Tag: cinema

Monday Movie Report: Recapping ‘Star Wars’ celebration

The next film in the “Star Wars” saga is set for release on Dec. 20 and fans in Chicago along with the rest of the world were treated to a first look at the flick last week.

During the Star Wars Celebration event, taking place in the Windy City, a panel was held for “Star Wars: Episode XI,” featuring Director J.J. Abrams, LucasFilms President Kathleen Kennedy and several cast members. At the panels conclusion, the first trailer for the movie and the official title were released to the public.

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REVIEW: ‘Missing Link’ is a short and sweet crowd pleaser

Not going to lie. After sitting through “Hellboy,” “Little” and “After,” getting to watch “Missing Link” was actually a nice treat.

“Link” is the latest from the animation studio Laika, which made a personal favorite of mine called “Kubo and the Two Strings” a few years back. The movie tells the story of Sir Lionel Frost (voiced by Hugh Jackman), a crypto-zoologist who tries to dig up evidence on mysterious creatures on Earth, such as the Loch Ness Monster.

His latest endeavor brings him to the northwest corner of the continental United States on a search for Sasquatch. Interestingly enough, Frost not only meets the creature, but learns that the Sasquatch can speak English and actually has a goal of his own. The Sasquatch, who comes to be known as Mr. Link (voiced by Zach Galifianakis), wants to make it to the Himalayas to connect with Yetis, who he believes are his own species.

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REVIEW: ‘After’ is a romantic drama disaster

I’m convinced the makers of this movie have never been to college.

So, upon some digging, it turns out “After” is based off a novel, which originally started as a fanfiction about the band One Direction on the website Wattpad. I’m not making this up.

In that case, what can one expect from the story? Well, it follows Tessa (Josephine Langford), a young woman who’s just starting her college career at Some Random University as a freshman. Tessa is what one could call a goodie-two-shoes, as she plays by the rules, is a book-worm and never seems to get into trouble.

However, there’s a chance that will change when she starts attending. See, her new roommate does things like drink and hangout with friends that attend parties. The horror. In the first act Tessa goes along with her roommate to a party and meets Hardin (Hero Fiennes Tiffin), a British guy who wears ripped jeans, a leather jacket, is well-read and is too cool to do anything but brood. You guessed it, he’s the love interest.

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REVIEW: A ‘Little’ too unoriginal

I have to admit, I’m getting somewhat exhausted by all of these movies where something mystical happens to a woman we’ve had recently. Seriously, in the last 12 months we’ve had “I Feel Pretty,” “Isn’t it Romantic,” “What Men Want” and now this picture “Little.”

The movie introduces audiences to the character April (Issa Rae) who works as the main assistant for an app development company run by Jordan (Regina Hall). Jordan is one of the toughest bosses that anyone could have, always demanding the best from her employees with basically a zero tolerance policy for any sort of fun or enjoyment to be had in the workplace.

In the first act, the audience learns that Jordan’s company is potentially going to lose one of its top clients. With stress building, Jordan begins to snap at people, including a little girl who gets upset and wishes that she’d be younger so she couldn’t push people around. The wish comes true and Jordan wakes up the next day back as a middle school student (Marsai Martin). So, now her and April need to team up to navigate life for the next few days as they figure out how to switch things back.

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REVIEW: ‘Hellboy’ isn’t saved by R-rated spectacle

I never saw the first two “Hellboy” films by Oscar winning Director Guillermo del Toro as perfect masterpieces, but they are light years ahead of this.

A reboot rather than a sequel to the last “Hellboy” in 2008, this picture follows the titular character who works for a special agency defending humanity from paranormal threats. Hellboy, who was summoned to Earth during World War II, is an agent for the organization and his latest case takes him to England.

There, he learns of a sorceress (Milla Jovovich) who had threatened the world generations ago and plans to do so again. While Hellboy is initially ready to fight her, though, he has second thoughts because of how humans have outright attacked paranormal creatures throughout their history.

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REVIEW: ‘Pet Sematary’ has scares, but lacks solid storytelling

Another Stephen King adaptation has made its way to theaters, inviting audiences once again to the wonderful state of Maine.

“Pet Sematary” is the second adaptation of the King novel, the other releasing in 1989. This film, directed by Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer, shares some similarities as the film and novel, while also featuring a few differences. Jason Clarke plays the main character Louis here, a doctor and father in a family of four who are relocating from Boston to rural Maine.

The rest of the family consists of Rachel (Amy Seimetz), Ellie (Jete Laurence) and Gage (Hugo Lavoie). Upon arriving, the family settles in fairly well to their new rural community. The family, by introduction from their neighbor Jud (John Lithgow), do soon learn that their property includes an odd cemetery for pets, though. The land is proven even more eerie after the family cat is killed by a truck and Jud reveals there are some areas where, if buried, dead creatures can be brought back.

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REVIEW: ‘Shazam’ powered by dual lead performances

Just say the word. Review!

The latest comic book adaptation from the DC library is “Shazam!” a superhero comedy directed by David Sandberg and starring Asher Angel as Billy Batson. An orphan and frequent runaway, the film opens with Batson on a mission to find his mother. When his most recent search results in no findings, Batson is taken to another foster family.

After school one day, Batson ends up transported from Philadelphia to another realm where he meets the Wizard Shazam, who’s looking to give his powers to a new champion. Batson is selected and soon receives all of the wizard’s powers, transforming him into his prime form as the new Shazam (Zachary Levi). With his new abilities, it seems to be all fun and games, but the history of the wizard brings about an antagonist who wants the powers, played by Mark Strong.

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Monday Movie Report: Casting news for Viola Davis, Dave Bautista, and more

Academy Award winner Viola Davis is has joined the cast of the “Suicide Squad” reboot and will return as the character Amanda Waller, according to Empire Magazine.

In the film series and the source material, Waller is often the head of government agencies which usually deals with superheroes and occasionally, villains. The latter is the Suicide Squad, a group of jailed criminals who’re sent out on dangerous missions. Davis portrayed the character in the original movie, too.

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Ranking the MCU: The Uniforms

I’m counting down the days to “Avengers Endgame” and in the lead-up, ranking a few things about the series. So, here’s a look at my thoughts on the various uniforms worn by both the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and a couple others.

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Tony Stark: A character arc for the ages

Outside of Rocky Balboa and Anakin Skywalker from “Star Wars,” few characters have had as much screentime to grow and change as Tony Stark.

Of course there’s the obvious point of how Stark, played throughout the series by Robert Downey Jr., went from being a smart but rather selfish businessman to being a person who helps protect the world. however, the journey the character takes and the lessons learned are very layered and interesting to look at.

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