‘Captain America: Civil War’ sets new standard for Marvel
‘Captain America: Civil War’ has everything a superhero movie needs to save the day
‘Captain America: Civil War’ has everything a superhero movie needs to save the day
‘The Jungle Book’ is an embarrassment of visual riches that thoroughly entertains on every level.
Look, let’s be honest here….one day, perhaps not very far off, robots will be developed for…. ahem…..adult recreational purposes. Every new technology finds itself used for adult entertainment fairly quickly, I mean there’s already VR erotica for heaven’s sake. Robots are no different. As Futurama so cannily predicted, it won’t take too long after workable robots …
The dearth of strong, capable roles for women, especially in the action genre, is an open secret in Hollywood. One of the potential roles that has endured over time, however, is that of the trio of female characters who make up the core of Charlie’s Angels. The 70s tv series has seen revivals on both …
Ant-man hits theaters on Friday, and with its release marks the end of Phase Two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Phase Three kicking-off next May. Depending on how big of a Marvel fan you are, this news will come as either exciting, or painfully boring. A surprise appearance by Agent Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) in …
Scarlett Johansson is a mother in lots of films — that’s what MILF means right? — and that’s because she is supernaturally talented. Her 2013-2014 run of Don Jon, Under the Skin, Her, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Lucy (Chef is in there too as the only arguable demerit) will likely be the greatest string of films by any actor this decade. So it would make sense that with so much star power and charisma in the studio this week, SNL would use it to their advantage. The monologue would seem to indicate that the show would be smartly taking advantage of Johansson’s presence as she sings what turns out to be a very sexy lullaby that will keep Keenan Thompson up for the rest of his life. But the show that follows chooses to just use her as a supporting player for most of the night.
Avengers: Age of Ultron represents the zenith of Marvel Studios’ Phase 2, the culmination of all the films and television shows that represent the Marvel Cinematic Universe over the last two years. Like the first film, this superhero team up pulls out all the stops to astound, taking the audience on a thrill ride of almost unrelenting action.
The Avengers clicked with both Marvel fans and general audiences because we loved watching these massive egos clash for the first time. It was the perfect blend of action and attitude, and its mastermind, Joss Whedon, was handed the golden ticket to Marvel’s keystone franchise. The long-awaited sequel, Avengers: Age of Ultron, shows the strain of trying to be bigger-and-better while still indulging the subtle pleasures of its predecessor. It succeeds, just barely, on the strength of a talented cast and our fondness for these characters. Still, it’s a decidedly somber affair that will turn off casual fans, and it stands as the most impersonal, and arguable weakest installment of Marvel’s vaunted “Phase Two.”
While the film won’t make its debut until May 1 (in the United States), some critics in Los Angeles recently had Avengers: Age of Ultron screened for them and they shared their quick thoughts via Twitter and so far the response is very positive. Mike Ryan, Uproxx Just saw AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON. Soooooooo many …
New Projects is a weekly round up of movies and TV shows recently announced and currently in development for the near future. Who’s that bad remake? (Shut your mouth!) New Line Cinema has reportedly acquired the rights to the Shaft franchise and intends to remake the ’70s blaxploitation classic yet again, following the 2000 remake …
Some years are just great for certain genres, and this year was a great one for action. All across the board were films within different subgenres stepping up and delivering great action set pieces and characters. Consider the shot on the revolving tank gun revealing the totality of carnage in Dawn of the Planet of …
Let there be no doubt: the concept which powers Luc Besson’s new film Lucy, that human beings use only 10% of their brain capacity on average, is pseudoscience garbage. However, that fact ought not disqualify the film immediately. In truth, a little pseudoscience can go a long way at the movies.
Sometimes, despite reason and common sense, there is no escaping the kinetic charm of a truly ridiculous creation. If it’s true that we only use 10% of our brains, you’ll need to disengage 9% of it to enjoy Lucy. But what truly wondrous sights that 1% will enjoy!
Chef Written and directed by Jon Favreau USA, 2014 It’s been roughly 7 years since Pixar released their best film to date, Ratatouille, which manages to be both a celebration of food and of the creative spirit. A great artist, that film argues, can come from even the most unlikely place, and so the world …
We had several writers pen reviews for “Under the Skin”. Here they are. Review #1 Under the Skin Written by Walter Campbell and Jonathan Glazer Directed by Jonathan Glazer UK and USA, 2013 A profound sense of unease permeates and accompanies Under the Skin, Jonathan Glazer’s first film in nearly 10 years. Glazer’s debut feature, …
Captain America: The Winter Soldier Written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo USA, 2014 There is an almost brutal efficiency present in each of the films encompassing the now-vast Marvel Cinematic Universe. Rare is the entry in this mini-canon with a striking level of personal style or brio; though …
Her Written and directed by Spike Jonze USA, 2013 It is nearly impossible to describe the feeling that sets in almost instantly while watching Her, the newest directorial effort from the experimental Spike Jonze. Though the opening shots, like those which follow, are stitched together carefully, crisply, and beautifully, it’s not simply a blend of …
As Alfonso Cuaron’s mega-hit Gravity continues to rack up praise and big box office dollars, it’s a good time to take a critical look at the weakest aspect of the film, which is the lead acting performance of Sandra Bullock. It’s widely known that Cuaron’s first choice, Angelina Jolie, fell through and there were reported …
After screening at both Sundance and South by Southwest, this weekend sees Don Jon hitting theaters. It is a well-crafted and confident debut for Joseph Gordon-Levitt who stars, directs, and writes. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, and Tony Danza; it follows a man and his addictions as they bleed into various parts of …
It is hard not to wonder, while watching Don Jon, exactly how much Joseph Gordon-Levitt can’t stand the culture of which he is a part. His directorial debut (which he also wrote) is a deeply cynical portrait of what he must consider the shallowest elements of pop culture.
Lost in Translation Directed by Sofia Coppola Written by Sofia Coppola 2003, USA Ahead of this month’s screening of Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring at Cannes, I finally broke down and watched her sophomore directing effort, Lost in Translation. I loved seeing Bill Murray’s comeback via every Wes Anderson film but had always overlooked Coppola’s …
Don Jon Directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt Written by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (screenplay) US, 2013 Gender roles can be a land mine of a topic. The subject matter is riddled with opinions that no one can agree on. It is a topic that perforates and polarizes. However, most can agree that objectification plays a large role in …
Hello I Must Be Going Directed by Todd Louiso Written by Sarah Koskoff USA, 2012 Opens Jan. 27 in Toronto It’s a strange epiphany when one realizes that following their life passion is a self-made path to nowhere. Movies have taught us to seize the day (thank you, Robin Williams), but reality tells us something …