isaiahwilson15's Reviews

Fast X (2023)

10/10

19 May 2023

Star Wars Episode V, The Matrix, Avengers Infinity Way, Spiderman Into The Spider Verse. These are just some of movies within the world of fictional fandom that serve as tentpoles for millions and further more inspired me personally. Fast X has Nitro Boosted its way into the pantheon as it takes its place as not just the best Fast & Furious movie, but serves as a pendulum swing for the world of cinema.

It starts, ends, and ultimately prospers because of FAMILY. Fast X specifically pulls the family apart yet closer together than ever before. This widely diverse group led by a half-white, half-black, yet full "Latino" superstar in Vin Diesel feature his Latino brother played by John Cena, his half black son Brian, and a plethora of other A-list actors & actresses (special shoutout to Missandei)!! The film somehow manages to perfectly juggle 4, even 5 plot points at a time with all 18 characters getting their proper arcs within the 2hr 20min runtime.

While the franchise may have been built on family, it is defined by its cars. As Vin stated in the press lead up, this one really returns the franchise to its grounded, practical roots. Mechanics, aerodynamics, and physics are carefully kept in mind throughout the films and as an engineer, I can confirm the feasibility of every stunt. Not to mention every main character now displays expert capabilities in martial arts combat against full grown individuals in proper ballistics gear. There is a brief moment that requires a minimal suspension of belief involving an 8-year-old being able to perform donuts in a Dodge Challenger, but aside from that one moment, those who crave a return to form for visceral, practical action will not be disappointed.

And just when you think the elements of family and cars are there to make for a perfect Fast & Furious movie, in typical F&F fashion they once again take it to a 12 with Jason Momoa as the primary antagonist. From the opening scene, the manic, psychopathic, yet charismatic energy can be felt every moment he is on screen. While Dante Reyes brings such a terrifying presence that actually feels like he could be the one to take this family down, Momoa takes a page from the Thanos in making an antagonist that still seems so relatable and even right at times. To then tie it all together, not since Infinity War has a movie left on such a cliffhanger that has not only made me want 2 more movies to follow, but truly makes me wish this series carries on for the next 100 years if not more. People may deny, say this review is a lie, but to quote my brother Dominic Toretto "Ride or Die"!!!

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Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

8/10

Never Bet Against James Cameron

20 December 2022

Warning: Spoilers

James Cameron is one of my favorite filmmakers of all time, I do not believe he has made a bad movie, and he keeps that streak alive with Avatar: Way of Water. He has once again reset the standard of what is possible with CGI, but should visuals alone be the sole factor in assessing this movie's greatness. Throughout the history of cinema, movies are evaluated on their presentation and story to put it simply.

If Avatar 2 (To keep the wordcount down) gets a 100% A+ for visuals, then I have to be honest in giving it a solid B for its story. While I agree with Cameron's choice to keep the story simple in the first one to allow for more time to be spent word building. It in a lot of ways works to the detriment of this movie.

Characters from Jake Sully to Neteyam & Lo'ak, the Sully sons, and numerous others just fill their typical archetypes. Protective father, rebel son, "force-sensitive" child, etc.

It may seem harsh but the greatest franchises are almost always built on equally great characters whether it be via their backstory, motivations, or an actor/actresses performance.

However maybe the movies greatest sin is committed with my two favorite characters from the first film being Neytiri & Colonel Quaritch. Neytiri is suspicious sidelined in this movie with really no arc or true impact to the story except for maybe the best scene of the movie in the final act. At the same time, Colonel Quaritch while having a lot more to do then Neytiri is booged down by a nonsensical backstory and no character growth except for the final act. I'll admit he fulfills the main purpose of a villain by being an intimidating threat, but when you're arc is basically a repeat of the previous movie.... The first thing I thought when I left this movie is what Corridor Crew (VFX React Channel) will have to say! Today studios for the most part have gotten stagnant with pushing the VFX envelope, and VFX artists are asked to create spectacle with minimal time. This movie shows firsthand when you have a vision, talent, and time what can be accomplished. The result are images that show exactly why I am a valued AMC Stubs member, and also why movie theatres aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

Immense credit goes to James Cameron for knowing what he wants, having an idea of what he needs to shoot, and putting together a capable team. And despite his shortcomings in characters, his vision for fleshing out Pandora, its lore and other territories truly makes it feel like one of the most immersive fictional worlds since Star Wars.

Credit and respect must also be given to Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, and all of the other Na'vi character actors. Similar to voice acting, I believe it almost takes more talent to capture the human nuances in a digital character and that is achieved by each actress and actor though the same can't exactly be said for the human counterparts.

As I'll reiterate, James Cameron has created another amazing film that improved upon its predecessor in the story where needed. I do have to ask the question, how far can this franchise go. I thought the 2nd movie would emphatically answer that a la Cameron's Aliens. Yet for the most part it hits most of the same beats as the first one and in conclusion, WOW essentially begins and ends with the visuals. Are 3 more movies that are essentially pretty to look at but not much else going to justify a billion dollar production price tag?

We will see, but in the meantime I'll refuse to doubt Mr. Cameron.

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Avengers: Endgame (2019)

10/10

3,000/10

24 July 2019

Though it has been repeated time and time again, it is still quite insane to think about an end to 11 years and 22 movies. A cinematic universe that for quite a few of us, we have grown up with. A universe that despite all the bad that may have gone on in one's life or in the world, we could always look forward to one day out of the year where we could escape that and enjoy 2 hours of watching our childhood heroes kick butt on the silver screen. A cinematic universe, that I quite frankly thought was impossible to successfully conclude, until the Russo Brothers proved me wrong. Any way you slice it, Avengers Endgame should go down as one of the toughest movies to write. Bringing a true and satisfying ending to 11 years of stories in a universe where the death is never truly accepted, the cast size seems never-ending, and an overabundance of story arcs could drive any writer insane should prove a near impossible task. Yet here we are as smart, conscious decisions are made throughout the movie. The reduced team size allows for a focus both character and story wise that makes it a movie easy to follow (for the most part) despite still being among the most ambitious Marvel movies. Surprise callbacks and fan-service moments act like a Greatest Hits album giving fans a true appreciation for the greatness of the Infinity Saga. Despite the temptation to just rely on these callbacks, where the film truly shines like any other Marvel movie is with its characters. Through the course of the 4,5, and 6 movies the Original Six Avengers have appeared in, several decisions have been made that not only affected each character but changed their overall perspectives. The Russo Brothers dedication to these characters is seen in the masterfully crafted scenes that continue or conclude the appropriate arcs. All while still producing shots, scenes, and moments that created the best cinematic experience I have ever had. To put it simply, for 3 hours I simply got to be a 10-year-old cheering, laughing, and crying with the heroes that I have grown up with, idolized, and loved for my whole life. For that I thank the entire Marvel family!

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The Goonies (1985)

8/10

The archetypal kids adventure movie that shaped the decade and the genre that would follow.

12 March 2018

The Goonies is a movie that's inevitably going to show up on most all lists dealing with films of the 80s. While it does include its fair share of references to a good bit of 80s culture, the biggest draw I found with the movie is in the story. By no means is this a claim to boast it as being the most original story, but the smaller decisions to use a younger cast, focus on a classic pirate storyline, and root it with such relatable dialogue and characters is where the magic happens. The Goonies thrives from the kids. The careful casting, writing, and direction that went into making each kid their own special character is what has propelled the movie for decades. The stoic nature of Mikey plays perfectly off the perfectly named Mouth. The inclusion of the gadget based Data gives the movie a nice geeky side, and the cherry on top is in the form of the scene stealing Chunk. Then while the movie makes the smart decision to maintain its focus on the kids, the short fray into the teenagers subplots provides an enjoyable draw for the adolescent age group as well. Parents of today can then turn around and reminisce on the adventurous joys that came with being a kid in the 80s.

Unfortunately a common argument that plagues a certain amount of films of every decade, but can stick out at times here is the technical aging of The Goonies. The dialogue dubbing, outdated special effects, and cheesy one liners can be distracting at times. In addition, the teenage subplot while minimal feels very artificial and last minute. However, at the end of the day, The Goonies lighthearted, feel-good story, dialogue, and characters cement it in the Pantheon of 80's Classics!

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Logan (2017)

9/10

A near perfect swan song for Hugh Jackman's grounded, ragged, and above all anamalistic portrayal of the Wolverine.

15 March 2017

Over the course of my lifetime, I have heard countless stories of actors and actresses, before my time, becoming icons through breakout roles that would become synonymous with their very name. However, as previously stated, most of these roles were either before my time. Never did I expect to see the emergence of an unknown Australian stage actor that I would grow up with for the next 17 years over the course of 9 movies, 3 Spidermen, 2 Batmen, 2 Supermen, and 2 Hulks. Hugh Jackman has embodied the Wolverine character in a way that has changed the way people perceive the the comic book counterpart. Whether its his image, voice, personality, or any other trait, Jackman has become inseparable from the Wolverine character. A feat that I am really overjoyed to have experienced growing up, and was genuinely sad to let go heading into this movie.

Anyway with that out the way, the movie itself is an absolute masterpiece. It not only provides the most accurate incarnation of Logan, but also takes the time to explore a broken side of Charles Xavier we've never seen. Then finishes with the introduction of X-23 who has the strong potential to be just as popular as her father.The introduction, interaction, and insight into these characters proves to be the strongest element of this film. The relationship between Logan and Xavier developed over the course of the past 16 movies finally has its payoff as every scene packs the emotional weight that hasn't been experienced in a superhero movie yet.These relationships then help in the introduction and explanation of Laura.

In discussing breakout movie roles for actors and actresses, Dafne Keen may quickly find herself on that list. Portraying a mutant is already difficult enough, but not having any dialogue for the first half of the film while also playing the daughter of the Wolverine, its a tough task for even the most "expert" actors. This girl handles her role with such skill that allows her to stand out in a scene with Patrick Stewart and Hugh Jackman. That's without even mentioning her brutality once the claws come out!!

I could go on and on about these characters, performances, and I haven't even gotten to the action yet, but no movie is without its flaws. Logan primarily struggles with its villains their motivations. Both villains while given an ample amount of attention, don't really shine essentially due to their vague and simple motivations.This is however combated by the presence of a lethal threat which provides a nice twist that was entirely unexpected.

So this is it. James Mangold, 20th Century Fox, and Hugh Jackman save their best for last with an all-time great movie that once again transcends the "superhero" genre. This classification will unfortunately immediately cause many to compare it to the Dark Knight which has and will always reign king among this newly found category of superhero movies. While I would stray away from making these comparisons myself, I will state that Logan does a number of better than this seemingly untouchable movie. It truly is a near perfect film to end Hugh Jackman's on-screen portrayal of an all- time great comic book hero, James/Logan Howlett AKA Weapon X AKA The Wolverine.

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Halloween (1978)

9/10

The title says it all

20 October 2016

It's that time of the year. When the nights give off a different chill, the house seems to make creepy sounds, and the horror movie marathons begin. Now I am not in any way a fan of horror movies, but when Halloween season comes around, I can't help but sit down and watch a few of the so-called classics. While there were a number of movies that ended up being duds, there was one that truly caught my attention. Within the first 10 minutes, I knew that Halloween was a scary movie that deserved the full scary movie treatment, getting watched 12 o'clock at night in the pitch black. By the time the credits rolled, I was chilled to the point that finally made me realize why so many actually enjoy the feeling of terror. Halloween makes the most out of its very simple story and uses a number of creative filming techniques that results in a fantastic movie, and helped create Hollywood's greatest movie monster of all time. As you could guess, the film's greatest strength lies with its monster, Michael Myers. Myers is the perfect example of a character that benefits from simplicity. Everything from his non-existent motivations to his vague backstory and even the characters unsettling design comes together to form a character that's just downright terrifying. Then there's also the interesting cast of characters each with different intentions. There are the stupid horny teenagers, the smart responsible teachers, and the doctor who ties everything together. The movie does a great job playing off these different characters, and throughout the movie, each character ends up getting what they deserve. All in all, it's easy to see why Halloween is the archetype for modern day horror movies. Everything from the setting to characters to Michael Myers himself has that creepy factor. Combine that with a couple of camera tricks that result in some of the best jump scares I have ever scene, and you have a movie that encompasses everything Halloween.

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The Birth of a Nation (2016)

8/10

Birth Of A Nation rises above its bad press, and delivers a movie that is nothing short of powerful.

17 October 2016

While The Birth of A Nation may not present a drastically new perspective of slavery that was seen in movies such as Django: Unchained and 12 Years A Slave, it still prevails as another successful slavery based movie. The key to just about every movie that deals with the topic of slavery is presenting a realistic look at the sheer brutality and wickedness that can be associated with it. A Birth of a Nation is never afraid to display the gory and at times uncomfortable imagery that was present in the time period. This also leads to the movie being very moving visually. However, the overabundance of visually stunning scenes does detract from the emotional weight of the story and its characters. As to expect from any first-time director/writer/producer, they may have trouble balancing so many elements in a movie of this magnitude. Nate Parker does deliver a great performance of Nat Turner, and the scenes of him delivering his sermons are some of the best of the movie. However, character traits such as his motivation aren't as well developed, and make the movie feel underdeveloped when certain moments happen. The rest of the movie's characters also have a lack of development, and it makes the movie really feel like a one-man show. In addition to these factors, there is the undeniable comparison to prior slavery based movies such as Django: Unchained and 12 Years A Slave. While Birth Of A Nation is a great movie in its own right, it still pales in comparison to both of these movies lacking the captivation that made both of these movies classics. True it may not be completely fair to make this comparison, but walking out of the movie, I just couldn't help but think: "Great movie, but just didn't quite live up to the hype."

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Captain America: Civil War (2016)

9/10

A comic book fan's dream come true!

5 September 2016

Never before did I believe a perfect comic book movie could exist, Captain America: Civil War has proved me wrong. Where do I start, with the cast of characters so well balanced and executed, or maybe with pulse pounding action that is perfectly sprinkled throughout the movie, then sum it all up with SPIDER-MAN. Before I get too carried away, I will admit that this film does have some minor issues, they are just that, minor issues that have absolutely no impact on the quality of the film. The most prevalent issue throughout the movie lies once again with the villain. Now I think most people are way too hash on Zemo as I thought he was one of Marvel's better antagonists. He received much more character development than previous foes, and also had a convincing motivation. However, he still pales in comparison to the rest of the cast. Despite this, even with the conclusion of the movie, you can see that little bit of extra attention Marvel put towards making a adversary that didn't fall into the category of their previous, weaker villains. Now even with that explanation, I know I still seem extremely biased as I really failed to elaborate on how Zemo was flaw of the film, but that shows just how good Civil War is. Now its finally time to discuss the pros. For the sake of time, I will just talk about the three previously mentioned. First, the characters. MAJOR props goes to Civil War's screen writers as well as the Russo's who accomplish the impossible and find a excellent balance between all 12 of its super-powered characters. Each character has the part necessary for their role in the story, with minor "Hawkeye-like" characters not taking up too much screen time from the other major players. Even with these characters minor screen-times, they are still given the opportunity to shine, and no character exhibits this better than The Amazing SPIDER-MAN! Of all the absolutely amazing comic book superhero's, Spider-man has and always will be my favorite, and the announcement of his involvement in this film was, for me, initially met with disbelief. The slightest possibility of Spider-man being included in the MCU was literally the definition of mind blowing. Then it happened, and in the absolute best way possible. Everything from the opening shot of QUEENS to the tune of alt-J's "Left-Hand Free" to his heartfelt and especially comedic conversation with Tony Stark to his scene-stealing performance throughout the airport battle, Tom Holland's Spider-man left an impression in 15th minutes that, in my opinion, may have given the world a glimpse at the best on-screen Spider-man we will have seen yet. I know, that was only 2 or the three mentioned topics, but I think by now you get the idea. Civil War is filmed to the brim with comic book goodness that is sure to please fanboys, the causal audience, and everybody in between. It serves as the culmination of the events that have occurred over the past twelve MCU movies, while also being a Captain America movie at its core. It boasts some of the most mature themes ever seen in the MCU while never loosing that classic charm. There is no shortage of action, which is guaranteed to generate oohs and aahs from beginning to end. Add that all up and throw in one of the most recognizable and historic superheros of all time, and you have a perfect comic book movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Suicide Squad (2016)

6/10

DC shows improvement, but still disappoints with Suicide Squad

10 August 2016

Going into 2016, Suicide Squad was actually my second most anticipated superhero movie behind only Captain America Civil War. The marketing team did an absolute superb job selling this movie through some of excellently edited trailers and an surprisingly good original soundtrack, an addition that should be considered by more studios. By the time August came around, I had reached a level of excitement almost equal to that of Guardians of The Galaxy. Unfortunately, I left the theatre disappointed, but hopeful for the future of DC films. OK, so I know my tone may seem overly negative, but let me say that I really did enjoy the film. Much like Batman V. Superman, it does not deserve the reviews it's been getting from critics. The film improves upon DC's previous outing by introducing a much more lighthearted tone, at least for the film's first half, crafting a more clear and linear story, and also featuring better character development. Suicide Squad has many of the elements of a typical summer blockbuster which can't help but make it entertaining. While it may not have met my expectations, it still proved to be another enjoyable superhero movie, and that's enough for me. However, as I previously mentioned, this film has an abundance of flaws. While I did do a good amount of nit-picking, there a couple of particular problems that can't be ignored. The first lies in Suicide Squad's villain. I'm sure I'm not the first to say it, but just about everything about the Enchantress is bad. To begin, she was mistakenly marketed as being a member of the team, which lead many (including me) to believe Monster T would be the villain! Her "host" or whatever June Moore adds absolutely nothing to the story. Her brother is just a big pile of confusing CGI mess. Finally, her evil plan to destroy the world is given no backstory or motivation. Suicide Squad also suffers from an editing process that structures the movie in a very unusual way that screws up the pacing as well as the overall tone of the movie, which makes a dramatic shift from lighthearted and fun to dark and gritty. Finally, there's the Joker. I thought Jared Leto did a great job creating one of the most unique Joker's that has ever been portrayed on the big screen. However, I believe there isn't enough of him in the movie to formulate a fair assessment of his performance. One thing I can criticize is his role in the movie, which I felt did not fit. The Joker is mainly just there for some flashbacks that make the mistake of cramming a movie's worth of backstory into a couple of scenes. I understand that he wasn't supposed to have a major role, but I believe the tease David Ayer did give us did not fully represent the notorious Clown Prince of Crime. Suicide Squad is full of potential, and I believe going forward, this will be a great learning opportunity for DC. It shows how to successfully market a movie, provides a glimpse of how to incorporate a more lighthearted tone without being campy, and also displays the importance of proper character development. Repeat this process and then improve upon the movie's faults, and nothing would stop me from seeing a Suicide Squad 2.

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Star Trek Beyond (2016)

8/10

Another solid installment in the surprisingly consistent Star Trek reboot series

2 August 2016

Being a Star Wars fans, I'm typically uninspired by the releases and announcements of Star Trek material. However, my love of sci-fi has still lead me to watch every movie in the new Abram's reboot of Star Trek, and I must say, I'm a fan. Although it will never beat Star Wars, Star Trek has done an unbelievable job of creating three great films that introduce fantastic new stories while also paying tribute to the original TV show. The decision to go with Justin Lin as the director of Star Trek Beyond definitely pays off as the film features action and amusement that was previously lacking in the earlier entries. The film also takes a risk by ditching the typical space setting, and instead is primarily set on a planet. This setting as well as the situation the characters face forces the crew to work together and as a result furthers the bond between the Enterprise crew as a whole while also taking time to focus on the relationships between the main characters. The introduction of the new character Jaylah is also a very welcoming addition as she provides most of the films highlights with both her action and humor. The ending proves to be the film's high point as it answers many of the lingering questions throughout the film while also providing a very entertaining and satisfying finale. The biggest weakness of Star Trek Beyond lies in its story which takes a while to really get moving. Like I mentioned, many of the motivations are unclear at first and make the story appear bland and even confusing at times. Also, in its efforts to imitate the original Star Trek, the movie, while entertaining, seems overly cliché at times. Star Trek: Beyond is an all around enjoyable movie that in a way boasts the feel of a typical summer blockbuster. All of this, and yet it's still considered the worst in the trilogy. No, that's not an attack on the movie's quality, but instead shows just how good these three Star Trek films have been. Not to forget that the film also serves as a memorable tribute to the amazing lives of both Lenord Nimoy and Anton Yelchin.

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Finding Dory (2016)

8/10

The first Pixar sequel to best the original

2 July 2016

In all honesty, like many others, I went into Finding Dory without much anticipation. While I expected it to be a good film, this is Pixar!!, I did not expected to be amazed, and boy was I wrong. Finding Dory is not only an improvement on Finding Nemo, but I would say it ranks among Pixar's best films. The magic of Finding Dory is found in its surprisingly emotional story and its colorful characters. The way the story is presented with the use of flashbacks, and the emphasis on short term memory loss adds a great amount of emotional weight to the typical "searching for my family" storyline. The importance of family is stressed through both the flashbacks, and some callbacks to Finding Nemo which forces the viewer to quickly become attached to Dory's personal story. The execution of the plot is done just as well as the film moves at a perfect pace, never appearing rushed or dull at any point. The well constructed story is further helped buy an amazing cast of supporting characters. Each character plays a particular role in the story, and the awareness of knowing the capacity of the role each character has helps in the development and balance of these characters. The inclusion of a slew on new characters makes Finding Dory really feel like a Dory film, and the chemistry between Dory and each new ally feels genuine! Finding Dory is yet another victory for Pixar as they once again prove their ability to blend mature, emotional stories with wildly entertaining characters.

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X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

8/10

While it falls under the shadow of DOFP, X-Men Apocalypse is another great entry in the superb X-Men series

31 May 2016

With the great amount of superhero movies released today, it is difficult for many directors to deliver a high quality of movies of the course of a series. With X-Men Apocalypse, Bryan Singer may have just proved himself to be the best superhero movie director. Singer once again crafts an interesting story, balances a large cast of interesting character, and shows his ability to direct elaborate action sequences. Although the overall execution is not perfect, it still results in another entertaining superhero film. As with any superhero film, a hero (or in this case heroes) are only as good as its villain, and Apocalypse emerges as a well-done villain, which is a welcoming sight compared to some other recent superhero villains. The opening sequence provides a great backstory to the character, and perfectly establishes him a false god who can't possibly exist without the presence or physical bodies of other mutants. By the time he awakens in 1983 and begins to enact his plan of eliminating the weak, it all makes sense and has actual purpose. His role as an alien of sorts who doesn't understand today's world perfectly lends itself to his plan. It gives the character a commanding purpose, and as a result makes him feel like the all-powerful character Apocalypse is meant to be. Where X-Men Apocalypse especially shines is in its decision to go with another new cast of X-Men. Each actor does a nice job capturing the spirit of their young, inexperienced mutant. Tye Sheridan especially impressed me as Cyclops, showing the mutants growth throughout the movie from fearing his powers to becoming a member of the new X-Men. The addition of fan-favorites like Nightcrawler and Quicksilver were also pretty awesome as the two prove to be the movies biggest scene stealers. Talking about great scenes, I have to mention THAT scene. Yes, X-Men Apocalypse boasts another AMAZINGLY AWESOME Quicksilver scene that somehow transcends the previous one!!!! Combine that with the equally excellent Weapon X cameo, and you'll be sure to walk out the theater with mind blown! For all the flashy scenes that X-Men Apocalypse may boasts, it is littered with flaws. To start, coming into this movie, the X-Men storyline had already been riddled with a number of holes, and this movie only compounds the problem. Even the most dedicated fanboys will have trouble trying to piece together the events from X-Men (2000) to Apocalypse. Also, while the addition of a number of new characters did help to expand the scale of the plot, the movie definitely reaches a maximum occupancy level, which results in a number of characters serving absolutely no purpose. While X-Men Apocalypse's flaws do prevent it from being the best in the X-Men series, it in no way keeps it from being another superb superhero movie. Singer has created a fantastic formula for superhero movies that has shown itself time-and-time again with great results. His ability to create compelling characters, action sequences, and (most importantly) stories has made him one of the best superhero movie directors. X-Men Apocalypse is just another example of the greatness that results from Singer's formula.

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Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

6/10

2016: Marvel=1 DC=0

14 May 2016

Batman v Superman is overflowing with potential. The overall story line is plausible and the portrayals of both Batman and Superman are great. However, what at first seems like an simple mono e mono movie quickly becomes overstuffed with unnecessary subplots and characters. Soon enough, what used to be a Batman v Superman movie quickly turns into a cool Batman film, which then ends up feeling like an overblown trailer for the Justice League. First thing I want to mention, Batman v Superman is not in any way a BAD movie. There are a number of elements in the movie that really make shine at times, such as Ben Affleck's Batman. While his Bruce Wayne never gets his time to shine, Batman proves to be the highlight of the movie. Everything from his look to his motivations, and even his brutality make him really feel like a force to be reckoned with. The way he goes about planning his attack on Superman lends itself well to the detective aspect of Batman that had previously been missing. Gal Gadot's portrayal of Wonder Woman is also fantastic, but her character feels out of place. For all the time and effort DC put into Batman v Superman in an attempt to compete with Marvel, it ends up falling flat mainly because of the quality of the movie. The problem starts with Zack Synder. The movie is shot and put together in such a way that feels terribly discombobulated. The constant cuts from character to character never allows the audience a chance to really get a firm understanding of everyone's motives and reason for their actions. Instead it really ends up feeling like three separate movies at times. Another big letdown is the villain. DC is known for having some of the best villains in film history with the Dark Knight franchise. However, the promising inclusion of Lex Luthor falls flat due in large part to Jesse Eisenburg's unconvincing performance. While Jesse himself is a terrific actor, his portrayal of Lex Luthor never feels like Lex Luthor. The character simply comes across as annoying with his overly weird mannerisms and attitude. I could keep going on about the little things like Batman KILLING people or the awful Justice League cameos, but buy now you get the point. Batman v Superman is nowhere as bad as people have been claiming. But comes NOWHERE close to the likes of Marvel's films. All in all, it feels like a lost opportunity for DC to really hit a home-run with two of the biggest characters in comic book history.

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Se7en (1995)

9/10

Se7en: One hell of a creepy movie

2 May 2016

Se7evn once again proves David Fincher is the master of composing a story that perfectly balances drama with suspense, and it then finished off with an excellent twist ending. Major credit also goes to Andrew Kevin Walker who creates a story that is creepy, compelling and above all original. The progression of Se7en is significant as it starts out with an insignificant investigation that evolves into an extremely intense encounter. The movie keeps a good pace whether it's giving the reader time think through what's happened or forcing them to predict what's going to happen. The constant chase makes for a great movie pace, which is further enhanced by the detective duo. Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman are perfectly cast as Detectives Somerset and Mills. The progression of the relationship between the two characters is done perfectly as the viewer sees the ups and downs both characters go through. The introduction of Tracy then introduces a huge wild card, which has a huge impact on the mentality of both characters as well as the ending. Se7en's villain John Doe is what ultimately makes this movie. The brutality, as well as the meaning behind each of his murders, is both fascinating and disgusting at the same time. The scene where Mill and Somerset question Doe as they drive to the location of the final two victims is the best scene of the film. Doe finally reveals his motives behind his murders that while they are rather disturbing, do actually make sense. The creep factor of Se7en is comparable to that of a scary movie. It's frightening visuals, themes, and the villain makes the movie much more suspenseful and frightening than many would expect. However, its the relatable characters and setting keep the movie grounded. Top that all off with one of the best twist ending that leaves the viewer jaw dropped throughout the credits, and you get one of the best thrillers of all time.

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Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)

9/10

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation flawlessly combines action with story!

16 March 2016

The Mission Impossible franchise is distinct in the fact that it only seems to improve with time. Ghost Protocol was absolutely amazing, but Rogue Nation manages to out perform its predecessor in every way possible. Whether its the over-the-top stunts, perfectly shot action sequences, or intriguing story lines, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation delivers another amazing action movie for 2016 Major props go to director/screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie. McQuarrie was able to compose an extremely compelling story, which isn't customary to the Mission Impossible franchise. Interesting characters coupled with a number of plot twists and some tense dialogue help keep the movie fresh from start to finish. If the amazing story wasn't enough to keep viewers attached, then some awesome action sequences should suffice. In what seems to be a trend in 2016, McQuarrie uses practical stunts that lead to some of the most visually-striking action sequences every constructed. Then of course there is Tom Cruise who once again shows us why his is the undisputed King Of Action. His dedication towards the character of Ethan Hunt, as well as his role as a producer and willingness to perform his own stunts are just the icing on the cake!

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Deadpool (2016)

9/10

The Perfect Deadpool Movie!

15 February 2016

For 10 long years, fans have been anticipating the possibility of seeing one of the fan- favorite Deadpool on the big screen. There were even times when it seemed like there wouldn't ever bee a Deadpool movie (X-Men Origins Wolverine). However, our prayers have finally been answered, with the arrival of this near perfect Deadpool movie. Let's start with Deadpool himself. In Origins, the couple of scenes that actually featured Ryan Reynolds playing the wise-cracking Deadpool, not the taped mouthed crap, showed that there was definitely potential for the character. Now we finally get to see him in all of his glory, and Ryan Reynolds does an absolute fantastic job of making that happen. Everything about Deadpool from his voice to his reactions, and especially his jokes makes it feel like him and Reynolds are one in the same. This is honestly the best casting of a superhero since Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man. Deadpool also receives a great supporting cast, with Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead being particular standouts. The scenes with these two are honestly some of the funniest, and also poke fun at the X-Men franchise in the best way possible. I don't care what others might say, but Ajax was a great villain. Early on, he proved to be much more lethal than expected, and honestly felt like a threat to Deadpool. The addition of Angel Dust was also a huge plus, as her fight with Colossus was very well done. Finally the best aspect of the movie, the comedy. There might have only been 10 minutes during the whole movie where I was not laughing. Pretty much every joke is spot on with perfect timing, and better yet, the jokes never felt overabundant . The 4th wall breaks were also very effective and well done. I mean by now you must get the point, Deadpool is a hilarious movie. For its budget, production value, and overall objective, Deadpool is literally the perfect movie. It may not have all the flashyness of the other big-budget superhero movies, but it sure matches up to them. It feels even better for the fans, especially considering FOX's last attempt at a superhero movie. Deadpool truly feels like a movie made by and for the fans, and we, the fans, thank you!!!

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Fantastic Four (2015)

1/10

Now This Is Some High Quality Crap!!!!

1 February 2016

It is almost impossible to imagine that in 2015, as movie audiences experience the golden age of superhero movies that there can still be crap like this. Somehow, someway Fant4stic reaches into the depths of awful superhero movies, and takes the crown for being one of the worst superhero movies of all time. Lets start with the lack of story or even a simple plot. For starters, we really aren't even introduced to some resemblance of a plot until an hour into the movie, and even then the plot essentially boils down to Doom sucking a hole out of the earth to somehow build his own planet, which is completely bare. Considering that synopsis, I think it is almost safe to say that this movie doesn't even have a plot (or one that at least makes sense). OK so the movie doesn't have a "genuine" plot, that been the case with some other superhero movies. It should at least have some cool action scenes or provide some worthwhile visuals. Nope! I honestly can only recall maybe five minutes of some actual "action"' and even that was happening, it was absolute crap. There were multiple opportunities throughout the film to showcase their powers, especially in the scene with Reed Richards and Ben Grimm, but instead, all we are left with is crappy one-liners. Even in the last 10 minutes when we get the big battle, it ends up being a boring, uneventful, cliché, and yes crappy letdown. So we've got no story, no action, no villain (I won't even waste my time with Dr. Dumb), how about some witty dialogue or a couple of humorous scenes. Wrong again. In its attempt to be the Dark Knight of FOX superhero movies, Fant4stic is stripped of all the humor and campiness that at least made the earlier Fantastic Four movies watchable. Instead, we get a dark and surprisingly depressing film that doesn't evoke any sense of emotion from the viewer except for boredom. The jokes are laughable (except there not) and just about all the interaction between characters feels forced and inauthentic. OK. So by now you get the idea. Fant4stic is an absolute crap-shoot of a movie. A movie void of a plot, action, and OK dialogue doesn't even deserve to be called by its name, hence the Fant4stic's. It makes the earlier Fantastic Four movies look like The Avengers, and in the end, serves as an embarrassment to anyone associated with the film. And if you were wondering, yes, it is even worse than Batman & Robin. :0

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The Hateful Eight (2015)

9/10

The Hateful Eight once again shows Tarantino's mastery of filmmaking.

4 January 2016

At this point, I am convinced that Tarantino can not make a bad movie. The Hateful Eight is filled with all "Tarantino" qualities that once again make an amazing movie. In Tarantino's latest film, he makes a nice callback to his debut film, Reservoir Dogs, utilizing the similar "Who had done it" storyline. The Hateful Eight focuses on an interesting set of characters who find themselves stuck in a haberdashery. Thanks to the use of some very engaging dialogue, each character develops a distinctive persona that helps strengthen the overall tension felt between the characters. The best quality, however, is its twist ending that really helps distinguish it from Reservoir Dogs. This twist combined with the humor, violence, and vulgarity that can be expected from Quentin Tarantino help make The Hateful Eight one of Tarantino's best movies. In conclusion, I would say that The Hateful Eight is an absolutely excellent movie, and isn't necessarily for those who aren't fans of Quentin Tarantino.

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Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

9/10

The Force has truly Awakened!!!!!!!

3 January 2016

J.J. Abrams delivers a near-perfect film, which truly personifies everything that made Star Wars such an amazing saga. The film pays its homage to the originals through its story, which shares many similarities to the original Star Wars: A New Hope. However, Star Wars: The Force Awakens never gets caught up in the Star Wars nostalgia as it introduces a lot of new elements that really help distinguish the film. It proves to be by far the funniest Star Wars movie yet, as all the jokes seem natural and don't impede on the overall tone of the movie. The movie also features stunning visuals as practical effects make their triumphant return to the Star Wars franchise. However, the best quality of Star Wars: The Force Awakens lies within its characters. Thanks to some fantastic casting, as well as great writing, Star Wars introduces new characters that may prove to be just as iconic as the originals. In conclusion, Star War: The Force Awakens brings the franchise roaring back to life, perfectly mixing the old with the new.

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The Incredibles (2004)

10/10

The Incredibles is undeniably incredible, and still stands as one of Pixar/Disney's best.

15 November 2015

Around the time The Incredibles was released, superhero flicks were on the rise. However, the number of superhero movies that could be considered "family friendly" were still very few. That trend was broken with Brad Bird's wildly entertaining "The Incredibles." The Incredibles above all not only succeeds as a great family friendly film but surpasses most other family films. This is trait is thanks to the fact that the tones, jokes, and themes of the film never seem to get too campy or childish, and maintain a sense of maturity that most teens and adults can appreciate. The Incredibles also makes sure to maintain a level of simplicity that makes it easy to follow for kids. Add together the fact that it is a visually stunning film, even for an animated movie. All of these factors combine to make The Incredibles which is definitely one of the best family movies of all time, and could also be considered one of the best superhero movies of all time.

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Back to the Future Part II (1989)

8/10

Much like its predecessor, Back To The Future II has successfully stood the test of time!

21 October 2015

In honor of Back To The Future Day, I decided to write my review on a movie that is not only has a historic background, but also happens to be a good movie. Although it has been a while since I've seen the first two Back To The Future Movies, from as early as I can remember, I always favored Part II. Although much of this favoritism has to do with its overly futuristic depiction of 2015, I still find myself to be drawn to the sequel that introduced more comedy, character development, and most importantly, built upon the framework established in the first movie. Then of course there's the classic hover-board scene, which to this day still amazes me. Above all, the biggest reason why I continue to be amazed by Back To The Future II is because of the nostalgia it evokes from viewers both young and old. We are in that time frame where both parents and their children are familiar with the Back To the Future movies, and it just amazes me to think that it was only 30 years ago that my parents were heading to the movies to see Back To The Future, and were around the same age as I am know. It was only 30 years ago when they envisioned a world filled with flying cars, even wackier clothes, and HOVER-BOARDS. Now I am growing up in that time frame that they always dreamed about, and I am experiencing technology that at one time seemed like science fiction to them. I don't know about you, but I think that's pretty awesome!! Happy Back To The Future Day!

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Fight Club (1999)

9/10

Fight Club is the perfect example of what a book to movie adaptation should be!

20 October 2015

Thanks to its unusually gritty yet emotional tone and an all time great plot twist, Fight Club is able to differentiate itself from many other sub-par book to movie adaptations. It's status even goes beyond a simply great movie adaptation, thanks to its clever dialogue, which helps keep the feel of a drama movie. Unlike most other dramas that often come across as boring, Fight Club is able to take its a rather abstract theme, and portray it in a way that is both visually and mentally pleasing. Many of the best moments in the film are the insightful conversations that take place between "The Narrator" and "Tyler Durden". Then the film reaches its highest point when it forces you to piece together all the little details that have popped up throughout the movie. Then of course there are the fights. The fights extremely brutal, and even seem excessively gory at times, yet they still leave the viewer craving more! The only issue have found with the movie concerns its abstract plot. At times, the theme of the movie tended to kinda go over my head, but in no way did this take away from my overall experience! And of course above all, remember the first rule of Fight Club "You don't talk about Fight Club!"

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Reservoir Dogs (1992)

9/10

Not all directors start on a high note, but Quentin Tarantino isn't just another director, and Reservoir Dogs proves that.

13 September 2015

After finally watching Reservoir Dogs twice, I can definitely say that this is near the top of my Tarantino movie list (with all of his other movies). This man is an absolute genius. Armed with just $1.2 million, Quentin Tarantino is able to provide a movie that has it all. A clever, mind bending story, compelling characters, and even an exceptional soundtrack. All of this in his first movie! Despite how simple the story may sound on the surface, Reservoir Dogs takes a big left turn when it decides to make one of the men an undercover cop. It is then left up to the viewer to decide who the "Rat" is. Tarantino's decision to include a "Rat" adds an element of mystery that keeps the viewer engaged throughout the whole movie. However, where Reservoir Dogs really shines is with its characters. 4 of the 6 men are given such vibrant personalities that it not only makes them entertaining character, but it also helps make each one of the characters a plausible choice to be the "Rat". The nonlinear storyline also works great in the film as it provides back-story in a way that coincides well with what is happening in the main plot. The hiccups Reservoir Dogs suffers from is a couple of awkward moments in the dialogue. However, Tarantino was able to show in his future films that he is fully capable of delivering spot on dialogue. Overall Reservoir Dogs is what you would expect from Quentin Tarantino. Over the top violence, profanity, and characters that all work great together. Quentin Tarantino has done it again!!!!

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Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

9/10

Quentin Tarantino once again proves why he is one of the best directors of the 21st century!

30 August 2015

For me, Kill Bill was the movie that put Quentin Tarantino on the top of my list for favorite directors of all time. I mean this movie has it all: a brutal revenge story, perfectly choreographed fight sequences, and LOTS of blood.

The movie literally starts out with a bang, and from that point you know your in for a treat. The movie starts out with a great fight sequence that shocks you just 10 minutes into the movie. From there Tarantino effectively uses his nonlinear storytelling to piece together The Bride's back story, and helps provide a reason for her motives. The flashbacks help establish The Bride as an excellent main character, who really connects with the audience on an emotional level. Once the story returns back to the present, the audience feels such a connection with the Bride that they feel compelled to root for her as she hunts down each of her adversaries. But a hero is only as good as its villain, and luckily, Tarantino doesn't forget to include a formidable, and equally dangerous villain. The main villain even gets her own back story leading up to the climax of the film which also ends with bang.

However, Kill Bill Vol. 1 does suffer from a few problems. The pacing of the movie seems uneven at times, as it spends so much time in the past explaining backstory that you get the feeling that by the end of the movie, The Bride really hasn't done much. Also in typical Tarantino fashion, the movie does contain a number of scenes that sometimes proved to be a little too weird for my taste, but hey, thats just his style!

Kill Bill Vol. 1 has it anything and everything you could expect from a Tarantino style samurai movie. Looking past the few flaws of this movie, the viewer really gets to see the raw talent of Quentin Tarantino.

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Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

8/10

Avengers Age of Ultron packs a hefty punch with spectacular action sequences, great storytelling, and that classic Joss Whedon charm.

25 August 2015

Above all, Avengers Age of Ultron is entertaining. The addition of more action was a great choice as it helps maintain the fast pace of the movie. Despite the number of movies that are now cluttered with CGI, Age of Ultron still does contain a couple of visually stunning, jaw-dropping scenes. The new characters in the movie are probably the greatest addition, as Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Vision, and Ultron all have their moments. Above all, the movie just felt like a big homecoming that just so happens to feature freaking awesome superheroes.

The main problem with Age of Ultron was that it just tired to fit too much into a 2 hr 21 min time frame. Everything from the development of Ultron to the build up felt a little rushed. This could have easily been avoided if Marvel would have stuck with Whedon's original 3 hr cut. Age of Ultron also suffers from a villain who simply didn't manage to live up to Loki. Now I do think that Ultron is still one of Marvel's best villains, but he still manages to fall short of his predecessor due to a cliché "take over the world" plan. The film also fails to recreate some of those classic lines that were featured in the original, as those lines tend to fall flat.

All in all, Avengers Age of Ultron still serves its main purpose as another great addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe!!

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