A Bookworm Reveals The Secret to Endless Wonder

Yo…

Gather around the campfire, oh children of the ‘80s. Have I got a movie for you!

Here’s the TV Guide description of Bookworm…I’ll put my flashlight under my chin to share this: “11-year-old Mildred’s (Nell Fisher) world is turned upside down when her estranged father, the washed-up magician Strawn Wise (Elijah Wood), comes to look after her and agrees to take her camping to find a mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther.”

You know Elijah Wood aka Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. That production was shot entirely in Jackson’s native New Zealand. Good things usually happen when Elijah Wood is shooting a movie in New Zealand. Add Bookworm to that list.

You probably don’t know Nell Fisher. Oh, but you will. IMDb says she was born on November 2, 2011 in London, UK. Wee Lass; Big Talent. You’ll soon see Nell Fisher in Stranger Things 5 streaming on Netflix in 2025. Based on her freshtastic Bookworm performance? Demogorgons should be nervous. You’ll want to keep an eye out for her. Meet her in Bookworm and you’ll know exactly what I mean.

As for the Canterbury Panther? Unlike Elijah Wood and Nell Fisher it’s not real. Or is it? Is Bigfoot real? Is the Loch Ness Monster real?

Imagine scoring an honest to goodness, clear not blurry photo of Bigfoot. How that would change everything and change nothing all at the same time.

Mildred has a plan…her loser and reluctant magician father is gonna take her camping in the radiant yet rugged New Zealand landscape so she can snap photos of a mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther. Think about it…how much is a Bigfoot photo worth? She gets a couple of photos of this rumoured Panther, sells em and she can help her struggling single mother pay some bills. The worst that happens is…they go camping. Right?

Bookworm had its world premiere at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival on July 18, 2024.

(In Montreal. I’ve always wanted to attend Fantasia. Montreal is a great town…but always a bridesmaid. Sigh. Like a sports team that comes up short every season…there is always next year.)

Behold…the Bookworm trailer:

Bookworm opens this weekend across Canada; as always check your local listings:

I welcome to My Summer Lair the movie’s director Ant Timpson who revealed to me:

“Bookworm was like a camping adventure for all the cast and crew. We all sort of went on a very strange summer camp, and just prayed that we weren’t going to be attacked by a mythical beast.”

Which makes sense…nobody wants to go camping only to be attacked by a "mythical beast."

Even though…danger is thrilling.

In the ‘80s we used to put children in so much danger.

Think of movies like Goonies, The Monster Squad, Labyrinth, Adventures in Babysitting, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Stand By Me. Often through the rough excitement of the epic hero’s journey many of those kids begin to discover who they truly are.

Bookworm is a wonderful throwback to that joyful ‘80s child endangerment. Mildred is gonna be put in so much danger. She’s gonna have an adventure.

And for maybe the first time ever…her silly father magician Strawn Wise is gonna learn what real magic is.

Sadly, all that’s missing is quicksand—which back in the day seemed like a genuine threat warranting an after school special. (Is quicksand even…real?!)

I so enjoyed that this attached delightful conversation with Bookworm’s director Ant Thompson includes referencing the Bermuda Triangle, Bigfoot and The Amazing Kreskin. Just fantastic old-timey references that if you were a child in the ‘70s or ‘80s, were absolutely mesmerizing.

That me—a left handed Egyptian from Scarborough could joyful connect with a film-nerd-filmmaker from New Zealand…over the dazzling puzzle of the Bermuda Triangle demonstrates how connective the mysteries of this bizarre universe truly are.

There’s a creepy delight to the Bermuda Triangle…is it science? Or is it supernatural? Both? As an ‘80s child the Bermuda Triangle was spellbinding. (Technically it remains spellbinding.)

And more…how come nobody sees Elvis anymore? He’s only 89 years old, he’d still be around. Just like the Amazing Kreskin and the Bermuda Triangle that’s magic and that’s wonder.

We used to actively have those qualities as a kid. (Hopefully, we still do as…adults.)

So…a quick poll dedicated to the people who still lookout for Elvis:

Is Bigfoot real? Hard to know. Is magic real? Hard to say.

I can only confirm that just like the ‘80s Bookworm is quirky and a little strange.

Bookworm is such an endearing love letter to those classic in over your head ‘80s movies.

If you seek adventure, magic, the presence of a strange creature…and have a willingness to brave the New Zealand landscape this movie brimming with heart is charmingly #PantsWorthy fun.

I gotta close with a massive high five to a supa dope My Pal Sammy reader:

BIG BUSINESS

!!!

Based in Cleveland this witty stand up and spectacular Sweded filmmaker is no doubt still savouring last night’s ball game.

From The Athletic this morning:
Down to their final out and facing a three-games-to-none deficit to the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series, the Cleveland Guardians erupted for a 7-5 comeback win in 10 thrilling innings at Progressive Field on Thursday.

David Fry was the final hero on a night filled with them for the Guardians, who now trail two games to one. One inning after Jhonkensy Noel tied it with a two-out, two-run shot off Luke Weaver, Fry blasted a game-ending two-run homer to left off Clay Holmes, sending a chilly crowd of 32,531 into a frenzy.

It was an incredible memorable evening of Cleveland baseball.

I’m not a baseball dude at all. I don’t understand the game or how it’s played or the strategy…nothing. However, last night I watched the 9th and 10th innings.

What I do understand and what I know well…is magic:

Speaking to sensational sideline reporter Lauren Jbara (she’s tremendous on NBA TV!) an exhilarated David Fry affirmed: “When everybody thinks we can’t do it we think we can.” Cleveland is once again Believeland.

I’m always up for a double bird “in your face!” (Just as long as it’s not in my face…)

Game 4 is tonight at 8 p.m. in Cleveland.

I wish Big Business and everyone else in Cleveland a stupendous series.

I dunno where they go from here; but there’s hope. Unlike the Mets who are down to the Dodgers 3-1…seeing the Mets struggle like that will make you Grimace.

The Amazing…
Sammy Younan
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Sammy Younan is the affable host of My Summer Lair podcast: think NPR’s Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.