Movie review | Page 2 of 23

Captain Marvel review, it’s above average-and that’s OK

Just how did a movie within the MCU become a political lightning rod? The fact that many people have strong opinions about Captain Marvel before the film’s been released is testament as to how much cinema and social media have evolved since Iron Man in 2008. A Captain Marvel film in 2008 would’ve seemed like the stuff of fancy, now it signals the next era of Marvel film making. This works for-and against it. The end result is that Captain Marvel is a very entertaining film that has very similar elements from the 19 films in the MCU the preceded it.

It is interesting how political and skewed the news has been about this film though. One person who was in the audience during my showing said that they thought that Captain Marvel was originally written with the man as a lead and that it was gender switched, a la, Ghostbusters, to placate today’s trends. I’ve also read some articles online about how Captain Marvel was nothing more than military propaganda. In reality, Captain Marvel is film about a character, who has been around for decades, and does have Earth memories of being a Air Force pilot.

What’s also true is that the film is quite entertaining. It takes a while to get to the period when it’s completely entertaining, but once Carol Danvers lands on Earth the film kicks into gear and really has fun. It’s about this time that Nick Fury enters the film and it takes on a buddy cop feel from the 90’s.

It’s not as humor heavy as some are expecting. There are some nice one liners, but for the most part its dry quips never hit home as often as Korg from Thor: Ragnorak or the dialogue between the Guardians of the Galaxy. In Captain Marvel the laughs are almost exclusively given to Fury, Talos (played by Ben Mendelsohn) and the vast differences in technology between the 90s and now.

The action sequences are very good, the sound is amazing, the soundtrack is spot on and Brie Larson as Captain Marvel is very good. She’s a dry, confident super power who realizes that she’s the strongest force in the universe and swaggers accordingly.

There are a couple elements of the film that didn’t add up as well as Disney would’ve liked. Mainly the friendship between 90’s era Carol Danvers and her best friend, Maria Rambeau, played by Lashana Lynch doesn’t connect. They were best friends back in the day, but Rambeau (is this a play on Rambo…?) has since retired and lives on farm in the south east-and conveniently has a box of all of Danver’s old stuff.

Samuel L. Jackson as a young looking Fury works great, as does Mendelsohn who oozes charm in character or in voiceovers are particular bright spots. The cat also steals many scenes later on in the film. Captain Marvel is very entertaining and serves as a great jumping off point to Avengers: Endgame. If anything, the addition of Captain Marvel serves as a needed punch to the chest for an Avengers film that might’ve left fans feeling defeated. One of the post credit sequences sets up Endgame and leaves audiences wanting a Dirty Harry style end to Thanos and his finger snap.

Overall, Captain Marvel works and is a quickly paced popcorn film and that’s OK. This is an above average MCU film that you’ll want to see more than a couple of times. It’s loud, fun and fits very nicely within the films that have come before it. Moreover, it also sets the stage nicely for Avengers: Endgame, in which Captain Marvel might just (hopefully) up her game.

Fighting With My Family is a solid, fun time

When is a movie that stars The Rock not a movie that starts The Rock? Fighting With My Family has Dwayne Johnson in it, but it’s not a typical movie that has him in it. In its place, Fighting With My Family has become an unlikely, feel-good film about overcoming obstacles despite the odds that are stacked against you. Think of Fighting With My Family as a WWE companion to Creed. Both of these movies succeed and audiences will enjoy them; even if they know nothing or don’t appreciate, the sport that each of these films live in.

It’s worth nothing that I am a fan of WWE, however my knowledge on Paige was, and is limited. This film, was inspired by the documentary, Fighting With My Family from 2012-which was itself the true story of Paige’s family in Norwich, England.

Some, nay, many movie goers will be put off by the fact that this is a film based on the story of a WWE wrestler and that is too bad. Fighting With My Family is a surprising film that mixes in humor, drama, a family with dynamics that most people can relate to and wears its heart fully on its sleeve.

I don’t like wresting or WWE you say? This film fully addresses the reasons why you (think you) don’t like WWE. It’s storytelling with Spandex, it’s rigged and all fake. It’s understandable why people think that and Fighting With My Family doesn’t shy away from those that do. And, just to be clear, the outcomes are predetermined, but how the wrestlers get to them is entirely up to them, their athletic prowess, ad-libs and the crowds.

The WWE naysayers in the film are portrayed by Stephen Merchant and Julia Davis as Hugh and Daphne. They’re the parents to a young girl who has been knocked up by Zak Knight, who is Paige’s brother. Those parents come over for dinner, the two worlds collide and the Knight family receives a phone call that will change their lives forever.

Saraya (who hasn’t yet changed her name to Paige) and her brother are invited to a WWE tryout in London. It’s here where we meet Hutch, played by Vince Vaughn who becomes a narrator of sorts for the rest of the film. He’s a talent scout for WWE and becomes a lot of the humor and sounding board for the training that the wrestlers endure.

Throw in some scenes with The Rock and Fighting With My Family is a very entertaining ride. The Rock isn’t in the film for too long, but when he is it’s the equivalent of having Darth Vader or Santa Claus appear in a Star Wars or Christmas movie. He has an energy that carries those around him and simply makes you smile. His common sense description of professional wrestling is one that will make fans of the sport, even if you’re not looking to become one. Even if they don’t, they’ll see a very entertaining and inspirational movie that will surprise you at every turn.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse surpasses all expectations

If you read our giveaway that we did for tickets to this film you’ll know that I was skeptical. A non-jokey animated superhero film can’t possibly be good can it? Teen Titans GO! To The Movies was successful because it was the exact same format and voices and the excellent television show. But Spider-Man has multiple incarnations, lots of films and more. That mythos is one of the first things that Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse dispels with. Get over what you know; this is not that story, that’s basically what the film sets up in its trailer and within the first two minutes of it. At the end of the film I was correct and an animated superhero film can’t be good, it can be superior and better than most of the films out now from any angle that you look at it.

Continue reading Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse surpasses all expectations

A chat with Sean Anders, the Director of Instant Family

We had the chance to speak with Sean Anders, the Director of Instant Family. Instant Family is the semi-autobiographical story of Anders and he and his wife’s decision to adopt children from foster care. “Based on a true story” or semi-autobiographical are interesting to me because I always wanted to ask where the ‘true’ stops and the ‘story’ starts. Out of the gate I asked Sean Anders where the story for Instant Family broke with reality.

Continue reading A chat with Sean Anders, the Director of Instant Family

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, a mixed-up bag of coal

Why does this film have two directors? I wondered as the credits rolled in The Nutcracker and the Four Realms started. By the middle of the film I was wondering how much worse the film could’ve been had it not actually had two directors. Much like any number of recent films (Solo, The Last Jedi, JLA) that have had integral people behind the scenes replaced; the result is a jumbled mess that’s barely entertaining and leave you wondering how this all came about.

Continue reading The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, a mixed-up bag of coal

Win a copy of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Combo Pack, #Giveaway

A billion is just as much money as it was when Austin Powers made the quip in 1997. What’s new and different is that some individual films are making that much, when you consider their worldwide take, in their initial cinematic run. A billion dollars, that’s $1,000,000,000 and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom made that and then some during it’s time in movie theaters. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is coming to video and streaming soon and we’re giving away five (5) copies of the DVD Combo Pack, as well as, some Jurassic World swag.

Continue reading Win a copy of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Combo Pack, #Giveaway

Operation Finale, opening in theaters on Wednesday August 29

We were provided tickets to see the film-all thoughts are our own. I’m a history buff. I’m also a movie guy. I’m always optimistic when a film comes out that is truly based on actual historic events comes out. I want it to be good, but too often my hopes are dashed by one thing or another. Operation Finale opens in movie theaters on August 29. It’s the true story of the hunt for Adolf Eichmann after WWII.

Continue reading Operation Finale, opening in theaters on Wednesday August 29

Mile 22 fails to deliver despite it being set up for success

Action movies don’t have to be mindless and there are many examples smart action films. Even mindless action films can be enjoyable if they have characters or fun sequences. Mile 22 aims high on paper and falters badly in execution. It has Mark Wahlberg, Lauren Conrad from The Walking Dead and Iko Uwais among others in a film that’s directed by Peter Berg. Some folks will look at Peter Berg and Mark Wahlberg and hope for a repeat of one of their earlier successes. If you’re like me you’ll watch Mile 22 because it stars martial arts super star Iko Uwais. Others will look at Lauren Conrad and are curious to see how she does when she’s not acting opposite some zombies.

Continue reading Mile 22 fails to deliver despite it being set up for success