Better Late Than Never Vol. #4

Mary Poppins' Return is Welcome but Unnecessary

While never a fan of the original Mary Poppins I won't deny its innocent charm and cinematic legacy as it holds a place near and dear to many. I wouldn't think that this, of all Disney properties, would get a sequel so late in the game. Fifty-four years later to be precise! I thought this only applied to Harrison Ford movies. Yet here we are, nostalgia is the biggest cash-grabber hence the numerous live-action remakes from Disney and the ones yet to come.

Cinema Spotlight IV - James Wan (Part 9): "Aquaman"

James Wan expressed interest in doing a superhero movie around the time he did the first Conjuring movie. Thanks to its success, Warner Bros. gave him the option to do either The Flash or Aquaman for his next project. Seeing how The Flash was a more popular character starring in several iterations including a popular TV show on The CW, Wan went with Aquaman. Outside of supporting roles in other forms of media, nothing had ever been done with the underwater warrior in the center spotlight. I can safely say that the choice paid off.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is Spectacular

I haven't read many superhero comics but one that I have is on Miles Morales. An afro-latino teen who becomes the new Spider-Man after the death of Peter Parker, the original Spider-Man. I always hoped he would get the cinematic treatment. Now he has and in glorious animation.

Cinema Spotlight IV - James Wan (Part 8): 'The Conjuring 2'

Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga).

Horror sequels are notorious for not being good as the first movie, but because the genre doesn't require that big of a budget, they are quick to make and still make enough money at the box-office. It doesn't help when most of the time, its not the same people who stay on board after the first installment. Perhaps the Saw movies would have benefited if James Wan stuck around as a director. It certainly helped the Insidious movies as he returned for the sequel with good results; even after passing the torch with the later chapters. Returning back to The Conjuring universe, Wan does it again.

Cinema Spotlight IV - James Wan (Part 7): 'Furious 7'

At the start of his career, James Wan changed gears after two horror movies with the action/revenge story Death Sentence. The end results were dismal to say the least. Going back to Horror, Wan delivered not one, not two, but three successful spooky movies. For his seventh project, Wan tries again at the action genre with the seventh installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise.

Bumblebee Is Remarkably Robust

There is no doubt that Transfomers is successful as a toyline. The cartoon adaptations have been both a hit (Transformers:Prime) and miss (Beast Machines). The movies, to put it delicately, have been severely underwhelming and gotten worse with each new entry. After helming every live-action iteration of the robots in disguise, Micheal Bay steps down as director and hand's the reigns to Travis Knight, fresh from his success of the stop-motion action fantasy Kubo and the Two-Strings.

Cinema Spotlight IV - James Wan (Part 6): 'Insidious: Chapter 2'

Josh (Patrick Wilson) and Dalton (Tye Simpkins) Lambert. 

If you recall my take of Insidious, I thought it was a return to form for Horror director James Wan. What you may not know is that on my first viewing, I was severely underwhelmed at the last minute decision of the "made you look" ending. I knew there were sequels but when its in the Horror genre, they are vastly inconsistent. You can imagine my surprise when Insidious: Chapter 2 immediately picks off where the last one ended

Cinema Spotlight IV - James Wan (Part 5): 'The Conjuring'

Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) Warren.

"...what’s funny is, when I made Saw, I got accused of being a fascist, when I made Insidious, I got accused of being godless, and now I made The Conjuring films and I’m accused of being too much God. (laughs) So it’s really interesting to see how people have reacted to my three sets of horror films."

-James Wan

Green Book: A Road Trip With Aragorn and Boggs

The only roles I know from Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali are the ones based on best-selling book trilogies. For Mortensen its his well-known portrayal of Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings; before his Oscar win in Moonlight, I knew Ali as Boggs in Mockingjay: Part One and Two. There was also Witness (Mortensen's debut movie role) and Hidden Figures (the same year Ali was in Moonlight) but other than that, these were the only movies I've seen these actors in. Now the two star together in a buddy road trip with a surprising amount of heart and facts behind this unlikely friendship.

Ralph Breaks the Internet But Patches it Up

Before he directed Wreck-it-Ralph, Rich Moore's previous credits include The Simpsons, Futurama, and The Critic. That would explain the movie's use of subversive humor, storytelling and memorable characters. This would be found in Moore's later work Zootopia and Ralph Breaks the Internet, the sequel to Moore's first Disney movie and the first theatrical Disney sequel since The Rescuers Down Under in 1990. (Return to Neverland and The Jungle Book 2 don't count as they were made by a different studio branch at Disney)

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald-A Crime of Early Franchise Fatigue

The Scamander Brothers

When I watch a penultimate or middle chapter like The Empire Strikes Back, The Two Towers, Infinity War, or even The Last Jedi and Attack of the Clones, I'm excited for what happens next. They all have a sense of closure with a beginning, middle and end despite knowing that more is on the way. Evil, whether defeated or triumphant heavily lingers, and the heroes whether beaten or victorious know that the war is far from over.

How Illumination Saved The Grinch (Sort of)

When it comes to Hollywood and the works of Seuss
only one comes to mind that isn't obtuse.
Blue Sky Animation who did Ferdy and Scrat,
kept Horton the elephant well and intact.
The Lorax got wrapped in its own thneed thread
and Myers as The Cat, lets not talk of that dread

Bohemian Rhapsody Will Rock You

I'm familiar with the name and legacy but know only a few of their songs. Three stand in my memory when I was growing up: the very early days of Radio Disney constantly playing "We Will Rock You/We are the Champions," Britney Murphy's rendition of "Somebody to Love" in Happy Feet and "Under Pressure" played in the trailer of the Nicholas Cage dark comedy Adaptation (There was me thinking "Ice Ice Baby" was an original composition). I knew "Another One Bites the Dust" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" on other radio stations but wouldn't be until years later did I understand the significance of the latter. 

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Gives Viewers the Cold Shoulder

Six Things I Enjoyed about The Nutcracker and the Four Realms:

1. Young actors Mackenzie Foy and newcomer Jayden Fowora-Knight have bright futures ahead of them. 

2. Helen Mirren

3. The look and design of the four realms and the denizens are colorfully creative. 

4. Helen Mirren

5. Less embarrassing than The Nutcracker in 3D and gave Richard E. Grant a better role. 

6. Did I mention Helen Mirren?

The Hate U Give Calls For Change

Amanda Stenberg as Starr Carter

I knew going into George Tillman Jr.'s adaptation of the Young Adult novel by Angie Thomas would be great but I didn't expect it to be phenomenal.

Cinema Spotlight IV - James Wan (Part 4): 'Insidious'

Josh Lambert (Patrick Wilson)

James Wan had three movies down but none reached the success of his first film. In a genre where spilled blood, gross guts and teenage stupidity made for quality entertainment, Wan refused to be part of that and wished to do an old-fashioned horror movie that didn't rely on those tropes. Working once again with Leigh Whannell, the two conjure up a ghost story that took viewers to the other side.

Micheal Myers Returns in Halloween

John Carpenter's Halloween has been regarded as the granddaddy of slasher films and laid the groundwork for future flicks like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th. Despite good performances from Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence and Nick Castle, I found the original Halloween trashy and dated that even the kills were boring to watch. Seven schlocky sequels and a repugnant reboot later, director David Gordon Green and co-writing partner Danny McBride give their take on the silent killer in what is now the eleventh Halloween movie.

Cinema Spotlight IV - James Wan (Part 3): 'Death Sentence'

Like any Horror director, there comes a time when one must try something new. For his third outing, James Wan decided to adapt one of Brian Garfield's novels; the very same that inspired the Death Wish movies starring Charles Bronson and the 2018 remake with Bruce Willis. After viewing this movie, I wonder if the Bronson and Willis versions are any better or worse.

Triple Review Vol. 1

Which of the three do you wish to see? Perhaps a stroll on main street where an evil dummy brings Halloween to life. Check in at the El Royale hotel where nothing can go wrong or travel with first man on the moon. Whichever you choose, I guarantee you won't demand a refund.

Cinema Spotlight IV - James Wan (Part 2): 'Dead Silence'

Mr Ratburn: Since scary books and videos are so popular, lets talk about things that scare us. Anyone want to name something that scares them? 
Arthur: Ventriloquist dummies. I mean, what’s all that about anyway? Weird.

From the Arthur episode, "Night Fright"

Cinema Spotlight IV - James Wan (Part 1): 'Saw'

If you don't know the name James Wan, you definitely have heard of his work. Born in Malaysia, but raised in Australia, Wan began his movie career at RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) where he met his screenwriting partner and best friend Leigh Whannell. They brainstormed many ideas, one of them involving a freaky doll saying "Wanna play a game?"

Sony Tries Again with Venom

After two underwhelming Spider-Man movies, Sony once again pushes the reset button only this time focusing on the rogues gallery. Since fans were none too pleased on the portrayal of fan favorite villain Venom in Spider-Man 3, what better way to appease them than by giving him his own movie. Will this gambit pay off or should Sony call it quits while they still can?

Lady Gaga sees stars in A Star is Born

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga singing a duet.

The story of the artist going from rags to riches has been told time and time again. In the case of A Star is Born, the story of a young woman aspiring to be a singer and falls in love with a fading star only to have her career skyrocket while his continues to dwindle, has been told not once but four times. The original starred Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. It was remade in 1954 with Judy Garland and James Mason and again in 1976 with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.

Smallfoot Keeps Both Feet on the Ground

The Golden Age of Hollywood showcased the best of Warner Bros animation with the Looney Toons. In the nineties, they flourished on television with Tiny Toons and Animaniacs but the same couldn't be said for its theatrical set. Space Jam was the only film that did well critically and financially, the rest were either loved by critics but made no money at the box-office (The Iron Giant, Cat's Don't Dance), or bomb with both critics and audiences (Quest For Camelot, The King and I). Despite a lukewarm reception from critics, Osmosis Jones and Looney Toons: Back in Action were what Home on the Range was to Disney: financial failures that shut down the studio's animation division.

Better Late Than Never Vol. 2

There were more than a couple of films that came earlier this year and wasn't able to write on. Many are already available to purchase or rent. Here's the quick rundown:

The House With a Clock in its Wall Could Use Some Repairs

I am always curious to see a filmmaker experimenting outside their usual style. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. The idea of Eli Roth doing a family film sounds perplexing and while The House With a Clock in its Wall isn't the best adaptation of Jon Bellair's book, I am open for him to keep on trying other work that doesn't involve his usual bloodshed.

Top 10 Highly Anticipated Fall/Winter Movies

With the summer season over what movie are you excited see this fall and winter season? Perhaps Ralph: Breaks the Internet the long-awaited sequel that seems to be this generation's Roger Rabbit. Micheal Myers back on a murder spree in Halloween, Benedict Cumberbatch as the mean one himself Mr. Grinch or the Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody.  In any case here are ten movie that I can't wait to watch.

The Predator Catches Its Prey

The original Predator remains as an eighties staple in terms of action and science fiction. Among Arnold's manly cast was aspiring screenwriter Shane Black, who played the nerdy character Hawkins. Having moved to directing with Iron Man 3 and The Nice Guys under his belt, Black returns to the franchise that got him on the map in the fourth Predator movie (sixth if you count AVP and Requiem) simply titled The Predator.

John Cho is on the Search in Searching

When your movie's entire runtime is on a computer screen, that can either succeed or backfire. The 2014 teen slasher flick Unfriended gave it a shot and while the technique was praised, the rest of the content, not so much. Its sequel Dark Web was no better. What promised to be a new form of film making was starting to look like a cheap horror gimmick à la Blair Witch. Who should come along and give it new life but a couple of newbie filmmakers, a competent script, and Hikari Sulu to give us a great mystery thriller.

The Hunt is on in Operation Finale

In Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List, Ben Kingsley played Holocaust survivor Itzhak Stern. Now he shifts gears in Chris Weitz's Operation Finale as Nazi official Adolf Eichmann; credited as the architect of the Final Solution who evaded capture after World War II. This is the the story of the people who went out to find him.....

The Happytime Murders Still Has Strings Attached

Connie Edwards and Phil Phillips on the scene of the crime. 

After Ted, Deadpool, and Sausage Party it was only a matter of time before puppets were next to get naughty. Unfortunately for The Happytime Murders, Meet the Feebles and Team America beat them to it, leaving its reliance on shock humor little to be desired.

Alpha Leads the Pack

Have no fear, this is not a live-action remake of Alpha and Omega, despite both movies set in the wilderness and an alpha wolf on a journey back home with a companion. Directed by Albert Hughes (The Book of Eli), Alpha takes us back to the Ice Age on how man's best friend came to be as well.

Double Feature: Shut Up Meg

This month gave us two movies with a different set of megs. One who deserves to be silenced while the other is worthy of attention.

BlacKkKlansman Puts the K in A-OK

Blunt, provocative, shocking, funny, and timely. Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman has it all and I loved every minute it.

Eighth Grade is Awkward But Heartfelt

Elsie Fisher as Kayla Day.

Teen movies usually range from sappy (The Space Between Us) to juvenile (American Pie). There might be one or two things that are genuine but the rest never hold's up. Then you have films like Eighth Grade that take you by surprise.

Christopher Robin is Little on Brains but Big in Heart.

"Pooh, promise you won't forget about me, ever. Not even when I'm a hundred."
Pooh thought for a little. "How old shall I be then?"
"Ninety-nine."
"Pooh nodded. "I promise," he said.

-The House at Pooh Corner

by A.A. Milne 

The Teen Titans Go to the Movies and Do What They Do Best

Robin (Scott Menville), Cyborg (Khary Payton), Beast Boy (Greg Cipes),
Starfire (Hynden Welch), Raven (Tara Strong) at the movies. 

The original Teen Titans cartoon was met with critical praise. It ran on Cartoon Network for five seasons including a made-for-television movie. Unfortunately, the series got canceled before getting a proper resolution. When news came that the show would return, fans were overjoyed until they saw the new designs and it would be a comedy re-titled Teen Titans Go! Reactions immediately turned sour. Despite the enormous backlash, the series remained popular with a fan-base and is the first Cartoon Network program to nab a movie deal since The Powerpuff Girls back in 2002. Will Teen Titans Go to the Movies fare better on the big screen or receive the same disdain as the show?

Mission: Impossible-Fallout Continues to be Impossibly Amazing

Welcome fellow reader. What started as a popular TV show from the sixties has evolved into the Tom Cruise spy saga that we all know and somewhat love. Your mission, should you choose to accept, is to watch to all five movies to get caught up for Mission: Impossible-Fallout. If the task proves to be daunting, you may skip only the second film. If it continues to be stressful, at the very least watch the fourth and fifth installment. Good Luck. This message will not self-destruct. Now onto the review....

Ant-Man and the Wasp Get Two Antennas Up

Of the two Avengers who weren't present during Infinity War were Jeremy Renner's Clint Barton aka Hawyeye and Paul Rudd's Scott Lang aka Ant-Man. We last saw them aiding Captain America against Iron Man in Civil War which resulted in their capture; being the only members who have families both were placed under house arrest. While Hawkeye's whereabouts remain unknown, Scott's sentence is just about over, only to be drafted yet again by Dr. Hank Pym (Micheal Douglas) on a rescue mission in Ant-Man and the Wasp.

Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom Spoilers

Do not read if you have not seen Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom. If you want to have the ending ruined then by all means proceed.

Double Review: First Reformed & Won't You Be My Neighbor

Two movies I highly recommend have two ordained clergymen taking very different paths on finding the meaning of life and love.

Cinema Spotlight III - J.A. Bayona (Part 4): 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom'

I actually enjoyed Colin Trevorrow's Jurassic World being the only solid sequel to the original Jurassic Park. It took the franchise in a new direction that was never explored with the previous sequels with John Hammond's vision of the park finally open to the public. It still maintain's that dinosaur wonder, the cautionary themes of genetic science and paying tribute to the original film. Now we have Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Trevorrow returns only as a screenwriter with J.A. Bayona this time directing.

J.A Bayona - Mother Child Trilogy

All credit goes to Youtuber Steven Thomas who made this remarkable tribute to J.A. Bayona.

Cinema Spotlight III - J.A. Bayona (Part 3): 'A Monster Calls'

This is the story of man who told two amazing stories. His next story would be a continuation of a war against the agents of the undead but fate had different plans. Circumstances lead to that story remian untold and to tell another continuation of extinct creatures now newly resurrected. But before he could tell that story he had to to tell his third story first.

Cinema Spotlight III - J.A. Bayona (Part 2): 'The Impossible'

On December 26, 2004 the South and Southeast Asian countries including Sumatran, Indonesia and Thailand were struck by a tsunami. Reported to be the worst Tsunami disaster of all time, over 225,000 people from locals to visiting tourists lost their lives as villages and towns were completely destroyed. This is the story of a family who survived.

Incredibles 2 is Incredible Enough

Brad Bird's super-powered family was another repertoire in Pixar's catalog in 2004. While superhero movies were common they weren't the blockbuster giants now seen today. That same year bestowed clunkers like The Punisher, Blade Trinity, and Catwoman. There was also Hellboy but was a mixed bag with viewers.  Next to The Incredibles, the only other superhero film that triumphed critically and financially that year was Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 2. Being a nerdy bookworm in junior high I wondered when the next adventure of this incredible family would arrive. Fourteen years later, is Incredibles 2 worth the wait?

Cinema Spotlight III - J.A. Bayona (Part 1): 'The Orphanage'

My first impression of Horror movies was that it was a sick and demented genre obsessed with the horrendous and demonic; filled with nothing but bloody decapitations, gratuitous sex, and other disgusting imagery. It wouldn't be until I came across the works of Alfred Hitchcock, Scott Derrickson and J. A. Bayona, that I realized that there was more to the genre than gory scares. Nowhere is that true than in Juan Antonio Bayona's directorial debut El Orfanato.

Proyector de Cine III - José Antonio Bayona (Parte 1): El Orfanato

Mi primera impresión de las películas de terror fue un género enfermo y demente obsesionado con lo horrendo y demoníaco; lleno de nada más que sangrientas decapitaciones, sexo gratuito, y otras imágenes desagradables. No fue hasta que encontré las obras de Alfred Hitchcock, Scott Derrickson y J. A. Bayona que me di cuenta de que había más en el género que espantos sangrientos. En ninguna parte es eso cierto en Juan Antonio Bayona's primer pelicula El Orfanato.

Solo: A Star Wars Review

When it was announced that a Han Solo origin story was next in the Star Wars Anthology series, enthusiasm hit an all-time low. The last time Star Wars tackled an origin story on one of its iconic character's, it didn't bode well with most audiences. Things weren't any better behind-the-scenes when the film's original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller clashed with the producers that they were booted off the project; fours months after production began. (The duo do receive an executive producer credit). With Ron Howard stepping in the director's chair, does Solo: A Star Wars Movie  mange to be a fun ride or completely pointless?

Deadpool 2: The Merc Strikes Back

Following his oddball origin story, Ryan Reynold's potty-mouth mercenary is up for another madcap misadventure that will require brute strength in numbers. A brute he is, but lacks the needed strength and allies for this mission.