advance the professional and vocational goals with our sphere of influence…to promote intellectual excellence to develop nurses as thinkers and doers when delivering care…to continuously strive for the holistic well-being of self and others…to keep nursing relevant in an environment where high technology, competition for human and material resources, and complex decisions that must be made wisely with a vision toward our actions, both upstream and downstream, and the consequences therein,” he said.
Writers On the Ridge: “The Light Prince: Grail” by J.C. Alexandre
The following is a selection from “The Light Prince: Grail”, the debut fantasy novel by J.C. Alexandre. To read the full story, check out his novel on Amazon in e-book and paperback. Follow the links below for more details.
*****
Chapter 1: An Elven Rescue
Through the forest of the night silently strode Johanna. Although the slender she-elf was 355 years old, her youthful appearance was similar to a human woman in her early thirties. Her pointed ears held back her hip-length golden hair, which shimmered in the moonlight. She clung to the cloak draped over her head. Around her olive gown flew a Chinese-style dragon, stitched in golden thread, complementing her lithe frame. A silver belt circled her waist. From her left hip hung a katana. Her fur slippers carried her over the ground as silently as a ghost, which she could have been mis-taken for with her milky complexion.
Noticing a cluster of toadstools growing among the roots of a tree, Johanna knelt on the loam, opened her satchel, and began picking. As a healer, she knew that the mushrooms were a vital ingredient for an elixir.
A harsh cry echoed above the forest.
Startled, Johanna dropped a mushroom in her medicine bag and averted her gaze upward. The she-elf threw her cloak over herself and crouched close to the ground. The fabric faded around her, turning her invisible.
Two creatures, a pegasus and a wyvern, flew over the for-est. The girl riding the flying horse fell from her mount and a sword tumbled from her grasp. She fell through the branch-es of the trees and struck her head against a bough before plummeting to the ground.
The girl would have splattered upon the forest floor had Johanna not leaped to catch her limp body with open arms. The child’s sword landed on the ground near the elf’s feet. An arrow protruded from the girl’s back, and from her fresh wound trickled blood, staining her shirt red.
Although Johanna was compelled to save the fallen child, she was amazed by the shape of the girl’s ears. All elves had pointy ears. This girl had round ears. She was no elf.
Johanna lay the child against the tree. As a healer, the she-elf sensed life remaining in the girl, and confirmed it by taking her wrist and feeling a pulse. The child was alive, but just barely.
The elf noticed the sword lying on the ground nearby, the moon reflecting in its blade. She picked up the weapon and examined it. She gasped at its semblance to the mythical sword Grail. Was this that very same sword of legend?
Overhead, another harsh cry echoed. With sword in hand, Johanna threw herself over the girl, concealing them both with her invisibility cloak.
A dark creature swooped through the treetops. The wyvern, ridden by a knight, landed a short distance from the elf’s hiding place. Clad in ebony armor, the knight wielded a sword as tall as himself. The wyvern flapped its dark, leathery wings as it landed, unleashing a gust that nearly blew the cloak off Johanna.
The rider dismounted and surveyed the forest. He stepped forward, leaves crunching under his iron boots. Amidst the dead foliage, he picked up a green leaf and examined it. He collected other green leaves littered among the older, crisper ones and then glanced up at the broken branches in the trees above him. He pinpointed the precise location where the girl had fallen, which was presently where he knelt.
As Johanna watched him study his surrounding environs, she shivered under her mantel. The she elf shielded the child. Her heart raced. Her breathing intensified.
The knight stood. He returned to his steed, mounted it, and jerked its reigns. The wyvern roared as it flapped its wings and leapt into the air. It flew over the elf, who clung to her cloak.
Johanna lay on the ground. She waited, listening for silence. Cradling the girl in her arms, she rose on one knee and stood. A rustling sound in the distance startled her, compelling her to crouch and shroud herself once again.
A pegasus, pale as the full moon, trotted through the for-est. A fairy hovered by his side. She glowed with a dim pink aura.
“Amber! Amber!” the fairy cried out. “Where is she? Do you suppose Infidel found her?” She gasped. “Oh, how awful that would be. What would become of Arden? Who else would wield Grail?”
Johanna peeled off her cloak. The pegasus whinnied and reared on its hind legs. The fairy gasped but then breathed a sigh of relief.
“Amber!” she exclaimed. Her face blanched when she saw the wound in the girl’s back blotched red and bleeding.
“She is still alive,” Johanna replied. “If we make haste to my tent, I can tend to her wound.”
The fairy offered a sigh of relief. “You are a healer?”
The elf nodded. “Yes. My name is Johanna.”
“My name is Fiona, and that child is Amber.” She motioned to the pegasus. “Hermes can carry her for you.”
The elf set the girl on the steed before mounting it herself.
“That way,” the elf pointed into the distance.
The pegasus broke into a trot as the fairy flew alongside him.
Johanna raised the sword. “This blade, is this—”
“Yes, it is,” Fiona answered. “And Amber is the Grail-wielder.”
Chapter 2: Upon Awakening
Amber ’s eyes fluttered open. She was lying on her belly, her face buried in a pillow and her body covered by a fur blanket. She tried to move, but her back throbbed with a dull pain. Lifting her head, she saw the tiny figure of Fiona sitting inch-es from her face.
“You’re awake!” the fairy chirped. “Oh, praise be to the Light Prince you are alive. I knew you would make it.”
Amber glanced around the dimly lit yurt.
“Where are we?” She croaked with a dry throat.
“My tent,” answered an unfamiliar voice. “Safe from harm.”
Near Amber’s feet sat Johanna. The elf was grinding herbs into a mortar with a pestle. She sat next to a small pit of embers with a brass teapot set atop it, glowing crimson at the bottom and releasing wisps of steam from its spout.
“I saw you fall through the treetops,” the elf continued. “Thank the Light Prince I was there to catch you before you hit the ground.” She continued grinding herbs until the teapot billowed steam. “I saw that man who was chasing you wander through the woods earlier, but he did not see either of us.” She picked up a wooden cup and poured the freshly muddled herbs into it. “I have not seen sight of him since. He may have given up and figured you dead.” She took the teapot off the embers and poured its boiling contents into the cup. “Fortunately, I ran into your fairy friend here. The pegasus is hitched outside my tent, safe as well.”
The elf finished filling the cup, set the teapot on the ground, and presented the steaming beverage to Amber. The girl raised a skeptical eyebrow.
“Do not worry,” the elf replied. “It is tea mixed with some medicine.”
Amber sat up, only to have a sharp pain rip through her back. She clenched her teeth and gripped her shoulder, feeling the bandages wrapped around it and her upper back. She clung tightly to the blanket once she realized it was the only thing keeping her decent.
“You are a very lucky girl.” The elf offered the cup to Amber, who accepted and drank. The warm liquid was the first thing she had consumed in a long while. “Had that arrow struck your spine, heart, or lung, you would be dead. But it only struck your shoulder and tore through some ligaments and muscle.”
“She’s a healer,” Fiona exclaimed.
Amber did not understand, so the elf demonstrated. She raised her hand, which glowed with a light blue aura.
“I practice white magic, the art of healing.” Her hand ceased its glow. “I was a healer in my old village. I removed the arrow from your back and healed most of the torn tissues. It is only a flesh wound, but a deep one. You will need time to heal. That medicine you are drinking will hasten the healing process.”
Amber consumed half of the tea—weaker than sweet tea, stronger than green tea—by the time the elf finished speaking. The girl took one last sip before bowing her head.
“Thank you,” she replied.
The elf bowed in return. “My name is Johanna. And I know your name is Amber. Your fairy friend has told me many things about you and your journey. But I would like to hear about them from you—if you have the strength.”
Amber thought for a moment, gazing into her tea, then back at Johanna. “All right. What do you want me to tell you?”
“Everything,” Johanna replied.
Amber mulled over her thoughts, wondering where and when to begin. After collecting her thoughts, she began to share her story with Johanna.
#####
About the Author
Ever since he could pick up a pencil, J.C. Alexandre has been passionate about expressing himself through the written word. He has enjoyed an illustrious decade-long career as an award-winning journalist. He now hopes to jump into the world of fiction with his debut fantasy novel, The Light Prince: Grail, now available on Amazon in e-book and paperback: https://amzn.to/3bFTCfG For more information about him and his work, visit his website at: http://jcalexandre.com/
Haines City approves body-worn cameras for police officers
Haines City – The Haines City Commission approved the purchase of body-worn cameras for members of the Haines City Police Department.
Haines City Police Chief Greg Goreck requested the commission approve the purchase of 70 body-worn cameras, as well as 45 in-car video systems for the Police Department. The department has had eight patrol officers testing the cameras since May of 2022.The city commission approved the request Thursday evening.
The use of body-worn cameras has proliferated in recent years as a way for law enforcement agencies to ensure transparency and accountability when it comes to police interactions with the public.
Similarly, the cameras provide supplemental evidence for prosecution by clearly showing a judge or jury what an officer saw and/or heard during an encounter with an offender.
Body-worn cameras also provide for a faster and unbiased resolution to potential citizen complaints. The ability to review an incident can decrease the amount of time staff spends conducting investigations and potentially avoid unnecessary costs associated with litigation.
While testing the cameras, the Haines City Police Department recognized the numerous advantages of equipping officers with body-worn cameras; and decided to request funding to increase the number of officers who were issued one.
“The ability to capture and document what our officers see and hear on audio and video from the officer’s perspective supports our commitment to instilling the highest level of public confidence in our department,” said Chief Greg Goreck.
“We have been researching body-worn cameras and saw a tremendous value in the technology towards fulfilling our mission. The cameras not only further our professionalism, accountability and transparency with the public, but also protect our officers, organization and the city against unjustified complaints or civil actions.
“These devices will also help shine a light on the good work conducted by our officers every day,” he added.
Chief Goreck expects his officers will be equipped with the cameras no later than January.
Local Author Offers Fantasy and Adventure in Debut Novel “The Light Prince: Grail”
By Allison Williams
Photos provided by J.C. Alexandre
Long ago, the land of Arden fell under siege to the Dark Dragon. One warrior arose to vanquish this evil, and in doing so, sacrificed his own life. This warrior became known as the Light Prince, and he slew the great evil with his legendary sword Grail.
Centuries later, a young girl named Amber stumbles into Arden from our world. There, an evil wizard seeks to resurrect the Dark Dragon and destroy this magical land. Unless Amber can find and master Grail, Arden is doomed to fall into darkness. To prevail, she must find faith in herself, her new friends, and the Light Prince.
The Light Prince: Grail is the debut fantasy novel written by local author, J.C. Alexandre. More than simply an enthralling story of fantasy, action, and adventure, the book illustrates the importance of faith and how it can provide a guiding light through even the darkest times.
“Faith is essentially the central theme,” Alexandre said. “It’s about learning to have faith in yourself, in others, and in a higher power.”
Ever since he could pick up a pencil, J.C. Alexandre (the penname of the local Polk County author) had a passion for writing. In elementary school, his proficient vocabulary and language art skills surpassed his classmates and became noticed by his teachers. He would put his skills to good use at home assembling his own personal storybooks.
“As a kid, I had a little desk in the living room, which later was moved to my bedroom,” Alexandre said. “It was there that I would often do a lot of writing.”
His imagination ran wild as he stapled lined pages together to illustrate them and pen his stories. As he grew older, he became interested in fanfiction, creating stories based on his favorite television shows and sharing them on the internet.
Alexandre’s passion for writing continued into college. He graduated from Pensacola Christian College in 2009 with his bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in journalism. Though Alexandre has spent the last decade freelancing articles for several local publications, he feels his true calling is fiction.
“I especially like fantasy because I love being able to imagine a world different from our current reality,” Alexandre explained. “I like that sense of adventure and exploration, of going into a completely different world and seeing what it has to offer. It’s all about that sense of adventure, that whole power fantasy of being able to be [someone] greater than yourself, being able to make something of yourself…That overall sense of escapism is what I really enjoy.”
Currently, he is a member of several local writers groups including Winter Haven Writers, Writers 4 All Seasons in Lakeland, and an on-line discussion group run by the Florida Writers Association. The latter group has assisted him the most with proofreading and editing his current work including his novel.
Alexandre spent many years working on his fantasy novel. The COVID-19 pandemic especially prompted him to complete the story he had in his head for so many years. After spending the past year commissioning a book cover and editing and proofreading his final draft, he self-published his debut novel on Amazon in March.
“I decided, you know, the world’s falling apart so I might as well take this opportunity to finally achieve my dream,” he explained.
His main inspirations are the Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien and the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. However, his works are equally inspired by video games like the Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, and Kingdom Hearts, television shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender, and by Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars movies.
“Most writers often list their literary inspirations; however, in this day and age, writers are influenced by more than just their favorite books,” he explained. “I’m just as inspired by the works of Shigeru Miyamoto and Tetsuya Nomura as I am by Tolkien and Lewis. All of my favorite books, movies, shows, and games interlap and come together to influence my work.”
Even music inspires him. While writing, Alexandre listens to ambient music on YouTube as source of white noise to aid his concentration and inspiration. Currently, he enjoys listening to the fantasy music by Derek and Brandon Fiechter.
Since publishing his debut novel, Alexandre has been hard at work writing more stories in his Light Prince series. His latest novella, Tyler’s Journey, was recently published on Nov. 15. It serves as a side-story to his main novel and helps flesh out one of its secondary characters.
Tyler’s Journey follows the titular character, Tyler, a boy who joins Amber on her journey to the magical world of Arden. It follows his time in the real-world, where he lives in a successful, educated family and struggles to live up to the successes of his siblings and parents.
Alexandre is also currently working on a series of short stories, which will follow new characters in the world of Arden and help set up the main storyline that will be told in the next main installment of the series. He plans on publishing these short stories sometime next year.
The Light Prince: Grail is currently available in e-book and paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578831082. To learn more about J.C. Alexandra and follow his writing journey, visit his website at: http://jcalexandre.com.
Welcome, World Travelers: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Goes Strong
by James Coulter
Black Panther may not have been the first black-led superhero movie, but it was certainly the first to make a significant cultural impact in mainstream cinema. With its afro-futuristic setting, pan-African cultural influences, hip-hop-inspired soundtrack,and a relevant socio-political message, the 2018 film not only offered a filmgoing experience culturally unique from other modern superhero movies, but it also allowed black filmgoers, especially young black children, an opportunity to see themselves feel seen and represented within the biggest major film franchise—and making it all possible was the impeccable performance of its lead actor, Chadwick Boseman.
Sadly, only two years after his film’s theatrical release, Boseman passed away after a years-long fight with cancer. With a sequel already planned, fans wondered what actor would replace him in his iconic role—and when it was announced his character would not be recast, they worried how the film could carry on without him. After all, a Black Panther film without Black Panther is like a Superman movie without Superman or a Batman movie without Batman. It’s inconceivable! Can it be done? Could it be done? And would it be done well?
With the much-anticipated sequel, Wakanda Forever, finally in theaters, the question remains: can a Black Panther movie succeed without Black Panther? Can this movie surpass the original, and can it properly honor the legacy of Chadwick Boseman? Can Wakanda Forever make the Black Pantherfranchise live on forever, or is it fated to sinker deeper than the city of Talokan?
In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, one year has passed since the untimely death of T’Challa, the king of Wakanda and the bearer of the mantle of Black Panther. Without their ruler and protector, the Kingdom of Wakanda is left vulnerable to outside forces seeking to steal its most precious resource, Vibranium. Many other countries have seized this opportunity to either rob the rare metal from Wakanda or to track it down from other places around the world.
This worldwide hunt for Vibranium catches the attention of underwater-dwelling sea creatures called submariners and their hidden ancient civilization, Talokan. Their leader, Namor, fearing this search will inevitably lead to their city’s discovery and exploitation, decides to declare war on the outside world. He approaches Wakanda with an ultimatum: either join them or fight them. Will Wakanda join the war, or will they be caught in the crossfire?
Fittingly enough, this installment of the Black Panther franchise utilizes the untimely absence of its main character and starring actor as its thematic focus. Ryan Coogler and his team knew no actor could properly replace Chadwick Boseman, so they decided to make a movie without him and make his absence its core thematic element.
Wakanda Forever heavily focuses on the characters reacting to the death of T’Challa (and, in turn, his actor). Princess Shuri and the other Wakandan nobles remain divided and undecided over how to move their kingdom forward without his leadership, most of the main characters deal with the grief over mourning his death, while the rest of the world exploits his absence as an opportunity to strike Wakanda when it is at its weakest. What results is a move that both mourns the loss of T’Challa/Boseman and celebrates his legacy.
In place of T’Challa, the movie focuses on Princess Shuri as its main character. Not only does she struggle with her grief over the passing of her brother, but also the guilt she feels at not being able to save him, despite coming close to devising a cure for his terminal ailment. Through the film, she learns to come to terms with her emotions and not give in to despair or vengeance—which she comes close to due to other circumstances.
The other characters like Okoye and M’Baku have their moments as well, but their performances are otherwise overshadowed and underplayed by the rivalry between Shuri and the film’s antagonist, Namor. The most notable example is Commander Ross, who I’m thoroughly convinced only appears in this movie because he appeared in the original movie. Even Riri Williams (Ironheart), despite this movie being her MCU debut, seems severely underplayed in a not-to-dissimilar fashion as America Chavez in Multiverse of Madness.
By far, the movie’s biggest draw is its world-building. True to its name, Wakanda Forever further fleshes out the fictional civilization of Wakanda and leans in heavily to its African cultural influences. Black Panther, as well as other movies like Shang-Chi, succeed in diversifying the world of the otherwise American/Eurocentric MCU, providing greater representation and incorporating other cultures and ethnicities into this melting pot of a franchise, thus providing an overall richer cultural experience.
This is especially true with the new underwater civilization of Talokan. Underwater cities have been depicted in cinema before, but Talokan, which is heavily influenced by Mesoamerican culture, offers a truly unique and refreshing take on the trope. Even Namor is faithfully translated into his new culture and origin while maintaining his original character design, including his green shorts, pointed ears, and winged feet.
Unfortunately, the movie’s biggest drawback is the pacing, which is dragged out by its exceedingly long runtime. This movie is nearly three hours long, and in many scenes, it certainly feels like it. I love Marvel movies, but I remember when most of them were less than two hours long, and having to watch more than two hours felt tedious and tiring. It makes watching these movies feel less like an experience and more like a chore to get through.
Overall, this movie manages to shine, even in the absence of its shining star, and its themes and worldbuilding more than do it justice. But, like most other Marvel movies these days, the film is set back by its pacing and run time. (Hey, Marvel, why not release a movie less than two hours long?) Either way, this film manages to do justice to Boseman’s legacy. Wakanda forever!
