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(04/27/18 3:37pm)
It’s been 10 years since Nick Fury met Tony Stark in a post-credits scene in 2008’s “Iron Man,” in which the doors into a much larger universe had begun to open. Now, after 10 years-worth of storytelling with the release of almost 20 different films, it can all culminate in the gargantuan movie event of the year in “Avengers: Infinity War,” which keeps to its promise of bringing everything that’s been building up for a decade together into a large-scale, epic adventure together and unites all of our favorite characters and stories to create what may be Marvels riskiest, grandest, and most extravagant film they had ever released.
With 10 years-worth of stories behind them, all of our favorite characters must come together to face off a grave threat in Thanos, a being whose legend springs true to his name. He must seek all six of the mystical infinity stones if he wishes to annihilate half of the population in the universe, and now our favorite superheroes, from the Avengers to the Guardians of the Galaxy, must put aside differences and fight for the survival of every race in existence.
If this sounds like a colossal amalgamation of superhero storytelling and comic book fandom, you’re absolutely right. And yet, directors Joe and Anthony Russo have this tremendous gift of bringing together all of these characters and somehow making each one of them have a moment to shine. Of course, some of these characters do have a huge role to play in the story as a whole, but we’ll get to that in a bit. The film is so overstuffed with these characters that the nearly three-hour runtime is completely justified. But to their credit, they made sure that the film did not feel the length of its runtime, which is always a huge-plus.
All of the backstory and development we’ve witness in these characters weave their way into the story and it feels very natural. In many cases, this comes in the form of quick nods and references to past films, whether it’s Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey, Jr.) PTSD in “Iron Man 3” or Star Lord’s (Chris Pratt) father in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.” It feels incredibly satisfying to see the characteristics and traits that help define many of these characters, like Rocket Raccoon’s (Bradley Cooper) greedy nature, Steve Rogers’ (Chris Evans) leadership, and even Tony Stark’s status as a mentor to Peter Parker (Tom Holland) comes into play.
It also really refreshing to see the way in which every part of the MCU comes together in a seamless, natural way. It’s incredibly exciting to watch some of our favorite characters, each with vastly different ideologies, backstories, and personalities, interact with one another, whether they’re bonding or arguing with one another. Whether it’s Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Tony Stark bickering with one another, which is satisfying given their similar backstories, or even Star Lord’s jealousy of Thor (Chris Hemsworth).
But in the end, some characters do play a much larger, more essential role in the film as a whole than others. Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) gets a lot to do and goes one of the strongest emotional arcs in the film with her relationship with Vision (Paul Bettany). Thor also gets a big portion of the film to himself, going on a journey with Rocket and Groot (Vin Diesel) for a way against Thanos. Doctor Strange also gets much of the screen to himself, given that he’s one of the more powerful characters in the MCU and the fact that he possesses one of the infinity stones. Strangely enough, though in hindsight this shouldn’t be all that surprising, Gamora also plays an incredibly vital role in the film, given her deeply complicated relationship with Thanos.
But without a doubt, out of all of the characters that appear in this movie, and there are a ton, Thanos IS the focus of the story, and he pulls no punches. From the opening scene alone, you understand why Thanos is a force to be reckoned with and what you can expect from him throughout the film. Not only is Thanos an imposing, intimidating figure, but he is clear in his conviction and dedication to complete his mission, to the point where he himself must make sacrifices. Even though he is meant to be the evil, antagonistic figure in the film, you understand the perspective from which Thanos views the universe and why he’s doing what he’s doing. And strangely enough, there were a couple moment where you do get to empathize with him a little bit. And Josh Brolin excels at relaying that conviction and emotion, even with the admittedly impressive CGI work. It is no question that Thanos belongs in the discussion of not just one of the best villains in the MCU, but also in any comic book movie ever.
Thanks in large part to Thanos, the Russo Brothers hold nothing back with the stakes this film has. You can feel the emotional weight of what these characters must do to protect the universe and you feel like anyone can bite the dust. While there are things that happen that you come to expect, there are also a multitude of twists, turns and shocking moments that’ll leave your jaw hanging. Even as early as the opening scene of the film, you understand what is at stake and that no one is safe from Thanos’ wrath. And all those stakes culminate in what might be the ballsiest ending to any Marvel movie ever, and it just felt so perfect for this kind of movie.
You also get a great understanding of the purely epic scope of the film, especially with the action sequences. With great use of 360-degree camera shots, impressive visuals, and expertly choreographed camera angles, the fights feel massive, energetic, and purely epic in scope. Whether it’s against Thanos or one of the members of his Black Order, each character, much like in “Captain America: Civil War,” gets a chance to use their own particular fighting style and it makes for great variety in the action sequences.
If anything, however, as we’ve come to expect, there are definitely times where the film feels too grand and a little too bloated. For the most part, we do have to jumble back and forth between action sequences and/or subplots between different characters and it can be a bit much. At one point, we jump from Thor and Rocket’s adventure to Wakanda and then to Doctor Strange and Tony Stark and so on. There’s also the downside of having too many characters, resulting in some of the characters lacking in some characterization. But again, this is something we’ve come to expect and we understand that not everyone will get a chance to shine. The Black Order, the henchmen of Thanos, aside from Ebony Maw, are simply there to be henchmen and be, admittedly great, foils for our heroes, thus lack any sort of development.
There’s also the use of humor throughout the film. For the most part, the jokes stick the landing and hade the entire audience cracking up. But while most of the jokes are really well-timed and well-written, it can feel a little unnecessary sometimes, and there were times where the jokes were a bit too much.
Overall, “Avengers: Infinity War” brings in everything it has to offer to give us a memorable experience that will shake the Marvel Cinematic Universe forever. With the intimidating presence of a terrific villain, the Russo Brothers manage to bring in everything that’s been set up for the past 10 years. The stakes are higher than ever before and you feel that with what the characters go through. The Russo Brothers did the impossible and brought all of our favorite things together to create a sky-high, action-packed thrill ride that will go down as a triumph in the superhero genre.
(03/09/18 5:31pm)
When the original source material is considered to be unfilmable, it’s easy to see that director Ava Duvernay was gambling big on her attempt at a film adaptation of the beloved novel. But was it worth the risk? Well, yes and no. But one thing is certain: It’s the thought that counts.
Based on the 1962 Madeleine L’Engle novel of the same name, “A Wrinkle in Time” follows a young genius named Meg Murry (Storm Reid) after her father, Alex Murry (Chris Pine), goes missing 4 years prior.
But after learning from three astral beings, simply known as Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon), Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling), and Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), that her father is alive and held captive by a great evil, she must journey across the universe with her little brother Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe) and fellow companion Calvin O’Keefe (Levi Miller) to save him.
Much like the novel, there’s a lot put forward into the overarching narrative. In many ways these elements felt ethereal, whimsical and filled with wonder. Whether it’s the breathtaking cinematography, eye-popping visuals, vast landscapes and planets, or even the diverse range of creatures, it’s evident that Duvernay has a talent of capturing the essence of the novel and making you feel like a child again. She brings to life messages and concepts that can resonate on an emotional level with younger audiences on a number of occasions.
This resonance is further exemplified by the best part of the film: The performances. Storm Reid is by far the central aspect that brings the film together and makes it that much more of an enjoyable, enchanting experience as Meg Murry. Headstrong and steadfast like a role model while also vulnerable, awkward and insecure like any other teenager, Reid’s performance emphasizes her character’s relatability with younger audiences and provide more depth to her character’s overall story arc, allowing her to be the standout actress in the film, which is impressive considering the film also has the experienced talents of Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Chris Pine, and Oprah Winfrey.
Speaking of which, the rest of the supporting cast does an admirable job giving life to their characters as well. Winfrey, Witherspoon, and Kaling are clearly having a blast playing Mrs. Which, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Who respectively, and as a result, all of them give admirable performances, with Witherspoon being the standout of the trio. A lot of credit should also be given to Chris Pine continues to evolve as an actor, increasing his diversity of works and broadening his horizons. He gives one of the more emotional performances of the film, and his relationship with Storm Reid is the most well-crafted emotional story point of the entire narrative.
However, despite many of these noteworthy accomplishments, there are also a number of story and character flaws that do hinder the film in a number of ways. Notably, while many of the concepts presented are fascinating and, in many respects, enlightening, there are many instances where these instances fail to bring nuance and subtlety to the story, resulting a story brimming with forceful, often clumsy dialogue and story threads that seem to veer off course from the story at hand. There are also a number of story points that feel like they’re missing some information. It’s as if the audience is introduced to a new story point or concept in the narrative and they seemed to have missed a step prior in order to get to that point. There are times like that where there are chunks of story or information that are missing from the narrative and, because of that, the story feels incomplete and incoherent, resulting in the audience not completely attaching themselves to the entirety of the journey presented on-screen.
Some of the character work is also less-than-stellar. Even though the trio of Kaling, Witherspoon, and Winfrey put in great work as the ethereal trio, and they started out as relatively interesting and engaging characters, their overall purpose in the film seems to dwindle since as the film progresses, their presence becomes less and less necessary. But the most notably prevalent issue in the characters is the inclusion of Meg’s friend Calvin. Without any sort of exaggeration, if the character of Calvin were to be removed from the final cut of the film, there would be nothing in the story that would change. His inclusion, and even the way in which he’s introduced, feels forced, contrived, and completely unnecessary.
But despite these notably, and often prevalent, flaws and hindrances, it’s important that everyone see this film regardless because of what Ava Duvernay was able to put onto the big screen. It’s important to note that Duvernay was able to accomplish so much in terms of the visuals, the concepts, and the heart and passion put into the characters and visual aesthetic of the film as a whole. It’s worth mentioning that Duvernay made the decision to change the character of Meg Murry from a white character in the novel to a biracial character instead. The fact that she was able to make a change like this, as well as incorporate a number of different actors and actresses of different races and ethnicities clearly shows the love she put into the project.
Overall, “A Wrinkle in Time” is a gorgeously rendered and admirably acted journey across the stars that bring to life a sense of enchantment and whimsical wonder. Even though Ava Duvernay never fully sticks the landing on a number of occasions, she should nevertheless be hailed and admired for making such an ambitious, bold, risky film that meant to make children happy and relay powerful messages of family and love. There are still a number of notably character problems and plenty of messy and contrived storytelling, especially in the third act.
Even though there are enough problems in the story and characters to consider the film a disappointment, they aren’t enough to hinder my overall enjoyment of the experience, and I think that’s what matters.
(02/16/18 5:30pm)
After nearly 10 years of film after film, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has finally introduced what may be its most impactful, progressive, insightful, and topical film in its entire slate in “Black Panther.” This is a superhero film that completely stands out of every other marvel film in terms of its story, characters and deeply topical presence.
Set after the events of 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War,” after witnessing the death of his father, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) must inherit the throne of his native country of Wakanda, a technologically advanced fictitous African nation brimming with age-old customs. But T’Challa must soon learn what it means to be a good king when an outsider threatens his people’s way of living.
Despite its integral position in the MCU, one of the biggest strengths of the film is its ability to stand completely outside of the other Marvel films, acting as a complete standalone with no previous films needed to fully embrace and understand it. Regardless, the film’s attempt at bringing to life a vast, colorful, rich world succeeds on all levels, bringing the audience into a civilization filled with technological marvels and ancient traditions. Director Ryan Coogler does an impeccable job at perfectly balancing both aspects of society in a way that is believable and natural. But Coogler also not only brings to life an incredibly dense, rich world, but also opens new doorways into other parts of the MCU, giving it even richer diversity and imaginative world-building.
This true expanse of the beauty of Wakanda is not just mirrored in the city itself, but also in the people who inhabit it. Whether it’s the costume design or the makeup, Coogler succeeds in fleshing out the diverse inhabitants of Wakanda and making it feel like a genuine place of worship, respect and culture.
But the cinematography astoundingly brings to life not just the metropolitan aspect of Wakanda, but also its natural landscapes, featuring an assortment of mountains, valleys, wildlife and grasslands as far as the eye can see. Coogler brings a colorful depiction of Africa that evokes its tremendous beauty and expansive landscape.
One of the many things that makes “Black Panther” stand out from every other film in Marvel’s slate is how unlike most other Marvel films, every single cast member has depth and meaning, each of them getting a chance to shine and have purpose in the overall narrative. We only got a small taste of what Chadwick Boseman can do with the character of T’Challa in “Captain America: Civil War,” and that was enough to satisfy us. In this film, Chadwick Boseman goes all out, perfectly evoking the charismatic, playful, wise king of T’Challa while also expressing the fierce, courageous warrior spirit of the Black Panther.
Oddly enough, every other supporting character gets a chance to share the spotlight, which is something you don’t really get to see that much in previous MCU films. Lupita Nyong’o fulfills the role of T’Challa’s former lover Nakia, giving her spirit and tenacity that allow her to stand as an equal to T’Challa, and Danai Gurira evokes the same kind of depth and intimidation she gives as Michonne on “The Walking Dead” in the role of Okoye, leader of T’Challa’s royal guard, the Dora Milaje. While it wasn’t necessarily one of the better performances of the film, Forest Whitaker does maintain a manageable spirit as elder statesman Zuri, but at the expense of being borderline cartoonish, but not quite cartoonish. After coming off the heels of last year’s hit “Get Out,” Daniel Kaluuya is able to shine as T’Challa’s longtime friend W’Kabi.
But the film definitely had some standouts. Letitia Wright excels with flying colors as T’Challa’s intelligent little sister Shuri, blending humor, sass and independence that make her out to be clearly a child and yet possess a certain gravitas that makes her shine in the film. We also have Winston Duke as T’Challa rival M’Baku, providing much of the well-executed humor and maintaining an intimidating demeanor as well. Andy Serkis gets to portray arms dealer and merchant Ulysses Klaue, and after seeing the film, it’s clear that he had an absolute blast with the role, chewing every bit of scenery he’s in.
We also get Angela Bassett playing T’Challa’s mother Ramonda and Martin Freeman playing CIA operative and ally of T’Challa Everett Ross, and while both excel in their roles, it’s a bit disappointing when they’re not given much to do in the film and are largely left on the sidelines until the plot requires them.
But if there was one cast member who was captivating in his performance and whose character was a major strength of the film was Michael B. Jordan as the villainous Erik Killmonger. In breaking the Marvel streak of depicting poorly-written and underdeveloped villains, both Jordan and Coogler have worked together to give audiences the best Marvel villain since Loki. Killmonger has a troubled past and a clear agenda, and Jordan evokes that rage and suffering perfectly, acting as a sort of antithesis to T’Challa. Every time Killmonger did something horrible, you felt like you understood why he’s doing and sympathize with him. But his character is also important because of what his overall character arc envelopes.
His progression throughout the film highlights the many topical issues that face our planet in regards to social equality and racial prejudice and oppression. Whether referring to the era of colonials or the issues of brutality and isolation, Killmonger’s placement in the narrative makes “Black Panther” one of the more politically relevant and socially critical superhero films to ever be produced.
Overall, “Black Panther” is a huge step forward for not just the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but for superhero films in general. As well as being an incredibly engaging blockbuster with tremendous heart, soul, character, and passion, director Ryan Coogler brings forth an incredibly faithful commemoration of a culture that deserves more respect. Bolstered by a tremendous cast, a brilliantly realized world, a villain with incredible depth, and an emotionally resonant story about family and tradition, “Black Panther” will be recognized as a major turning point for superhero films.
(01/15/18 3:15pm)
By Manuel Fernandez
1/15/17
With the year coming to a close, it’s once again the time to look back at the numerous achievements in filmmaking that highlighted the year. It’s clear that 2017 hasn’t been the best year, with many things happening in the world that has us worried. But film continues to be the perfect form of escapism, and this year has provided a lot of films that are worth seeing in the theaters.
It’s safe to say that the year was brimming with a wide variety of incredible films that warmed our hearts, brought us to tears, scared the pants off us or made us gasp in awe and wonder.
Some honorable mentions worth noting include:
“The Darkest Hour”: An engaging WWII story enhanced by an Oscar-worthy performance by Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill.
“Get Out”: A subtly disturbing social commentary with a perfect blend of scares and laughs that’ll be talked about for years to come.
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”: A blend of the classic and the modern that offers up enough twists and turns to create a fresh new take on the Star Wars saga.
“The Big Sick”
One of the most authentic films in recent memory, “The Big Sick” offers up a heartwarming, honest, romantic tale of how renowned comedian Kumail Nanjiani met his wife Emily. The relationship between Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan is one of the more believable, genuine romances in any film of the last decade.
Along with the heart comes the various laughs, whether they’re chuckles or laugh-out-loud moments, as it’s one of the funniest films to come out this year. Mix in great performances from the entire cast, including Ray Romano, Holly Hunter, Kazan, and Nanjiani himself, and you get one of the best romantic comedies of the past ten years.
“The Shape of Water”
Director Guillermo Del Toro continues to prove why he’s one of the most prolific, imaginative directors working today. “The Shape of Water” highlights everything that makes Del Toro a one of kind director, from his blend of realism and fantasy to his imaginative storytelling, to his outstanding practical creature effects. From the very first shot, the film feels as though you can find it in a storybook you read to your children. The colors, production design, and costumes all give a unique style to the film and the fantastical writing and dynamic characters bring the audience into a world brimming with imagination.
Sally Hawkins shines throughout the film and gives life to her vibrant character, perfectly embodying both her timid nature and headstrong demeanor. She brings so much heart and life into this film without uttering a single word. Doug Jones knocks it out of the park as the creature, with the practical effects stunningly portrayed. In the end, Guillermo Del Toro has created a fairy tale unlike any other.
“Wonder Woman/Logan”
It’s clear that this may be a cheat, but it really is difficult to pick between the two: One marks the end of an era in superhero films and another that begins a new chapter in superhero films. Regardless, “Logan” and “Wonder Woman” both standout as incredibly well-made films and influential additions to the superhero genre.
“Logan” is a neo-western that uses its R-rating to full effect while being enhanced by terrific performances, powerful storytelling, and a perfect conclusion to the character of the Wolverine. “Wonder Woman” evokes the same kind of optimism and hope previously felt in 1978’s “Superman: The Movie” by giving the audience a strong female character to look up to in Wonder Woman. Despite their differences, both films will surely change the superhero genre forever.
“Blade Runner: 2049”
The teamwork of director Denis Villeneuve and cinematographer Roger Deakins is used to full effect in giving us a beautiful, poignant, emotionally resonant dystopia in “Blade Runner 2049.” The film is one of the prime examples of what makes a great sequel in that it further progresses the overall narrative of the original film while also expanding on the vast, dystopian world laid out in the original by introducing new concepts to explore and new dynamics and characters to get invested in. At the same time, however, the film manages to stay independent of the original film and acts as its own standalone film.
In addition to the brilliant storytelling, every single performance, especially Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling, is stellar. Each actor perfectly embodies their respective characters, and the cinematography and color palette are absolutely stunning and beautifully rendered.
If it’s a rarity for a sequel to surpass the original in so many respectable ways, “Blade Runner: 2049” is Halley’s Comet.
“Coco”
A film that deserves every single tear that is shed, “Coco” evokes some of the most powerful storytelling of the year and is by far one of Pixar’s best films they have ever released.
Much like last year’s “Moana,” “Coco” presents to the audience a beautifully well-rounded character in Miguel who is instantly captivating, charming, and incredibly relatable while also presenting numerous other charming supporting characters along the way. In addition, the animation captures the magic and wonder of the Land of the Dead while also perfectly depicting the rural town within the Mexican landscape where Miguel lives, from its architecture to the people who reside within it.
But the film’s perfect representation of the Mexican culture and its incorporation of the culture into the overall narrative are what make this film so special. From the use of the Spanish language, to the architecture, to the beautifully-written music, to the actual celebration of La Día de los Muertos, “Coco” tells a powerful, emotionally resonant story about family, memory, and legacy that will pull the heartstrings of anyone who watches it while honoring the rich culture and traditions of Mexico.
“Coco” is a film that is for anyone of any age and is one of the most powerful films of recent memory. Bound to become a classic down the line, “Coco” is a culturally significant film that opens the door to limitless possibilities you can do with the limitless potential of filmmaking.
(01/12/18 8:40pm)
By Manuel Fernandez
1/12/18
Overall, the year has been a triumph for the majority of independent films and a few notable blockbusters. However, there were definitely films that came out this year that brought us down, made us want to walk out of the theater, or worse.
Whether they were big budget disappointments, unfunny comedies, horror that wasn’t scary, or simply a boring time at the theater, these were some of the worst movie-going experiences of the year.
Some dishonorable mentions worth noting include:
“The Mummy”: One of the biggest wastes of potential of the year, further downgraded by little scares and a needless focus on a cinematic universe.
“Wish Upon”: An uninspiring horror flick with few scares and an unlikable lead who deserves everything that happens to her.
“Unforgettable”: An unintentionally funny Lifetime film with little stakes and plot holes big enough to fit through.
5. “Baywatch”
Where 2012’s “21 Jump Street” succeeded, “Baywatch” failed. It ultimately wastes the talents and skill sets of a stellar cast that includes Zac Efron and Dwayne Johnson in favor of incredibly unfunny fart and sexual jokes and an overuse of sexual innuendos and slow-motion shots, even though they were staples of the original series from the 90s.
The movie had many things going for it, including the aforementioned stellar cast and plenty of source material for parody and satire. However, none of it ever comes to fruition and instead we’re left with unlikable characters, over-the-top action sequences, and a crime mystery that’s left out of place in the end. “Baywatch” is no doubt one of the biggest disappointments of the year.
4. “Transformers: The Last Knight”
It’s really hard to believe that they’re still making these, but director Michael Bay still manages to continuously bring in the money from the international box office. However, there may be a glimmer of hope because this film grossed nearly $500 million less worldwide than the previous installment. Maybe sometime soon they’ll stop making these repetitive, disjointed, sloppy pieces of filmmaking entirely.
It’s amazing that we continue to see the exact same thing over and over again. In this installment, we get the usual: bland characters, poor acting, poorly directed action, terrible attempts at comedy, and incredibly convoluted storytelling. Let’s hope director Travis Knight does something special with 2018’s “Bumblebee.”
3. “CHIPS”
Before “Baywatch,” we saw another attempt at revitalizing an old 80s television series for
the silver screen in “CHIPS.” But not only was it another failure in every conceivable way, it was somehow worse than “Baywatch.”
Director and lead actor Dax Shepherd gives the audience an unfunny, sloppy mess of a film filled with so many predictable punchlines and fart/sexual jokes you can see coming from a mile away. With a story containing little to no stakes and characters that are incredibly unlikable, “CHIPS” was a failed attempt at creating the next “21 Jump Street” and ended up being the leftovers from the “21 Jump Street” script, recycled by Dax Shepherd.
2. “Fifty Shades Darker”
In some regards, “Fifty Shades Darker” actually achieved something more than 2016’s “Fifty Shades of Grey”: It’s a whole lot worse. Every single aspect that went against the first film is elevated to another level in this film.
Whether it’s worse chemistry between the leads, dialogue that’ll make you cringe harder than in the first film, or even more ludicrously insane scenarios and moments of conflict both in quantity and quality, “Fifty Shades Darker” attempts to bring the audience into its supposedly sexy, kinky narrative and characters but in the end feels a lot more like pure torture in one moment and hilarious comedy in another.
1. “The Emoji Movie”
What else can be said? The title alone explains exactly what is wholeheartedly wrong with this film. “The Emoji Movie” is the prime example of what happens when a studio attempts to “connect” with the audience by utilizing whatever is “popular” in the young demographic.
What we get in the end is a messy, boring, uninspiring, soulless, uninteresting cash grab of a film. The characters are lifeless cutouts and the story is a blended mixture of “Wreck-It-Ralph,” “Inside Out,” and “The LEGO Movie.” Studios need to understand that what brings audiences in is neither what’s popular nor what “the kids are doing these day,” but, simply put, a good movie. “The Emoji Movie” lacks any sort of style, heart, humor, or anything else that would make it worth your time and money.