Category Movies

Mar 26 2018

Does Krypton Soar?

Krypton debuted on the SYFY channel this week with a family story where the past and the present collide to dictate the future. Superman’s grandfather, Seg-El, learns of an impending threat to destroy Krypton, all to prevent the birth of his future grandson.

When I first learned of this new series, I wondered if it would only appeal to die-hard Superman fans.

I’m a die-hard Superman fan, so, that wouldn’t bother me. However, for this show to succeed long-term, it can’t just rest on the laurels of its mythology.

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Mar 21 2018

Retrospective of The Last Jedi

I absolutely loved The Last Jedi. I saw it three times in the theater, recently purchased it on digital download and I’m going to buy it on Blu-ray next week. I listened to the audiobook of The Last Jedi, which expands the film’s narrative. I didn’t like it, and you can click here to read my review.

One thing that listening to the audiobook did cement was my stance on the film’s most divisive moments. I completely understand why some people are disappointed with the finished product. However, two years of rampant fan speculation and there are still unanswered questions.

Let’s discuss the most divisive moments of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

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Dec 18 2017

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Non-Spoiler Review)

A distressed Luke Skywalker’s words of warning to an unwavering Rey: “This is not going to go the way you think” impeccably sets the tone for the Rian Johnson-helmed Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Stunning visuals, a fantastic story augmented by old, returning, and new characters along with a plethora of impactful moments hurl the audience on a journey that they will never forget, regardless of how they feel about the film.

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Dec 6 2017

Crisis on Earth-X: Review

While DC Comics is having difficulty getting their act together on the silver screen, their television properties are coming up all aces. The CW Network’s yearly crossover event premiered last week as Crisis on Earth-X saw the heroes from all four “Arrowverse” televisions shows, do battle with Nazis from Earth-X.

A little history lesson. There are 52 versions of Earth in the multiverse. The heroes from Arrow, Flash, and Legends reside on Earth 1 while the crew from Supergirl live on Earth 38. Interdimensional travel called breaches allow the heroes to travel in between parallel Earths where they sometimes meet different versions of themselves aka doppelgangers.

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Nov 22 2017

Justice League: Review

Divisive is the name of the game when it comes to DC Comics’ films. Man of Steel, Batman v. Superman and Suicide Squad all received mixed reviews. Wonder Woman was a bonafide hit with everyone, but now it’s back to the status quo with the latest film in the series, Justice League.

Digital mustache removal, crappy CGI, inept story, and a botched Superman resurrection all led to a massive critical lambasting of the film. Bad reviews don’t scare me out of seeing a movie because I need to see it for myself before casting judgment.

Is Justice League another step down for the DCEU? Is Justice League worth your time and hard-earned money? I’m here to report that despite any minor problems, Justice League is freaking amazing and these issues do not distract from an extremely fun movie.  Continue reading →

Nov 15 2017

Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View (Audio Book Review)

Along with space battles, lightsaber duels, and a wide array of colorful creatures, Star Wars is also known for its iconic sayings. “From A Certain Point of View” is not just a clever variation of the truth explained by Obi-Wan Kenobi, it is also the title of the newest novel from a galaxy far, far away.

Star Wars: From A Certain Point of View celebrates the 40th anniversary of its cherished namesake with forty short stories that occur during A New Hope.

Every tale is told from different perspectives by various characters brought to life by a cast of renowned writers including John Jackson Miller, Matt Fraction, Christie Golden, Chuck Wendig, and Claudia Gray. The narrators range from celebrities to voice actors/narrators, including Ashley Eckstein, Marc Thompson, Jon Hamm and Neil Patrick Harris.

Some of the stories fill in minor plot holes from the film, other stories answer some long outstanding questions, and others are purely entertaining. There are some accounts that miss the mark, but the overall collection is an audible delight to the ears.

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Oct 11 2017

Star Wars: The Last Jedi: Trailer Review

The official trailer for Star Wars: The Last Jedi was released on Monday night, along with the official movie poster. There are some beats borrowed from The Empire Strikes Back, however, it seems that they will be molded into something different.

Yes, there will a Jedi master reluctant to train the newbie with the refusal based on fear as opposed to doubt. Sleight of hand plot points round out the highly anticipated two minute and thirty-five-second preview of the Rian Johnson directed film.

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Sep 25 2017

Star Wars: Phasma (Book Review)

It’s safe to say that the chrome plated Captain Phasma was highly underutilized in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Looking back on all of the hype going into the film, absolutely nothing was promised as to the importance of Phasma. Still, the plethora of merchandise in her likeness along with the fact that Brieann of Tarth herself, Gwendolyn Christie was playing the towering stormtrooper all but guaranteed this amazing new character that we never got.

Force Friday II saw the initial launch for Star Wars: The Last Jedi merchandise. There were action figures, vehicles, clothing, puzzles, nerf guns, Funko Pops, and books as far as the eye could see. One of those items was one of the new canon novels written by Delilah Dawson appropriately titled, Phasma.

Captain Phasma’s origin story is told in the form of an interrogation session where Resistance spy Vi Moradi has been captured by First Order captain, Cardinal. Cardinal dons crimson colored stormtrooper armor with a left captain’s cape just like Phasma. Cardinal is convinced that his highly respected and feared colleague cannot be trusted and believes Vi has the proof he needs to bring her down.  Continue reading →

Jul 13 2017

Spider-Man Homecoming: Review

The sixth film featuring everyone’s favorite wall-crawling superhero has the added caveat of officially being a part of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe. Spider-Man: Homecoming not only presents a different on-screen version of the titular character but also it’s most endearing.

High School is the name of the game here. While Sam Raimi and Marc Webb used Peter Parker’s high school experience as a set piece to establish a bigger narrative, Director Jon Watts etches it in Homecoming’s DNA. Homework or crime fighting? That is the question.

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Jun 20 2017

Wonder Woman: Review

It’s fair to say that the DCEU slate of films stumbled out of the gate. Man of Steel received mixed reviews with the needle slightly towards positive. Three years later, Batman v Superman seemingly pissed off everyone on the planet, and Suicide Squad was a bittersweet victory for Warner Bros.

Much like how The Force Awakens had the unenviable task of bringing that “Star Wars Feel” back to the franchise, director Patty Jenkins had her own uphill battles to climb with the latest blockbuster superhero film. It had to be great, not good, while not only reinvigorating a shared universe, but it needed to be progressive in a manner fitting contemporary society.

And it all had to be done with a female lead.

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