Avengers: Endgame (watched April 24, 2019)

That was a lot. First of all, I have to acknowledge just how well executed Disney’s long term plan for the Marvel Cinematic Universe was. After a number of failures, Disney regrouped and set a new plan in motion that had its own low points; but, which was overall a success the likes of nobody but Disney and its team ever thought possible. Kudos where kudos is deserved.


As for the film, “Avengers: Endgame” starts out by immediately answering a number of questions that fans were left with at the conclusion of “Avengers: Infinity War.” We get to see where other missing Avengers were at the time of Thanos’ famous finger snap, we get to see where Thanos heads and we ultimately get to see who is left to fight for Earth’s survival.


Endgame is as much an exercise in one of (if not the) largest plot development projects in cinematic history as it is a trip down memory lane. As much as those who survived “the snap” struggle to determine how best to move forward, they must also face their past to fully grasp how things got to their current state of affairs. Needless to say, the Avengers’ individual and collective journeys of introspection lend themselves to a number of nostalgic moments that will have audience members screaming in both joy and sadness.


As most are aware of by now, this Avengers finale is a full three hours long; so, be prepared for a LOT of different mini missions throughout the first two hours culminating in an action-packed and forward-looking last hour that, in my opinion, does the entire MCU build-up of several years justice. The final battle scene is one literally decades in the making and very reminiscent of so many comic book iterations we have been treated to for so many years. While "Infinity War" told the story of a dark fall, Endgame in many ways tells one of a struggle for redemption. This closing chapter gets 4 reps out of 5 from me for being a thoughtful culmination of so much work that should at the very least satisfy most fans of varying devotion. Needless to say, this film should most certainly be watched in theaters, at least your first time around. And, if you have the opportunity to see it in a 4DX theater (CA or NY only), then DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GO...ASAP.


What did you think about the way in which this chapter in the perpetual “game” of wars ended?

The Curse of La Llorona (watched April 23, 2019)

The hits just keep on coming! “The Curse of La Llorona” is actually a slight spin-off of “The Conjuring” series. It is based on an old Mexican folktale that I would rather not spoil for those of you who are not familiar with how the story goes, as that alone can be a discovery for unfamiliar audiences. Like all of the horror movies that have released thus far in 2019, this one begins with a depiction of the original tale before jumping hundreds of years forward.


Set in 1973, the movie follows a female child services agent Anna (played by the beautiful Linda Cardellini, whom you should recall from her role in "Green Book") whose job is to make sure children are saved from unhealthy households and cared for more appropriately. When one particular case hits too close to home, Anna finds her family in the very middle of a situation that mirrors so many she has worked on before. That’s when the thrills come fast and often.


The Curse of La Llorona is another cinematographic beauty. The cut-aways work wonders to both draw in viewers’ attention and set up the several shock moments that are plentiful throughout. As with any horror movie, there are a handful of plot jumps made to push the storyline forward. But, that’s why most of us watch horror films- more so for the frights and less so for the plot development. The film lasts a very manageable 95 minutes and leaves no room for much in the form of distractions or filler scenes. What’s more, the ending is another more satisfying one than many other endings we’ve seen from this genre, although, it may seem like it comes more abruptly than we are used to. Another solid horror movie contribution of 2019, The Curse of La Llorona gets 3 reps out of 5 from this horror movie buff. And I most CERTAINLY recommend watching it in theatres, particularly iMax or Dolby, as the moments of fright certainly benefit from the big screen.


Have you come face to face with La Llorona yet? Or are you still too scared from your childhood stories thereof to face the demon?

Pet Sematary (2019) (watched April 4, 2019)

ANOTHER horror movie release and ANOTHER opening night viewing for this horror freak. While the original film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel by the same title released back in 1989, I actually never watched it until one week before this reboot released 30 years later. I was never really into animals, which fed perfectly into my first viewing of the original because it is only LOOSELY focused on animals and is actually about much more than pets.


“Pet Sematary (2019)” is a reimagining in every sense of the word. I watched the original again one night before this year’s release; so, it was even fresher in my mind than most who did not do the same. It is for this reason that so many of the changes and risks taken by this version LEPT out at me, leaving me in a state of absolute delight throughout. It’s impossible to discuss these instances without giving spoilers; but, they exist and are plentiful.


Much like “Us,” the cinematography in Pet Sematary (2019) is astounding. The angles shot and transitions made engender a rather eerie feeling throughout the entire theatre. For those who never watched the original, it feels like they are discovering what the actors are discovering alongside them. For those who did watch the original, you’re still kept on edge because you either want to see where things deviate from the original and how, or you’re going through your own bit of dejavú.


Unlike “Us” and many hotly discussed and debated horror films, the ending is immensely satisfying. That really just speaks to how good of a job everybody involved in this project did, while still keeping it to a reasonable hour and forty minutes. I am literally getting shivers writing this PREview. I cannot WAIT to go see this movie again; and, seeing as how I’ve already seen Us twice, this one looks to be at LEAST a three-timer. Horror movies are admittedly easier for me to enjoy than for most others to because of the general infatuation I have for the premise behind all such films: scaring those who are watching voluntarily in as creative a way as can be thought of. I thoroughly enjoyed “Prodigy,” “Greta” and “Us;” but, Pet Sematary (2019) is easily my favorite horror film theatrical release of 2019 so far. Needless to say, it gets the easiest 5 reps out of 5 that I could possibly give a film.


Have YOU visited the Pet Sematary (2019) yet? How did it make out in your eyes? If you watched the original, then tell me how it measured up. If you haven’t watched the original, then what did you think about how things unfolded; and, will you now be watching the original? Share with me as I love so much doing with you!

The Beach Bum (watched April 1, 2019)

The first time I watched the trailer for this film was before watching “Us;” so, while “The Beach Bum” was already about to release, I hadn’t heard anything about it at all. However, it clearly had a “stoner movie” vibe to it that was only exacerbated with shots of such high-profile features as Zac Efron, Martin Lawrence, Jonah Hill and the legendary Snoop Dogg. I decided to watch it strictly hoping to get some senseless laughs out of the experience; but, I came across much more than that.

 

The Beach Bum follows the rather tumultuous life of a fictional character by the name of Moondog (played by Matthew McConaughey), who is married to Minnie(played by the stunning Isla Fisher, who many will remember from her over-the-top, yet sweet portrayal of Rachel McAdam’s younger sister in “Wedding Crashers”). Though Moondog has a gifted mind that produces some wonderfully worded poetry when under the influence of any plethora of drugs, Minnie’s family fortune allows Moondog to literally float through life rather aimlessly, often pushing the limits of his own mortality. He jumps from one irresponsible decision to the next, dropping literary gems along the way; but which never prove enough for him to leave his party lifestyle behind and focus on building a more structured future.

 

When, after one of his many benders, a life development forces his hand and he must come face-to-face with not only his present, but more importantly, his future (if he wants to have one), Moondog sets out on a mission of rediscovery. From this point forward, the film becomes a sort of collection of hilariously orchestrated mini episodes, as we see Moondog interact with one of the aforementioned celebrity features to the next in a way that only Moondog knows how to maximize to its fullest potential. While hilarity ensues, Moondog is also maturing in a way necessary for him to refocus on what’s important to him.

 

While The Beach Bum is most certainly, at least to some extent, a “stoner movie,” it actually gets the audience to invest in the development of its central character for his own betterment and for the sake of those who love him. In fact, the film is also likely to lead several of its viewers on their own mini journeys of rediscovery, a trait that not many other “stoner movies” can lay claim to. The Beach Bum runs a mere hour and a half long, while the laughs, highs and lows come fast and often. Despite some plot leaps, the Beach Bum is a ball of fun and laughter that carries more gravitas than we’re used to seeing from comedies. And it is for these reasons that I give the movie 3 reps out of 5. The Beach Bum doesn’t have to be seen in theatres; but, if you do go, especially, with a group of close friends, good times will most certainly be had. It won’t win many awards; but, this movie will almost certainly make more fans out of unsuspecting viewers than one might initially suspect it even could. And, if you’re looking for a fun way to pass the time, this one certainly fits the bill.

 

Have you met The Beach Bum yet? How much fun did you have with him?! Let me know your thoughts in the comments section. Don’t be shy- let the good vibes flow like Moondog does!