Justice League Lives Up To its Namesake

From Left to Right: Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Ray Fischer as Cyborg, Ben Affleck as Batman, Jason Momoa, and Ezra Miller as The Flash.

With Hollywood going through a superhero cinema renaissance and Marvel being front and center, it's no secret that its rival company DC comics haven’t had the best of luck with critics and audiences. As a fan of both properties, I’ll admit Marvel has made better films but DC isn’t all that bad. Granted Man of Steel is mediocre with some high and low points and while I understand the hate behind Batman v. Superman I have my gripes with it as well but found the end result adequate. Suicide Squad, has been the only unpleasant film from DC; I fell asleep on a second viewing. After Wonder Woman brought a glimmer of hope for the franchise could Justice League do the same or was everyone right to think this was dead from the start?

Cinema Spotlight II – Taika Waititi (Part 5): ‘Thor Ragnarok'

In 2003 Jon Favreau took the role of the supportive friend and semi-comic relief in Daredevil. In 2011 Taika Waititi also took the role of the supportive friend and semi-comic relief role in Green Lantern. Who would have thought that these guys would later make a superior superhero film. Favreau would helm Iron Man, while Waititi would take the reigns of the third entry in the Thor Trilogy with Thor Raganork.

Cinema Spotlight II – Taika Waititi (Part 4): ‘Hunt For the Wilderpeople’

Dr. Grant did state that he was never good with kids. 

Fourth time is the charm as Taika Waititi once again proves to be an accomplished director with a film that encompasses all of his filmmaking techniques in full bloom. From comedies that have ranged from romantic, drama, and horror, Waititi goes into full drive in what is arguably his finest work with the adventure comedy Hunt For the Wilderpeople.

Cinema Spotlight II – Taika Waititi (Part 3): ‘What We Do In the Shadows’

Left Side: Vladislav (Jermaine Clement), Viago (Taika Waititi) 

Center: Deacon (Jonny Brugh), Petyr (Ben Fransham),

Right Side: Nick (Cori-Gonzalez-Macuer), & Stu (Stu Rutherford)  

How can one describe What We Do in The Shadows? It’s the third film from Taika Waititi who this time shares directing and acting duties with Jermaine Clements (Flight of the Concords) in what could possibly be one of the best Horror comedies since Shaun of the Dead.   

Cinema Spotlight II – Taika Waititi (Part 2): ‘Boy’

In 2003, the short film Two Cars, One Night earned Taika Waititi an Oscar nod for Best Live-Action short. It centered on two brothers waiting in car for their dad late at night at a bar. Another car parks next to them and the driver heads towards the pub leaving the daughter alone the car. The kids in both vehicles banter back and forth until hostility evolves into amnesty.

El Libro de la Vida: The Book of Life Review

Joaquin (Channing Tatum), Maria (Zoe Saldana) and Manolo (Diego Luna)

How does one describe The Book of Life? It’s Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, given the Pixar animation upgrade with a pinch of DreamWorks humor. Coincidentally the focus of both The Book of Life and Corpse Bride involve a love triangle and unexpected trip into the afterlife.