Cartoon movies have always been plentiful; but, when it’s a superhero cartoon movie there’s often times a lot of hype and hope behind it because of the expanded set of chances and risks that can be taken as opposed to with real life superhero films. And, while Spider Man: Into the Spider-Verse certainly stretches the realm of cinematic possibilities, it also goes a long way to do the same culturally. Where almost all iterations of Spider-Man films and stories center around Peter Parker as the masked crusader, this film introduces its audience to a world in which alternate realities from parallel universes intersect on our planet and pave the way for Spider-Persons with different identities to meet, interact and work with each other towards common goals.
Those audience members like myself who recently finished watching the third season of Daredevil on Netflix will again be treated to an oversized villain who functions as this story’s main antagonist and, in this cartoon film, seems even more larger than life, as the original Spider-Man comics portray him. But, what’s even more satisfying than seeing a villain portrayed in his original form is seeing our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man portrayed by a handful of different personalities, each one of which is the “one and only” Spider-Man in his/her respective worlds/realities. While this “impromptu meeting of the Spider minds” is confusing at first (for both the characters and the audience members alike), the group quickly works to make some sense of their situations and plan a way to both thwart their enemy’s current scheme and get everybody back to their original realities safely. The films runs for 2 hours; but, once the somewhat confusing beginning is ironed out, the action helps move the film along.
What we see throughout the group’s mission is a very unique group of Spider-Persons, each with his/her/its own set of ideals, beliefs, standards and strengths joining forces in a way that no one voice drowns out another’s. The film essentially reiterated the notion that ANYBODY ANYWHERE can be a hero because we all have it within us to be so, it just takes tapping into our abilities to do so. I give this cartoon Spider-Man film 4 out of 5 reps; and, it should definitely be watched in theatres sooner rather than later by audience members of all ages.
Have you ventured into the Spider-Verse yet? What did you think of this new, risk-taking version?
While I wasn’t particularly sold on watching this film in theatre as a result of the preview, once I saw that the lovely and talented Deborah Ann Woll, who plays Amanda, was in it, I figured chances were that I would. So, when I was presented with a last minute chance to attend this VERY early screening, I jumped at it and am glad I did.
Escape Room brings ALL of the anxiety associated with the escape room challenges that have grown increasingly popular in recent years, then raises the stakes to literally deathly heights. Six strangers are brought together by calling to their individual traits and passions; but, what they don’t know is that there is an even more specific reason they, in particular, received this life or death challenge. All six individuals have very unique personalities, which leads to several tense confrontations that actually function to get the audience more interested in each one’s past. From the escape room veteran and overly excited Danny (played by Nik Dodani), to the soft spoken Zoey (played by Taylor Russell, who steals the show) and businessman Jason (played by Jay Ellis), this escape room challenge that promises $10,000 to the winner starts with a lighthearted introduction among the participants and quickly develops into a life-and-death struggle in a VERY tight timeframe.
The film does a commendable job at keeping the audience guessing. One cannot help but find him/herself working the clues out in his/her own head as if also a part of the challenge; and, the different levels that the group moves through come with an increasing sense of urgency. Early on, a lingering feeling that perhaps all of this is planned and scripted prevails; but, when the environment the participants are in changes more and more drastically with every new room, the gravity of the situation becomes crystal clear. The group can’t help but oscillate between argumentative moments of selfishness and functioning displays of teamwork. Just as one puzzle is solved, another is presented of increased intensity and cost. The rooms that the participants move through are VERY unique in nature and complicated in a beautifully constructed way. There also exists an undying desire, almost need, to find out who orchestrated this particular escape room challenge and the elaborate manner in which it all came to pass that keeps the audience interested. That’s precisely why I got a “Final Destination” meets “Saw” sort of vibe throughout the entirety of the film.
In the end, we do receive some clarity on that front; but, we’re still left with some questions and are even set up for a potential sequel at the same time. I was pleasantly surprised with this film, which runs for 1 hour and 40 minutes, yet flies by and feels even shorter than that. Escape Room gets 3.5 reps out of 5 from me for the ingenuity displayed in the construction of each room and the endearing quality of not only the participants but also their growing relationship to each other. This is probably not a film to watch if you deem yourself a particularly anxious person; but, then again, that is often times why we go to the movies- am I right? If you do choose to watch this one, catching it in theaters will definitely add a "real life" aspect to your viewing experience.
So, did you accept this challenge yet? If so, what sentiments did you escape from your experience with?
I got to attend a very early screening of another HIGHLY anticipated superhero origin story... and it was absolutely amazing. As most of the world is, I am a huge fan of Jason Momoa and genuinely hoped he would breathe new life into the DC movie world. Well, Aquaman does just that and MORE. In general, Aquaman is a lot less dark than its DC movie predecessors, such as Batman vs. Superman and Justice League. Those films seemed to have been made with a sort of sadistic, twisted take, perhaps to offer something a bit different from Marvel; but, it often times came off as forced and disingenuous. That is not the case here.
Aquaman tells the history behind how Aquaman came to be born and then why he chose to live on land despite all of the power he wields when under water; but, it does so without painting an overly bleak depiction of his surroundings or situation. In fact, Aquaman comes off as being completely at peace with sharing beers with his dad and community fans of his, whenever he’s not helping save lives from underwater tragedy. But, it is an unknown part of Aquaman’s past that brings him to confront exactly who he is and what he represents to the great, “lost” people of Atlantis. With the help of the beautiful Mera(played by Amber Heard), Aquaman finally dives into his past, in a series of events and scenes that feels so reminiscent of the Black Panther story in the sense that we see an already established “super powered” protagonist evolve into a “hero” in the most traditional sense, while the ride the audience is taken on along the way is incredibly entertaining. The audience grows to understand Aquaman as a person because we are literally brought along his journey, which is full of laughs, thrills and, naturally, a LOT of spills. And even before we ever see Aquaman as he is usually thought of, Nicole Kidman steals the hearts of everyone in her introductory role as his mother Atlanna throughout the first twenty minutes of the film.
The fight scenes (which come soon and often) are spectacular, just as the graphics and CGI are. Despite being a beefy 2 hours and 20 minutes long, no scene seems unnecessary or of the filler kind, although it may not seem so at the moment, because everything is tied together so neatly in the end. Definitely stick around for a post-credits scene, which seems to set up the sequel. This film is an easy 3.5 reps out of 5; and, I will be seeing it multiple times, just as I did when Black Panther finally released. To get the full effect, definitely watch this one in theaters at least once.
2018 saw its fair share of both good and bad horror movie releases, with more of them falling into the first category, at least as far as I’m concerned. I first saw the preview for The Possession of Hannah Grace and automatically gave a sigh of desperation, expecting it to be just another recycled exorcism film. However, I was once again pleasantly surprised with a 2018 horror flick.
This film boasts two characteristics that make it more than just the next addition to an over-saturated horror film genre. As I always do, I will try not to spoil it for anyone; but, you can expect a completely different aspect to the possessed family-priest dynamic that is central to each possession movie. And, the manner in which the evil spirit in this movie gains strength also introduces a fresh new take to the genre. The main protagonist Megan (played by Shay Mitchell), a former cop who decides to leave the field work behind her and instead work the night shift at a neighboring morgue, is faced with a second “problem” to deal with, on top of the evil spirit that is rather intelligently gaining strength. She soon discovers that what is going on at night is weird, even by morgue standards, and has to figure out how best to perform the tasks of her new job without paying the ultimate price in her attempts to do so.
The moments of tension scattered throughout the movie are well built-up and manifest themselves in short bursts of terror, making this film feel even more like a suspense/thriller slasher movie. And, whether to your liking or not, the role of the church is nowhere near as prevalent as with other possession movies, which neither hurts nor helps the plot, in my opinion. As I mentioned before, the ways in which this plot deviates from the normal possession horror film genre is a breath of fresh air; and, the ending is actually one to be celebrated (literally so in my movie viewing experience) because of the job well done with developing a liking for Megan. This film gets a solid 3.5 out of 5 reps from me for the risks taken and execution thereof, while still not trying to be more than it is and sticking to a more-than-doable 90 minute timeframe. Get your shock therapy in with more than enough time left for a nightcap.🤘🏽
Did this film take possession of you?
Wreck-It Ralph catered to children with the well-thought-out character dialogue we have come to expect from Walt Disney. The involvement of classic video game characters helped to interest older adolescent and adult age groups as well. Needless to say, I was excited for this sequel; and, not only to hopefully get more of the same; but, also to see how Disney would introduce the Wreck-It Ralph storyline to the internet-centric reality of today. In my opinion, it did so quite seamlessly.
In this sequel, we see Vanellope (voiced by Sarah Silverman) grow tired of the predictable video game loop in “Sugar Rush” that she has come to master and, simply, grow tired of. Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly), on the other hand, finds complete solace and happiness in a daily routine that finds him chugging root beers with Vanellope at the tap house every night. But, he decides to use his brute strength to introduce a new road in Sugar Rush that might reinvigorate Vanellope's love for the game and at the same time prove how much Ralph cares for her. When things go slightly awry in the “real world” as a result of Vanellope's excitement over the track changes, Ralph rather clumsily decides that he must venture into the “internet world” to fix this new issue he has created, albeit with altruistic intentions. Always thirsty for something new, Vanellope decides to join him; and, the loveable duo make their way through a new age existence that takes them on just the type of adventure Vanellope yearns for. However, the ramifications of their new exploration are far greater than Ralph ever imagined.
Once again littered with appearances by classic characters and new ones alike, voiced by another stellar cast, Ralph Breaks the Internet brings the franchise to the modern age with a number of memorable moments along the way, including a princess scene that was unquestionably my favorite of them all. The film is just under 2 hours but remains an easy watch that is nevertheless littered with life lessons for all ages, earning it 4 of 5 reps from me. Whether you take the kids to see this with you or you don’t, this is a sequel that everyone should watch at some point, preferably sooner rather than later.
Did you like Ralph's and Vanellop'e s voyage through the online universe?
This film has an absolutely DEEP and STELLAR cast with both veteran and up-and-coming actors alike. As I discussed with a friend before watching it, the preview for Widows gave me a new age “Set It Off” vibe, which is especially relevant and always will be so with all the strides that have been made in both the real and film world to raise the levels of appreciation everyone should have for the female sex. And, while Viola Davis (as Veronica) and Michelle Rodriguez (as Linda) do a stellar job of anchoring their all-female burglary team, the plot left me with a lot to be desired.
The film starts with Veronica and Harry (played by Liam Neeson) in a very passionate marriage not without its own demons and heartache. During one of Harry's organized robbery attempts with his own male team, the men’s plans are thwarted and Veronica is left in a deep financial hole from which she has little time to climb out of. She comes across plans for another big heist orchestrated by her husband; and, even though she never asked about her husband’s extra-legal activities, she decides that trying to pull off said robbery herself is her only option. She puts together a makeshift all-female team of her own and everybody is designated a set of tasks to fulfill before the job can be done.
To me, the manner in which each of the female characters goes about figuring out her individual tasks is very spotty and jumbled. There is little that ties everything together for me, with the solutions to a number of these tasks seemingly popping up out of thin air a number of times. The film does boast a number of twists and reveals that make an audience member gasp; but, it seems to me as though the celebration of female empowerment took precedence here over a more tight-knit plot.
The action scenes also help the audience overlook these plot holes; but, there are only two developments that I find worth remembering about this film. And, honestly, Daniel Kaluuya’s (from "Black Panther" and "Get Out") character steals the show for me because his is the quintessential example of one that does so much more by saying and doing so little, but with so much attitude.
Nevertheless, the film, an entire 2 hours, is a fun time if you can look passed the overall “plot jumble” precisely because of the all star cast, the action and the gravity of the film’s main heist, even if it develops in what I would describe as a forced manner. That is why this film gets 2.5 reps out of 5 from me and why I would recommend it as something not entirely too thought-provoking to enjoy passing the time with.
What did you think of this female-led film?
Wow. This year has just been a moviegoer’s DREAM. From thriller gems, to reboots to sequels decades in the making, 2018 continued to literally bring the punch with Creed II. From the very first Rocky monologue, Rocky assures the audience that while the Creed and Drago Jr. boys (played by the ever loveable Michael B. Jordan and the HUGE Florian Munteanu, respectively) will be providing the hits, Rocky will be providing the punchlines. I have to say, I was admittedly surprised and beside myself with how well orchestrated the allusions to past Rocky films were throughout the entire film. From pictures in restaurants to internet fight clips, from timeless mementos to priceless cameos, the entire Rocky franchise courses through the very fiber of this next chapter.
In Creed II, we see Adonis lay the framework for his own legacy- one he hopes will stand alone from that of his father’s. We see Adonis confronted with the struggles of creating one’s own narrative both in and outside of the boxing ring, while he does his best to provide Rocky with the stabilizing force in Rocky's life that he has for some years now. Then, like being back for the very first time, the son of franchise villain Ivan Drago appears on the world boxing scene to really push Adonis to the breaking point. The cinematography and musical score of this film are so audience-friendly that we are moved to feel what we see the actors feeling, even if the words they are using leave something to be desired. Sometimes simpler is better, less is more. And this film does a great job of picking and choosing its battles in that very mindset.
Creed II is a Rocky fan’s “taste of the good ol’ days” during a time where the technology is lightyears improved from those aforementioned times. The film runs an entire 2 hours long; but, nothing stops it from being an incredibly fun time. Adonis' relationship with his girlfriend Bianca (played by the beautifully talented Tessa Thompson) provides the romantic relationship that reminds us at least somewhat of the one between Rocky and Adrian. There is also enough to its plot for even the casual moviegoer who isn’t as invested in the boxing narrative. Creed II gets a solid 3.5 reps out of 5 for executing on the entertainment side; and, it’ll make for a solid movie choice for almost gathering- whether you get to see it in theaters or at home.
How do you think Creed II did in moving along the timeless Rocky franchise?
Again 2018 presented us with another taste of movies’ past- this time with Robin Hood. The Kevin Costner version of 1991 is one of my favorite movies to watch at any time and boasts one of the most timeless and classic movie theme songs in Bryan Adams’ “Everything I Do (I Do It For You)”.
So, while I was expecting merely a modern day “take 2”, this version is more of a complete reimagining than a slight reboot. The characters are largely the same, mainly Robin (played by Taron Egerton), Marian (played by Eve Hewson), Little John (played by the legend himself (Jamie Foxx) and the Sheriff of Nottingham (played by Ben Mendelsohn). However, this version chooses to explore more of Robin’s fighting background/education and then loosely connects that new backstory to the version of Robin Hood we all know from the 1991 and Disney films. However, the connection is more than just a little contrived, with the audience expected- and in ways forced- to suspend its disbelief regarding what is almost painfully obvious from the beginning and is for some reason not so to the film’s main antagonist.
Jamie Foxx provides the sort of wit and snappy retorts he’s made a living off of; and, he is definitely my favorite part of the film. His character’s connection with Robin is actually one of the more redeeming qualities of this film; and, it is no coincidence that said connection reminds me so much of Costner’s and Morgan Freeman’s in the aforementioned version. And, while the action scenes are mildly entertaining, they don’t do enough for me to plug up the glaring plot holes. It also tends to drag, which for a "reboot" is never good because the audience almost always knows what's coming; so, there's no reason to prolong the plot development of a film that's already 2 hours long. The final death scene actually did a lot in my opinion to ALMOST make the messy plot development worth it; but, not enough to make me give this film more than 2 reps out of 5. This version comes off as more of a made-for-TV “Arrow” movie than anything else. If you haven’t already; and, even if you have, go enjoy the 1991 version and thank me later.
What were your thoughts on 2018's Robin Hood?
Growing up on Dr. Seuss stories, the original Grinch movie with Jim Carrey playing the loveable grouch has always been a light-spirited holiday movie that I would not mind playing in the background all day and being the backdrop to family gatherings. 2018’s reboot is an ever-so-slightly reimagining of the same story with an even slightly less grouchy Grinch. A completely new set of Dr. Seuss-y rhyme schemes, a revamped musical score that boasts the likes of Tyler the Creator, and a literally timeless Pharrell Williams narrating this rendition, all work to inject a more modern feel to this classic; and, in all likelihood, also to garner the attention of a younger population who did not grow up as tied to the story as I did.
The Grinch (2018) is a quick and easy 90 minute watch that gets 2.5 out of 5 reps from me for following in the tradition of light-hearted Christmas films, while still being different enough from prior iterations and with just the right running time to keep audiences of all ages entertained throughout. As with Jim Carrey's version, this one too can be left to play in the background during any season.
What did you think of this most recent remake?
Green Book is another powerful movie that explores a very unique relationship at a time where our country seems to want to be torn apart and divided even more than it unfortunately already is. Green Book tells the true story of an Italian husband and father Tony Lip (played by Viggo Mortensen) living in Bronx, NY, who is a quintessential example of the prideful household provider. Tony is part of a big family and provides for his own by using his unique skill set to work security at a major New York club. When the club is indefinitely shut down, Tony is forced to explore other employment options. One such opportunity always available to Tony is to provide man power for the several gang-related tasks his extended family is seemingly always involved in; but, he chooses to keep his options a bit more open than that.
Surprisingly enough, a friend of Tony informs him that interviews are being held for an open driver position of a renown Doctor Don Shirley (played by Mahershala Ali). Upon going to the interview, Tony is shocked at the level of grandeur said doctor lives in. The doctor, who turns out to be African American, is in his own right pleasantly surprised and sees in Tony the necessary grit to not only drive him across the Deep South but also be a “problem fixer” of sorts. Tony holds his own racially insensitive sentiments; but, he knows how useful his skill set would be to the doctor and barters a higher pay day. After bidding his family farewell, Tony embarks on this several month-long trip across a number of racially divisive US states trying to not only only get the doctor to all of his appointments; but, also to keep him alive long enough to do so. The audience follows along this most unexpected journey, witnessing tense moments both between the two gentlemen themselves and also between them and other residents of the Deep South.
This most uncanny and unexpected pairing of mind and muscle runs just over 2 hours, providing several moments of both comedic relief and racially divisive breakthroughs that make this movie such an entertaining and uplifting journey to go on. The duo learns so much about themselves through their learning of each other; and, it’s a dynamic that I wish never had to end. You should certainly watch this movie and prepare yourself to face some of the uncomfortable realities that were so pervasive just a few decades ago, but which still linger on today. Green Book gets 4 reps out of 5 and should be seen by as many people as possible, in whatever capacity, as soon and as often as possible.
Have you "picked up" the Green Book yet? How did you make it through?
I went into this movie expecting an action-packed war movie; but, I got SO MUCH MORE. Overlord begins with one of the most intense, nail-biting scenes I’ve seen on a plane since the Dark Knight Returns and does NOT relinquish hold of our attention until the very end. Taking place during World War 2, Overlord follows a group of US soldiers along their mission to take over a seemingly important post in Nazi Germany. But the group soon realizes that there are much darker experiments being conducted by their war rivals, the repercussions of which no side can possibly comprehend fully.
A fan favorite of mine in Jovan Adepo (from HBO’s “The Leftovers”) plays Boyce, who has the difficult role of being the group’s moral compass, which alone lends itself to extremely tense moments throughout. Another up-and-coming popular actor in Wyatt Russell (from Netflix’s “Black Mirror” and AMC’s “Lodge 49”) is the no nonsense leader of the group, who appreciates both Boyce’s skill and personality, but who refuses to let his soldiers veer far from their mission- until they all get a taste of exactly how sinister their enemy’s science experiments are.
The US soldiers quickly find themselves wrestling not only all of the moral dilemmas and intricacies that accompany war time, but also a shocking wild card that nobody expected nor has any idea how to deal with. Overlord is a twisted, high-impact suspense/thriller that forces the audience from one incredibly chaotic moment to the next, ultimately culminating in a winner-take-all showdown between the film’s most prominent good and bad guys. The film is about 1 hour and 45 minutes long; but, does not seem long at all once the wheels start turning. Go see this movie ASAP and in theaters if at all still possible because it’s a greatly entertaining film that minces no words and wastes no scenes, easily getting 4.5 reps out of 5 from me.
Did you face the Overlord yet?
Honestly, I would have loved to have read the book before watching this movie because of the reality that movies leave so much out that was included in the books they are based off of. But, I could hold out no longer and gave in. This movie was so captivating that it makes me want to read the book even AFTER having watched the film.
The Hate U Give starts out with a look into the dichotomous life of the main protagonist Starr (played by Amandla Stenberg). We are quickly given a look into how her school life and personal life differ and pull her in two seemingly opposite directions, just as the sudden murder of an unarmed life-long friend Khalil (played by Algee Smith) at the hands of a police officer right in front of her face brings both of her realities to a clash. As the aftermath unfolds, it brings the life of both Starrs into a heated and escalating war that reaches far beyond just her, her family and both communities she is a part of. Torn between keeping her eyewitness account a secret to protect her family and coming out with the truth to fight for the memory of Khalil, Starr begins to dissect how different people from different parts of her life think of the ever-so pervasive racial issues that have always and still do plague our lives. When Starr finally decides when and how to use her voice, she soon realizes that either way there are going to be repercussions and certain prices to pay for every single person who walks this earth- whether sooner or later.
Obviously relevant to the sociopolitical times we live in, The Hate U Give is the story of one young lady’s struggle with a number of different realities that millions of people live. But, the film also works as a realistic and, as I would argue, necessary examination of so many realities that millions of people do NOT live or have experience with. The Hate U Give forces us, one way or the other, to realize that one person’s reality is not necessarily another’s; but, that EVERY reality deserves to be and NEEDS to be wrestled with if we are ever going to better understand one another. We have little say in the types of circumstances we are born into, but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn to take an interest in, learn about and respect the circumstances of others.
In fact, the film is a reminder that a close and perpetual examination of all backgrounds is a prerequisite to becoming more united as a species and less divided by means of racial or religious or cultural identifications. We are ONLY one people and for the world as a whole to reflect this reality it is going to take a lot of work that is undoubtedly worth putting in. If you haven’t already, then please watch this film ASAP, which is a little over 2 hours long. The Hate Ü Give gets 4 out of 5 reps from me for being a necessary, gut-wrenching experience that I believe everyone should go through to assist in the betterment of humanity as a whole.
Were you moved to give this movie more love than hate, as I was?
I, admittedly so, went to see this movie primarily off of the fact that it was Jonah Hill’s directorial debut. And, I was not disappointed. The 80’s baby/90’s kid in me was instantly excited at the sight of such throwback mementos as WWF accessories, Nintendo games and, of course, Jordan basketball sneakers. It wasn’t immediately evident what this movie was about, however. We soon get a glimpse into the home of a single mom and her two young sons who share the typical older-brother-bullies-younger-brother-but-is-still-looked-up-to-as-cool relationship.
But, just as I prepared to dive into said relationship, the young protagonist Stevie (played by the very talented Sunny Suljic) seems to decide to take his chances with befriending some kids he overheard shooting the shit at a skate shop instead of with his older, seemingly loner, brother Ian (played by another talented young actor in Lucas Hedges). Stevie is quickly drawn to the camaraderie shared by this group of kids, which does everything from skateboard to drink/smoke cigarettes to watch TV and discuss life together. Having seemingly made up his mind to find a niche within the group, Stevie tries his hardest to learn the ways and language of the group while still retaining some of his innocence.
The movie then sort of shifts into a display of the beautiful mess that is Stevie’s efforts to become a more integral part of the group. He sort of develops the “little brother” moniker within the group, but grows increasingly appreciated for his willingness to try almost anything. This gives the movie more of a “reality tv” feel with little plot arc; but, it lends itself to a bunch of laughs along the way. Just as I found myself wondering exactly how this story would end and what will try to be conveyed by the end of it, there’s a shift in energy and focus to a number of real life repercussions that stem from the carefree and even rebellious nature of Stevie’s recent ways. It is at this point that I realized the movie is more of a fun ride that actually sets you up to forget about the bad that can happen when you’re having so much fun- until the film reminds you very abruptly. The film draws some comparison to the movie “Kids” in the way it focuses on street culture; but, this film is much more lighthearted; perhaps, if not most likely, in order to appeal to a wider audience.
All in all, the movie is a FUN time that only takes 90 minutes to get through. It will most certainly give 70’s and 80’s babies several chances to reminisce on the “good ol’ days.” I would most certainly watch this again on a “Netflix and chill” sort of night, although I am glad I watched it in theater because it does boast a “throwback” quality to it that I unknowingly longed for after watching so many forward-looking, futuristic movies this year. If you're looking for something that is easy to watch and won't lead to many arguments or intellectual debates, this should work perfectly. For being an enjoyable time that engenders loads of memories of my own childhood, this film gets 3 out of 5 reps from me.
Did you happen to catch Jonah Hill's first venture into being a director? If so, how did you think he and this film did?
FINALLY... the Halloween sequel most fans of the cult classic original have been waiting for. This was my other most anticipated release of the year alongside Venom because I am a Michael Myers FREAK. Let me address the one big elephant in the room off the bat: for Halloween fans who have seen most, if not all, of the original “sequels” and “remakes,” watching this movie might very well be a constant exercise in blocking out everything we came to learn from those aforementioned iterations. From the start of the movie I was constantly forced to remind myself of the premise that this film is supposed to chronologically occur 40 years after the original and basically treats all of the sequels and remakes as though they never existed. However, the film does do a nice job of addressing certain misconceptions about the Halloween series in general, seemingly making a concerted effort to establish the parameters within which this sequel operates for both new and old fans alike.
Once the plot is set in motion and I got over the fact that we wouldn’t be seeing the beloved Dr. Loomis character in this one, I got more and more comfortable with the current state or storytelling affairs. There is something exciting about the introduction of new “interested parties” because we get to see a completely different set of relationships evolve- from the persistent news reporters interested in visiting Michael Myers before he is transported to a higher level security prison, to the doctor that basically “took over” studying Michael for Dr. Loomis. In order to help force the audience to keep up with the current film’s parameters, the writers give us new relationships to focus on. However, they also do a nice job of paying homage to the original film and even some of its original sequels, which I will not spoil for the die-hard fan; but, which are very satisfying upon discovery. Now, to the one thing most of us go see horror movies for: the KILLS.
Once Michael breaks free and again finds himself running rampant, the kills come often and varied. The writers develop a series of kills that almost perfectly depict a duality of kill styles. Some occur with a sort of “old school” feel that shows the victim in an increasingly compromising position, leaves the actual killing to the imagination constructed with cutaways and sound, and then shows the aftermath. Other kills come very sudden, with not even the slightest hint of calculated reason, and with loads of blood and gore. It is in this duality of kill styles where we find the most obvious homage being paid to the older horror movie style for the long-standing fans, and where the modern day appetite for destruction is also well satiated.
The movie’s plot is far from being free of contrived parts that are better overlooked than analyzed; but, most horror movies are. Plus, those spots are so quickly rushed over to further the film’s plot that we aren’t given much time to overthink them. The ending, in my opinion, also works to leave some grey area as to the future of not only Michael and the franchise, but also the new characters introduced. Again, I won’t spoil it for anyone; but, stick around for a small post-credits extra as well. After “A Quiet Place," Halloween (2018) was easily my most enjoyable horror/thriller movie of the year; and, like with “A Quiet Place,” I will most certainly be watching this one a number of times over, especially given the fact that it runs 1 hour and 45 minutes long, while feeling even shorter than that because of how incessant the action is.
If you're looking for a "cheap thrill," then I would most certainly suggest you watch this film as soon as possible; and, preferably on a big screen (whether in theaters or at home). Halloween (2018) easily gets 4 reps out of 5 from me; and, I can only hope that another sequel does not take another 40 years to release.
Did the 2018 Michael Myers make the cut on your list of 2018 villains to face?
First Man is essentially a look into the lives of the different scientists and astronauts immediately involved with the famous "Mission to the Moon" and all of the trial runs that preceded it. In the film we get a close look at the inner workings of Neil Armstrong’s mind (played by another favorite of mine in Ryan Gosling) and how it came to believe that landing on the moon was worth every effort the US could put forth. At the beginning of the film, Neil seems to sport a somewhat healthy work-life balance. He is fully invested in furthering his own trial run experiences, often seen reading up on material while his kids run around the house and outside. But he’s still somewhat present, as evidenced by his often times grabbing one of his kids and tossing them around, almost as a welcome reprieve from his studying and work. But, as the amount of time, energy and lives that go into making a moon landing possible increase, Neil becomes most obsessed with doing just that: landing on the moon.
Every step taken toward attaining this goal seems worth it, if not also necessary; and, to simply quit would be a direct detriment to the development of mankind as a whole. As with Bad Times at the El Royale, First Man is an entire 2 hours and 20 minutes. The plot has its moments that seem more stagnant and less captivating than others, but the VERY anxious and tense moments spent in space crafts of all kinds seem to make up for it. Claire Foy's rendition of Neil's wife Janet is also gripping; and, along with her and her husband’s children, she provides a balance that the seriousness of this movie often desperately needs to move the plot forward. And while it doesn’t do so in any expansive manner, the film also highlights the socio-economic & political ramifications of space research in general.
First Man at times works to highlight the dark side that such a mission and undertaking can bring out of its participants; and, for that alone, this film is worth a watch. However, I do not think you will learn anything from it that you couldn’t necessarily learn on your own; but, it is cathartic to see a visual representation of said intricacies that underwrite space exploration. You should watch this film if you are particularly taken by the topic or would like an alternative to reading about it. Personally, it gets 3 reps out of 5.
Where you "over the moon" with your experience watching First Man?
When I first saw the preview for A Star Is Born I was immediately in favor of a feature length film featuring Lady Gaga’s AMAZING voice as well as a shot to hear what Bradley Cooper has in the vocals department. Music is the background to my entire life in the sense that I have playlists for almost every mood/activity; and, it’s been that way since my sister gave me my first two albums as a kid: No Doubt’s “Tragic Kingdom” and Blackstreet’s “Another Level.” When I hear of a beloved actor of mine playing a role that encompasses a prominent musical aspect I simply cannot wait to see what is manifested with the time and resources that these actors have (a feeling that is comparable to when I see an actor who isn’t necessarily known for his/her physical fitness get completely RIPPED for an upcoming project, ie Chris Pratt in Guardians of the Galaxy and Rob McElhenney in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia). I had NO idea that this version of A Star Is Born is the fourth iteration of a film that first debuted back in 1937. But, now knowing that only adds to the influence of this version.
The movie starts out with Jack (played by Bradley Cooper) deciding to indulge his friend in visiting a place where said friend was looking forward to seeing someone by the name of Ally (played by Lady Gaga) perform. The audience already knows that Jack has had a very tumultuous musical career where fame and fans run as rampant as emotional and physical abuse do. Ally becomes NOT ONLY an instant breath of fresh air for Jack; but, she also seems to give Jack a renewed purpose in life: helping Ally gain the fame and stardom he so DESPERATELY thinks she is deserving of. Jack’s belief in Ally is also a breath of fresh air to her because she has always been told that her wonderful voice is not complemented well enough by her looks (to put it lightly).
The high point for me comes when the two of them finally perform together- something I’m sure the entire audience is eagerly awaiting even before getting to the theater. From that point on it becomes a beautiful tornado of hardships. Jack is in a constant struggle with drug and alcohol abuse while continuing to try and help Ally's career take off. Ally remains in an undying tug-of-war between focusing as much as she is physically and mentally able to on her career while making sense of how somebody as damaged as Jack could take such an interest in her and essentially set all the wheels in motion to help her achieve something she once treated as a dream but had become resigned to treating as an impossibility. The chemistry between both characters seems a bit contrived at first, but each is so quickly thrown to the "wolves" that is each other’s lives, that I cared less and less for how this pairing came to be and more and more for what beautiful mess it would inevitably become.
Lady Gaga clearly carries the musical aspects of this film; but, Bradley Cooper pleasantly surprises me and proves capable of keeping up with Lady Gaga in that department. If you’re a fan of music in its purest form and are a sucker for love stories, as I am, then you should appreciate this movie. It’s the type of film where you download the soundtrack before getting out of your seat to leave the theater. Chances are someone or everybody in your movie viewing crew will shed some tears, so bring a few tissues and get ready for an emotional roller coaster. If you decide not to watch it, then you can at least enjoy the soundtrack even without any backstory because it certainly has a handful of catchy tracks.
This film is also longer than 2 hours; and, it does have its stagnant moments. That said, in my opinion, this is still a film you should watch ASAP. If you're a true fan of music, then I would strongly suggest you watch it in either IMAX or with a solid speaker system. This film gets 4 out of 5 reps from me and I will be watching YouTube videos of the performances in this movie for years to come.
Have you seen this shooting star yet?
