Wakanda comes to life in new 'Black Panther' trailer

Hello again, readers! In case that you missed Marvel's quiet drop last Monday, you missed something amazing. With the impending release of Thor's third solo adventure in two weeks, Marvel released the first full trailer for its most anticipated solo release in years with Black Panther. The first teaser laid the groundwork for the characters in the Black Panther's world and his enemies that he must face. The first full trailer expands that world.

Picking up after the events of Captain America: Civil War, newly crowned King T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns home to Wakanda. He 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 CIA agent Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and members of the Dora Milaje - Wakanda's Special Forces - to prevent a world war. 

We finally get more of Wakanda, hidden behind the disguise of force fields, and the expansive city. Angela Bassett finally appears as T'Challa's mother, Ramonda, informing her son that it is his time to rule. T'Challa seems to be at odds on what kind of king he wants to be. As he learns more about the heritage of mantle he acquired (including an assortment of Black Panther suits, especially the nanosuit at the end!), Michael B. Jordan's villain, Erik Killmonger, seeks to overthrow T'Challa and make Wakanda into a nation under his own ideals. He'll have help from Andy Serkis' Ulysses Klawe (who finally gets to use a new hand) to fulfill his dream. 

We also get a glimpse into a special trial that T'Challa must pass as he encounters a black panther, resting in a tree during a beautiful, purple background. We do not know if it is to officially be recognized as Black Panther or King of Wakanda, but anyone who has read the comics knows about these trials. This all-star cast also features The Walking Dead's Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong'o, and Forest Whitaker. 

And check out this amazing new poster!

The revolution will be televised when Black Panther strikes theaters on February 16, 2018. 

'The Last Jedi' final trailer shows fear and a galaxy in peril

After months of waiting, the final trailer for The Last Jedi dropped last night during the halftime of ESPN's Monday Night Football. There was a lot I wanted from this trailer before I saw it; I wanted to hear lines from Luke, more about the worlds we would explore, and how Rey's training would affect her. Without further ado, here is the video for the final trailer.

Picking up where we left off in The Force Awakens, Rey (Daisy Ridley) continues to take steps into a larger world as she seeks an isolated Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) while Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the First Order regroup after their defeat in this next chapter of the saga.

Director Rian Johnson has obviously taken this franchise into a new direction. While there are echoes of the Empire Strikes Back, it's obvious that this film will be the darkest we've seen this saga go into. We finally hear lines from Luke Skywalker as he reluctantly takes the former scavenger under his wing, but he's filled with fear as he sees her raw, untamed power. It's obvious that when he found the same power in Kylo and saw what it can do, it scares him.

We get a look into Kylo Ren rebounding with anger and getting into his new TIE Silencer, giving us a glimpse of the epic space battles we have come to know and love about this universe. The conflict in the young Dark Jedi is apparent when he seemingly has to decide on killing his own mother, General Leia (Carrie Fisher, in her final film performance). Chewbacca and new creatures also appear. Not one to be left out, Finn (John Boyega) gets into action as he faces his former Stormtrooper commander, Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie).

It's obvious that the First Order is returning in full force and with vengeance as there doesn't appear to be much hope for the Resistance and from Luke's resistance in training Rey to control her abilities. But, if the once great Jedi Master can not help Rey, who will? Possibly Kylo Ren himself? (The end of the preview definitely lays that thought into the minds of fans. We're definitely asking more questions than answers from this trailer.

Go on, watch it more than once and try to analyze this trailer. I've done it enough and, seriously, we still have two months to think about this trailer.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi blasts into theaters on December 15.

Hope and Optimism highlight final 'Justice League' trailer

Throughout the current DC Comics film universe, the Zack Snyder-influenced film has been action-packed and honored these comic book legends. One thing that was constant was the bleak, grey tone with the heroes providing the light in the darkness. After the criticism of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, a shift of tone was needed to ensure the survival of this universe. With Wonder Woman critical success earlier this year, it's safe to assume that DC has seen the light.

While the first trailer from San Diego Comic-Con guaranteed the action and the individual heroes uniting to fight a common enemy, this final trailer continues that promise, but also taps into the emotions behind the film.

The new footage features the return of Superman (Henry Cavill), even though it seems to be in a dream sequence with Lois Lane (Amy Adams). Included are new glimpses of epic action and, surprisingly, a couple amusing dialogue exchange between the heroes. This may (or may not) show new director Joss Whedon's influence. Whedon took over the remaining directorial duties after Zack Snyder left to attend to a family issue.

The biggest question for this new trailer would be whether or not fans would be able to get a sense of Whedon's fingerprints. While its unknown what precisely is firmly from Whedon here, the new trailer is a tone shift from the San Diego Comic-Con trailer. Following a cover of David Bowie's "Heroes, we see a flashback opening between Lois and Superman along with a collection of scenes as our heroes unite along with the damage that their enemies could inflict upon the world. We're also gifted a few quippy exchanges, and even Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) giving a wry smile.

This superhero mashup also includes Batman (Ben Affleck), along with Wonder Woman, introducing The Flash (Ezra Miller), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), and Cyborg (Ray Fisher) as they unite to fight a new threat. The film also stars Jeremy Irons, Billy Crudup, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, J.K. Simmons, and Ciaran Hinds.

Go All In when Justice League opens November 17.

Not really terrifying, but an emotionally affecting story powers 'It'

I'll admit this right now to my readers: Clowns are not my favorite thing. I'm not afraid of them but creepy clowns scare me (Thanks a lot, American Horror Story: Cult). So when I saw that Stephen King's It was getting a remake, I''ll admit that I wasn't going to be flocking to the doors of my favorite theater to see it. Horror films just aren't my thing. But after hearing some friends' opinions on the film, ranging from 'not scary' to 'excellent' to 'terrible', what did I have to lose?

It tells the story of seven children in Derry, Maine, who are terrorized by a sewer-dwelling, shapeshifting demon, taking the appearance of a clown. The kids must band together to not only kill the evil clown, but save all the disappearing children.

This movie is not the typical horror story where the clown is the bad guy; in actuality, the teenagers and adults are a bigger concern as the movie goes on. Each of the kids are bullied in some way, shape, or form. The boys: Bill, Richie, Eddie, Stan, are friends with their own family issues; whether that be parental neglect, overprotective moms, or teenage bullies, were bonded together by their inability to fit in. "New kid" Ben joined the group after he was bullied for being fat and Beverly Marsh, a girl ostracized over rumors of promiscuity and avoiding her abusive father, joined up later in the film and they formed "The Losers Club."

Watching this movie, I was reminded of the humor and energy of children actors. Child actors haven't had a spotlight on them since the 80's and 90's of classic Spielberg directed or produced films. The performances of these children definitely carried the heart and humor of this story, no matter how dark it got for the characters. Bill Skarsgard was excellent as Pennywise The Dancing Clown, deserving the praise he has received from critics. He was creepy and entertaining, someone that you didn't want to see in your nightmares. Skarsgard definitely honored the original idea of Pennywise from the twisted genius of Stephen King.

There wasn't really any jumping scary moments that today's horror movies, but the moments that get to you are the moments when an adolescent character is separated from their friends, all alone in the cellar or the bathroom or the alley or an office, and something they have long feared comes to 'life' in a particular fashion, confirming their worse sense of dread and doom that has come for them. Those are the moments that really sends a chill racing down your spine as you worry if this character will make it through. Director Andy Muschietti created an excellently crafted and effective suspense pieces that will definitely have him on the high list of the next horror movie. There is a reason this movie is the highest grossing horror film in history and I recommend that you check out this entertaining and emotionally effective film.