Cinema Spotlight V - David F. Sandberg (Part 1): "Lights Out"

Born in Jönköping, Sweden, David F. Sandberg's passion for cinema began when working at a video rental store in his late teens. Since then, he has made various shorts, commercials, and documentaries; many submitted in film festivals and uploaded on YouTube (goes by the name ponysmasher). One of his videos went viral that before he could say "I'm going to Hollywood," the Swedish YouTuber got the call. What was it about this particular short that garnered such popularity to warrant a movie deal? Let's just say, you might want to keep the lights on for this. 

Dumbo is Delightfully Dull

Upon re-watching Dumbo, Disney's fourth animated feature, a few things like the crows haven't aged well but how can you not love Dumbo who is just so cute. He never talks but still conveyed plenty of emotion and his friendship with Timothy Q. Mouse added to that. It's quite shocking how cruel the circus treats him from jeering at this ears, being separated from his mother, and suffer humiliation as a clown. It's also really short, clocking at an hour and ten minutes. Strangely, the idea was conceived as a short before deciding to be a full-length picture. A decision that saved the Disney company after the financial disappointments of Pinocchio and Fantasia despite their critical acclaim.

Us Ups the Scares but Lacks the Flair

Having garnered critical acclaim in his thrilling directorial debut with Get Out, comedian turned filmmaker Jordan Peele goes for round two in full-out horror mode that gives double meaning to the phrase "you are your own worst enemy"

Double Feature: Wonder Park & Captive State

On a passing glance, Nickelodeon's Wonder Park and Rupert Wyatt's' Captive State share nothing in common. The obvious being one aimed for kids and the other for adults but looking at the plot, both are bizarrely similar. They take place in a specific location that used to be full of life; now it's invaded by hostile forces that originated from the sky. The titular character is randomly thrust into the conflict, sees beforehand what is at stake both involving a creature with prickly quills. They are prevented from leaving and the final solution involves traveling into the sky with the high probability of no return. Coincidence? You be the judge.

Captain Marvel Soars to Marvelous Heights

I knew more about the Skrulls than Captain Marvel before watching this movie. But if Doctor Strange and Black Panther taught me anything, is that I tend to enjoy comic-book movies the less I know about the source material. All I knew about Captain Marvel was that she seemed to be a cross between Superman and Goku. Super in strength, speed, flight and endurance; fire beams of energy and glows when she reaches her ultimate form. After the outcome in Avengers: Infinity War, I can see how she can turn the tide in Avengers: Endgame.

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is a Fitting End

Next to Kung Fu Panda, the How to Train Your Dragon franchise remains one of DreamWorks' best in recent years. I really enjoyed the first film, was underwhelmed with the sequel though it still had its bright spots; I have yet to see the television show it spawned (available on Netflix) nor read the books loosely based by Cressida Cowell. Now we reach the end as Hiccup and Toothless take one final flight in How To Train your Dragon: The Hidden World.