Two years ago, Marvel Studios introduced us to a group of intergalactic outlaws that most fans did not even know about. Like the first Iron Man movie, it was a huge risk to introduce a new team away from their well-known characters like Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor. With excellent directing, an entertaining and diverse cast of characters, and an amazing soundtrack, Guardians of the Galaxy became an instant classic and tops many lists as the best Marvel movie ever.
This summer, we continue the adventures of the galaxy's favorite band of misfits.
Set two months after the events of the first film, the Guardians of the Galaxy travel throughout the cosmos and struggle to keep their newfound family together, while helping Peter Quill learn more about his true parentage.
From the footage of this film in the teaser, we see the Guardians taking on a huge tentacle monster along with an army of spaceships. It definitely shows that a space battle will be happening in this sequel. We also see that the team is getting along a little more often but still as dysfunctional. Their banter made the movie work in the first film so I expect more of the same. No word yet on the songs for the soundtrack but the song for the teaser trailer, "Fox on the Run", has already topped the iTunes Rock Charts so it's possible that we got a taste of the awesomeness to come. Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana lead the returning cast that includes Dave Batista, the voice work of Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel, along with Michael Rooker. New cast members include Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone.
And we cannot forget...Baby Groot!
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 comes out on May 5, 2017.
Hello everyone! I know that I'm a little behind right now but now that I have time, let's get to some new reviews!
In one way or another, we all remember the first time that we watched a Harry Potter movie for the first time. From there, you are hooked into this magical escape from our world into a wizarding world of wonder. The Harry Potter film series dominated the box-office for nearly a decade with eight movies. While it was sad to see the series end, there is always another avenue to look at a world and that's from a new perspective. That's where the prequel comes in and the Harry Potter film services found new life with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
This prequel takes place in the 1920's and, instead of being across the pond, this film takes place in New York in America. British wizard, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), comes to New York along with a case full of magical creatures under his protection. When one of the creatures gets loose in a bank, Scamander crosses paths with aspiring baker and No-Maj (the american equivalent to Muggle), Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler). From there, we are entered into the Wizarding world of America when demoted Auror Tina Goldstein arrests Newt for the unintentional release of several creatures. Along with Tina's sister, Queenie, the heroes work to recover the lost monsters in the big city but also contend with a dark threat that seeks to expose the world to the existence of wizards.
Overall, the film is not as strong as the previous Harry Potter films but just as enjoyable and very different. It starts with the setting being in America and there is an obvious difference between the two when it comes to those that possess magic. While those in England walk freely around, in America, those with magical powers live in hiding, governed by laws that are designed to "protect them". But their presence does not go unnoticed. A non-magical woman by the name of Mary Lou Barebone preaches to many people that wizards and witches walk among the non-magical and a danger to them. American wizards are also forbidden to marry or even interact with No-Majs, an situation audiences confront throughout the film but is more of a problem with two of our main characters.
Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne did a great portrayal of Newt, the eccentric magizoologist. Newt has a strong bond with the creatures in his case, getting along with them better than with other people. This even includes his fellow wizards, being highly introverted. I would definitely be interested to learning more about the future author of one of Harry Potter's textbooks. Queenie, played by Alison Sudol, was a surprising favorite character for me. The beautiful Legilimens (a wizard who is able to extract feelings and memories from another person's mind) had a contagious energy about her and you couldn't find a reason to not like her. Queenie was free-spirited and big hearted, just an all around lovable character. Colin Farrell's character, Auror Percival Graves was a welcomed addition to the Harry Potter film family, commanding his character with power and the experience of his years as an actor, looking comfortable as the protector of the wizards of New York. Ezra Miller's character, while important, did annoy me with his meekness but his relationship with Graves did add to his mystery.
David Yates, veteran director of the Harry Potter films, returned to helm this new film and his experience definitely assisted in bringing this different aspect of the Wizarding world but this was more about J.K. Rowling, As one of the many fans who bought the original screenplay for this film, Rowling did a wonderful job, integrating humor into this story but she did more than that. Over the years, Rowling has faced her share of critics and those who believe the reading of wizards and magic, even fictional ones, are corrupting today's youth and leading to the practice of witchcraft. In this film, she directly answered back to those critics of her successful work and characters. I don't think I have to tell Harry Potter fans to see this movie but this would also be a good film for those new to the series to start.
As you have heard me harp and gush over my love of Disney, you know that I've been a fan of the recent run of live-action remakes based on their animated classics. This year's addition in the series, The Jungle Book, was one of the year's best all around movies. The magic about Disney is that it doesn't just target children, there is something there for everyone of all ages. Larger than life characters, brilliant songs, and fairy tales come to life... It's the Disney magic that makes the company so successful.
Next year, Disney invites you to revisit a classic fairy tale that audiences have loved for more than twenty years and continues to stand the test of time.
This adaptation of the classic fairy-tale tells the story of a young woman named Belle (Emma Watson) who becomes prisoner by a Beast (Dan Stevens) in order to free her father. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle's enchanted staff (Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Ian Mckellen, and Emma Thompson) and learns to look beyond the Beast's exterior to recognize the man and the true heart inside of the animal. But the village's hunter named Gaston (Luke Evans) is on the loose to take Belle for himself and hunt down the Beast at any cost.
Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite movies of all time, not just in the realm of Disney. I will definitely be attending this party along with millions of others.
Beauty and the Beast enter theaters in March 17, 2017.
When Marvel announced Doctor Strange as a part of their Phase Three initiative of their universe, fans of the mystical superhero were instantly excited. This film had been in development since the mid-1980s, but I feel like this film needed to wait for the right time and the right actor. The right time was certainly this year because of the effects and the right actor to play the arrogant former doctor was Benedict Cumberbatch.
Doctor Strange tells the tale of Doctor Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch), an acclaimed but arrogant neurosurgeon living in New York City. A devastating car accident changes his life forever; while he survived, he loses the use of his hands. After experimental procedures prove ineffective and learning of a mysterious recovery, Strange travels to Nepal and encounters a sorcerer known as the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). From there, Strange learns that the world is a lot larger than he ever thought.
With the mystical effects for this type of product, it's easy to lose the story when a blockbuster was already expected because of the constraints of the MCU. Director Scott Derrickson did a wonderful job balancing the two, delivering an entertaining superhero origin story. While we have been more used to the science and physical nature of the MCU for the first two phases, dabbling in the magic of the universe from time to time, Doctor Strange opens the door and gave audiences an eye-popping spectacle that we have never seen before. This film made an effective use of the special effects when you have imagination behind it. The world folding does remind fans of Inception but this film goes behind it, VFX-wise.
Benedict Cumberbatch did a wonderful job playing Stephen Strange, carrying himself as God's gift to medicine who looked to be in need of humbling. I barely paid attention to Cumberbatch's New York accent, displaying how much experience the actor has with covering his accent. Strange's dry humor, intelligence and bravado was carried very well by the experienced actor. I'm still a fan of Rachel McAdams and her casting as Christine Palmer, Strange's former lover. Personally, I wish we could have had more about their relationship, before the accident and after Strange returns from his mystic arts training. I would have liked to see more about the expansion of their relationship, especially with Palmer being one of the last ties to Earth. Chiwetel Ejiofor was definitely a strong character in the film as Karl Mordo, a mentor to Strange but also very head strong and complex character, grounded in his ways and beliefs about how the mystic arts should be used. This cast has definitely under fire before the premiere because of the characters and the roles that could be tailor made for Asian actors went to a white actress like Swinton. While I understand the outrage, Swinton did a wonderful job and shows how forward thinking Marvel is because beyond that, other minorities in this film have a strong presence like Ejiofor and Benedict Wong.
If you are a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you'll definitely get your money's worth out of seeing this movie in 3D and especially in IMAX 3D. Marvel did an excellent job with this lesser known property from its archives of heroes to defend the world. The ending might have been a little lackluster but predictable to set up their next film, but an overall enjoyable event for veteran fans and newcomers to this franchise.
With the U.S. release of Marvel's next film, Doctor Strange, coming into theaters this Friday, we officially enter the fall movie season. This season will also go into the Winter; also known as the "Oscar bait" season to me. I have seen some of the previous movies in the earlier part of the fall (which I'll put up reviews soon). On this list, I do have a few suggestions that will be in major Oscar conversation but I think they will all be solid movies for everyone to see.
From the mystical Marvel movie, a prequel for the Harry Potter universe, and a new Star Wars story to an ensemble drama starring Will Smith and a throwback to the musicals of a generation ago, this season will have something for everyone.
10) The Edge of Seventeen - November 18
This coming-of-age comedy has received critical acclaim from the film festivals this film has been seen at. Hailee Steinfield stars as Nadine, an awkward high school junior, who feels more alone when her popular brother starts to date her best friend. But an unexpected friendship with an awkward boy (Hayden Szeto) gives her hope. The film co-stars Woody Harrelson as Nadine's history teacher, who acts as her mentor.
9) Fences - December 25
One of the many movies coming out on Christmas day could prove to be a dark horse in the Oscars race. Directed and starring Denzel Washington and co-starring Viola Davis, this adaptation of the play is set in 1950s Pittsburgh, a former Negro Baseball player (Washington), now working as a waste collector, struggles to provide for his family and comes to terms with the events of his life.
8) Fantastic Beasts - November 18
Director David Yates and author J.K. Rowling have reunited to provide a new era of the Wizarding World before Harry Potter. Set in 1926 New York, magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) arrives to research and rescue magical creatures. However, a No-Maj (American English for Muggles) named Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) has inadvertently opened Scamander's case and letting the beasts loose on a wizarding community already on edge. Co-starring Colin Farrell, Ezra Miller, and Katherine Waterson, prepare to return to the magical world in this extension of the Harry Potter franchise.
7) Moana - November 23
Disney looks to bring another animated classic to audiences with this film. On a mystical island of Polynesia, the young princess of the tribe, Moana (newcomer Auli'i Cravalho) from Motunui Island, is a born navigator who sets sail in search of a fabled island of mysterious secrets. Along the way, she teams up with her hero and legendary demigod, Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson). With the musical assistance of Lin-Manuel Miranda, this film will definitely make a beautiful splash in the box office.
6) Loving - November 4
This historical drama is coming out at a great time in my opinion, given the current racial climate. This film follows the courtship and marriage of Mildred Jeter (Ruth Negga), a black woman, and Richard Loving (Joel Edgerton), a white man.They are arrested and sent to prison in Virginia in 1958, because their interracial marriage is in violation of the state's anti-miscegenation laws. Exciled to Washington, D.C., the couple sues the state of Virginia which leads to the Supreme Court's unanimous decision in Loving v. Virginia. This movie will show that love truly conquers all.
5) Doctor Strange - November 4
You know that I couldn't leave out Marvel's next film in Phase 3 of their expanding universe. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Dr. Stephen Strange, an acclaimed neurosurgeon until he loses the use of his hands due to a car accident. He goes off in search of unconventional ways to repair his hands. The journey leads him to the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), who teaches Strange the mystic arts, just in time to defeat dark sorcerer Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelson).
4) Rogue One - December 16
We return to the galaxy far, far away during the time of the early dominance of the Galactic Empire's rule. The Rebel Alliance recruits Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) to work with Rebel pilot Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) to lead a motley crew to steal the plans to the Death Star. Disney has followed the same strategy they set with The Force Awakens trailers and that is to reveal as little as possible. They set up the basic them of the story and don't reveal anything else for the audience. But from the previews, we are guaranteed one person: The Dark Lord of the Sith himself, Darth Vader!
3) Passengers - December 21
This romantic science fiction tale has been kept under wraps for quite some time, floating around Hollywood for years since 2007. Now, it has been greenlit and ready to be consumed by audiences. The story tells the tale of Jim (Chris Pratt) and Aurora (Jennifer Lawrence), two people who are traveling on the starship Avalon, being awoken early during the 120-year journey while everyone else sleeps in suspended animation. When the ship begins to malfunction, it is up to the duo to solve the problems, while also falling in love in the process. To me, it looks like Titanic in space but that's my early assumption. From the initial trailer, this film looks as though it'll be quite the journey. And having two of the hottest stars in Hollywood today isn't too bad either.
2) Collateral Beauty - December 16
Another one of Hollywood's mystery projects that audiences did not know much about, this film just screams potential. When a successful New York ad exec (Will Smith) suffers a great tragedy in his life, he retreats from it. While his concerned friends try desperately to reconnect with him, he seeks answers from the universe by writing letters to Death, Love, and Time. But it's not until his notes are unexpectedly answered through personal responses that he begins to understand that these constants interlock into a life fully lived, and how even the deepest loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty. This film also stars Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley, Edward Norton, Naomie Harris, and Kate Winslet, it's guaranteed to touch everyone in the audience in one way or another.
1) La La Land - December 9
This movie, I can guarantee that you will hear about when the Oscar nominations are announced. In the heart of Los Angeles, aspiring actress Mia (Emma Stone) serves lattes to movie stars in between auditions. Jazz musician Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) plays in dingy bars just to get by. The two meet and fall in love, but, as success mounts, the dreams they worked so hard to maintain threaten to tear them apart. From the trailer, this film looks to be a throwback to the romantic musicals of the '50s, '60s, and sometimes, '70s. I love watching old classic films so I think if you love a good story, musical, or you are just a movie fan, I would recommend this movie.
So what are the movies that you are looking forward to? I hope you take some of these movies under advisement to watch as the weather gets colder!
In 2000, an unknown actor by the name of Hugh Jackman was cast as Wolverine in Bryan Singer's X-men. Given the aggressive, silent warrior type with three claws coming out of his hands, the Marvel character was tough for Jackman to play; possibly a tougher sell for fans of this iconic comic book hero.
Seventeen years later, Hugh Jackman has made this role his own and is synonymous with that character. Throughout the original trilogy and the prequels, Wolverine has been the constant thread in Fox's X-men Universe. He's also starred in two solo spin-offs: X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Wolverine. Now, Jackman dons the claws one last time in the third and final film in the spin-off trilogy, simply titled Logan.
The official premise of the film takes place years in the future, Logan (Hugh Jackman) and Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) must cope in a world with the mutant population dwindling near extinction. They must protect a young girl named Laura (Dafne Keen), who is very much like Logan, against sinister forces.
From the preview, brilliantly having Johnny Cash's "Hurt" playing, we can tell that Logan has gotten older and his healing factor seems to be failing now. His hands are bloody from where the claws come out and his body is scarred. Charles Xavier has also aged, looking physically weaker than we've ever seen him. We also get a look at the young actress who plays Laura, who has already been confirmed to play X-23. If you don't know who X-23 is, she is the young female clone of Wolverine. It looks like she will carry on the Wolverine mantle for the future X-Men movies but we'll see.
Overall, this movie looks like everything we, as fans of this franchise, wanted from The Wolverine: A deep cut character movie of Logan. We look past the Wolverine persona to the man behind the grizzled savage beast of the X-Men. If you are expecting the complete Old Man Logan story from the comic, stop right there. Fox doesn't have the rights to pull off that entire story but I think this film will be the proper sendoff for the Logan character and for Hugh Jackman in his last time as the character. That's by giving all the fans the Wolverine we want and deserve.
I'm so sorry that I've been away everyone, but you know how life can get in the way of things we love to do...you know, things not work or school related. And there comes in my passion for movies.
When it comes to book to movie adaptations, fans of the book will either love or hate it. There's no getting around that. There is also no getting around the fact that the entire book cannot be adapted. There will always be parts that will won't make the final cut of the film; sometimes, those can be something inconsequential and some are ones that we love. I've always stuck with the standard that as long as the adaptation stays true to the source material, I won't be too harsh of a judge. With that said, let's look into The Girl on the Train.
The Girl on the Train tells the story of Rachel (Emily Blunt), an unemployed, vodka-drenched, emotionally wrecked woman. Rachel maintains a routine by commuting to the city from her New York suburb. Rachel's favorite hobby is playing audience to her old life - particularly her ex-husband, Tom (Justin Theroux) living in her ex-home with the ex-mistress-turned-wife, Anna (Rebecca Ferguson), who is also now the mother of his child. Rachel also looks to the neighbors two doors down: a "perfect couple" (Haley Bennett and Luke Evans) where she imagines how their life is. But when the "perfect wife" disappears, Rachel becomes entangled in the missing persons case as the possible main suspect.
Rachel's obsession with her neighbors comes from the careless glow of love that they have. The couple seems to live in their own bubble, not bothered by anything else in the outside world. They provide relief for Rachel and seemingly fills the bleakness in her life. When she sees the wife, Megan, betray her husband by kissing another man, this betrayal seems to mirror the one she went through personally and enrages her. From this event, we not only get Rachel's perspective but we also get Bennett's beautiful fragile, Megan, and Anna. While not sticking to the physical appearance of her literary counterpart, Emily Blunt definitely captured the despair of the main character. Blunt played the depressed ex-wife to perfection. Blunt's Rachel looked haunted and hollowed out by how her life has turned out. Instead of working, any semblance of a job gone, she fills her time with hobbies such as sketching in her notebook, finding solace at the bottom of a bottle, and of course, riding the train.
The breakout star was definitely Haley Bennett. She might be breakout star of the fall with this film and The Magnificent Seven (which a review will be coming!). Bennett plays the stunningly beautiful Megan with depth, showing her character to be three-dimensional and on the edge of her own oblivion with the secrets she hides.
Director Tate Taylor (The Help) doesn't bring the type of style and dazzle that you would expect with a thriller like this, which drew earlier comparisons to David Fincher's Gone Girl and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. But he did a great job translating the bleak menace of the film and balancing three intertwined plotlines and having them all pay off in the third act of the film. What really sells the film is the chilling realism of these two performances, especially Blunt's, carry this film. Personally, I liked the novel better than the film but overall, it is a solid movie. It is definitely geared towards women but a fan of the book, no matter the gender, will enjoy this film.
If you all see this film, leave a comment about what you think. I'm catching up on this blog so there will be more reviews, previews, and news to come!
