Top 12 Films of The Marvel Cinematic Universe

Well, now seemed a good a time as any to tackle this daunting task. This month marks the one-year anniversary of Avengers: Endgame, which closed out the first twenty-three film saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Black Widow, which is set to lead us into the next saga of the MCU, has had its release date postponed, along with several other films. So now seems like a good time to revisit some of my favorite entries of the MCU.

Braver men then me have solidified their preferential rankings of the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I am well aware of the position I'm about to put myself in. However, like every Top Films lists, I'll reiterate that all entertainment is subjective, and my Top 12 might not necessarily be the same as someone else's. Also, unlike my Top Films of the Year lists, I'm going with twelve slots instead of ten. I'm not just going through a year of films. I'm going through a tight, twenty-three film franchise. As Dave Chappelle once said, "Modern problems, require modern solutions."

Alright let's take an extra shot of Super-Solider Serum, power up the Arc Reactor, and (those that are worthy) summon Miljonir. These are my Top 12 MCU Films.

12. Thor
Released May 6, 2011
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddelston (and Anthony Hopkins as Odin)

I've really come to appreciate the first Thor film more and more over time. There's just so many memorable lines of dialogue that I can recite so well. It really started to shape the cinematic universe on a larger scale, establishing the connections between Earth and Asgard, and our introduction to Thor (Hemsworth) is possibly one of the best origin stories in the MCU. The cast is full of MCU powerhouses, not just Hemsworth, but Sir Anthony Hopkins as the almighty Odin, and Tom Hiddelston everybody's favorite villain Loki. Really what else can I say about Loki?

The fight scenes are superb, but not because there's a lot of sword fighting and explosions, but because they're on a smaller scale, personal, and more integral to the character arcs. It's a good drama. It's a good fantasy film. Thor stands out among the MCU's earliest entries.
(Original Review)
(Ranked #4 in My Top Films of 2011)


11. Black Panther
Released February 16, 2018
Directed by Ryan Coogler
Starring Chadwick Boseman, Luptia N'yongo, and Michael B. Jordan

Black Panther, save for a cliche' final battle, is a powerhouse film. Coogler is a master at world-building. He brings the country of Wakanda to life beautifully with every detail, from the set design and wardrobe, to the film's unforgettable score and soundtrack. It's a visually stunning production. The cast is amazing. Boseman is too cool as our lead. Danai Gurira as Okoye and Winston Duke as M'Baku are the definition of scene stealers. Michael B. Jordan gives us the best villain in an MCU since Loki, no question about that.

The script is so well-written, and is full of themes and messages that resonate with the world today. None of which are in your face, but are handedly in a strong but subtle way, that they can leave a significant impact on the viewer. Another great thing the film does is stand firm on its own ground, while connecting to the larger narrative of the MCU in a simple way. Black Panther is a compelling, ground-breaking film that is almost a masterclass in filmmaking on its own.
(Original Review)
(Ranked #7 in My Top Films of 2018)


10. Captain America: The Winter Solider
Released April 4, 2014
Directed by Joe & Anthony Russo
Starring Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and Robert Redford

The second film in the Captain America trilogy took the Star Spangled Man with A Plan to brilliant places. After the end of The First Avenger brought him to the modern world, the Winter Solider puts Cap in a place where everything he knows is challenged. The lines between right and wrong are blurred, and when he is being forced to "get with the times", he stands his ground and tries to stay true to his beliefs. It's a thought-compelling film raising questions on morality, government oversight, and more.

This "political thriller" was the first real game changer in the MCU, with its intense and gripping plot regarding SHIELD and its role in the universe. Anthony Mackie makes a great debut as Sam Wilson/The Falcon. Samuel L. Jackson and Cobie Smulders get to play more as Nick Fury and Maria Hill. But the heart of the film is the relationship between Cap & Black Widow (Evans & Johansson). The two characters are almost complete opposites but have enough similarities to form a connection, and they play off each other incredibly well. That's in no small credit to the talents of Evans & Johansson, who's life-long friendship helps to build their on-screen chemistry and make a dynamic Marvel duo.

Edge-of-your-seat thrills with an emotional core, brought to life with wonderful performances, Captain America: The Winter Solider is one of the MCU's best sequels.
(Original Review)
(Ranked #2 in My Top Films of 2014)


9. Iron Man
Released May 2, 2008
Directed by Jon Favreau
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jeff Bridges

The one that started it all. The character arc of Tony Stark (Downey) is one of the strongest, if not the strongest across the franchise, but if you just look at Iron Man, it set the standard for superhero origins. The story of Iron Man is one of incredible self-redemption, and one we hadn't seen in a superhero film at the time. Tony is a man who sees an evil in the world he has fed, and makes it his life mission to right those wrongs, and make the world a better place. Across nine films he goes from completely selfish to selfless, but right out the gate we get a strong sense of who this guy is. Favreau's amazing direction, and Downey's iconic performance created the stuff of legends.

I also think Jeff Bridges is often overlooked when people rank MCU villains. While the final battle is slightly underwhelming, Obadiah Stane is incredibly well written as this dark reflection of Tony. But the rest of the action is superb, there's lot of humor and heartfelt character moments. I don't think the MCU would be what it is today if they didn't come swinging out of the gate so strongly with Iron Man.



8. Captain America: Civil War
Released May 6, 2016
Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo
Starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, and Sebastian Stan

There's probably nothing harder to watch than some of the most-beloved characters of all time kick the crap out of each other, but that's what makes Captain America: Civil War such an enticing and impactful film. The airport sequence? Groundbreaking. The final confrontation between Cap, Tony, and Bucky? Heart-wrenching. The emotional stakes have never been higher.

The Russo's do an incredible job of keeping Cap (Evans) the centerpiece of the story, while also servicing every player on the Avenger chessboard (many have nicknamed this film Avengers 2.5). The performances in this film are top-notch, showing just how well this ensemble has learned to play off one another. Every scene and every bit of dialogue builds off what came before it, as this acts as a culmination of Phase One & Two, and sets the stage for Phase Three. Captain America: Civil War, with its high emotional stakes and unmatched action, is easily one of the best films in the MCU.
(Original Review)
(Ranked #2 in My Top Films of 2016)

Things are starting to get tricky now...

7. Avengers: Endgame
Released April 26, 2019
Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, and Scarlett Johansson, etc.

As close to perfect as a finale gets I think. It wraps up The Infinity Saga while also leaving a few breadcrumbs to what could come next. This film was an unforgettable experience in theaters, and the laughs, cheers, and tears still hit home. The final battle is nothing short of epic. The time-travel sequence is (for the most part, RIP Natasha) a ton of fun. Alan Silversti's score is beautiful. The performances from the original six Avengers are some of their very best, but the supporting players turn in some great work too. Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man provides a lot of bright moments. Karen Gillan as cold but not totally-heartless-now Nebula really plays well against The Avengers.

As most finales do, Endgame is full of nostalgia, using the theme of time-travel to revisit some beloved locations and characters from past films, but never in a way that feels gimmicky. The true majesty and gravitas of the MCU is on display here for three hours, showcasing everything viewers have come to love for the past decade. Avengers: Endgame capped off The Infinity Saga incredibly well, and deservingly became the most successful film of all time.
(Original Review)
(Ranked #1 in My Top Films of 2019)


6. The Avengers
Released May 4, 2012
Directed by Joss Whedon
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth

The first time The Avengers assembled on screen was an unforgettable moment in cinematic history. After seeing all their stellar work in their solo films, it was amazing to see the natural chemistry between these actors. Brining Tom Hiddelston back as Loki for the film's antagonist was a good move, and solidified him as a franchise MVP.

The film does start a little slow getting the team together, but that start is full of standard, enjoyable character moments. Whedon's script services them all well, and the dialogue is beyond witty and truly memorable. The action, particularly in the final battle in New York, is epic. Little film nerd moment here...the cinematography in The Avengers is pretty great, with some really nice camerawork. Alan Silversti, again, is a true maestro with the music. The Avengers was the true beginning of the end, and promised big, beautiful things in the future of the MCU.
(Ranked #3 in My Top Films of 2012)


5. Thor: Ragnarok
Released November 3, 2017
Directed by Taika Waititi
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Cate Blanchett

Thor: Ragnarok marked a real turning point for The God of Thunder (and my second favorite Avenger). I think it's pretty safe to say that Ragnarok is universally accepted as the funniest film of the MCU, and I stand by that statement. Visually the film is one of the MCU's most unique, as we go on this "cosmic road trip", from Asgard to New York to Sakarr. It's always nice to get a sense of how big the universe of these films is.

As much as Waitit reinvented the Thor films, it brings the trilogy to a proper conclusion for the character and brings a wonderful script to life. Hemsworth gives some of his best work as Thor, and gets to show off his comedic chops. Mark Ruffalo gets a bit more to do as Bruce Banner/The Hulk, and Cate Blanchett is deliciously evil as Hela. Thor: Ragnarok is one of the MCU's funnest and most unique entries.
(Original Review)
(Ranked #1 in My Top Films of 2017)


4. Doctor Strange
Released November 4, 2016
Directed by Scott Derrickson
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, and Chiwetel Ejiofor

Man I was pretty harsh in my original review of Doctor Strange. I mean some of it I still agree with but obviously I've changed my tune if it's now in my Top 5. The introduction to the magical side of the MCU is a true spectacle. I love the visuals in the film, and Michael Giacchino's grand and fantastical score only immerses you in them deeper. Stephen Strange is a true fan-favorite, brought to life on screen perfectly by Benedict Cumberbatch. His origin story follows some similar beats to Thor and Iron Man but has its own unique flavors.

The supporting cast is stacked, from the fierce Shakespearean nature of Ejiofor's Mordo, to Benedict Wong's hilarious and stoic Wong, and Swinton as the material but powerful Ancient One (I love her final scene with Cumberbatch. It's one of my favorite scenes in the MCU. I just love the overall tone and feel of the film. It was nothing like the MCU films that came before it. Doctor Strange was a true feast for the eyes, and a "magical" introduction to a new corner of the MCU.
(Original Review)


3. Avengers: Infinity War
Released April 27, 2018
Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Josh Brolin, Chris Hemsworth (and the rest!)

Infinity War was a cinematic experience unlike any other. The impact of that ending can still be felt to this day. It's like a true comic-book event come to life, sprung right from the panels. The Russo's perform the balancing act they did in Civil War, and like, quadruple it. Some cast members don't shine as equally as others, but their time is better used in Endgame. Downey, as always, is *the* leading man as Tony Stark. Josh Brolin feels truly menacing as Thanos, the saga's Big Bad, while also playing him with real pathos. Chris Hemsworth, right after Ragnarok, turns in even more spectacular work as Thor. It's also nice to see Doctor Strange and the Guardians join in on the big team-up this time.

While Infinity War is a ride, it is a lot to digest. However in the context of its sequel, it's setting the stage for The Avengers to come back from their greatest failure. And really it isn't their film, it's Thanos's. The Russo's structure it so he's a main character, which is the right call since the franchise had been building to him for ten years. But back to Infinity War being a ride. This as dark and intense as the franchise gets, and the action is some of the most thrilling in a Marvel film. "Calm" is not the word to use to describe Infinity War. Also, one more time...The music of Alan Silversti.

Infinity War shook audiences to its core. It's as devastating as it is entertaining.
(Original Review)
(Ranked #2 in My Top Films of 2018)


2. Guardians of The Galaxy: Vol. 2
Released May 5, 2017
Directed by James Gunn
Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Kurt Russell 

I really enjoy both Guardians films, but given a choice I'd take Vol.2 over "Vol.1". The comedy is turned up to eleven, but Gunn really doubles-down on the drama, and shows how as a writer he can seamlessly interweave between them. I love the story of family, and how the family we choose isn't always the family we're born into. Gunn brings these characters to the logical next step in their journeys. The Guardians of The Galaxy might look odd on the surface, but their story is universally touching.

Chris Pratt again proves to be one of the best actors in the business right now. Kurt Russell as Ego is absolutely amazing. Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon is the unsung MVP of the ensemble. Karen Gillan and Michael Rooker get more to do as Nebula and Yondu, and what they do with the material *chef's kiss*.  The design of the film is incredible, like Disney meets Flash Gordon. It's beautiful to look at. The soundtrack is once again stellar, but in this film I find the songs are more connected to what's on screen (particularly Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain).

I expected to laugh and have a great time. I didn't expect an attack on the feels in Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 2, but that's what we got. The film exceeded my expectations, and over time became one of my favorite MCU films.
(Original Review)


...Yeah...yeah we're here again...As them Thanos say, "I am, inevitable..."

1. Captain America: The First Avenger
Released July 22, 2011
Directed by Joe Johnson
Starring Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, and Sebastian Stan

I'm going to save some time and just copy-paste what I wrote when I made this film #1 in My Top 10 Films of 2011...

"Surprised? I knew you wouldn't be. This quickly became one of my favorite films of all time, as did Captain America become my favorite superhero of all time. Steve Rogers isn't motivated by say, revenge for a lost loved one, or some foretold prophecy. He's doing it because he knows what's right. He sees evil in the world, and as a person, feels compelled to do something about it. How can you not fall in love with a character like that, especially when he's played perfectly by my man Chris Evans? Honestly this is one of the best batch of supporting players in the MCU. Hayley Atwell is lovely and dynamic as Agent Peggy Carter. Sebastian Stan is too cool for school as Bucky. Hugo Weaving is deliciously evil as Red Skull, and by God can we please get more of Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Phillips in the MCU?? The film is not so much a superhero film, but a WWII action-adventure in the vein of Indiana Jones, which I love. I could keep going but you already knew Captain America: The First Avenger is my favorite film..."

Captain America, to me, embodies the spirit of the MCU, and shows why these films have become so beloved. The Marvel heroes portrayed on screen, all start out as regular people, be it a scrawny kid from Brooklyn, a gifted neurosurgeon, or a genius-billionare-playboy-philanthropist. They are put in extraordinary situations, and rise to the occasion to become something more. They take the chance to make the world a better place, by volunteering for a risky super-soldier program, joining a talking raccoon and tree to fight an intergalactic terrorist, or leading their people out of the shadows and onto the world's stage (That one's Black Panther). By showing their humble beginnings, Marvel shows that in some way, anyone can be a superhero. They make these characters accessible to the audience. As Stan Lee once said, "That person who helps others simply because it should or must be done, and because it is the right thing to do, is indeed, without a doubt, a real superhero..."

So (as it stands right now) those are my Top 12 Films of the MCU. Now, I finally rest, and watch the sun rise (from a secure location) on a grateful universe...

Well that's probably enough controversial opinions for now...for my next post, my review of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker!

Film Review - "Avengers: Endgame"

*deep breath*…Ok, I'm ready.

Avengers: Endgame
Directed by Joe & Anthony Russo
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and the rest!

When I was younger, my love and interest of superheroes was fairly tame. I loved the idea of superheroes, drawing and writing stories of my own, but I never read the comics. I followed the likes of Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man on their respective animated series and films, who were at the time, the three popular and most well-known by the general public. The likes of Iron Man, Captain America, or even Ant-Man weren't on people's minds. But then, there was an idea…

Marvel began producing their own films, with the characters they still had rights to (a story for another day), and setting them all in this shared continuity. A cinematic universe. So when the time was right, they could do a big crossover film with these heroes known as The Avengers. As someone who loves and studies film, and works in video production, the storytelling concept of a cinematic universe really fascinated me. I didn't rush to the theaters to see the first Iron Man, in fact I watched it on-demand with my mom a quiet weekend months later. Things changed rather quickly.

I was as invested as the rest of the public, going to the theaters on opening weekends to see Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger and so on. When I went to college, I met friends who knew all about these heroes from their days in comic books, and broadened my understanding of this Marvelous World and made me an even bigger fan. The Marvel Cinematic Universe became a major part of my life, their lives, and many others. We would have reunion weekends at least once a year to see the latest installment, and we would be in contact throughout the year discussing all the latest news, trailers, etc.

This is a long-way of saying, eleven years after this first saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe began with Iron Man, Avengers: Endgame was poised to bring it to a grandiose, epic, and emotional conclusion. Boy, did it ever…

The spoiler ban has lifted but out of respect for the few that haven't seen it yet, I'll keep the plot summary brief. After suffering a devastating loss at the hands of the Mad Titan Thanos (Josh Brolin), which resulted in half of the universe being snapped out of existence, the Avengers left behind must pick up the pieces. As a true team, they strive to find a way to reverse the damage and resurrect their dusted friends, family, and allies. That's the barebones.

Finales are hard to do. Just ask any show-runners of a television series that's concluded. Endgame is the series (or season depending your viewpoint) finale of a 22-episode, cinematic television series. Everyone has or had in their mind an idea of how The Infinity Saga of the MCU should have concluded. All entertainment is subjective, and while I personally had my own thoughts and expectations dismissed (As will all of you), this film is as close to perfect as perfect could be. It's what a finale should be. It's jam-packed with amazing character moments, epic scenes of drama and action, and plenty, PLENTY of moments that will have you clutching your handkerchief. I admit I cry at movies a fair amount, but damn, the bar's been raised…a lot.

Infinity War was an MCU film that was not for the uninitiated. You couldn't go into it cold turkey, or having only seen a small portions of the films that came before it. Endgame is no different, in fact it is even more so not for the uninitiated. The amount of MCU films you've seen prior will undoubtedly reflect your level of enjoyment viewing it. Back on Infinity War, while it and Endgame are a two-part installment, they are very different films. Specifically, while the former had a lot of balls in there and was very fast-paced, the latter has a much more mainstreamed storyline, and goes a bit slower. Not to say that's a bad thing. There are some slow parts in the first half, but conversely in that first act are a lot of wonderful, very entertaining character moments.

That's really why we've devoted ourselves to this cinematic universes, because of its compelling characters, which is my segway into talking about the cast. It's no secret that this film has been billed as the final outing for many of the franchise's longest standing cast members, and in Endgame they turn in some of their very best work. Robert Downey Jr. deserves some sort of Oscar for his work as Tony Stark/Iron Man. The amount of charisma and heart he has put into this role, it's nothing short of iconic. Chris Evans is Steve Rogers/Captain America. Cap is given some of the very best moments in the film, and Evans delivers them all with the same gravitas and emotion of a true leading man since he first picked up the shield in 2011. I don't think enough has been said about all the good work Chris Hemsworth has done as Thor. His ability to juggle the comedic and emotional sides of his character is remarkable. Not everyone's going to like what the Russos do with Thor in this film, but it does work. Thor has had one of the most-fleshed out character arcs throughout the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Scarlett Johansson does a lot of heavy-lifting as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow. She's not just the emotional core of the original Avengers team, she's the emotional core of the film, and it was really nice to see her talent on full-display. Jeremy Renner, who has often been sidelined and overlooked as Clint Barton/Hawkeye, is a true highlight here. He's given a lot of material to work with in Endgame and he runs with all it. Karen Gillan continues to be a personal favorite as Nebula, and seeing her work with the Avengers, opposed to say the Guardians, is a lot of fun. I don't want to go down the list of the entire cast but lastly, I want to mention Josh Brolin as Thanos. Thanos has become one of the greatest villains of all time, largely in part to his performance. Avoiding spoilers best I can, but the Thanos in Endgame is a stark contrast to the one in Infinity War. While Thanos is a self-proclaimed messiah who takes no true pleasure in his mission, here he's far more evil, ruthless, and threatening. Brolin works wonders with this side of the character.

Much like Infinity War, Endgame's production design is truly a comic-book come to life with some remarkable shots, settings and set-pieces. I can't wait to see what artists do with some of this stuff at my local comic-cons (Sorry, wallet.). I know I said Composer Alan Silversti gave some of his best work in Infinity War, but I changed my mind. Here is where he gives his best work. Obviously he worked on both films back to back, and you can hear a lot of the same themes and pieces in the score, but he truly saved the best for last. This is some of the best music a film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ever had, and if he isn't even nominated for an Academy Award I will set every copy of Bohemian Rhapsody on fire (I stole the framework of this joke).

I have come to love the Marvel films as much as I love the films of Disney and Pixar. They inform a lot of my opinions and taste in film and television, but they've also become a large part of my identity. These films have enforced lifelong friendships. I look around my apartment right now, and there is a Captain America magnet on my fridge, a throw pillow on my couch, a hand-crafted mini-surfboard with his shield hanging on my wall, and a Funko Pop of him fighting Thanos on my entertainment center. And it's some bizarre coincidence that three of this franchise's leading men are all named Chris, and the Chris that plays my favorite superhero is also from Massachusetts, but I digress.

The experience of Avengers: Endgame is unforgettable. Once in a lifetime. It's an epic, emotional conclusion to a story that began eleven years ago. Obviously, the Marvel Cinematic Universe will continue on, but it'll never be as it was. Nothing has ever or probably will ever touch this historic achievement of feature-film storytelling. Ten years from now, it's unclear if the superhero genre will still be as strong, or will have gone quietly to the sideline similar to the western. Rest assured, no one will soon forget the cultural impact of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and how The Infinity Saga, its first chapter, came to a ground-breaking conclusion with Avengers: Endgame.

.

Credit to my friend Derek for this, the best work in Photoshop anyone has ever done ever.

Top 10 Films of 2011

Listen if you know me and do your research, you know very well where this is all going to land. But it's not about the journey, sometimes it's about the destination? That's how the saying goes right?

Here's my Top 10 Films of 2011!! Today we continue a look back on the years in this decade I didn't do "Top 10 Films" lists for, in hopes of making my eventual Top 10 Films of 2018 list look not so late. If you haven't checked out my Top 10 Films of 2010 yet, click here. On with the show.


10. Winnie The Pooh
Directed by Stephen J. Anderson and Don Hall
Starring Jim Cummings, Bud Luckey, and Tom Kenny

Not a lot of people saw this one. Why? Because in one of Disney's most brilliant marketing moves, released this film the same weekend as Harry Potter & The Deathy Hallows - Part 2. Then, when the film performed poorly at the box office, they decided to blame it on the notion that "No one wants to see hand-drawn animation anymore". So right after The Princess & The Frog brought it back to the studio, it was killed again just two years later...

....oh right, I need to provide an opinion on the actual film. This film is classic Winnie The Pooh. If you're still riding the "high" of Christopher Robin, I suggest you give this film a watch. It has the same charm and cleverness of the original 1977 classic. There's an unusual amount of slapstick and physical humor here for Winnie The Pooh, but it works. There's jokes I think kids and adults will laugh at. Where the 1977 film told three stories in a row, this one tells two (arguably three) and tries to tie them together into one fluid narrative. For the most part it works, but not all story lines receive equal attention. The animation is great. Jim Cummings continues to be great as Pooh and Tigger. The new additions to the voice cast are great, including Tom Kenny (SpongeBob) as Rabbit, Craig Ferguson as Owl, and John Cleese as the narrator. The songs are quite catchy, and reminiscent of the classic Sherman Brothers tunes (They're done by Robert and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, the duo behind the songs of Frozen and Coco, and many are sung by Zooey Deschanel, who's sweet and soothing voice fits well for Winnie The Pooh). If you or your family like these characters and have a free hour (It's actually a 63-minute film), I suggest you check this one out.


9. The Artist
Directed by Michael Hazanavicius
Starring Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, and John Goodman

Some would say The Artist relies too much on nostalgia as a gimmick. I think that's pretty rude, man. Producing a silent film, in a time that's evolved a lot as far as visual storytelling, is kind of brave when you think about it. It's a clever homage and commentary on the silent film era, and how the transition to "talkies" affected Hollywood icons of the time. When you're limiting yourself as far as dialogue, you need to "show not tell" as best you can, and this film certainly does. I will say as much as I enjoy it, The Artist does drag at times. It's a very charming, enjoyable film that evokes real movie magic. While I'm talking about The Artist, I wish Jean Dujardin got more work stateside after this film went big.


8. Rio
Directed by Carlos Saldanha
Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, and Jermaine Clement

Rio's pretty underrated in my opinion. Objectively, it's an average film. It's a touching but cliche' love story, and the animation is gorgeous for the time, literally bringing Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to life  (This is from Blue Sky, the folks behind Ice Age). The voice cast is a fun group, and you can tell they're having too. There's some real good songs throughout the film too, one of which has become one my regular "jams". It's a very entertaining 82 minutes I think kids and adults can really enjoy, and you know what? I bet it's better than the last three Ice Age sequels.

Also my original review of Rio from 2011 still exists, and if anyone saw the sequel let me know if it's worth giving a watch.

7. Horrible Bosses
Directed by Seth Gordon
Starring Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, and Charlie Day

This was one funny film. I can still remember and recite a lot of the best moments from the film. It's a pretty outrageous story (and a relatable one? Because I'm sure we've all experienced a horrible boss at one point in our life?) and because of that the humor arising from the script is even better. The cast is also hilarious and fires on all cylinders (OK maybe not Kevin Spacey...) from beginning to end. Charlie Day and Jaimie Foxx steal all the scenes. Horrible Bosses is one of the most creative, hilarious comedies in recent years, and I just want to let everyone to know that murder is wrong and you should never kill your boss or anyone as a solution to your problems. Communication is key.


6. Crazy, Stupid Love
Directed by Glen Ficarra & John Requa
Starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone

The best romantic comedies, at least to me, are the ones that switch things up a bit. Crazy, Stupid, Love does that by looking at the rougher side of love/modern romance. It doesn't wrap everything up in a "happily ever after" ending but it's an upbeat, heartwarming, and funny film. Also, the way it ties all the story-lines together before the third act is CLASSIC. This film stars three of my favorite actors (Carell, Gosling, and Stone). As we know, Ryan and Emma are amazing and have perfect chemistry. Micheal Scott himself, Steve Carell, can be hilarious and sincere, and he delivers one of my favorite monologues in film. Even if you're not a romantic comedy person, there's a lot to love, about Crazy, Stupid Love.


5. Kung Fu Panda 2
Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Starring Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, and Dustin Hoffman

Sequels are hard to do. Animated sequels for some reason, seem even harder to do. If you don't believe me look what Disney was up to on home-video from the early nineties 'til about 2009. Kung Fu Panda 2 is one of those rare animated sequels that works, and arguably surpasses the original. Personally it's my favorite of the trilogy. It builds so well off of the original in this touching chapter of Po's (Black) story. The animation is again superb, and the music is epic. The fight scenes are awesome (Yeah I know they're animated but they are awesome, just like in the first film) There's a lot of power in the voice cast, and Gary Oldman is the best as the villain, Lord Shen. Epic and emotional, Kung Fu Panda 2 is a superb sequel.

My original review from 2011 for this film also still exists.

4. Thor
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Sir Anthony Hopkins, and Tom Hiddelston

This year we really started to see the MCU take shape, with the introduction of two key Avengers. Eight years and about seventeen films later, I still consider the first Thor film to be one of their best, and one of their stronger origin films. I mean, it's really hard to rank all the films in MCU. I'll do it someday when I'm braver but this is my opinion on Thor. The Thor trilogy is a hodge-podge of sorts, when you look from here to Ragnarok, but there's a solid narrative thread throughout, and it starts here. Hemsworth does a great job in his first round with the character. Hopkins commands scenes as Odin. Hiddelston as Loki is still one of the best villains of the franchise. The script is tight, although the "fish out of water" bits on Earth are a mixed bag. The characters are memorable (Except Kat Dennings as Darcy, and you probably forgot Zachary Levi wasn't the first Fandral). I originally thought that Thor's arc felt rushed in this film, and I've sort of backed away from that criticism. Partially from now seeing it as part of a bigger picture, and partially from more viewings. There's drama, action, and humor. It's a perfect Marvel film, and a great start to Thor's life on screen.

Again, original review from 2011 is still existing.

3. The Muppets
Directed by James Bobin
Starring Jason Segel, Amy Adams, and Kermit The Frog

If you didn't love The Muppets, chances are you did and you just forgot, or you did subconsciously and never realized, and this film awakened those feelings inside you like a piercing alarm clock of emotions. The second one is what happened for me. This film, like Toy Story 3, uses nostalgia as a weapon, beautifully. The Muppets is a labor of love, from writer and star Jason Segel. There's a lot at play here. The power of nostalgia, the frailty of fame, following your dreams, and facing failure. It'll make you cry sad and happy tears. The songs and humor are spot-on in traditional Muppet-style, and you already know how wonderful these characters are. Segel and Adams are wonderful, and Walter is a welcome new addition the Muppet family. There's plenty of cameos to enjoy, as you would expect. The Muppets came back in a big way with...well, The Muppets. The world can always use more Muppets.


2. Drive
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
Starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, and Albert Brooks

This is the year I started to recognize Ryan Gosling as one of my favorite actors. Drive is a gripping crime drama with a mysterious and compelling protagonist. Gosling is subtle but masterful as The Driver, who in my opinion is one of the most iconic heroes in recent film history. The cast all around is very likable, and all the characters are well-fleshed out. Albert Brooks as the villain Bernie is a particular stand-out. Drive is cool, it's intense, but it's a story about what it means to be human and to give part of yourself to something bigger. It's almost like a western discussed as a modern action film. I could talk about how much I love Drive more but I got to wrap this up...


1. Captain America: The First Avenger
Directed by Joe Johnston
Starring Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, and Sebastian Stan

Surprised? I knew you wouldn't be. This quickly became one of my favorite films of all time, as did Captain America become my favorite superhero of all time. Steve Rogers isn't motivated by say, revenge for a lost loved one, or some foretold prophecy. He's doing it because he knows what's right. He sees evil in the world, and as a person, feels compelled to do something about it. How can you not fall in love with a character like that, especially when he's played perfectly by my man Chris Evans? Honestly this is one of the best batch of supporting players in the MCU. Hayley Atwell is lovely and dynamic as Agent Peggy Carter. Sebastian Stan is too cool for school as Bucky. Hugo Weaving is deliciously evil as Red Skull, and by God can we please get more of Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Phillips in the MCU?? The film is not so much a superhero film, but a WWII action-adventure in the vein of Indiana Jones, which I love. I could keep going but you already knew Captain America: The First Avenger is my favorite film from this year, one of my favorite films of all time, and starring one of my favorite characters of all time.


And those are my Top 10 Films of 2011. Up next is the year 2012, so assemble with your thunder buddies because it's about to go off the chain...

Top 10 Films of 2016

Another year of film comes to a close this weekend with the 89th Annual Academy Awards, and what a year it's been. It was a make-or-break period for superhero films (Marvel did the making, DC did the breaking. Shots fired.). After a few years of backlash, filmmakers seemed to have responded to the "Oscars So White" rally cry, and we had a much more diverse library of films (Four of the nine Best Picture Nominees predominantly star actors and actresses of color.). Disney churned out not one but two incredible animated films, while Pixar gave us another sequel in Finding Dory, that wasn't spectacular but still worlds better than Cars 2. But most importantly, Ryan Gosling gave us even more reasons to be in awe of him…anyway…

Now with the Oscars upon us, and having just finished watching all nine of the Best Picture nominees at AMC's annual marathon, here's my Top 10 Films of 2016. And as I always say: Not your Top 10. Mine. Here we go.

10. Zootopia
Directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore
Starring Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman and Idris Elba

Like I said, Disney added two great animated films to their catalog this year, and while I loved Moana, Zootopia definitely was the better crafted and more impactful film. A cute and very comical film with a powerful message at its core, and a message very important in this day and age. Its two leads are a perfect match, the script is more than solid, and the animation is Disney at its best. Zootopia stands as one of Disney's and one of the year's best.
(Original Review)

9. Deadpool
Directed by Tim Miller
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarain and TJ Miller

I never thought I'd see the day a Ryan Reynolds film would appear on a Top 10 list for me, but 2016 started off with the gift of Deadpool. While it's very much a basic superhero origin story, it's all elevated by his performance as the Merc with a Mouth. The film was a longtime passion project of his, and it shows in the final product. While it's a raunchy R-Rated superhero film, it has plenty of heart to keep it balanced. Full of great one-liners and gags, Deadpool is one of the finest films out of last year.
(Original Review)

8. Hacksaw Ridge
Directed by Mel Gibson
Starring Andrew Garfield, Vince Vaughn, and Hugo Weaving

Mel Gibson is who he is, but that doesn't mean he can't make a great film, and Hacksaw Ridge is a great film. While the first third is strong with Christian overtones and the blood and violence gets to be a little much (Classic Mel) it's a captivating story about beliefs and heroism. Andrew Garfield gives a not-Spider-Man career defining performance, backed up by the (surprising) talent of Vince Vaughn and Sam Worthington. It's heartfelt, it's thrilling, Hacksaw Ridge tells the story of an almost real-life Captain America, so based on that sentiment you can see why it's in my Top 10.

7. Moonlight
Directed by Barry Jenkins
Starring Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Mahershala Ali

Moonlight is such a bold, unique film. There's nothing like it, which is sad because more stories of self-acceptance and identity like this one are needed in this time in history. The scenery and lighting is so eye-catching, and the three actors they got to play the main character through the three stages of his life mesh together so well  (for the most part). I guess what keeps the film lower on my list opposed to others' lists, is it hit a wall for me in the third act. The pacing slowed to a crawl and we seemed to rush to an abrupt but still logical conclusion. That aside, its a remarkable, passionate film and still one of the year's best.

6. Arrival
Directed by Denis Villeneuve
Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forrest Whittaker

Arrival is such a different take on the usual alien-invasion film. Not to get into spoilers, but it reaches a Christopher Nolan-level of storytelling that resonates on an emotional and mind-rattling level. You'll approach the film with one mindset, and have it completely turned upside down by the time the credits role. Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner both give some solid performances, but I'm not sure what Forrest Whittaker's accent is all about...might be Boston. It's eerie, it's captivating, it's a mind trip. Arrival will definitely stick with you as you leave the theater.

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

Well we had a thought-provoking sci-fi film, now here's a fun popcorn sci-fi film! Rogue One is definitely one of the better Star Wars film, despite the fact that it's not perfectly made. It does a great job of taking a couple sentences from A New Hope's opening crawl and crafting a story you actually care about. The characters and performances are delightful, although you'll wish for more interaction with/development of them. It's got stunning visuals, and plenty of fan service. Gareth Edwards did the impossible...he made a Star Wars prequel you can love (Shots fired.).
(Original Review)

4. Manchester by The Sea
Directed by Kenneth Lonergan
Starring Casey Affleck, Lucas Hedges, and Michelle Williams

You're going to need a serious hug after seeing this film, but that doesn't mean Manchester By The Sea is a film you should avoid. It's an powerhouse drama about family, grief and sacrifice, and at its core is the relationship between an estranged uncle and nephew. Casey Affleck gives a subtle but heavyweight performance in the lead role of Lee Chandler, and newcomer Lucas Hedges plays his nephew Patrick. His performance is spot-on but nothing special (I mean a teenager playing a teenager, not hard to do.) I'm a resident Masshole, so I loved the humor specific to the area, but on top of that the look of Manchester and the New England area is captured perfectly. It's a beautifully shot film. Manchester By The Sea might be a tough watch, and it's not a feel good film, but it's an emotional character study that will jump rope with your heartstrings.

3. Hell or High Water
Directed by David Mackenzie
Starring Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine, and Ben Foster

I've got a secret passion for westerns, and Hell or High Water is exactly that. A modern-day western. It's like The Town in Texas. It's unique in that sense, though some would argue it's got a few storytelling cliches. But Chris Pine and Ben Foster are a perfect pair as are two leads, and Jeff Bridges is hilarious and a real scene-stealer as the Texas Ranger hunting them down. You're not quite sure how it's all going to go down, but it's awesome and it keeps your eyes glued to the screen until the last second. Lastly, the cinematography of the Texas landscape really helps overstate the scale of this small story. It's amazing a film like Hell or High Water got nominated for Best Picture this year. It definitely won't get an Oscar but it's still a winning film.

2. Captain America: Civil War
Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo
Starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr. and Sebastian Stan

You knew this was coming. Hell you know what's coming after this. I am who I am, and I loved Captain America: Civil War, and I know a lot of you did too! It's one of Marvel's best, and it's one of the genre's best. It works as a Captain America film, and an Avengers film, but our lead is still centerstage, brining his trilogy to a logical...conclusion? Tipping point? Talk to Feige...Members of the MCU ensemble give some of their best performances, the fight scenes are so impressive, and it raises plenty of questions on morality. Explosive, emotional, and to no surprise, Captain America: Civil War is my second favorite film of 2016.
(Original Review)

What's my favorite? Well before we get to the expected conclusion of this list and you can all roll your eyes at me, here's some other films I really loved from this year but not as much as these ten (In order of release):

The Jungle Book: Another unnecessary remake from Disney that ended up being incredibly well made, and dare I say, better written than the animated original.

The Nice Guys: Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe make a great pair in this funny and compelling neo-noir.

Moana: Beautifully animated and packed with plenty of catchy Lin-Manuel Miranda music, it's another great Disney film with a simple by-the-numbers story.

Doctor Strange: The MCU goes to bold, fantastical new places in one of its finer origin stories, pulled together by an amazing cast, visuals, and score.

Fences: August Wilson's play comes to life with amazing performances. Coming off much more a play being filmed than an actual film, it's got some truly wonderful work from its cast.


Alright here we go. You know it. My top film of 2016 is...


1. La La Land
Directed by Damien Chapelle
Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, and that charming fiend named John Legend

Honestly how could a MUSICAL featuring BUCKETS OF SINGING AND DANCING be CHRIS FLAHERTY'S favorite film of the year?? Yes I'm in the majority, and I see many on the inter webs hating on La La Land, but I digress. It's a heartfelt story about dreams and dreamers, not just show business. Making dreams come true is never an easy task. Challenges and adversity left and right, and many people saying no or slamming doors in your face. La La Land doesn't shy away from the harshness of Hollywood, it's not all sugar-coated song and dance. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are as captivating as they've ever been, and you'll fall in love with their characters and their stories. There's some gorgeous sets and visuals in the film, the songs are unforgettable, and yes buckets of lovely, captivating, dancing.

As Emma Stone sings, "Here's to the ones who dream, foolish as they may seem" and here's to La La Land. My favorite film of 2016.


Now I can focus on what's coming up this year, like that Beauty & The Beast remake that's either going to make or break-oh crap I forgot to watch Hail, Caesar...

....Happy Oscar Night!!!

Film Review - "Captain America: Civil War"

Captain America: Civil War
Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo
Starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, Sebastian Stan, and Chadwick Boseman

Oh my emotions. Watching your favorite superheroes kick the crap out of each other, that takes it out of you. At the same time though, that's what helps make Captain America: Civil War not just one of the best Marvel films of all time, but one of the best superhero films of all time.

Following the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron and an encounter with Crossbones (Frank Grillo) that ends horribly with civilian casualties, the government is calling for The Avengers to be put under the control of a United Nations panel, with the signing of the Sokovia Accords. Naturally, one half of the team is against the Accords, while the other half is for it. The first half is led by Steve Rogers/Captain America (Evans), and the second by Tony Stark/Iron Man (Downey).

As this inner conflict unfolds, The Winter Soldier/Steve's old friend Bucky Barnes (Stan) remerges, supposedly the one behind a bombing of the United Nations. Steve and Sam Wilson/The Falcon (Anthony Mackie) take it upon themselves to investigate, now acting outside the law. As the hunt for Bucky unfolds, superheroes both new and familiar are drawn into the conflict, while a mysterious figure named Helmut Zemo (Daniel Bruhl) operates in the shadows. Things will never be the same as disagreement between teammates turns into an all out brawl.

The script here is fantastic, building upon every character's development and storyline threaded through the past dozen films. Everything in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has built to this, and it all comes to head in a glorious spectacle. Every piece of dialogue, every fight scene has emotional weight to it, and the audience really feels it.

The airport sequence is everything everyone has been ranting and raving about. It's an explosive set piece and one of the best action scenes put to film in the superhero genre. The final fight, which I won't spoil, packs one hell of a gut punch, and is a pure edge-of-your-seat thrills.

A film this packed, you think some characters would go underdeveloped, but everyone gets their moment to shine in the film. Paul Rudd brings some big laughs as Ant-Man. Sebastian Stan gets to bring Bucky to some amazing new places, and the comedic pairing of Bucky & Falcon is wonderful. Elizabeth Olsen gets much more to do as Scarlet Witch, and really works the material. Daniel Bruhl as Helmut Zemo is no question, the best villain in the MCU since Tom Hiddelston's Loki.

Then we have our two newest Avengers, Spider-Man and Black Panther, played by Tom Holland and Chadwick Boseman. Tom Holland is now the definitive Spider-Man. Young, hopeful, cocky and ready to play with the big boys, this is the young Peter Parker from the comics come to life. Chadwick Boseman is the coolest of cool as Prince T'Challa, the Black Panther. I can't wait for their standalone films.

Then there's our two leads, Chris Evans as Captain America and Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. While this film is packed with Avengers, this is still a Captain America story, as Steve Rogers continues to adjust to this modern world and fight for what he believes in. Chris Evans, his fifth outing as the titular hero, possibly gives his best performance of the MCU so far, handling both heavy-hitting set pieces and character moments. Robert Downey Jr., now having played Tony Stark for six films, brings the evolution of the character to dark, emotional new places. This is a different Tony Stark, and its incredibly compelling to watch Downey bring this character to life once more.

Honestly the whole cast is incredible, new and old faces of the franchise, but it'd be tedious to go down the entire roster. Henry Jackman's score is beautiful, featuring some truly moving pieces of music. The film is perfectly paced. It's hard to find any real flaw in the film, and that's not Marvel bias. Sure you could argue the introduction of Spider-Man into the MCU feels shoe-horned, or that Zemo wasn't need to create the conflict of Civil War, but everything is done so well its justified.

Another MCU film has come and gone, and here I am embodying the stereotype of the Marvel fanboy once again. Regardless, I think the voice of the critics and audiences can back me up here. Captain America: Civil War is an explosive, emotional film that is easily one of the best superhero films ever made. It's an easy recommendation. Even if you're not a diehard MCU fan, the film will still appeal to you on some level. I mean you're watching Captain America and Iron Man fight. That's like…watching Batman and Superman….okay maybe not like that….I'm sorry I couldn't resist one little jab…

If you haven't already, check out my take on how we got to Captain America: Civil War, both from Cap's and Tony's point of view.

The Road To "Captain America: Civil War" Part 2

Well this is late...anyway I'll just preface this with there will be no spoilers for Captain America: Civil War in this piece, and my review of the film will come soon enough.

Now that we've examined the Star Spangled Man with A Plan (If you haven't read part one yet, please do so), let's take a look at the cinematic journey of genius-billionaire-playboy-philanthropist, Tony Stark aka Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.)

When Tony is still in captivity of the Ten Rings in the first Iron Man, Yensin (Shaun Toub) asks him if he has a family, to which Tony says no. Yensin replies, "So you are a man who has everything and nothing." How true is that. The Tony that we're looking at right now lives an empty life of drinking, partying, and sleeping around. He gets no real fulfillment from any of this. There's something seriously missing from his life.

Later on in the film, after Tony escapes (and Yensin tells him not to waste his life), he's speaking to Pepper (Gwyneth Palytrow) about his current path. She disapproves, but Tony tells her, "I just finally know what I have to do…and I know in my heart, that it's right." Tony knows that Yensin was right. He has wasted his life. The weapons manufacturing has done its good work, but its also done its damage, and now he's seen that first hand. It's time for Tony to add something positive to the world.
Now we have a humble Tony, with a better understanding of his purpose, and what he can do with his life.

While he may be humbler, it's still very much all about him. Old habits die hard. Even at the end of the film, he goes for an extra bit of glory declaring to the press, "I am Iron Man." In the post credits scene, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) tells Tony "You've become a part of a bigger universe, you just don't know it yet." He would soon learn how right Fury was, the hard way...more on that later.

Iron Man 2 opens with Tony facing death once more. The core of the arc reactor in his chest is slowly poisoning him. In times of near death, the question of one's legacy arises, and Tony begins to deal with his own.

At this point in his life, his legacy is Iron Man. The weapons manufacturing, that's a thing of the past. Now, the government is fighting him to turn over the Iron Man technology, which is both his legacy and identity. Unfortunately, the government does get their hands on the suit, which leaves Tony down in the dumps…or rather, up in a giant donut nursing a hangover.

The film also turns a spotlight on Tony's relationship with his father, Howard Stark (John Slattery/Dominic Cooper). The legacy of a parent often transcends the legacy of a child (In a literal sense, Tony did take over his father's company at the young age of twenty-one). Then when we learn Tony and Howard's relationship was cold and distant, you start to wonder, did Tony ever want the life of Stark Industries? Was weapons manufacturing ever really what he wanted to do? It would make sense if this life felt empty too him, and it never felt what he was meant to do.

As Fury tells him though, Howard had bigger plans for Tony. Plans that extended beyond taking over the company, but finishing his life's work. Howard had a grander design for the arc reactor technology, but his plans were far ahead of the science of his time. Therefore, as we learn in a recorded message from long ago, Howard would leave the rest of his plans to his son.

Howard trusted that his only son could be the one to accomplish this. He had all the faith in Tony, as he tells him "My greatest creation, will always be you." Armed with this newfound knowledge and affection from his father, Tony is able to create a new element to power the arc reactor, and therefore save his own life again. The part of his legacy he inherited from his father, has directly reinvigorated the part of his legacy from Iron Man. That brings a greater emotional weight to what Tony does with the Iron Man technology. This is his work, and no politician can take that away from him.

Now if you recall, Tony's father Howard got a little close with a certain super soldier back in the day. Of course I'm talking about Steve Rogers, Captain America (Chris Evans). In The Avengers, Tony finally gets to meet the man his father spoke so highly of in his youth. Naturally, they don't get along too well. Steve is a team-player and plays by the book, Tony does what he wants and breaks the rules if he has to. Polar opposites in a way.

One could look at Tony's relationship with Steve as like a jealous, sibling rivalry type deal. Steve being the older brother Howard always idolized, while Tony never meeting his father's expectations in his youth. Now he finally meets this "symbolic big-brother" and is like "What the hell this guy's a square. I'm better than this."

Steve strikes a chord with Tony later on in the film. He calls Tony out, tells him he's no more than the suit of armor he parades around in (Now that suit's become pretty important to him at this point in the films. I'm sure that hurts.) and that "the only thing you really fight for is yourself. You're not the guy to make the sacrifice play…" Tony after all is a bit self-absorbed, and does have a narcissist streak. Hey the SHIELD files said so. Tony knows he doesn't play well with others. But when you think about it, when he hears Captain America himself saying this stuff, might that not hit a little harder? Isn't it easier to admit your own flaws to yourself than to someone else, much less this American icon your father always regarded so highly?

Anyway in the climatic battle of The Avengers Tony defies expectations and makes the ultimate sacrifice, when he carries the nuclear missile through the wormhole and out of the galaxy, nearly losing his life. Here is where Tony contradicts Steve's views of him. He risks his own life, and becomes a part of something bigger. He finally sees that he's part of that universe Nick Fury was talking about…and that scares him.

It should come as no surprise that Tony is portrayed as a victim of PTSD. Not just from his experience of being captured by terrorists, but by flying through a wormhole to another galaxy, facing possible death for the near-hundredth time. This is the Tony we see in Iron Man 3. When we ended The Avengers, he was on Mock 7 of the Iron Man suit. Now only a year or so later, he's on Mock 42. Wow. That's a lot of suit building.

All these different suits have different features for multiple scenarios…or multiple threats. This is a coping mechanism. He explains to Pepper, "Gods, aliens, other dimensions…I'm just a man in a can." and that he can't sleep, because he's in constant fear of danger. "Just a man in a can…" isn't that sort of a callback to Steve's "big man in a suit of armor" remark? Hmm...

He tells Pepper his suits are a part of him, she argues they're just distractions. The only way Tony has survived so far is because of the technology he's created with Iron Man. So in a dark sort of way, he's building all these machines so he can in fact protect himself and the people he cares about from the likes of Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Chiutari, etc.

The part of Tony's legacy, where he is Iron Man, has become convoluted in his mind. He believes without the suit or armor, he is nothing. The suit is what makes the man, but by the end of Iron Man 3, he realizes that man makes the suit. For most of Iron Man 3, Tony is fighting the bad guys and saving the day with only small bits of his tech. He only really suits up once or twice in the film. In the closing moments, Tony has the arc reactor removed from his chest, and all his suits are destroyed.

He narrates that his armor "was never a distraction, or a hobby, it was a cocoon. Now, I'm a changed man. You can take away my house, all my tricks and toys. One thing you can't take away…I am Iron Man." He has come to a better understanding of his own legacy. Like he has said many times before, he is Iron Man. Not because of the suit, but what he does with it.

Regardless, Tony still suffers from PTSD, and that is not something that is easily cured. Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) brings his fears and anxieties back to the surface in the opening moments of Avengers: Age of Ultron. She shows him a vision of the world under siege of the Chiutari once more, and his fellow Avengers have fallen. In this vision, Steve tells Tony with his final breath, "You could have saved us…why didn't you do more?" The threats that plagued Tony in Iron Man 3 still plague him now, and he feels he has not done enough to protect the world. So…he takes Loki's scepter, and he creates Ultron (James Spader).

We all know that ends spectacularly, right? Even the best intentions can go astray, and Tony does in fact have the best intentions. He fights with Steve at the Barton Farmhouse, that everything he did in creating Ultron was to stop the world's need for The Avengers, "Isn't that the why we fight? So we can end the fight, and go home?" Tony wants it to stop. He wants the world to be safe, and he's slowly come to the realization that this act as Iron Man can't do it. That's why he built Ultron, the Iron Legion, and all those suits. He knows he is not enough, and continuing to fight like he is enough has taken its toll on his mind and body.

So what is enough, you ask? Well, perhaps a system of accords that keeps super powered people in check, that prevents them from causing anymore damage than they need to get the job done? Enter Captain America: Civil War, where Tony is once again trying to make the world a safer place. He's trying to do good, after his work as Iron Man, his work with Ultron, has proved to only cause as much bad as good.

Now I'd love to further this analysis through Captain America: Civil War, but that's another piece for another day, and I'd like to write my review on it first. To conclude, we now see where both Captain America and Iron Man have come from. Two sides of the same coin, in some ways. One fighting his whole life to find a sense of belonging, purpose. The other desperate to right the wrongs of the past, and leave a worthy mark on the world. Good men, trying to be better…just in different ways. United they stand. Divided they fall...

The Road To "Captain America: Civil War" Part 1

In just a few days, Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will begin with Captain America: Civil War. The third Captain America film, the thirteenth film in the entire MCU, and the culmination of all that's come before (I'm sure that's been said about quite a few films in this franchise). Specifically though, it brings us to a crucial point in the history of two of the franchise's most beloved characters: Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans), and Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.).

Both have come a long way, and after over a dozen films have reached a crossroads. How did we get here?

First, let's look at The Star Spangled Man with The Plan, and go to the very beginning, with Captain America: The First Avenger. When we first meet Steve Rogers, he's scrawny, insignificant, and desperate to join the war effort. When Dr. Abraham Erksine (Stanley Tucci) asks him why he's so set on becoming a solider, he tells him, "I don't like bullies. I don't care where they're from." He tells his best friend Bucky (Sebastian Stan), "There are men laying down their lives. I got no right to do any less than them."

Steve Rogers, right from the get-go, is presented to us as selfless, virtuous man. He is good because it's the right thing to do. Now, Captain America is my favorite superhero, but if I may, let's scratch beneath the surface here.

He's not just looking to do what's right for his country...he's looking for a sense of belonging, of purpose. There are subtle hints throughout the MCU, that Steve is a bit of a tragic character. As Loki calls him in The Avengers, "A man out of time." A deleted scene showcases Steve struggling adjust to modern times. However, Steve's lack of belonging begins long before the events of The Avengers.

In The First Avenger, Steve tells Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) that not many women are lining up to dance with a guy like him. In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, he tells Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) that "even when I had nothing I had Bucky." This is a lonely guy, with, no romantic prospects, and only one real friend. Both his parents are dead, as we learn in flashbacks in Winter Soldier, so he has no family either. Holy cow, someone give this guy a hug.

When Steve is given his super-soldier makeover in The First Avenger, he's given an opportunity to find all these things. He finds romance with Peggy Carter. He gains friends, brother-in-arms, not just with Bucky, but with his Howling Commandos. More so, he has a purpose...and just like that, he loses it all. Steve makes the grand sacrifice, crash lands his plane into the sea, and wakes up 70 years later. Everything he desperately wanted in life is now gone.

It's lightly touched on The Avengers, and more so in The Winter Soldier, that Steve is trying to reclaim what he's lost when he went in the ice. As Peggy tells him though, the world has changed, "and the best that we can do, is to start over." So, he starts over. He joins with SHIELD, The Avengers, and jumps back onto the battlefield. But where Steve is a selfless soldier, conforming to a regime, there's someone else who's the complete opposite.

Yes that individual is Tony Stark a.k.a. Iron Man, who we'll talk about more in part 2, but for now I'll suggest that Steve sees Tony as a threat to everything he believes in as a soldier, and a person. Steve is humble and honest. Tony is selfish and self-absorbed. Steve calls him out on his behavior several times in The Avengers, and here is the start of their conflict which will boil over for many films to come.

There's one sequence in The Avengers I do want to touch on. Tony suspects Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) is hiding something within SHIELD, and starts to dig through encrypted files. Steve tells him to stop being such a rebel and follow orders. After a brief confrontation, Steve decides to investigate for himself, which is when he discovers Phase Two (No not Iron Man 3 through Ant Man), SHIELD's plan to use the Tesseract to make weapons to combat threats from other worlds. Confirming his polar opposite's suspicions, this is where Steve's distrust of Fury & SHIELD begin, which will grow further in The Winter Soldier.

The battlefield is not what Steve remembers it, and I'm not just talking about the difference between Nazis and the Chiutari. Everything isn't in black and white anymore. The lines of good and bad are blurred, which he learns working with Black Widow and Nick Fury in SHIELD. He constantly disagrees with their actions, claiming they are not what make an army or a team. It doesn't take long for him to realize that the likes of Widow & Fury are the least of his troubles, when Hydra is revealed to have secretly infiltrated SHIELD, years after his disappearance.

So after that doozy of a revelation, Steve has a change of heart. He no longer wants to blindly report to faceless government regimes with hidden agendas, which is when The Avengers become an organization independent of SHIELD, as we see in Avengers: Age of Ultron, with both him and Tony as co-leaders (Yeah. That'll go over well.)

Well it doesn't take long for Steve to realize that Tony has hidden agendas all his own, when his secret plans with Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) to create Ultron (James Spader) backfire horribly, and come to the light of the rest of The Avengers. Steve's naturally not pleased at all by this, and claims Tony's actions would hurt the team. Tony counters that his actions would end the team, asking Steve, "isn't that the why we fight? So we can end the fight, and go home??"

Steve counters with, "Every time someone tries to win a war before it starts innocent people die. Every time." The line implies that Steve believes their fight is not yet finished, or on a personal level, that his fight is not yet finished.

Earlier in the film, in his illusion created by Scarlet Witch, Steve is back in the days of World War II. It's a celebration, supposedly after the Allies have won. Peggy appears to him, saying "The war is over Steve. We can go home." Suddenly, Steve is alone in the empty dance hall. He can't go home. Not the home he knows. It's gone, a remnant of a time period long ago.

Peggy's words echo in his mind. After Thor (Chris Hemsworth) leaves the Hawkeye Family Barn. He turns to go back inside, and you hear her "We can go home" replay...and Steve stands there, staring through the doorway. Almost as if he can't cross the threshold...as if he can't go home.

So it's no surprise that when Tony says "so we can go home?" Steve snaps both on the inside, and on the outside tearing a block of wood in half. Home for Tony is a nice house in Malibu with Pepper. Home for Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) is the farm with his wife and kids. What's home for Steve now? He has none of that. The fight can't end, because once the mission is accomplished, he'll have nothing.

By the end of Age of Ultron, that may not matter anymore. He tells Tony that the version of himself that wanted a stable family life may not exist anymore. He glances over the new Avengers Headquarters, with new recruits (or "soldiers" we'll call them for sense of parallels) running about, and tells Tony, "He's home." Steve has found home, by making his life as a solider, a hero, his home life. Steve's position as an Avenger suddenly carries a lot more personal weight.

In a deleted scene from Age of Ultron, Steve tells Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) that if Ultron was doing what he's supposed to, he'd hang up his shield. Hill questions his words, to which Steve has no response. He know he can't give up his position as an Avenger, because it's all he's got, and by the end of the film, he's going to make the most of it.

Which finally brings us to Civil War, where everything Steve has worked so hard to achieve is being threatened once more. Government agendas poise to overtake him once more, and take everything away from him, including literally the last bit of his old life, Bucky. Captain America once again must fight to preserve his purpose and his identity, which will bring him into direct conflict with Iron Man.

For a look at Tony Stark's side of the coin, stay tuned for part 2.

Yeah...About Spider-Man Joining The MCU

If I may quote John C. Reilly in Guardians of The Galaxy, "This may not be the best idea…"

There was a time when Spider-Man was one of the most popular superhero characters brought to film. Back then though, we had nowhere near as many superhero film franchises on the screen that we do now. Back then, we probably only had Spider-Man, Superman, and Batman with a few failed attempts at The Hulk and Fantastic Four scattered in between.

Let's focus on the mid-to-late 2000's. In 2005, Christopher Nolan began his Batman series with Batman Begins, but the world had yet to see how much this series would shake up the system. They would have to wait until 2008 for that, with the very successful sequel The Dark Knight.

In 2006, Superman made a mediocre to return to the screen with Superman Returns. The film failed to get the franchise going again, and fans would have to wait until 2013 for sadly another mediocre, successful reboot of the character in the form of Man of Steel. 

Then in 2007, came Spider-Man 3, making the web-slinger the first of the three to complete a…ahem, successful, trilogy of films at the time (By the way, we're ignoring the Christopher Reeve Superman films, and any pre-Nolan Batman right now).

Now we all know what became of Spider-Man 3, and frankly all of Sam Raimi's original trilogy hasn't aged too well. So while the world would wait for a Spider-Man 4 (and never get it), Superman would return to film-development purgatory, and Batman would continue to soar under the direction of Nolan.

The very same year The Dark Knight came out, Robert Downey Jr. walked up to a podium and said "I am Iron Man", and something truly special began. Of course I'm referring to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A franchise of films produced by Marvel Studios themselves. These films soon gained a huge fan base, and gave heroes like Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor who weren't well known by the general public, a chance to shine.

After Phase One of the MCU came to a ground-breaking conclusion with The Avengers, the franchise continued to grow. Phase Two would give Iron Man, Capt, and Thor more to do, while taking a gamble with Guardians of The Galaxy. A gamble that turned into one of the most successful films of the year. Marvel was at a point where it seemed like they could do no wrong. The MCU is poised to raise the bar again this summer with Avengers: Age of Ultron, and end Phase Two with an introduction to another lesser known hero in Ant Man.

"Okay what about Spider-Man?" you ask? Well, in 2012 the franchise was rebooted with The Amazing Spider-Man. I myself have often heard mixed reactions to the film, but personally I find it better than the entirety of Sam Raimi's trilogy. Last year, its sequel was released. You'll remember I gave my own review of it, but the general consensus was The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was no good.

Sony Pictures began trying to fix their mistakes. The Amazing Spider-Man 3 was thrown into limbo, and the Sinister Six spinoff was pushed up a year. There was talk of another spinoff featuring all of Spidey's lady friends (Black Cat, Spiderwoman..), and another spinoff about…Aunt May??

Meanwhile, Marvel Studios showed their hand, and revealed the entirety of Phase Three. All of it. A third film for Captain America and Thor. Introductions to more lesser knowns like Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, and Black Panther. And a culmination of everything that has come before, with a two-part event, Avengers: Infinity War. The world went nuts, while a certain Spider-Man, a character that was once one of the most popular superheroes out there, was taking a backseat to the likes of Rocket Raccoon and Hawkeye, and becoming as big a joke as a George Clooney Batman.

It was clear, Kevin Feige and Marvel were very confident in this plan that had been laid out, and couldn't wait any longer to reveal it to their fans. One has to imagine a plan like this had been years in the making, and carefully thought out.

(Alright. History lesson over.)

Then, a few days ago, what was only a pipe-dream for many fans became a reality. Sony agreed to play nice with Marvel, and Spider-Man was announced to be joining the MCU. After the initial shock, and letting more information get released, I've decided to voice my thoughts on all of this.

First off, I don't have a problem with Spider-Man joining the MCU. I want to make that clear. He's one of Marvel's most popular characters and he deserves to be back home, and under their supervision. My problem is how they're bringing him in. A new Spider-Man solo film has been announced for July 2017. The hardcore-nerds will remember that is when Thor: Ragnarok was supposed to come out. As a circumstance of the new Spider-Man film, the back two-thirds of Phase Three have been shuffled around.

Here's Phase Three pre-Spidey:

• Captain America: Civil War
• Doctor Strange
• Guardians of The Galaxy 2
• Thor: Ragnarok
• Black Panther
• Avengers: Infinity War Part 1
• Captain Marvel
• Inhumans
• Avengers: Infinity War Part 2

and here's Phase Three with Spidey:

• Captain America: Civil War
• Doctor Strange
• Guardians of The Galaxy 2
• New Spider-Man Film
• Thor: Ragnarok
• Avengers: Infinity War Part 1
• Black Panther
• Captain Marvel
• Avengers: Infinity War Part 2
• Inhumans

I've spared the release dates, but as you can see, everything after Guardians 2, with the exception of Infinity War Part 1 and 2, has been pushed back a slot to make room for Spider-Man. This seems really confusing. Why was everything pushed back but Infinity War? The supposed grand crescendo of the MCU (Assuming whatever Phase Four is, if it even is). Black Panther, which was our last film before Infinity War began is now sandwiched between the two parts, and Inhumans has gone from being in-between the Infinity War's to now becoming the official(?) end to Phase Three, much like how Ant-Man  and Age of Ultron swapped spots in Phase Two.

So my question is, do Panther, Marvel, and Inhumans really have that little effect on Infinity War? I can't imagine so, except with maybe Inhumans. I see that one being like Guardians, off doing its own thing while The Avengers take care of everything on the other side of the universe. Safe money is on all of these characters getting in on the action in The Infinity Wars, just how and when has changed.

Now while I'm sure they already have a storyline/timeline planned for Phase Three, I think it's safe to say scripts for all of these films are still being written (or re-written if Spider-Man's really changing things up). Will what they had in mind for Captain Marvel or Black Panther back in October be completely different to what we'll see in a few years? Most likely. Was this plan for Phase Three not as concrete as originally perceived? Perhaps.

Ask for Spider-Man himself, well he will no longer be played by Andrew Garfield, which is sad. Garfield was a perfect Peter Parker, and unfortunately fell victim to a bad script and studio direction with The Amazing Spider-Man 2. It almost feels like unjust punishment to the poor guy, who was such a huge fan that he dressed up as Spider-Man at Comic Con many years ago, at The Amazing Spider-Man's panel. Reports say they're recasting someone younger, and looking to bring Spider-Man back into his high school days. One can deduce from that the continuity of The Amazing Spider-Man 1 & 2 is being thrown out the window. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 wasn't flat-out terrible. It had its moments, and part of me wishes Sony would finish what they started, but que sera.

So where's the beef? Well, look at it like this. Imagine every year at Thanksgiving dinner, your cousin, let's call him Marvin, got the best seat and say grace. Then he went to go work in some other country, and so gradually you took his seat at the table, and you got the honor of saying grace. Then wham. One Thanksgiving, Marvin finally comes home, and you know what? He took back his seat, and is saying grace. The seat and privilege you earned after he just went and left it, and he just took it back. You're a punk Marvin…anyway…

That's kind of what bringing Spider-Man into the MCU is feeling like. A lot of fuss is being made over the return of this one character, and everything is being changed for him. Captain America, Thor, even Groot, characters that by all accounts weren't expected to have become this mainstream, and dare I say earn their popularity, seem to be getting the shaft because cool kid Spider-Man's back in town.

Then you have Panther and Captain Marvel, who fans have been demanding to see on film for years, poised to finally get their chance to shine, are now getting put on a back burner for Spider-Man. Black Panther is set to appear in Captain America: Civil War, and supposedly so is Spider-Man, set to make his debut appearance in the MCU. I can't bring up too much issue with this. Spider-Man is a key player in the Civil War storyline in the comics, and Black Panther really wasn't, so we'll be getting a more faithful adaptation. Panther's appearing in Civil War before his solo film, and I'm betting we'll get a glimpse of him in Age of Ultron, so it's not like this character is disappearing into Spider-Man's shadow. Let's just hope he doesn't fall to what I'm going to call now "The Thanos Effect", meaning we'll only see one or two glimpses of him for years until his own film comes out.

But back to the likes of Captain Marvel, which brings me to my final point. If you asked me if I wanted to see another Spider-Man film or a Captain Marvel film…I'd pick Captain Marvel. I honestly think we've seen enough Spider-Man for awhile. If it were up to me, I'd save him for Infinity War, ushering him in as a key player in Phase Four or whatever the MCU becomes once Phase Three ends. I like that Marvel keeps giving us new characters to fall in love with, new heroes to root for. Spider-Man…I think we need a break from him. It's like Batman. Not a few weeks after Nolan's trilogy had ended, rumors of another reboot of The Dark Knight was coming. Now it's pretty much here with Superman Vs Batman: Dawn of Justice next year (A new solo Batman film has yet to be announced). Then there's the show Gotham, but another topic for another day.

I am not a studio executive or Hollywood insider. To self-depreciate for a moment, this is nothing more than the ramblings of a cranky nerd. I'm well aware that everything is still in a stage of "what if". Scripts are probably still being written, actors are probably still being cast, and this deal was probably months in the making. Feige and Marvel probably had this as a Phase Three-Plan B if the deal with Sony ever went through. Call it the result of the North Korean/hacking of Sony awhile back, or the failure of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, but this is now happening. Perhaps Spider-Man joining the MCU will have a barely noticeable change to Phase Three. I mean as of right now, the shifting of Ant-Man appears to have had no effect on Phase Two, so who knows. Only the people at Marvel and Sony know. For now, I remain cautiously optimistic.

One thing that can be certain, is we can expect to see a fresh and superior take on everyone's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man in a few years. Welcome Home, Spidey.

Top 10 Films of 2014

That I've seen….so far….let's just get this over with.

10. Big Eyes
Directed by Tim Burton
Starring Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, and Danny Huston

Finally, another great Tim Burton film, and it looks and feels nothing like a Tim Burton film. While the story didn't sound too compelling at first, it's the cast that brings it to new heights. Christoph Waltz is absolutely despicable, in one of his best performances. Amy Adams is as perfect as ever. It pains me that neither of them have received Oscar nominations this year. Nevertheless, Big Eyes is a wonderful little film led by two wonderful actors.

9. Dawn of The Planet of The Apes
Directed by Matt Reeves
Starring Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, and Toby Kebbell

A sequel that both surpasses its predecessor, and at that same time, stands well enough on its own. The rare summer blockbuster that's also thought-provoking. For a film with little to no dialogue, its heavy on drama and emotion. The action in the film is fantastic. Of course, Andy Serkis's motion-capture performance as Caesar is again the tour de force. He, alongside Toby Kebbell as Koba give unforgettable performances. One slight fallback, is the human characters and side of the story fall short. Nevertheless, Dawn remains one of the strongest films out of 2014's summer box office.

8. X-Men: Days of Future Past
Directed by Bryan Singer
Starring Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, and Michael Fassbender

I love the Marvel films, specifically the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. The Spider-Man films, don't get me started. The X-Men films, I've never been a huge fan of. Then First Class came along, and they had my attention. Then The Wolverine, and I found it pretty entertaining. Now we have Days of Future Past. This was the first X-Men film to geninuenly blow me away. It takes the strongest elements from both the old and new films, including a remarkably strong cast. Funny, action-packed, and emotionally gripping, I'll go so far as to say Days of Future Past is one of the best superhero films ever made. The X-Men films have won me over.

7. Foxcatcher
Directed by Bennett Miller
Starring Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, and Mark Ruffalo

This is a unique film. Throughout the entire thing, I felt very awkward and uncomfortable. The whole tone of it is very unsettling, like waiting for a two and a half-hour time bomb to go off. Yet I could not look away. Foxcatcher is a gripping thriller, and all the credit goes to the three men leading this film. Carell is unreal. It's a complete transformation for him. Tatum is incredible, and Ruffalo is the rock the other two characters both lean on and clash against. It does stink that only Carell and Ruffalo got nominated (Not happy about this year's Oscar nomination by the way), but no doubt this film is a high point in the career of all three actors. Foxcatcher is an intense, gripping film.


6. Into The Woods
Directed by Rob Marshall
Starring Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and James Corden

In a world where updating/twisting/remaking fairy tales has become a regular trend in film and television, Into The Woods is one of the strongest efforts in the category. Probably because the Stephen Sondheim musical it's based off of was around before the whole trend became a quickly tiring effort. The songs are memorable, wonderful, and will stick in your head for days. The ensemble cast is incredible, personal favorites being Emily Blunt as The Baker's Wife, Anna Kendrick as Cinderella, and Chris Pine as Cinderella's Prince. While the film does start out slow as we jump through each character's story, once they all start to intertwine and interact, that's when things start getting good. Into The Woods is a very entertaining film that the whole family can enjoy.


5. The Lego Movie
Directed by Phil Lord & Chris Miller
Starring Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Morgan Freeman, and Will Ferrell

Lord and Miller have done it again. After Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs and Jump Street, they've taken an idea that probably shouldn't have worked, and made it work. Incredibly I might add. Originally I wasn't thrilled, but in repeat viewings I fell in love. Of all the animated films I've seen, this is one of the best voice casts ever assembled. Chris Pratt as Emmett, Alison Brie as UniKitty, Will Arnett as Batman, I could go on and on. The animation is incredible, you would have no idea it was CGI and not stop-motion. Then at the end of it all, is a touching message that can resonate with any viewer. "Everything is Awesome" with The Lego Movie…including that song.
Also again, Oscars, what the heck? No Best Animated Feature nomination??

Original Review: http://flahertysfilmfindings.blogspot.com/2014/02/film-review-lego-movie.html

4. Gone Girl
Directed by David Fincher
Starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, and Neil Patrick Harris

My God this film. Kudos to the people who edited the trailers and ran the marketing campaign. I can't even go into too much detail about this film without spoiling. All I can really say is there's a huge game changer halfway into the film, and when it happened, simultaneously, my friend and I turned to each other, jaws dropped. This film is edge-of-your-seat, mind-rattling incredible. Rosamund Pike gives one of the best performances of the year, Ben Affleck is once again a strong leading man, and Neil Patrick Harris all but destroys his How I Met Your Mother persona with a positively creepy character.
And for the FOURTH time in this post, I damn this year's Oscars because why did this film not get more nominations?!?

3. Birdman
Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Starring Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, and Edward Norton

This film is a ride. A really, really fun ride. As someone who loves the entertainment industry, show business, I couldn't help but enjoy this film. The story of Riggan Thomson is one surely anyone in the business can relate to, and Michael Keaton is absolutely perfect casting. Emma Stone gives a compelling performance as Riggan's daughter, and Edward Norton has some great moments as an actor cast alongside Riggan in his play. The way this film is shot is remarkable. I could barely tell when the camera cut between shots. It's appropriately filmed like a play, and that feeling resonates with the whole film. Birdman is a wonderfully crafted film, led by a career-defining performance by Keaton.

2. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo
Starring Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, and Robert Redford

I originally said this one of the best films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I still stand by it. It ups the ante from Captain America: The First Avenger, from The Avengers, and for the entire franchise. It's  like a gift to Marvel fans. Heavy on drama, action, and plenty of Easter eggs for the fans to hunt for. The film displays some of the best performances from Marvel's usual players. This film is a complete game-changer for the MCU. Sophisticated and packed with non-stop thrills, Winter Soldier is one of the best films of the year.

Original Review: http://flahertysfilmfindings.blogspot.com/2014/04/film-review-captain-america-winter.html

1. Guardians of The Galaxy
Directed by James Gunn
Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, and Bradley Cooper

Back in 2012 when I heard this film was being made, I thought Marvel was heading for a disaster. A talking raccoon and a talking tree? A film heavily set in space? I mean we all saw Green Lantern. How wrong were my suspicions. This has quickly become another one of the best MCU films, my favorite film of the year, and one of my all-time favorite films. This cast is so diverse in terms of where all these actors come from, but they work together so well. Each is given the proper amount of time to shine. This has been quite the year for Pratt, between this and The Lego Movie. You can't help but love all these characters. The action in this film is as good here as it is in any other Marvel film. The soundtrack is fantastic. The jokes, gags, and one-liners are hilarious. Most importantly, the film has a huge heart. Who would have expected that from a film with a talking raccoon and tree? I understand that the "group of ragtag losers joining together to save the world" storyline isn't the most original, but it's all these other elements that bring Guardians to spectacular heights. This is my top film of 2014.

We Are Groot.

PS: 2015 New Years Resolution: Write More.