Film Review - “Black Panther”

Black Panther
Directed by Ryan Coogler
Starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, and Lupita N’Yongo

Captain America: Civil War was as much a culmination of everything that came before in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as it was setting the stage for what was to come in Phase Three. It broke the Avengers apart, to heighten the importance of bringing them together for the big Infinity War, it brought Spider-Man into the franchise, and it introduced us to a character who would play a big role in the future of the universe: Black Panther.

Chadwick Boseman’s debut as T’Challa was definitely one of the highlights of Captain America: Civil War, which made the anticipation for his own feature-film that much greater. Needless to say, Black Panther did not disappoint. It’s all kinds of superb.

The film picks up shortly after the events of Civil War. T’Challa (Boseman) returns home to ascend the throne after the passing of his father (John Kani). Just as he begins his reign as king, threats old and new against Wakanda emerge. The old being arms dealer Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis returning from Avengers: Age of Ultron), and the new being ex-black operative Erik “Killmonger” Stevens (Jordan). Killmonger’s arrival threatens to upset everything T’Challa knows and loves, and change the course of history and Wakanda forever.

Without going into spoilers, this is one of the best scripts Marvel has put to screen. The message is timely, thought-provoking, and perfectly illustrated.  There’s themes of foreign aid and operating without borders, that aren’t too on the nose but enough to leave an impact. What makes Black Panther so compelling is the central conflict between the ideals of T’Challa and Killmonger. Neither is completely right, nor are they completely wrong. They are two sides of the coin with some very valid points. This in turn, makes Killmonger one of, if not the strongest villains in a Marvel film to date.

Another great thing the film does is world-building. The viewer gets an insanely detailed picture of the nation of Wakanda. The technology, the culture, the architecture, it’s all there. The music is also incredible, one of the most unique scores for a Marvel superhero film. Coogler does a wonderful job of bringing us into this world, and the film looks beautiful to boot. Also, the film barely relies on anything that has come before, with hardly any influence from other Marvel films. Sure Klaue returns, as does Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) from Civil War, but hardly anything they do is built upon from their previous appaearances, save for literally one or two lines.

This cast is amazing. Seriously I love them. Boseman pours his heart and soul into T’Challa. Michael B. Jordan performance as Killmonger is incredible, some of the best scenes in the film are his. Lupita N’Yongo is charming as Nakia but isn’t given a whole lot do. Danai Gurira as Okoye, leader of the Dora Milaje is badass, and a lot of fun. Letitia Wright as Princess Shuri steals every scene she is in. It’s a hilarious, iconic performance. Then there’s Winston Duke as M’Baku. Oh my God is this guy the best, and another scene stealer-honestly it’s amazing how many different cast members are stealing scenes in this film.

Martin Freeman gets a lot more to do this round as Everett Ross, as does Andy Serkis as Ulysses Klaue, and their giving their usual best. Get Out star Daniel Kaluuya plays W’Kabi, T’Challa’s friend and Okoye’s lover. He does a fine job, but his arc and relationship with Okoye are a tad underdeveloped, and honestly the weak spot in the story. The rest of this stellar cast is rounded out by the talents of Angela Bassett, Forrest Whitaker, and Sterling K. Brown.

Compelling, ground-breaking, and epic, Black Panther is truly an amazing superhero film. Built upon an incredible script, brought to life by a truly amazing cast and filmmaker. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe gets closer to the end of the era and the dawn of a new one, you can be sure that T'Challa and company will be playing a major part in all of it. Long Live the King.

Top 10 Films of 2017

Alright chumps. Let's do this. Here's my Top 10 Films of 2017.

And like I always say. Not yours mine. Remember, entertainment is subjective!

You'll find that unlike last year's list, there are a lot less awards season contenders (This year's batch of Best Picture nominees didn't impress me as much), and a bit more superhero offerings (It was a pretty good year for the genre). Anyway, on with the countdown.

10.  I, Tonya
Directed by Craig Gillespie
Starring Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, and Allison Janney

A lot of people have given this film criticism for "glorifying" Tonya Harding. I disagree. I mean there's no doubt that Tonya Harding is guilty in part of the Nancy Kerrigan incident, but the film doesn't paint her out to be a straight villain. We see her as a young prodigy, ruthlessly abused through her upbringing by her mother (An amazing performance by Janney), then a young, very eccentric woman just trying to make her figure skating dreams come true. She's foul-mouthed, rough on-the-edges and not sorry about it. Is that through fault of her own? Or fault of her environment? Was she just a bad seed, or was she, in a way, manipulated into making one bad mistake that cost her a career? That's what I, Tonya leaves up to the audience, and that's why I enjoyed it.

Right from the get-go the film states what's to come is based on two very conflicting interviews: from Harding (Robbie), and her ex-husband Jeff Gillooly (Stan). The viewer knows right from the get-go not everything we're about to watch is true, so when it all ends the viewer might leave the theater conflicted. I like that challenge the film presents, and it's also a nice commentary on how truth is perceived through the media. There's plenty of shock-humor, slick 80s & 90s vibes, and great performances from the cast (This might be one of Robbie's best roles). You're gonna laugh, and you're probably going to cringe too. Whatever your feelings of Kerrigan or Harding, you should give I, Tonya a shot.

9. Three Billboards Over Ebbing, Missouri
Directed by Martin McDonagh
Starring Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, and Sam Rockwell

I truly enjoyed Three Billboards, but am very surprised it's one of the frontrunners for Best Picture at this year's Academy Awards. I describe this film as "Manchester By The Sea, if it took place in the South, and they played up the jokes." It's a compelling, heart wrenching story, and it does have a lot of humor (dark humor, but humor regardless). I enjoy emotionally challenging films, but Three Billboards proved to be quite exhausting. Bringing this story to life is a trio of top-notch performances from McDormand, Harrelson, and Rockwell. They all play wonderfully-written, three-dimensional, incredibly human beings. It's definitely not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but the reasons are clear why Three Billboards has become known as one of the best films of the year.

8. Wind River
Directed by Taylor Sheridan
Starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen

Sheridan also wrote and directed Hell or High Water, one of my favorites from last year, so it's no surprise his next film would show up in a "Top 10" list of mine. Wind River is far darker than Hell or High Water, but it shares that modern-day Western feel, and is a truly suspenseful, layered murder mystery. Renner and Olsen are great, and carry over their Marvel Cinematic chemistry to this film. The camera takes great advantage of the Wind River Indian Reservation's landscape. Again, a bit dark, but Wind River appears to have become one of the hidden gems not everyone might have seen. If you're a fan of the writer-director and cast, I suggest you give it a look.

7. Beauty & The Beast (2017)
Directed by Bill Condon
Starring Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, and Luke Evans

Alright after three dark films, let's move onto a light-hearted Disney musical!!! It does feel a little cheap putting this remake on the list, and I know it's not the best film it could be, but I love it for what it is at its core: A loving homage to not just my favorite animated film, but my favorite film of all time. The cast is (mostly) great, the visuals are (for the most part) spectacular, and the songs are all wonderful, with some renditions even surpassing the ones from the original. There's nothing really more to say. Despite its faults, the Beauty & The Beast remake makes it into the Top 10.

6. The Distaster Artist
Directed by James Franco
Starring James Franco, Dave Franco, & Alison Brie

A movie about making movies?! Sign me up!!
If you don't know the story behind The Room…no, wait. If you don't know The Room, go watch that first, then learn the story behind it by reading the book "The Disaster Artist"by Greg Sestero, and then and then watch this film. You will really appreciate The Disaster Artist more but don't let that diminish the value of this film. Not only does it paint a vivid and unbelievable picture on the making of the best worst film of all time, it's also a wonderful story of friendship and brotherhood. That message is conveyed only better when the actual Franco Brothers are the co-leads.

James Franco does what many considered to be impossible, making one of the most mysterious, cartoonish people on Earth (Tommy Wiseau), and make him appear as human as the rest of us. Dave Franco gives a strong performance against his older, more seasoned brother. It's amazing to learn the emotional, tumultous tale behind this hilariously bad film. The Disaster Artist is a perfect companion piece to The Room, but also wonderful on its own.

5. Logan
Directed by James Mangold
Starring Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and Dafne Keen

I've made no secret of my apathy towards X-Men films, but occasionally they have wowed me. Logan did much more than "wow". Logan excels because it doesn't feel anything like an X-Men film or a superhero film. It's a dark, dramatic western that just happens to star comic book characters. Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart give it their all in the final performances as Wolverine and Professor Xavier, and young Dafne Keen is a true powerhouse in her own right. One thing I never mentioned in my original review is some visuals of the film are really great. The filmmakers do a great job in crafting this not-so-distant, dystopian, western-like future. Logan brings the arc of Wolverine to a profound conclusion. It's heartbreaking, bold and beautiful. One of the best superhero films of all time…

As is, in my opinion…

4. Wonder Woman
Directed by Patty Jenkins
Starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, and Connie Neilsen

I'm well aware of the backlash against this film that has bubbled over the past year, but this is my Top 10 list, and Top 10 Lists, like all forms of entertainment, are subjective. Wonder Woman is flawed, yes, and stumbles in the third act. But aside from that the rest of the film is pretty spectacular. Gal Gadot gives a career-defining, incredibly heartfelt performance, making Wonder Woman easily one of the best superheroes ever put to screen. It's a pretty straightforward story, with a very heartfelt message, centered around a genuinely lovable protagonist. Patty Jenkins crafted a really (pardon me) wonderful film, that came at just the right time in this industry and this world. Wonder Woman may not be perfect, but it still stands as one of the best films of last year, and one of my favorites.

3. Get Out
Directed by Jordan Peele
Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, and Bradley Whitford

What a surprise this film was. What a unique and chilling film, and an incredible directorial debut for Jordan Peele. It's amazing this film, a horror film, got this high on a Top 10 list for me. But it's unlike any horror film that's come before, due to it's deep cultural commentary and intriguing premise. Daniel Kaluuya has quickly become one of my favorite actors this past year, between this and Black Panther, and Lil' Rel Howrey as Rod The TSA Agent is one of the most memorable performances of 2017. I'm so glad that awards season has not forgotten about Get Out, as it's one of the nine Academy Award For Best Picture nominees. If it were up to me, I would give Get Out the Oscar, as it's definitely the most enjoyable out of the nine.

2. Coco
Directed by Lee Unkirch
Starring Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Benral, and Benjamin Bratt

How nice to have Pixar back in The Top 10, and rightfully so because Coco is their best since Inside Out. A captivating story of family, dreams, and sacrifice, told through amazing Pixar animation and unforgettable music. Young Anthony Gonzalez leads the film with a charming and emotional performance as Miguel, and Gael Garcia Benral quickly becomes an instant favorite Pixar character as Hector. Coco is one of Pixar's greatest, and hands down the best animated film of the year. And it goes without saying but keep the tissues and handkerchiefs handy…

Before we get to #1, some honorable mentions…

The Lego Batman Movie: An incredibly fun and incredibly clever animated adventure, that definitely deserved to be nominated for Best Animated Feature over crap like The Boss Baby. And is it possibly one of the Best Batman Films? Maybe??

Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.2: An amazing sequel that doubles the laughs, doubles the emotions, and properly develops the character arcs of everyone's favorite bunch of a-holes, all while set to a killer soundtrack.

Captain Underpants: I mean, if you grew up reading the books like I did, you should love this movie.

Baby Driver: Just an all-out fun ride with plenty of tunes and plenty of action, featuring a stellar cast (…including Kevin Spacey…)

Star Wars: The Last Jedi: An epic new chapter in the Star Wars saga that takes risks and forges new ground. It's not the best one in the franchise by any means but it's still pretty great.

The Shape of Water: A visual spectacle and a bizarre fairy tale of sorts, set during the Cold War. The Shape of Water is both a sweet and a dark film that leaves a lasting impression.

Molly's Game: Probably would have liked this film lot more if I understood the game of poker. It's another great Aaron Sorkin story, and a wicked compelling character study, led by the amazing Jessica Chastain.

And some films from last year I haven't seen yet but very much want to…

The Big Sick
Kong: Skull Island
Free Fire
Atomic Blonde
Detroit
Ingrid Goes West
Battle of The Sexes
Professor Marston & The Wonder Women
Goodbye, Christopher Robin
The Man Who Invented Christmas

And now finally…

1. Thor: Ragnarok
Directed by Taika Waitit
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddelston, Mark Ruffalo, and Cate Blanchett

Thor: Ragnarok, as different as it is from the first two Thor films, brings the trilogy to its proper conclusion. Thor's character arc reaches the logical climax that was set up when we first met him in 2011. While still managing to feel like a Thor film, it also gives us something new that is not-almost Guardians of The Galaxy-esque. The ensemble cast is great, the action is thrilling, and the music is some of the best in any Marvel film. It's also one of the most visually stunning Marvel films. This is all credited to the vision of director Taika Waititi, who knocked it out of the park. I did have some issues with it, as I mentioned in my initial review, but they can be overlooked when this is such an epic, enjoyable film.

I guess what makes Thor: Ragnarok #1 for me is it sticks the most out in my mind when thinking back on all the films of 2017. Just every bit of it, the visuals, the humor, the score all left such an impression on me. It really is one of the best chapters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, up there with Captain America: Civil War and The Avengers. Its bizarre mesh of Asgardian lore and "Planet Hulk" tropes make it one of the most unique Marvel films to date, and my Top Film of 2017.

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 - "Coco"

Coco
Directed by Lee Unkrich
Starring Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Benral, and Benjamin Bratt

We've come to a time where a Pixar film being universally acclaimed is much more rare than it used to be. Not that we haven't a had a good Pixar film in awhile, but they've been scattered in-between the likes of The Good Dinosaur, Monsters University, and Cars 3. The consistent quality of the studio's output has decreased, which means when a wonderful film like Coco comes out, we can truly appreciate it and the master storytellers behind it. I love this film.

Coco tells the story of Miguel (Gonzalez), a young boy in a Mexican village with aspirations of being a great musician like his idol, Ernesto De La Cruz (Bratt). The one problem is that music is forbidden in his family, a policy enforced by his Abuelita (Renee Victor). Long ago, Miguel's great-great grandfather left his family to pursue a career of music, and the resentment towards that has trickled down the family tree.

So Miguel practices his music in secret, and one night deduces that the late Ernesto De La Cruz was in fact his great-great grandfather. After a falling out with his family on Dias De Los Muertos ("Day of The Dead"), Miguel runs away and finds himself stranded in the Land of The Dead. To return the Land of The Living, Miguel must receive a blessing from one of his ancestors…who also refuse to let Miguel follow his musical aspirations. Miguel runs off to find De La Cruz, hopefully receive his blessing and return home. Helping him along the way is Miguel (Garcia Benral), a down-on-his-luck resident who is in danger of "fading" away from the Land of The Dead, because no one living honors his memory.

This is a beautiful film inside and out. It tells a wonderful story of family, sacrifice, and memory. It gives a wonderful, positive representation on Dias De Los Muertos and all Mexican culture, from the music to the art designs. The animation is gorgeous. Some shots are almost jaw-dropping. Pixar definitely upped their game here. Oh and hey Pixar fans. You're going to cry. Again. Fair warning.
Coco is amazingly well written. You might think you see it all laid out here but trust me you don't. It is quite possibly one of Pixar's best scripts since Wall-E or Up. 

Other than Benjamin Bratt, there are almost no big celebrity names among the voice cast. Young Anthony Gonalez is the heart and soul of the film as young Miguel, and his performance is charming, quirky, and moving. It's always a gamble to have a child lead, with issues of kid actors and such, but Gonzalez nails it. Hector is possibly one of my favorite new Pixar characters, and Gael Garcia Bernal plays him with a fine balance of passion and levity. Benjamin Bratt plays the famous singer Ernesto De La Cruz perfectly. Other stand-outs among this colorful cast are Renee Victor as Miguel's Abuelita, and Alanna Ubach as Mama Imelda, his late great-great grandmother.

I touched on the music already a little bit, but I wanted to say you're going to have these wonderful songs stuck in your head for awhile. The film's main song "Remember Me" is lovely, every rendition of it (You'll see) and stands to be a strong contender for the Best Original Song Oscar. The music perfectly captures the essence of the culture, and gives Coco that extra boost of seamlessly transporting its audience into the story.

Coco is another Pixar triumph, and easily the best animated film of the year (Not saying much considering we had a pretty rough year…The Emoji Movie…). But it's a strong, moving film regardless, that proves Pixar is still capable of captivating audiences and making them fall in love with their stories over and over again. I suspect we'll be singing Coco's praises for a long, long time.

Oh and I didn't mind Olaf's Frozen Adventure so I really don't get all the hate.

Film Review - "Thor: Ragnarok"

Thor: Ragnarok
Directed by Taika Waititi
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddelston, Mark Ruffalo, and Cate Blanchett

Of all the franchises that build up the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I think the Thor films have been the ones that have been the most scrutinized. The original Thor seems to be underrated by the general public, and I am in that minor paternity of fans that actually enjoys Thor: The Dark World despite its shortcomings. That being said, I think everyone can agree that Thor: Ragnarok is the best Thor film yet, and one of the best chapters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As much as I personally loved the film I do have some minor issues with it but more on that later.

The film opens some time after Thor (Hemsworth) left on his quest for Infinity Stone-related truth at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron. Multiple premonitions of Ragnarok, the end of Asgard, bring the God of Thunder back home where Loki (Hiddelston) has been ruling in disguise as Odin (Sir Anthony Hopkins) since the last film. Once Thor reveals his brother's charade, they both learn Loki's actions have paved the way for Hela the Goddess of Death (Blanchett) to make her return.

Set on taking Asgard for her own, she tosses Thor and Loki off to the dumpster planet of Sakarr, where Thor is taken prisoner to fight in the Grandmaster's (Jeff Goldblum) arena battles. In order to get free of Sakarr, return to Asgard, and stop Hela, Thor must defeat The Grandmaster's Champion. And oh boy, that champion turns out to be The Incredible Hulk (Ruffalo)!

So if Ragnarok sounds like a Thor film infused with the Planet Hulk comic storyline, you wouldn't be wrong. But it works. It definitely works. When originally announced for a film with the word "Ragnarok" in the title, Taikia Waititi seemed like an odd choice, but he definitely proved the skeptics wrong. The film definitely still has the director's unique brand of comical filmmaking, but there room is left for serious and dramatic moments. It shares some DNA with previous Thor films but still has its very unique identity. Many have compared it to the Guardians of The Galaxy films but I don't think that's really fair, as Thor goes to grander, arguably grimmer places, and the humor of Chris Pratt is not that of Chris Hemsworth.

The film is hilarious, and the action and set pieces are awe-inspiring. The score for the film is unreal, and more importantly it serves the overall arc of the Thor character perfectly, and brings him to the logical, third-act conclusion of his trilogy…until he has to fight Thanos next summer. So what are my issues? Well first the film is surprisingly packed with story. So much so that some breathing room would have been appreciated for some of these moments to sink in, and let the characters respond and react. After a second viewing I don't think this is a big a problem as I originally thought it was but still. It's hard no to really talk about these parts of the film without getting into spoilers.

As I said this is a hilarious film, and probably Marvel's first full-blown comedy. While I was laughing at pretty much every joke in the film, a small voice in the back of my head at times would whisper "Did we really need a joke there? Couldn't we have just let that play out as a serious moment?" I feel like a hypocrite saying this because I still laughed at these jokes, but I do still wonder could we have gone a smudge more serious? Not that the film doesn't have moments of darkness, mind you.

So the cast. Chris Hemsworth is again the best as Thor, and gets to flex his comedy chops a lot more to delight of everyone. Mark Ruffalo takes the Hulk to great new places. Only his third film as the character, and the first outside of The Avengers line, it was nice to see his performance develop in such a way that this might be the best Hulk we've had on screen yet. Tom Hiddelston is again great as Loki. Fans who have loved Thor & Loki's relationship in the past two films might be disappointed it's not a major part of the script, but it's still there and really how much more development is needed?

Tessa Thompson plays a fun and dynamic Valkyrie and is a welcome new-additon to the cast. Cate Blanchett continues the streak of great MCU villains with Hela. She's deliciously evil and clearly having a ton of fun in the role. Every time we cut back to Sakarr I was like "Let's get back to Asgard I wanna see what she's up to!!" Karl Urban plays a very fun Skurge The Executioner. Jeff Goldblum…is Jeff Goldblum as The Grandmaster. Enough said. It's nice to see Benedict Cumberbatch again as Doctor Strange. Finally, Director Taika Waititi steals his own film in the role of Korg. What a wonderful character.

Thor: Ragnarok is definitely the best of the three Thor films, and arguably the best MCU film out of three we received this year (The other two being Homecoming and Guardians Vol. 2). It's such a departure from the previous two Thor films, so much so it almost completely destroys some conventions of what comes before, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Ragnarok is an epic, hilarious, and exhilarating film that's worthy of wielding the mightiest of hammers….

I suppose I should also let you know my thoughts on Justice League…oh look Coco and The Last Jedi!!

CHRIS FLAHERTY WILL RETURN...

Mini-Review Round-Up: Everything Else From 2017

I can't write a review for every film I see. Sometimes you just got to leave the devices behind and see the outside world…or just be lazy. Hell, how many people are actually reading these anyway? Well here's a quick paragraph or two of all the other films I've seen this year. So far.

Get Out
Directed by Jordan Peele
Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, and Bradley Whitford

I don't often go for horror films but this one was too thought-provoking to ignore, and god damn is it a good one, and hell of a directorial debut for Jordan Peele. As creepy as it is, it's also pretty funny, as one could expect from the likes of Peele. It also provides a hell of a commentary on race and diversity in today's society. As far as the cast, Kaluuya is a strong lead, Williams is absolutely chilling, and Lil Rel Howrey is probably the funniest part of the film in the role of Rod. Get Out is arguably one of the best films of the year, and hopefully no one's forgotten it when Awards season comes around.

The Fate of The Furious
Directed by F. Gary Grey
Starring Vin Diesel, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Jason Statham

I would never make the Fast & Furious franchise out to be more than what it is, other than mindless, flashy fun with some heart thrown in. They're a guilty pleasure, and hell of a lot better than say, Transformers. Despite the loss of Paul Walker, the series still has plenty of gas, and I would almost put this eighth entry on the same level as the seventh. The action and set pieces are still just as absurd, the cast is still a lot of fun and it shows that they're having a lot of fun. Fate of The Furious is a highly entertaining two and a half-hour escape.

Gifted
Directed by Marc Webb
Starring Chris Evans, McKenna Grace, and Lindsay Duncan

More often than not I'm attracted to films featuring some of my favorite actors from other projects, and here we have a film starring Captain America himself Chris Evans!!! Gifted is a good film, but from a cynical point-of-view, just a glorified Lifetime film…like Gone Girl but less dark and less gutting. It's a very sweet, emotional story of parenthood. Some viewers like me, might still question who is right and who is wrong in the film's central conflict, which is how to raise a child prodigy, by the time the credits roll.

Chris Evans gives a truly heartfelt performance as the film's lead, and his eleven-year-old costar McKenna Grace shines right along side him, and is arguably one of the greatest young actors of our time. The two of them are backed by equally loving performances from the likes of Lindsay Duncan, Jenny Slate, and Octavia Spencer. If you're looking for a harmless, feel-good film from this year, I recommend Gifted.

Spider-Man: Homecoming
Directed by Jon Watts
Starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Robert Downey Jr.

It feels wrong to condense the review of an MCU film, but I only got to see it once in theaters, I don't own the Blu-Ray yet, and it's been months. Regardless it's true, Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a truly wonderful thing. This is the Spider-Man fans have wanted for a long time, and Tom Holland gives the definitive performance of the character. This is truly a unique perspective on the character we've never seen in the films. Not just a young superhero who wants to play with The Avengers, but a young man who has the potential to do great things in a world of enhanced and remarkable individuals, and often having others say he can't or he's not ready, and for most of the time with good reason.

Alongside Holland is a truly fantastic supporting cast that I wish we got to see more of, like Marisa Tomei, Zendaya, and Donald Glover. Robert Downey Jr. continues to evolve in the role of Tony Stark, but doesn't overshadow the film's titular hero. Michael Keaton is a great new Marvel villain, and the film is probably one of the funniest in the MCU (The gym teacher calling a Cap a war criminal. Lolz.).

While I'll still wonder what could have been salvaged from The Amazing Spider-Man series, Homecoming is arguably the strongest version of the webslinger put to screen. I don't normally go for teen films outside a few John Hughes works, but when you throw superheroes in I'm game…plus Spidey can hang out with The Avengers now.

War for The Planet of The Apes
Directed by Matt Reeves
Starring Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, and Steve Zahn

The rebooted Apes trilogy comes to a grim but poetic and perfect conclusion with War. It does gets darker than the previous two entires, but it's no less enjoyable. It's an excellent third chapter on the story of Caesar (Again how does Andy Serkis not have any sort of Oscar?). Once again Reeves relies heavily on his mostly silent ape cast with little to no dialogue (but the apes do talk more) and it pays off well.

Woody Harrelson is also a very fun villain, and Steve Zahn gives probably the best performance of his career (I'm sorry Steve Zahn fans but he annoys me.). The pacing might be a bit off but it can be forgiven. A thought-provoking look at violence, family, and identity, War For the Planet of The Apes is a strong conclusion to an already strong series (Are they making a fourth?…They are…Damn…)

Despicable Me 3
Directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda
Starring Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, and Trey Parker

It's sad that the strong and wonderful first Despicable Me film has been diluted by the studio incessant's need to force more Minions out into the world, with their own spinoff, a direct Despicable sequel, and now this threequel. Despicable Me 3 has the same problem as Despicable Me 2, a messy script with too many plot lines that don't work. Too many jokes fall flat, at least from what I can remember, the Minions weren't as dominant in this film. The idea of Gru being pulled back into villainy out of necessity to support his family, is an idea I wish they explored more in the first sequel…and they do…a little bit so…point in the Pro Column?

I don't have much more to say on this, other than I'm glad I didn't pay to see it…

Logan Lucky
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Starring Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, and Daniel Craig

I did not expect to enjoy this film as much as I did but god damn did I enjoy it. A hillbilly heist film centered around NASCAR? Who knew, right? Definitely one of the most unique films I have seen out of this year, probably ever. You'd think all the southern droll and humor would get "cringey" after awhile but it doesn't. It's hilarious, and it's cast is superb, particularly it's three leads. Poor Adam Driver, I'll never take you seriously as Kylo Ren again. The only weak link is Seth MacFarlane's dumb character. Oh Steven Soderebergh, thanks for coming out of retirement and giving us this gem.

Dunkirk
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring Kenneth Branagh, Mark Rylance, and Tom Hardy

Christopher Nolan is back with another grand cinematic outing. Seriously, see this one in theaters to get the full effect of the film's amazing visuals. Nolan is able to creature real drama and suspense for these characters with little to no dialogue, but with intense battle sequences and set pieces that truly display the horrors of war these soldiers experience. It's hard not to get invested in these characters and root for them to succeed. We're at a time, at least we are in my opinion, where filmmakers need to do more with war films for audiences to still care about them. Nolan does just that with a heavy and unique look at this harrowing chapter of World War II.

Wind River
Directed by Taylor Sheridan
Starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen

Once again I was attracted to a film because it stars some Marvel alum (Hawkeye and Scarlet Witch together again) but Renner and Olsen have as much chemistry here as they do in Avenger films. I was also attracted to this film because Taylor Sheridan wrote Hell or High Water, one of my favorite films from last year. Sheridan nails it again with a dark, suspenseful murder mystery that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. The imagery at times might be a little uncomfortable, but it's effective for what the film is trying to do. The cinematography also really takes advantage of its setting in the actual Wind River Indian Reservation. Wind River might just end up being one of my favorite films of the year.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Directed by Matthew Vaughn
Starring Taaron Edgerton, Colin Firth, and Julianne Moore

So I really love the first Kingsman, and I was really crossing my fingers that this Matthew Vaughn sequel wouldn't end up like Kick-Ass 2, and it doesn't…for the most part. The Golden Circle is a worthy, entertaining sequel, but (avoiding spoilers) the stylistic choices Vaughn makes here just aren't as effective or as enjoyable as the choices made in the first film.

Some story choices don't aren't really earned in the script. Moore's Poppy isn't a great a villain as Samuel L. Jackson's Valentine, The Statesman characters don't dominate the film but I wish we spent more time with them, and Colin Firth doesn't seem to be having as much fun this time around. That said, nothing about The Golden Circle is bad by any means. The music, action, and comedy are still great, it's predecessor just does everything better, and really that's sort of the average expectation of a sequel. I'm not disappointed but I'm not blown away either.

Stronger
Directed by David Gordon Green
Starring Jake Gyllenhal, Tatiana Malsany, and Miranda Richardson

Finally we have this film which I saw last night. Jake Gyllenhal gives one of his best performances as Jeff Bauman, bringing to life every step of his emotional, traumatic struggle after the Boston Marathon. His relationship with his girlfriend (Malsay) is at the core of the film, and the two actors play off one another so well. But man..how many times can we negatively portray Bostonians on film? Like I'm sick of people from Massachusettes being made out to be lowbrow, funny-talking roughians. Kidding but not kidding.

Alright. I'm all caught up now. I'll probably have to do this again because there's like thirty more films coming out this year I want to see, and only like two of the films I've seen will probably end up getting award season attention so that means even more catch up for the ones I still didn't get to…Que sera.

Any films I missed you think I should see?

Film Review - "Baby Driver"

Baby Driver
Directed by Edgar Wright
Starring Ansel Engort, Kevin Spacey, and Lily James

It's nice to know in summers filled with sequels, reboots, and remakes we can still get films that are original and well-made. As of right now, Edgar Wright's Baby Driver is not just a highlight for this summer season of films, it's a highlight among this year's films.

Baby (Engort) is a getaway driver, in the debt of a criminal kingpin named Doc (Spacey). What makes Baby so special is he suffers from tinnitus in his ears, so he listens to music while he drives, sharpening his focus and making him the absolute best.

After Baby fulfills his debt to Doc, he seeks to live a life free of crime and strikes up a relationship with a waitress named Debora (James). Unfortunately Doc pulls him back in for one more job, which will give him enough money to start a new life with Debora. Doc assembles his crew with Baby and other criminals-for-hire (Jon Hamm, Eiza Gonzalez, and Jamie Foxx) and the job goes underway. It doesn't take long for Baby to realize that getting out will be a lot easier said then done.

Baby Driver is pretty much Drive meets Guardians of the Galaxy (I said it first Steve. You can check Twitter...). What's a pretty simple, dare I say cliche, story is elevated to new heights with buckets of humor and heart. Edgar Wright once again proves he's master at what he does, with stellar camera work and a unique brand of humor. The look of the film is great too, with some stellar, vibrant set pieces and some great light-work. The soundtrack is awesome, and it meshes with the film and story to a tee. Makes you wonder if Edgar Wright would do if he directed a Guardians of The Galaxy-oh right yeah. Damn...too soon?

One thing that brings the film down though is the relationship between Baby and Debora. It's not to say that Engort and James don't have any chemistry, they do, but the fact that they fall in love so fast and she's willing to run across the country with the guy she just met, it's a little too old school Disney for these modern times...not that I would ever, EVER bash old school Disney!!

As far as performances, this is the film that made me recognize Ansel Engort as a legit actor. Good job kid. Now cast aside a life of Divergent and The Fault In Our Stars and have a real career. In all seriousness he plays the calm, cool Baby perfectly and anchors the film. Lily James gives a sweet and charming performance as Debora. Kevin Spacey does his usual good work as Doc. Jaimie Foxx is okay as Bats but he's just doing a darker version of his Horrible Bosses character. Eiza Gonzalez is a fun addition to the cast as Darling, and Jon Hamm delivers a dark and charming performance as Buddy.

If you're feeling a touch overwhelmed with sequels and reboots right now, do yourself a favor and go see Baby Driver. It's a superbly crafted and fun film with a great cast and soundtrack. It's another classic from Edgar Wright that's sure to end up on many "Best Films of 2017" lists.

…maybe Edgar Wright can direct a DC film? Oh man imagine his version of The Flash...