A few weeks ago, I caught Guillermo del Toro's second installment of the Hellboy series and I must say that I really that it was a beautifully made film. for those who enjoyed it as I did, I thought that Iw ould add a few things in this blog that would want to make you give it another look. First, the villain ogf the film was called Prince Nuada. Now I remember my Celtic undergraduate studies in college and when I first heard his name mentioned I smiled: Nuada, in Irish Myth, was the first king of the Tuatha De Danann ( the early race of gods and goddesses that fought against the Fir Bolg, their enemy tribe) and played an important role in Celtic lore as a fierce warrior and eventual king. Now when he lost his hand during battle, a clever physician, Dianchecht, with a magical cure, fashioned him with a new, silver hand and thus, he was forever known as Nuada Silverhand. One of my favorite authors, Michael Moorcock, was obviously inspired by this story with his Corum series (which I am currently re-reading; I grew up reading these stories!) Moorcock's hero was called Corum of the Silver Hand in the sequel trilogy he wrote for this great character based upon his multiverse that is populated by different aspects of a hero that spans the ages called the "Eternal Champion". Anyway, I thought that it was very astute of Mr. Del Toro to use Celtic images to add weight to his screenplay. Oh, and by the way, since Peter Jackson is not directing the film version of the Lord of the rings "prequel" that Prof. Tolkien wrote (even before LOTR), "The Hobbit" (at last!) I think that he is the PERFECT choice to helm the project! His sense of filmaking is astonishing! Foe anyone who has not sieen "Pan's Labyrinth", do yourself a favor and rent it! It is quite a film! Ok, let me get back "Hellboy 2". Nuada's father in the film, King Balor, is also taken from Celtic mythology. He was King Balor of the One Eye of the race of Giants. I might be wrong but he may have evn had one eye in the film! (don't quote me on that one, though; I have to see it again). Mr. Del Toro also directed the first hellboy film which was also a triumph in storytelling and art direction. My recommendation would be to rent BOTH films in Blu-Ray format for the best results. Enjoy! BKT