Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice
dir. Zack Snyder
SPOILER-FREE REVIEW (Don't worry, It's okay to read)
Film based on DC Comics tend to become very divisive with both fans, moviegoers and critics. As both a comic book fan, a moviegoer and film critic, I can safely say that "Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice" is flawed but still highly entertaining. Unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe which gives you bits and bites of future films in each one of its installments, "BvS" throws everything at you during the film's Two and A Half Hour running time including the kitchen sink, the house and whatever rubble is left over from "Man Of Steel".
Now, before I continue talking about the good things that "BvS" offers, Let's look at the bad. Jessie Eisenberg as Lex Luthor is one of them, in fact, his performance is the worst thing about this movie as he plays it like the illegitimate love child of Mark Zuckerberg, Jim Carrey's Riddler from "Batman Forever" and a hyped up and coked out Mickey Mouse. He is constantly chewing up the scenery which distracts from all of the other great things that "BvS" has to offer. Another flaw that this movie has is it's Two and A Half Hour running time. The running time wouldn't be a problem if the film had proper pacing but unfortunately, it doesn't.
Despite Eisenberg's Scene Eating and Long Running Time, Batman V Superman still is intensely entertaining. Ben Affleck's Batman/Bruce Wayne is the best cinematic interpretation since Michael Keaton. Henry Cavill is still great as the Man Of Steel and Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman is amazing. The climatic fight scenes are epic, frenetic and keep you on the edge of your seat.
"Batman V Superman" is flawed sure, but the pros outweigh the cons. It is an action packed first chapter to a much larger universe that DC wants to give the fans and moviegoers not the critics. Overall, I'd recommend it and even though Jessie Eisenberg and the slow pacing stall the movie a bit, "BvS" is still a great action-packed blockbuster
Rating: 4/5 Reels
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Sunday, March 27, 2016
A Powerful, Emotional and Inspirational Experience
Miracles From Heaven
dir. Patricia Riggen
Faith-based films walk a very tight and thin line between being available to all audiences and only appealing to a limited one. I am very happy to say that Miracles From Heaven can be enjoyed by anyone even if you aren't affiliated with a particular denomination. The reason why it can be enjoyed by anyone is that the story is a universal one: Families going through a trying time. It is also based on a true story that whether you believe or not, could happen to anyone and any family.
Jennifer Garner gives her best dramatic performance as Christy Beam, who just wants her daughter to get better from an unforgiving disease. Her faith and motherly strength are pushed to the limit as she tries to keep everything together with both her daughter and the rest of her family (her husband and other two daughters). There are great scenes of emotional depth and relatability that made me cry as I was watching it cause it reminded me of my own mother. The supporting cast gives good performances as well with one of the best being John Carroll Lynch as the local pastor whom supports Christy even when she stops going to church after what some ladies had said to her about her kid.
Miracles From Heaven may not be your cup of tea but if it interests you, like it did me, you'll enjoy it. It is a powerful, emotional and inspirational experience that is universal for all mothers and families.
Rating: 4.5/5 Reels
dir. Patricia Riggen
Faith-based films walk a very tight and thin line between being available to all audiences and only appealing to a limited one. I am very happy to say that Miracles From Heaven can be enjoyed by anyone even if you aren't affiliated with a particular denomination. The reason why it can be enjoyed by anyone is that the story is a universal one: Families going through a trying time. It is also based on a true story that whether you believe or not, could happen to anyone and any family.
Jennifer Garner gives her best dramatic performance as Christy Beam, who just wants her daughter to get better from an unforgiving disease. Her faith and motherly strength are pushed to the limit as she tries to keep everything together with both her daughter and the rest of her family (her husband and other two daughters). There are great scenes of emotional depth and relatability that made me cry as I was watching it cause it reminded me of my own mother. The supporting cast gives good performances as well with one of the best being John Carroll Lynch as the local pastor whom supports Christy even when she stops going to church after what some ladies had said to her about her kid.
Miracles From Heaven may not be your cup of tea but if it interests you, like it did me, you'll enjoy it. It is a powerful, emotional and inspirational experience that is universal for all mothers and families.
Rating: 4.5/5 Reels
A Wildy Timely and Wonderful 'Topia'
Zootopia
Dir. Byron Howard and Rich Moore
It is rare for me to come out of a movie theater and have a solid and definitive opinion about a film. I usually try to think it over and play it back a little in my head to find all of the intricate parts that made the film that way. However, as soon as "Zootopia" was over, I knew instantly that not only was this one of the years best movies but also one of the best Disney animated films ever made.
The story may seem basic as it plays like a normal buddy cop film but there is a lot more to it that not only kids but also adults can relate to and become emotionally involved in. It deals with stereotypes and prejudice that isn't forceful or overdramatic and instead the themes naturally evolve through the characters and story as it should. Judy Hopps wants to just be the best cop she can be but others around her only see the shortcomings and not her true potential and the same goes for her unlikely partner, Nick Wilde, a con artist fox and together, they have to solve a missing persons case. The voice acting and animation is, as usual, fantastic but the design of the characters and world is what makes this more outstanding and awe-inspiring than Big Hero 6 or, dare I say it, Inside Out. Its a very immersive experience. Overall, Zootopia has an amazing story, amazing characters, amazing animation, and is just an amazing film. Walt Disney Animation Studios has entered another renaissance and this film is prove positive.
Rating: 5/5 Reels
Dir. Byron Howard and Rich Moore
It is rare for me to come out of a movie theater and have a solid and definitive opinion about a film. I usually try to think it over and play it back a little in my head to find all of the intricate parts that made the film that way. However, as soon as "Zootopia" was over, I knew instantly that not only was this one of the years best movies but also one of the best Disney animated films ever made.
The story may seem basic as it plays like a normal buddy cop film but there is a lot more to it that not only kids but also adults can relate to and become emotionally involved in. It deals with stereotypes and prejudice that isn't forceful or overdramatic and instead the themes naturally evolve through the characters and story as it should. Judy Hopps wants to just be the best cop she can be but others around her only see the shortcomings and not her true potential and the same goes for her unlikely partner, Nick Wilde, a con artist fox and together, they have to solve a missing persons case. The voice acting and animation is, as usual, fantastic but the design of the characters and world is what makes this more outstanding and awe-inspiring than Big Hero 6 or, dare I say it, Inside Out. Its a very immersive experience. Overall, Zootopia has an amazing story, amazing characters, amazing animation, and is just an amazing film. Walt Disney Animation Studios has entered another renaissance and this film is prove positive.
Rating: 5/5 Reels
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Wrong Shelter, Great Time
10 Cloverfield Lane
dir. Dan Trachtenberg
It's tough to give a proper review to this one. Not because of its content, but due to all of the films more intriguing and interesting moments being what this generation would call "Spoilers". The twists and turns this movie weaves is outstanding and frustrating at the same time.
The film is a spiritual successor and not a direct sequel, spinoff, or remake to "Cloverfield". Spiritual Successors in film aren't anything new in cinema but this changes the game as it tells a brand new story while maintaining the originals mysterious and frightening tone. The story centers around Michelle, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who is running away from her life when her car crashes and she wakes up in the basement shelter/home of Howard. John Goodman's performance as Howard is the most intense and scary of his entire career and a benchmark in how talented this actor truly is. The shelter is the main focal point of the film with the question being: What is happening outside? A infectious disease? Nuclear war? The mystery of this makes the film even better as we don't have the open ground of the original film to play in. The audience is confined in this space and we don't find out what the outside is like until the last act of the film.
I can't go into anymore detail without spoiling anything but I'll just conclude with this: If you love the original, this film will not disappoint you. If you never liked the original, you too won't be disappointed. 10 Cloverfield Lane is an intense, frightening, and thrilling film that I hope leads to more just like it. A true cinematic surprise.
Rating: 4/5 Reels
dir. Dan Trachtenberg
It's tough to give a proper review to this one. Not because of its content, but due to all of the films more intriguing and interesting moments being what this generation would call "Spoilers". The twists and turns this movie weaves is outstanding and frustrating at the same time.
The film is a spiritual successor and not a direct sequel, spinoff, or remake to "Cloverfield". Spiritual Successors in film aren't anything new in cinema but this changes the game as it tells a brand new story while maintaining the originals mysterious and frightening tone. The story centers around Michelle, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who is running away from her life when her car crashes and she wakes up in the basement shelter/home of Howard. John Goodman's performance as Howard is the most intense and scary of his entire career and a benchmark in how talented this actor truly is. The shelter is the main focal point of the film with the question being: What is happening outside? A infectious disease? Nuclear war? The mystery of this makes the film even better as we don't have the open ground of the original film to play in. The audience is confined in this space and we don't find out what the outside is like until the last act of the film.
I can't go into anymore detail without spoiling anything but I'll just conclude with this: If you love the original, this film will not disappoint you. If you never liked the original, you too won't be disappointed. 10 Cloverfield Lane is an intense, frightening, and thrilling film that I hope leads to more just like it. A true cinematic surprise.
Rating: 4/5 Reels
Sunday, February 28, 2016
My Favorite Films of 2015
2015 was another great year for film that included many hits and misses. Out of the many films that I saw, these were the ones that stood out among the rest and made my own list of yearly favorites. Now, to clarify, I haven't seen every film (including The Revenant, Brooklyn, Bridge of Spies, etc.) but despite this, I did manage to clock in over 40 films so condensing it into a normal top ten list was quite a task. But nevertheless, These were the films that I enjoyed the most all year and that I highly recommend to rent or buy on home video or streaming.
My Favorite Films of 2015
Grandma
Inside Out
Jurassic World
Mad Max: Fury Road
Pawn Sacrifice
Spotlight
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Tomorrowland
The Walk
Wild Tales
Honorable Mentions
Age of Adaline
Irrational Man
Jupiter Ascending
Krampus
Spy
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Marvelously Insane and Gleefully Profane
DEADPOOL
dir. Tim Miller
"Deadpool" starts by giving us a credit sequence that not only tells us what superhero clichés to expect (a british villain, a gratuitous cameo, etc.) but also lampoons it with the softness of a brick. It is hard to be fresh, new and inventive when so many comic book films come out each year. This year alone is bringing us SEVEN superhero/comic book films including this one. "Deadpool" stands out from the rest of those yet released as it isn't trying to name drop or set up events for future franchise installments. Instead, the film sets fire to those and gives us a fast and furiously action filled romp that lets the audience in on its own insanity.
Another one of the things that sets the film apart from others like it is that the central hero isn't exactly standing for "Truth, Justice, and The American Way" but instead stands for himself and his own self-interests. He isn't going to save the world unless there is something in it for him and him alone which makes the film even more hilarious and timely. Ryan Reynolds gives a career defining performance that I think is bound to be his most memorable unlike "Green Lantern" which is jabbed at throughout the film along with other comic book films and characters.
All of the supporting characters and actors are exceptionally well and the action scenes are fun and constant without being too over the top ala "Kick Ass" or "Punisher: War Zone". Overall, "Deadpool" is one of the best superhero films out there as it doesn't hide its insane and profane nature or try and set up a future installment of its own universe. "Deadpool" exists to be "Deadpool" and that is what makes it marvelous.
Rating: Four and A Half Reels out of Five
dir. Tim Miller
"Deadpool" starts by giving us a credit sequence that not only tells us what superhero clichés to expect (a british villain, a gratuitous cameo, etc.) but also lampoons it with the softness of a brick. It is hard to be fresh, new and inventive when so many comic book films come out each year. This year alone is bringing us SEVEN superhero/comic book films including this one. "Deadpool" stands out from the rest of those yet released as it isn't trying to name drop or set up events for future franchise installments. Instead, the film sets fire to those and gives us a fast and furiously action filled romp that lets the audience in on its own insanity.
Another one of the things that sets the film apart from others like it is that the central hero isn't exactly standing for "Truth, Justice, and The American Way" but instead stands for himself and his own self-interests. He isn't going to save the world unless there is something in it for him and him alone which makes the film even more hilarious and timely. Ryan Reynolds gives a career defining performance that I think is bound to be his most memorable unlike "Green Lantern" which is jabbed at throughout the film along with other comic book films and characters.
All of the supporting characters and actors are exceptionally well and the action scenes are fun and constant without being too over the top ala "Kick Ass" or "Punisher: War Zone". Overall, "Deadpool" is one of the best superhero films out there as it doesn't hide its insane and profane nature or try and set up a future installment of its own universe. "Deadpool" exists to be "Deadpool" and that is what makes it marvelous.
Rating: Four and A Half Reels out of Five
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
A Warm 'Choice'
The Choice
dir. Ross Katz
The Choice isn't a perfect movie but it doesn't have to be. Is it clichéd? Sure but what makes it work is the performances and chemistry between all the characters. Plus, the fact that this is the 11th film adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel means that there is bound to be some expectation and similarities with previous incarnations of his work. I think there is even a reference to "The Notebook" with the lead character, Travis mentioning how the previous owners of the house next door, where his future love resides, used to live there and then left to stay in a nursing home. Benjamin Walker's performance as Travis is one of the highlights of the film. He is a leading man in the making. His chemistry with Teresa Palmer's Gabby is outstanding and well-grounded. The supporting cast is good too with some better than average performances by Tom Wilkinson and Tom Welling of "Smallville" fame. That isn't to say though that there aren't some flaws with the finished film. The third act gets a bit muddled and rushed instead of naturally playing out. Plus, The opening scenes practically give away the final act of the film which if you've seen almost every Nicholas Sparks film (like I have), you might be able to piece together on your own what is gonna happen near the end. It also feels like the film had some crucial scenes that were left on the cutting room floor to meet a under two-hour runtime. But even with those flaws, The Choice is still a very warm, funny and emotional film that gives you what you want in a romance. You'll smile, you'll cry and it'll make you think about the choices that we all make and while this film may be corny to some, at least the film and filmmakers treat the audience like mature adults unlike some other films in this genre that I've seen (cough, Fifty Shades, cough). It may not be as good "The Notebook" or "The Longest Ride" but it's still another nice addition to the Nicholas Sparks canon.
Rating: Three Reels out of Five
dir. Ross Katz
The Choice isn't a perfect movie but it doesn't have to be. Is it clichéd? Sure but what makes it work is the performances and chemistry between all the characters. Plus, the fact that this is the 11th film adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel means that there is bound to be some expectation and similarities with previous incarnations of his work. I think there is even a reference to "The Notebook" with the lead character, Travis mentioning how the previous owners of the house next door, where his future love resides, used to live there and then left to stay in a nursing home. Benjamin Walker's performance as Travis is one of the highlights of the film. He is a leading man in the making. His chemistry with Teresa Palmer's Gabby is outstanding and well-grounded. The supporting cast is good too with some better than average performances by Tom Wilkinson and Tom Welling of "Smallville" fame. That isn't to say though that there aren't some flaws with the finished film. The third act gets a bit muddled and rushed instead of naturally playing out. Plus, The opening scenes practically give away the final act of the film which if you've seen almost every Nicholas Sparks film (like I have), you might be able to piece together on your own what is gonna happen near the end. It also feels like the film had some crucial scenes that were left on the cutting room floor to meet a under two-hour runtime. But even with those flaws, The Choice is still a very warm, funny and emotional film that gives you what you want in a romance. You'll smile, you'll cry and it'll make you think about the choices that we all make and while this film may be corny to some, at least the film and filmmakers treat the audience like mature adults unlike some other films in this genre that I've seen (cough, Fifty Shades, cough). It may not be as good "The Notebook" or "The Longest Ride" but it's still another nice addition to the Nicholas Sparks canon.
Rating: Three Reels out of Five
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