Meeting Edgar Wright at Awesome Con

As a movie lover and blogger, I have my list of directors that I like. From Steven Spielberg to Christopher Nolan, I find their work the most fascinating and knowing there will be a good story they are telling on the screen. They are the men behind the camera that brings the magic to the audience. But I've always wondered how it would be to meet one of them. Even if there wasn't a full conversation, just a few minutes would be enough.

I was granted such an opportunity two weekends ago when I attended my first Awesome Con; a convention that celebrated not just comic books and their colorful heroes but all aspects of pop culture. That entire weekend was a mosaic of unity among pop culture fans, both young and old. When I found out that director Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead, The World's End), was making an appearance for a Q&A about his new film, Baby Driver, I made sure I had time for his panel on a busy Saturday afternoon.

Luckily, I kept checking my e-mail because I was sent out an e-mail to enter and have a chance to meet Edgar Wright and a signed Baby Driver poster. I leapt at the opportunity and submitted my name. After waiting a nerve-wracking 24 hours, an e-mail was sent to me to let me know....I won! I would meet Mr. Wright after his panel for a signed poster!

After running through the exhibit hall and taking photo ops with WWE superstars Shinsuke Nakamura, Charlotte Flair, and TV's Dark Matter star, Melissa O'Neil, I ran up to the Main Hall just in time to see Edgar Wright on stage with The Guild's Felicia Day discussing his passion project being brought to life, his work on the Cornetto Trilogy, and what could be coming next for him. The audience was even gifted with the first five minutes of Baby Driver!

Journeying back down to the exhibit hall, I saw an extended line of people gathering near an autograph booth; all of us awaiting Mr. Wright's way down from the main hall. Once we gathered some organization into the line and he took his seat, a stack of posters next to him, the movement towards the beloved director. Normally, photos of the celebrities are prohibited unless he or she approves or it's a part of their autograph package. Being ever courteous to his fans, Edgar had some of the staff take photos with him with an eager fan before leaving with a personally signed poster.

Approaching the table, I shook the hand of the man who wrote and directed some of my most entertaining movies of the past few years. As he signed my poster, Mr. Wright posed for a picture by one of the staff members. And with that, a movie fan's dream had come true of meeting one of his favorite directors.

I'm hoping for more moments like this as a fan. I might need to make my way out to Hollywood or more conventions!

Coming up...my review of Edgar Wright's new action comedy, Baby Driver!

Jackie Chan is still lethal in first 'Foreigner' trailer

For more than fifty years, martial artist and actor Jackie Chan has dazzled audiences all over the world. He has amazed viewers with his acrobatic fighting style, use of improvised weapons, comic timing, and the innovative stunts, many which he performed himself. Chan didn't become popular in 1995's Rumble in the Bronx. His first Hollywood blockbuster came in 1998's buddy-cop film Rush Hour, which spawned two more sequels

As his career evolved over the years, Jackie Chan has become a more well-rounded actor while reducing his action stunts in order to take better care of his body. So imagine my surprise when I came across one of Chan's new films coming out this year where he returns to the action genre.

Jackie Chan plays a restaurant owner who goes on a mission of revenge after his daughter is killed in a bombing by Irish terrorists. According to the trailer, it looks like he'll be going up against action veteran Pierce Brosnan. Jackie Chan looks to be going into the Taken bag of tricks by using a certain set of skills to go against the terrorists. The trailer is full of action and looks to be an exciting popcorn flick for audiences to see Chan return to action films. Directed by Martin Cambell, we are guaranteed enough action scenes to balance the drama of the story. What crazy stunts will Chan try himself at the age of 63?

The Foreigner arrives in theaters on October 13.

Chadwick Boseman fights for justice in Thurgood Marshall biopic, 'Marshall'

Hello, readers! I'm sorry that I have been away for so long. I took a break to recharge my creative batteries and handle some personal business (busy weekends!), but I'm back with a new review for a film that I'm very interested in.

Being a Baltimore native, one of our most famous sons was Thurgood Marshall. The first African-American appointed to the Surpreme Court is known best for his defense and victory in Brown v. Board of Education, the 1954 decision that ruled that segregated public schools were unconstitutional. During a time of civil unrest and change in the country, he was a beacon of hope that change would be fair and just.  But who was the man known as Thurgood? This film seeks to answer that question.

Bio-pic veteran Chadwick Boseman (42, Get On Up, Black Panther) stars as a young Thurgood Marshall as he battles through one of his career-defining cases. Based on the preview, Boseman channels charisma and passion into his role of the future Surpreme Court Justice as he fights to clear a black man from a wrongful conviction. We also see Josh Gad as his co-star, moving away from his comedy films into a dramatic setting. With Boseman having two previous biopic films on his resume, this role should be familiar to him but no less important.

Marshall is expected to release on October 13.

'Murder on the Orient Express' boasts an all-star cast in first trailer

Hollywood has had a long history of adapting literature classics into big screen events. From modern classics such as Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and The Help to all-time great works like The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Gone With The Wind. It seems like they have gone back to the bookshelf as Agatha Christie's 1934 novel of the same name comes to life.

A lavish train ride through Europe unfolds into a suspenseful mystery. From the novel of Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express tells the story of thirteen stranded strangers & one man's race to solve the puzzle before the murderer strikes again.

Now if you haven't read this mystery novel, it's fantastic and one of Christie's best. This movie looks excellently crafted and with style by leading man and director Kenneth Branagh.. A stellar cast joins Branagh such as Penelope Cruz, William Dafoe, Dame Judi Dench, Johnny Dep, Josh Gad, Daisy Ridley, Derek Jacobi, Leslie Odom Jr, and Michelle Pfeiffer. I've always been a fan of Branagh's work, especially with his Shakespearean works so I know that he will treat this property with respect and honor towards the source material.

This movie looks like it could be an interesting who-dun-it film; a mystery sub-genre that Hollywood hasn't had come out in a few years. I'm prepared to take this ride and see where it takes me.

Murder on the Orient Express pulls into theaters on November 10, 2017.

Hero. Legend. King. Marvel opens a new world in teaser for 'Black Panther'

Before Sony and Marvel cut a deal to bring Spider-Man to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the next Captain America film, the world was set to be introduced to an iconic Marvel character known as Black Panther. The king of the isolated nation, Wakanda, had never been seen in live action before. Once the Marvel Cinematic Universe got the ball rolling, Black Panther was a property that loyal fans wanted to see happen.

In Captain America: Civil War, rising star Chadwick Boseman (42, Get on Up) donned the vibranium-laced suit and gave fans an amazing performance as his character went through his own conflict among the main plot. After that, Black Panther was announced in Marvel's Phase 3 of the universe. Yesterday, fans were gifted the first poster for next year's superhero film.

Along with the poster, during Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Marvel dropped the first teaser for the eighteenth film in Marvel Studios' film universe.

After the events of Captain America: Civil War, King T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns home to Wakanda, but soon finds his sovereignty challenged by factions within his own country. When two enemies conspire to bring down the kingdom, T'Challa must team up, as the Black Panther, with C.I.A. agent Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and members of the Dora Milaje - Wakanda's special forces - to prevent a world war.

The teaser doesn't go deep into the plot, but the film looks amazing and providing a glimpse into the African nation of Wakanda. Based on the premise, it looks that T'Challa's will have a tough beginning as king within his own nation. While this film is based in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I like the smaller scale of this film, showing that there are conflicts in smaller - or in Wakanda's case, isolated - corners of the universe and how this could affect the world.

Director Ryan Coogler (Creed, Fruitvale Station) will definitely have his own touch on this Marvel film, which definitely interests me after being a fan of his two previous films. Along with Chadwick Boseman, Coogler has assembled a star-studded cast including Coogler vet Michael B. Jordan (Creed), Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave), The Walking Dead's Danai Gurira, Forest Whitaker, and Angela Bassett. Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis reprise their previous roles as C.I.A. agent Everett Ross and Ulysses Klaue, respectively.

Black Panther leaps into theaters on February 16, 2018.

'Wonder Woman' is the superhero film we've waited for

If you've been keeping up with the track record for DC Films Extended Universe. Film such as Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice were financial successes, but panned by both fans and critics alike. One of the brighter parts of Superman and The Dark Knight's epic showdown was the introduction of Wonder Woman into the universe. After a stunning debut, it finally appeared that one of the top superheroes in history was FINALLY getting her own solo film. A project that has been in development since 1996, the warrior princess was ready to make her mark on the superhero genre.

We begin with Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) in present-day Paris at the Louvre's antiquities department, where she receives a gift from Bruce Wayne (who does not make an appearance): the World War I-era photo with Diana in her Wonder Woman attire with a team of soldiers. From there, she recalls her past.

Diana was born and raised on the island of Themyscira, home of the Amazons, a race of warrior women created by the gods of Mount Olympus to protect human kind from the evil of Ares, the God of War. Over time, Diana trains as an Amazon warrior, despite her mother, Queen Hippolyta's, wishes. As a young woman, Diana rescues pilot Captain Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) after his plane crashes off the shores of the hidden island. When the Great War follows Trevor, Diana decides to join the world of Man in the heat of World War I in order to bring it to an end. Along the way, she not only discovers what could be in the hearts of men, but also her true power.

After my previous experiences with the film in this universe, I went into this film with level expectations. It's safe to say that my expectations were blown away. The film was excellently paced and didn't feel boring at all with a few slow parts. The scenes are excellently shot with the island of Themyscira truly looking like the brightest paradise of this extended universe. There are still those gritty, dark shots of the film that we've come to know from the previous films, especially during the battle sequences. While there were inspirations from Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan as their have been in the previous films, Wonder Woman takes inspiration from Richard Donner and past DC films such as Superman: The Movie. While Wonder Woman's comic book origins are rooted in World War II, the change for this film to take place during the first Great War was a great move, especially given the fight that women were enduring at that time.

The acting of the main cast was excellent, especially Gadot and Pine. Their chemistry didn't feel forced and flowed naturally, especially during the comedic moments as Trevor did his best to acclimate the Amazon Princess to the outside world. Gadot's performance as Wonder Woman buoyed this entire film as she displayed beauty, grace, and physicality. Gadot is spectacular and shines in her portrayal of one of the best known superheroes of all time; not just a female superhero but a superhero. Pine's portrayal of the rogue-ish realist Allied spy felt similar to what Pine learned from his time in the Star Trek universe as Captain James T. Kirk. Trevor is a worldly man as he tries to help Diana along in the outside world, sometimes with hilarious effect to this fish-out-of-water subplot. While he still sees her as a woman, Trevor respects the hero's abilities and ability to take care of herself.

Director Patty Jenkins vision of Wonder Woman provides a different direction from DC's style of grim darkness - one of bright colors, light, and inspiration. This is the direction that I think the DCEU has been missing. This is the superhero movie that fans have been waiting for; full of heart, humor, and good, old-fashioned heroism. How the DCEU will move forward after the success of this movie could be interesting with Justice League due out in November; however, it seems that the DCEU has found its footing.  

The Wind is back in the sails of 'Pirates' franchise with 'Dead Men Tell No Tales'

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl hit theaters on July 9, 2003. Based off of the famous ride at Walt Disney World, the world was introduced to high seas adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow and others. A supernatural spin on the pirate genre using modern technology and strong story, the film gathered a cult-like following that continues to this very day. After the success of the first film, a second and third were made to complete a trilogy to tell the story of the pirate captain along with Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann. While the next two films were not well received by critics, the adventures of Captain Sparrow resumed with a fourth film. Once again, it was not liked by critics and some long-time fans.

So with news of a new film in the series, there were collective groans of another big-budget Pirates movie. Even with the star power of Johnny Depp reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow wasn't enough. But as a fan of the series, you have to give this installment a chance.

At the very beginning of the film, we're introduced to a young Henry Turner in search of his father, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), the cursed captain of the Flying Dutchman. Finding out that the mythical Trident of Poseidon will be able to break his curse, Henry vows to free his father. Nine years later (and five years after the events of On Stranger Tides), Henry is now grown up and working on a British Royal Navy warship. After being locked away for mutiny by trying to warn the crew about the Devil's Triangle, the young Turner becomes the last man alive as the ship is attacked by undead sailors, led by Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem). Upon seeing a wanted poster for Jack Sparrow, Salazar allows Henry to live in order to seek out Jack to deliver a deadly message.

We find Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) down on his luck after a failed attempt at a Fast Five-inspired bank robbery with his crew. After abandoning him for being unlucky and failing to deliver on promised treasure, Jack finds himself alone. Meeting up with Henry and another prisoner, Carina Smyth (newcomer Kaya Scodelario), Sparrow and his young accomplices sail out in search of the Trident of Poseidon for their own separate reasons. But they are not the only ones seeking the mythical treasure as Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), Captain Salazar, and the Royal Navy chase down the pirates.

Over the course of this film, I found myself feeling like this was similar to the first film and getting more intrigued as it continued. The supernatural aspect of the movie with the undead pirates, mystical treasure is a rehash from Curse of the Black Pearl, but the writers have talked about being inspired by the first film. The inspiration helps this installment work well enough as a stand-alone, swashbuckling film despite the fact that it is a part of a continuing series. The special effects are excellently done and it's obvious that a lot of the $230 million budget went into making the undead Salazar and his crew very believable, especially for those watching in IMAX 3D (which I did).

Javier Bardem did an excellent job as the maniacal, vengeful Captain Salazar. His rage is rooted in his dented pride after his first encounter with a young Jack Sparrow years prior and holding onto his revenge in his body after being trapped in the hell of the Devil's Triangle. Bardem is probably the best villain of this series since Bill Nighy's Davy Jones. Newcomers Brenton Thwaites and Kaya Scodelario were welcome additions to infuse a new protagonist relationship into the series, something that was lacking to me during On Stranger Tides. Kaya's character represents the continuing run of strong female protagonists/antagonists in films today: strong, independent, smart, and doesn't always need saving. Carina Smyth is an astronomer and fighting for the right to study at university, a right that women didn't have at that time. She's also on her own personal story about her lineage. What I found to be a strength was that Captain Jack Sparrow wasn't the focal point or main protagonist in the film in my eyes. He played a role mirroring how Sparrow was in the first film; being sought out by others and being a party crasher for the other characters. We also go into Sparrow's backstory which helps honor the mythology of the franchise. We're also introduced into fan favorites and old friends, like Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann and even an old ship, by the end of the film.

This film was billed as 'The Final Adventure' and while there seems to be plans for another sequel (especially after the post-credits scene), this film could have ended the series on a positive note. No, this movie is not perfect; its plot feels bloated and hard to keep up with at certain times, my position is different from the critics. Most of the negative reviews I have read probably came from people who didn't want another Pirates movie. I didn't either, but Dead Men Tell No Tales recovers the magic that made audiences fall in love with this high-seas adventure series.