What’s being billed as the “greatest gladiator match in the history of the world” is just around the corner. “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” opens this week, but before it does, I figured I would put together a short series ranking the Superman and Batman movies.
Continue reading “Before Dawn Of Justice: Ranking The Superman Films”
“Olympus Has Fallen,” released in 2013, was actually an enjoyable action flick. Of course it was an obvious take on the “Die Hard” idea of one man being in a building against a whole group of baddies, but it was still a fun time at the theater.
The action was intense with a solid R rating and the “Die Hard” set up of being trapped in a single location always makes for suspense. Another strength the movie had going for it was the use of a cast that included Morgan Freeman, Melissa Leo and Angela Bassett, similar in a way to “Air Force One.”
Unfortunately, because of the first film’s box office performance, a sequel had to get made, and this time things didn’t come together very well.
Continue reading “REVIEW: ‘London Has Fallen’ Doesn’t Live Up To Olympus”
The fans wanted the real Deadpool and Ryan Reynolds gave them the real Deadpool.
This latest film from Marvel comic book lore follows the story of Wade Wilson, (Reynolds) a former special forces member who gets by doing odd (usually a bit dangerous) jobs for people.
His life style begins to change, though, when he meets a woman named Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) and the two hit it off right away. Life doesn’t allow Wilson to enjoy his surroundings very much, though, as he is soon diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Continue reading “REVIEW: ‘Deadpool’ Is Good Fun Despite A Standard Story”
Whenever someone says they have problems with excessive sequels, I always bring up “Kung Fu Panda 2” (2011) as an example of how a sequel can surpass the original. The first film, released in 2008 was good, but “Kung Fu Panda 2” was even better and is one of my favorite animated films ever.
So does part 3 live up to its predecessor? Unfortunately, no.
Continue reading “REVIEW: ‘Kung Fu Panda 3’ Lags Behind Its Predecessors”
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“The Force Awakens” returns audiences to the tales of a galaxy far far away. The movie picks up about 30 years after “Return of the Jedi,” with the remnants of the Empire now grouped into a faction called the New Order and the Rebels which have become the Resistance.
The film’s story is set in motion by a chance encounter between a resistance pilot named Poe (Isaac), who is trying to preserve a map that leads to Luke Skywalker, and a stormtrooper leaving the First Order named Finn (Boyega). Through a series of events (no spoilers), Finn winds up meeting a ship-parts scavenger and the two are forced to team up and bring the map to the resistance.
Director:
Ron Howard
Cast:
Chris Hemsworth
Benjamin Walker
Ben Whishaw
Brendan Gleeson
Rated: PG-13
“In the Heart of the Sea” tells the story of the whaling ship Essex which sank in the Pacific Ocean after an attack by a sperm whale. The film, directed by Ron Howard, is told through flashbacks during an interview between “Moby Dick” author Herman Melville (Whishaw) and survivor Tom Nickerson (Gleeson).
As the movie gets into the final voyage of the Essex, the audience is shown that First Mate Owen Chase (Hemsworth) was originally supposed to captain the ship. However, he was demoted when the position was given to George Pollard (Walker) because of the family name. This created tension aboard the ship that was already in dangerous waters with the whale.
Director:
Paul McGuigan
Cast:
Daniel Radcliffe
Jessica Brown Findlay
Bronson Webb
James McAvoy
Rated: PG-13
While “Victor Frankenstein” references the famous mad scientist, this retelling actually takes place from Igor’s (Radcliffe) perspective. The movie begins with Igor working as a clown and amateur doctor at the circus. His whole life changes, though, when he meets Victor (McAvoy), who sees his medical techniques.
After the two meet, Frankenstein decides to bring Igor with him to help with scientific experiments to reanimate dead tissue.
Director:
Ryan Coogler
Cast:
Michael B. Jordan
Sylvester Stallone
Tessa Thompson
Phylicia Rashad
Tony Bellew
Rated: PG-13
“Creed” takes place a few years after the events of 2006’s “Rocky Balboa” and this time around, the Italian Stallion doesn’t step into the ring. Instead, the film focuses on Adonis Johnson (Jordan), the illegitimate son of Rocky’s (Stallone) friend and boxing rival Apollo Creed.
Adonis grew up mostly in group homes and juvenile detention centers for his tendencies to fight until he was adopted by Apollo’s widowed wife Mary Ann (Rashad). As he reaches adulthood, though, he still has a drive to fight, this time in the ring, and decides to find the former Champion Rocky Balboa to be his trainer.
Director:
Sam Mendes
Cast:
Daniel Craig
Christoph Waltz
Lea Seydoux
Ralph Fiennes
Ben Whishaw
Naomie Harris
Rated: PG-13
James Bond (Craig) is back and in “Spectre,” the latest in the 007 franchise, and is investigating a lead from the former M played by Judi Dench who was killed in the last film.
M’s message, recorded before her death, brings Bond in contact with an evil organization headed by a sinister villain played by Christoph Waltz. At the same time, Bond has to deal with a new intelligence program which threatens the future of the 00 agency.
Director:
Breck Eisner
Cast:
Vin Diesel
Rose Leslie
Elijah Wood
Michael Caine
Rated: PG-13
Vin Diesel is Kaulder (though it sounds more like Colder), a witch hunter working for a branch of the Church called the Axe and Cross.
After killing the Witch Queen hundreds of years ago, Kaulder was cursed with immortality. He’s used this ability to keep the world safe, but things start to get dangerous when rumors of the Witch Queen’s return begin to come out.
Matthew Liedke on Film 