Film Review - "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"

...Well I liked it.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Directed by JJ Abrams
Starring Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, and Carrie Fisher

Star Wars - Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker concludes the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy that started with Episode VII: The Force Awakens four years ago, and the main storyline that began with the first film released over forty years ago. That's a lot to handle in one film. It's almost like the Avengers: Endgame of Star Wars films.

Perhaps it's not the "grand finale" many expected, but it's a captivating viewing experience, and a wonderful, flawed, film.

Rey (Ridley), alongside Finn (John Boyega), Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaacs), Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels), embark on a mission for The Resistance, as they prepare to make a final stand against The First Order. Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Kylo Ren (Driver) is on a mission of his own to secure his rule over the galaxy, operating under the guidance of the resurrected Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), who lurks in the shadows with a plan of his own...

A lot of the film plays out like an Indiana Jones quest/adventure as our heroes move from location to location. It definitely boosts the scope of the film and gives it that "cinematic road trip" feel. It's really nice to see Rey, Finn, and Poe finally work together, and I wish we had more of this in previous films.

As great as it is to see Ian McDiarmid on screen again playing Palpatine...bringing the Emperor back was a mistake. He's a big bad for characters that led a different trilogy. Not the ones that lead this trilogy (Rey, Finn, etc.). We know he's a threat because of his presence in past films, but his connection to these characters is flimsy. That said, everything they do with him his great. The scenes with him, the atmosphere, and Ian McDiarmid's performance is on point, and are enough to keep the audience engaged.

I put this review off for so long because of all the backlash the film received, and how vicious the Star Wars fandom can be not just to one another, but to the cast and crew that make these films. So I just need to say my piece and then we will resume normal review-talk.

Star Wars is a franchise unlike any other. It's Sci-Fi that can be enjoyed by viewers of all ages. It's like the gold standard of the genre, and to an extent blockbusters in general. Star Wars is also unlike any other franchise, in that no other film series has been so significantly affected by its fans, and not in good ways. The unrelenting hate of the prequel trilogy led to George Lucas selling his creation to Disney. Harassment from fans drove Daisy Ridley and Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico) off social media, and almost destroyed Jake Lloyd (Young Anakin) and Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks).

So the flaws I see in The Rise of Skywalker, I know are 100% a result of the never-ending, grotesque hatred of The Last Jedi that ran rampant throughout the internet. So much of Rise of Skywalker feels like its course-correcting its predecessor, from Rose Tico's limited role, to the back-peddling of Rey's true parentage (It's been a few months. Mild spoilers are allowed.). But doing this doesn't hurt The Last Jedi, it hurts itself. A film should be an escape from reality into a fantasy world, and Rise of Skywalker is plagued by outside influences, and as someone who loves movies, that really upsets me.

If you didn't like this film, that's fine. We all don't have to like the same things. But if you're attacking and bullying people online about it, or bashing the people that make these films, I hate to say it but you have no one to blame but yourself. Disney, LucasFilm, and JJ Abrams heard your constant whining about The Last Jedi, and did their best to try and please you, and it backfired. It's nuts because people complained The Force Awakens was too much of the same, then they complained The Last Jedi was too different, and now this. There's just no pleasing some people I guess.

That said, the powers that be at Disney & LucasFilm need to take some of the blame. Episodes VII, VIII, and IX make for a very clunky trilogy. The puzzle pieces don't quite fit together. Was there a plan from the get-go? Maybe. Did they just make it up as they went? Maybe. Did plans change from film-to-film as a result of backlash from the public? I'd say smart money's on that. Anyway I'll just wrap this portion up by saying The Rise of Skwywalker, and the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy, are a perfect example of A. Fans having too much power, and B. A lack of cohesive storytelling.

Alright. Back to our regularly scheduled review...

So yeah, despite all the nonsense, I like The Rise of Skywalker. I'm a sucker for the nostalgia. I enjoyed a lot of the callbacks to the older films. It's not like a Disney remake where the film is literally using nostalgia as life support. There are a lot of great action scenes, particularly a speedster chase through a desert and a shootout on a Star Destroyer. There's some really great lightsaber fights, of course between Rey and Kylo Ren. Rise of Skywalker has many sequences that will stay fresh in the memories of fans, and plenty of great character moments.

Out of all the characters Rey and Kylo Ren are served the best, as they're at the heart of the film's conflict. Finn and Poe have plenty to do, but by film's end their arcs don't feel as complete, although I'm sure we will see these characters again (Don't kid yourself there will definitely be a new trilogy in the future where these characters are the old guard guiding some new ones). Speaking of new characters, many of them feel underdeveloped, and merely plot points for the major players. Janna (Naomi Ackie) is just kinda there as support for Finn. Keri Russell as Zori Bliss is cool but is only there to develop Poe's backstory. Richard E. Grant is his typical great self as General Pryde but he doesn't have much to work with.

Daisy Ridley is wonderful as Rey, commanding every scene she's in. Her performance is absolutely charming and she shines whenever she's onscreen. I don't think this is John Boyega's best performance out of his three appearances as Finn, but he has a lot of cool, heartfelt moments that stand out in my memory. His chemistry with Oscar Isaacs's Poe Dameron is unmatched. Isaacs himself is great as Poe Dameron, showing Poe's suave confidence, but also his insecurities. Again I really hope we see these three again down the line. Adam Driver as Ben Solo/Kylo Ren is superb. Like Boyega, I don't think this is the best of his three appearances, but there are a lot of iconic moments.

Anthony Daniels is always top-notch as C-3PO. I do have to say Domhall Gleeson as General Hux was terribly underused in this film. He started out with so much potential in this trilogy and it goes all to waste. Mark Hamill and Billy Dee Williams get some great moments as Luke Skywalker and Lando Calrissian respectively.

We have to address how the film handles Leia, after the passing of Carrie Fisher in 2016. The film repurposes unused footage from the last two films to keep her character in the film, and conclude her story properly. Despite the circumstances, they handled the situation extremely well. It never feels choppy or forced to me, and it's a meaningful, poignant conclusion for the character. Leia playing a part in Rise of Skywalker boosts the emotional weight of the film.

One thing that is always on-point in a Star Wars film is the music of John Williams. His score brings the world to life, and elevates what's onscreen to new heights. So many iconic, key moments in the film are made that much better by the Maestro's work. Man, could you imagine if both John Williams and Alan Silversti got nominated for Best Original Score at the Oscars this year (They probably would have just cancelled each other out and it would still go to Joker anyway...)

The Rise of Skywalker is not what many expected, or wanted, but it's an enjoyable film with many bright spots, wonderful characters, and despite outside factors, a still-cohesive narrative. Episodes VII-IX, to me, are three good films that make a clunky trilogy, and I can live with that. I love The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi (I think it's the best of the trilogy...). Much like how The Prequel Trilogy has come to be appreciated over time, I hope the same will be true for The Sequel Trilogy in the future. Maybe years from now a new generation will be introduced to them and come to love them (Assuming their parents aren't still bitter Last Jedi trolls-Alright I'll stop.). Hey, I heard Return of The Jedi wasn't super well-received way back when!

Ok, that's enough Star Wars talk for awhile. May the Force be with us all...

Film Review - "Solo: A Star Wars Story"

Solo: A Star Wars Story
Directed by Phil Lord & Chris Miller Ron Howard
Starring Alden Ehreneich, Emilia Clarke, and Donald Glover

The untold origins of Han Solo finally came to theaters last Memorial Day weekend, and after months of production troubles and rumors of it being a s**show, it turned out…okay. Not great. Not bad. Okay…kinda good maybe.

This story begins on the planet Corellia, where young Han (Ehreneich) and his love Qi'ra (Clarke) scheme to get out of town and start a life of adventure. Unfortunately things go south and Han is separated from Qi'ra.  Making it his life mission to return for her, he joins up with the Imperial Army, and shortly after that joins up with a band of criminals led by Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson). A job to steal a large amount of the rare mineral coaxium for the crime lord Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany) sets off a chain of events that will shape his future and transform him into the Han Solo we all know and love.

Oddly this film does not tell us much about the early life of Han Solo. It's more of a glimpse into one chapter of his past. At the same time though, it does check off a lot of boxes on a metaphorical origin-story checklist. We see how he got his name (Quite stupidly if I might mention.), we see how he met Chewbacca and Lando, and other things that some might consider spoilers. The pacing of the film is a bit off. There are parts of the story rushed through in the beginning that I wish they explored more but that's just me. It isn't until the second act where things really start to pick up, and strangely the climax of the film is rather tame, which isn't something one would expect from a Star Wars film. This is one of the Star Wars Story spinoffs so liberties can be taken.

This next part is where I get a little subjective. The whole film feels very average. It's a standard adventure film. Sort of predictable, and paint by-the-numbers. It's still quite enjoyable though, and I have no regrets seeing it. Yet, I still can't help but wonder what the final product would have looked like if Lord & Miller weren't fired...

The film is elevated by the characters and the actors that play them. Alden Ehreneich makes a great Han. Never once does it feel like he's doing a Harrison Ford impression. He brings a lot of charm, wit, and passion to the table and makes the character his own. Donald Glover is fantastic as Lando Calrissian. He does slip into a Billy Dee Williams impression once in awhile but he's still so suave and so cool. Emilia Clarke as Qi'ra, is lovely and equally charming as Ehreneich and she has great chemistry with him. Woody Harrelson turns in another solid performance as Tobias Beckett. His personality melded into this type of character fits almost perfectly into this side of the Star Wars universe. Paul Bettany grabs all the spotlight he can as the stable but not stable Dryden Voss. Also, Phoebe Waller-Bridge as "woke" droid L3-37 is an incredible scene-stealer. There I said it.

Solo is a fine Star Wars film, but it adds very little to the lore and universe. It's a harmless good time and I can easily recommend it to any Star Wars fan or adventure film fans, but you will not miss out on much if you don't see it. Considering all the production troubles, it could have turned out a lot worse. As it stands though Solo turned out to be an alright ride...for about twelve or so parsecs.

Film Review - "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"

Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Directed by Rian Johnson
Starring Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver and Carrie Fisher.

Hype can be both a good and a bad thing for a film. On one hand, it gets the people going to theater and in the seats as quickly as they can get their tickets, and really the interest of the audience is what keeps franchises like Star Wars going. On the other, hype can build our expectations up so high, to a place where after we've seen the actual film, we become almost disappointed with what we've got. That appears to be what's going on with the public's reaction to The Last Jedi.

As this sentence is being typed, Rotten Tomatoes has the film with a 93% Critics' Score, and a 57% Audience Score. That is quite the margin. Having just seen the film Thursday night, I find myself at the middle ground. The Last Jedi didn't quite meet my expectations, but overall I enjoyed the latest chapter
in the Star Wars saga.

The film picks up not long after the events of The Force Awakens. Rey (Ridley) has found Luke Skywalker (Hamill), with the hope of having him train her in the ways of the Force and join the Resistance. Bitter and haunted by his past, Skywalker wants no part of it. Meanwhile the dwindling forces of the Resistance, led by General Leia Organa (Fisher), face a desperately uphill battle against The First Order…hope that's not too spoilery for you.

The Force Awakens fell under scrutiny because it felt too similar to A New Hope.  Comparisons can be drawn between The Last Jedi and The Empire Strikes Back, but in the grand scheme of things the former is very different than any Star Wars film that's come before. The best way I can describe it to you without going into spoilers is by quoting Luke, "This is not going to go the way you think."
Conventions of the franchise are broken down, and new paths are forged. So you can see where the public divide is coming from. Some people are going to like the change, and some aren't.

Like Empire, Last Jedi does separate our heroes' journeys. Rey is training with Luke, Leia and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaacs) are holding down the fort, Finn (John Boyega) and new character Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) go off on an unsanctioned mission to locate Benicio Del Toro's character, and Kylo Ren (Driver) continues his work in The First Order under the supervision of Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis). Unfortunately, not all of those plot lines are equally interesting, with Finn and Rose's mission being the least interesting. Their quest takes them to a casino-themed planet and they spend way too much time on it. Of course the best parts of the film involve Luke, Rey, and Kylo Ren/Ben Solo/whatever you want to call him.

So there are clearly a lot of cast members to discuss. Well everyone gets back into their roles easily, taking them to bold new places in the story. Mark Hamill is superb as Luke Skywalker, and Daisy Ridley is so wonderful as Rey. Her performance is both inspiring and captivating. John Boyega does more good work as Finn, but his performance in The Force Awakens might have been better. Oscar Isaacs gets a lot more to do with Poe Dameron this time, and it's great to see more depth with an already fan-favorite character. Adam Driver is amazing as Kylo Ren. Again another character given a ton more development, and an emotionally charged performance to bring it to life.

Carrie Fisher gives a loving, sharp, and sadly final performance as Leia. Andy Serkis is at his very best as Snoke. This time around, Domhall Gleeson's performance as General Hux seems much more hammy and over-the-top. How about the new additions though? Kelly Marie Tran is fine and likable enough as Rose Tico. Same can be said for Laura Dern as Vice Admiral Holdo. It's a strong performance but not a particularly memorable one. Benicio Del Toro's DJ is just…well he's mainly a part of Finn and Rose's arc and I've already stated my thoughts on that part of the film.

Composer John Williams adds even more wonderful music to the Star Wars catalog. It doesn't dominate the film but it's there and you know it. The cinematography of the film is beautiful, from every planet and set piece there's some serious eye candy. The action in the film is at edge-of-your-seat level. The fight scenes in The Last Jedi are probably some of the best of the franchise. One last positive I can give is that no matter your concerns, there are plenty of satisfying moments for all ages.

With The Force Awakens, people seemed to be upset it was too familiar. Now they seem to be upset with The Last Jedi for being too different. So I'm guessing the third bowl of porridge (Episode IX) will be just right for these Goldilocks fans? A good friend of mine described The Last Jedi like this, and I think it sums it up damn well:

"It's sort of like having your eye on the most delicious piece of cake in the display, and you wait to get it and you start to eating it and you realize the filling isn't at all what you imagined. It's super tasty but there's some weird fruit mixed in, and while it's delicious and well made it's just not what you thought you ordered. But you walk away full."

Rian Johnson takes the franchise in a new, different direction, and obviously that's going to be met with some mixed reviews. This is still a damn fine Star Wars film. One could argue that eight episodes in, Johnson needed to stir the pot to keep this 40-year-old franchise fresh and moving forward. As of right now, I still like The Force Awakens more, but there is nothing outright bad about The Last Jedi. It's a wonderful film filled with the same brand of beloved characters, epic visuals, and great storytelling fans have come to expect. I'm very intrigued to see where we go in Episode IX and beyond. The Force will be with us, always.

And…I like Porgs.

Film Review- "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Directed by Gareth Edwards
Starring Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, and Ben Mendelson

We are now living in a reality where there will be a new Star Wars film every year. What a time to be alive. Though instead of just an "Episode" every year and plowing through trilogies, Disney and Lucasfilm are planning to sprinkle spin-off films or "Star Wars Stories" throughout the calendar. The first of these being Rogue One, and it has indeed set the bar for future Star Wars spin-offs.

Set many years after Revenge of the Sith, and shortly before A New Hope ("Ahhh! Prequel territory, run!!" Quiet you.) Rogue One centers on Jyn Erso (Jones), an anti-Empire street criminal who is rescued and recruited by the Rebels. It is revealed her father Galen (Mads Mikkelsen), who was taken to work for the Empire against his will when she was a child, has sent a holographic message to Rebel extremist Saw Gerrera (Forrest Whitaker). Due to her family ties, Jyn is sent with Captain Cassain Andor (Luna) and reprogrammed Imperial droid K-2SO (Alan Tudyk) to retrieve the message. What's in the message? A way to defeat the Empire's unfinished super weapon, the Death Star…

What follows are Jyn and the Rebels' attempts to steal the plans for the Death Star and gain a much needed edge over the Empire, personified here by Death Star Project Director (That's probably not his actual title but I'm calling him that) Orson Krennic (Mendelson) and the ever-looming presence of Darth Vader (James Earl Jones).

 Rogue One manages to craft a compelling and exciting story around a piece of the Star Wars timeline not many probably gave a second thought to. Most of that is credited to its wonderful cast of characters. This is a uniquely diverse and delightfully entertaining ensemble and it's a treat to go on this adventure with them. While most of us can predict how this is all going to go, you still care about these characters and want to see them to succeed. The final act of the film is an amazing ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the credits roll.

On the flip side of things, I did find the film's storyline lagged in parts. Some sequences were a little too slow and didn't get us very far. Additionally, as much as I loved these characters and I do feel we got just enough character development for them, I wanted so much more. I wanted to see them bond and interact more, because they're such wonderful characters. Hopefully by one way or another we will see these Rebels again.

Enough about the characters, how about the actors who play them? Felicity Jones as Jyn is obviously the center of the film, and she plays her perfectly with the right balance of gruff and heart. Diego Luna as Captain Andor does a fine job but is more often than not outshined by his co-stars. One of those co-stars being Alan Tudyk as K-2SO, who is a real scene stealer. Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen make a delightfully awesome pair as best friends/Rebel warriors Chirrut Imwe and Baze Malbus.

Ben Mendelson as our villain Director Krennic, is sadly a weak villain. Mendelson plays him well enough, but he's merely just an Empire officer desperate to rise through the ranks and please Darth Vader. Speaking of Darth Vader, this is the most terrifying he's ever been on film. He's used sparingly throughout the film, but when he's used it's incredibly effective.

Couple more notes. The film is beautiful. Stunning visuals and cutting-edge effects bring the Star Wars locations of old to life in a glorious new way, and the battle scenes are incredible to watch. There are plenty of cameos and Easter Eggs to please the fans out there so keep your eyes open. More on that, and being cryptic to avoid spoilers, two characters from the original trilogy are brought back for a significant amount of the film through the use of Industrial Light & Magic's digital technology. It's both eerie and amazing to see what they've done, and hard to talk about without seeing the film, but oh boy is it cool. Lastly, while Star Wars films usually have such iconic music, Michael Giacchino's score is somewhat forgettable, which is sad given his recent eargasmic work in Doctor Strange.

So Rogue One is not a perfect film, but it's incredibly well-made and incredibly entertaining. It's a film all Star Wars fans should love for years to come. If all Star Wars Stories are to be like this, then I think it's fair to say, it's a great time to be a Star Wars fan.

Also, if you'd like to see what some fans thought going into the film opening night, check out this piece I did for Burlington Cable Access TV (BCAT).

Top 10 Films of 2015

Better late than never? I wanted to see a few more films before I finalized my list. Still haven't seen every film from 2015 I wanted to or probably should have seen. Oh well. Here are my top films of 2015. That I've seen. So far...and once again, my top films. Not yours. Mine....let's begin.

10.  Creed
Directed by Ryan Coogler
Starring Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone

The Rocky films can always get you pumped up when you're watching them, but they also have a lot of heart to them, and Creed is no exception. But at the same time, it breathes new life into a tired franchise, with a story about legacy and identity. The director/actor combo of Coogler and Jordan is proving to be a force to be reckoned with, and some of the fight choreography is stunning. Stallone gives one of his best performances, taking the character of Rocky Balboa to new, emotional heights. I certainly didn't expect Creed to be a success, but I'm very glad I was wrong.

9. Ant-Man
Directed by Peyton Reed
Starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lily, and Michael Douglas

This was a tough call. I knew there was no way I could put both this and Avengers: Age of Ultron on this list (I mean I certainly could have and you would all been like 'Oh what a surprise both MCU movies made it to Chris's Top 10 of 2015. Well surprise on YOU, mother lovers! Age of Ultron ain't on here!!). There were a lot of heavy hitters last year for me, and frankly when it comes down to it, Ant-Man is the better made film. The humor is off-the-wall, the script is more fluid, and it throws something new onto the Marvel Cinematic chessboard. Plus, Thomas The Tank Engine proved far more menacing than Ultron. Now, put your knives down and let's move on to number eight...

8. Kingsman: The Secret Service
Directed by Matthew Vaughn
Starring Taron Edgerton, Colin Firth, and Samuel L. Jackson

Kingsman is one of the craziest, grooviest, action-packed films I've seen in most recent years. Fresh newcomer Taron Edgerton gives a career-jump-starting performance, which is something to say when he's working with such pedigree like Colin Firth and Michael Caine, who you would think be phoning in it a film like this, but they most definitely are not. The humor is outrageous. Honestly, how could a film that has Colin Firth, single-handedly fight his way out of a vicious shootout in a church full of radicals, all set to the guitar solo from "Free Bird" not end up on anyone's Top Films of 2015 list? Seriously if you're looking for a very well made, very fun film, see Kingsman.

 7. Mr. Holmes
Directed by Bill Condon
Starring Sir Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, and Milo Parker

As I said before, I really wish more people saw this film, because it's such a treat. It gives a very intriguing new look on the character of Sherlock Holmes, who is played here wonderfully by Ian McKellen. A little slow paced, but there's plenty of drama and intrigue to keep the audience captivated. Not many people probably remember this film now because it's been almost a year, which is a shame because it's such a unique film, with a creative story and terrific performances.

6. Room
Directed by Lenny Abrahamson
Starring Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay

An emotionally gripping film if I've ever seen one. Your heartstrings are 110% attached to the journey of Joy Newsome and her son Jack. That is of course in credit to the actors who portray them. Brie Larson more than deserved her Oscar. You are in Joy's corner right from the very beginning. Jacob Tremblay gives an amazing performance as Jack. This kid's got a bright future ahead of him. One movie and the world's already in love with him. Room leaves a deep impact on the viewer, that will stick with you long after the end credits roll.

5. The Hateful Eight
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring Kurt Russell, Samuel L. Jackson, and Walton Goggins

Tarantino does it again, with a brilliant script, beautiful score, and stunning visuals. Many of his regular cast members along with some new ones form one fantastic ensemble. Walton Goggins plays a deliciously despicable, almost dorky sheriff that ends up being one of the film's highlights, and Samuel L. Jackson adds another fantastic character into his filmography. The story seems simple, but as the film goes on it gets deeper, as it's revealed things are not what they appear, and you're left bubbling with intrigue. The Hateful Eight is another wonderful addition into Quentin Tarantino's art house.

4. Inside Out
Directed by Pete Docter
Starring Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Mindy Kaling

Inside Out is Pixar at its best. Pete Docter gives the studio another amazing entry into their canon, with a film that is unique, clever and emotionally uplifting. It features one of the best voice casts ever assembled, led by the amazing Amy Poehler, and a bunch of unforgettable characters (Bing Bong…). Inside Out should go down in history as one of the best animated films of all time, and definitely one of Pixar's best films. It's an emotionally poignant film that I think can touch the hearts of all ages…at least that's what the voices in my head say.

3. The Revenant
Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, and Domhall Gleeson

Leo finally got an Oscar! For one of the best performances of his career no doubt. The Revenant is an intense journey, both for Hugh Glass (DiCaprio) and the viewer. Featuring some truly heart-pounding sequences and beautiful imagery, it's not a film for the faint of heart, but it's incredibly well made. Inarritu's work with the camera is as much a character in the film itself, much like it was in Birdman. Alongside Leo, Tom Hardy gives a great performance as the despicable John Fitzgerald. Seriously guys, The Revenant is so much more than terrifying bear attack scene. It's an edge-of-your-seat story of survival and revenge, and one of the must-see films from last year.


2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Directed by J.J. Abrams
Starring Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, and John Boyega

You shouldn't be surprised this ended up on the list. It was the biggest film of last year. From what I've come to learn in the months since I've seen it, The Force Awakens is probably not what everyone wanted in a new Star Wars film. Though for me, who wasn't a big fan of the franchise from the start, I thought it was practically perfect. It knows when to use the nostalgia of the older films, it knows when to let the new characters shine vs. the old ones, and the bottom line is it's pure fun. I think wether you love Star Wars or just love good movies, you can get caught up in the thrill that is Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It sets the franchise up for a beautiful future in a galaxy far, far away.

So what film did I love so much that it knocks Star Wars down to number two? What was my top film of 2015? Well I'll tell you. It's...

1. The Peanuts Movie

Directed by Steve Martino
Starring Noah Schnapp and Bill Melendez

In a time when big-screen adaptations of old cartoons often askew the source material with crude humor and pop culture references, The Peanuts Movie is arguably one of the most faithful film adaptations ever made. The animation is gorgeous, and spot-on. It's the old Peanuts comics strips brought to life. The voice cast, there's not a well recognized celebrity to be heard. It's all regular kids, who bring Charlie Brown (Schnapp) and his friends to life flawlessly. The humor is akin to classic Peanuts. The story of Charlie Brown's constant failed attempts to succeed, and win the admiration of his beloved Little Red-Haired Girl, is not something new. It's a story that has defined this character since his conception. But it's a perfect way to introduce this world to a new generation, and it can emotionally resonate with anyone.

There are times when we all feel like we just can't win. Failure has almost become our best friend. No matter what we do, our goals seem lightyears away. That's Charlie Brown's whole life, and no matter how many setbacks he faces, he just keeps trying. He doesn't give up. That is an incredibly important message to me that I think everyone needs to learn. Without spoiling too much, where Charlie Brown winds up at the end of the film, leaves a mark on the viewer with a mixture of hope, innocence, and self-worth.

I'm going to cut myself short because this is "Top Films of 2015" not "Peanuts Movie Review w/Top Films of 2015" but from the perspective of someone who partially grew up on Peanuts, The Peanuts Movie is a perfect adaptation. It's a brilliant, funny, heartwarming film, and it's my top film of 2015.


Runners Up In No Particular Order: Spotlight, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Sisters, Ted 2, The Martian...

….Now, to make sure this doesn't happen again next year. I'm going to start writing my "Top Films of 2016" right now.

Film Review- "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"

Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Directed by J.J. Abrams
Starring Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, and John Boyega

This summer, I jokingly told my friend Tom that my favorite character from Star Wars was Jar Jar Binks. He then proceeded to try and suffocate me…

Point being, a lot of people are very passionate about Star Wars, and are still very bitter about the last trilogy. The franchise has never been at the top of my list of obsessions, but I was as excited for this as most people. I'm hear to tell you to wash away the pain of the prequel trilogy, Star Wars is back in true form.

Now to avoid giving anything away, I'll give you the barest of a bare bone summary of the film. Okay here goes…taking place thirty years after Return of The Jedi, a new threat has emerged in the galaxy known as The First Order, with the menacing Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) as one of its key figures. Old heroes are joined by new faces, including scavenger Rey (Ridley), rogue storm trooper Finn (Boyega) and pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Issac), as the battle begins and a new chapter unfolds.

First off, the film uses the nostalgia of the original film heavily to its advantage, to the point where The Force Awakens is almost a retelling of A New Hope. Some would say the film plays it safe by doing this, but it's actually a winning formula that gives the film enough legs to stand on its own.

A lot of this is credit to the writers allowing the new characters to shine, and for the most part carry the film. Daisy Ridley is a charming and compelling lead as Rey. John Boyega plays the part of a reluctant hero perfectly with Finn. Oscar Isaac is sharp and charismatic as Poe Dameron, but isn't given as much to do as Ridley or Boyega. Driver is nearly perfect as our new villain Kylo Ren, and our new droid character, little BB-8, is a real scene stealer.

Then there are our old friends. Harrison Ford is our glue to the original trilogy, and is at his best once again as Han Solo. Carrie Fischer settles back into the role of Princess-now-General Leia Organa, playing her with just the right amount of attitude and wisdom. Old friends like R2-D2, C-3PO, and Chewbacca are as good as ever. What's that? Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker? Yeah I can't talk about that.

I don't often discuss sets or locations in my reviews, but the ones in The Force Awakens are beautiful. The filmmakers definitely took time and effort crafting the look of every scene on every world, so this would look and feel like a Star Wars film is supposed to. 

It's hard to review, let alone talk about the film when so much of its plot has been kept deep under wraps since day one. To tell you what happens in the first three minutes is practically a spoiler. Trust me when I say though, this is a really good, really fun film. Die-hard fan or not, you're going to enjoy it. I'll tell you when I was in my seat at the film's start, I felt as though I was transported back in time, and watching one of the original films back in the seventies. I had a huge smile on my face, and that's coming from a guy who never saw Episode II, only the important parts of Episode III, and had only just come to own his own copies of the original trilogy last month.

The force is strong with The Force Awakens. It's breaking all the box office records, it's probably going to be on hundreds of "Best Films of 2015" lists, and it just might walk away with a few awards by Oscar Season's End. This is a must see in my opinion, wether your a fan of Star Wars or just cinema in general. The force, it's calling to you dear viewers. Just let it in.