tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48252292503089648432024-03-13T22:17:37.892-07:00Cinema BitsCinema Bits...where you'll find movie reviews of films that are in theaters now or already on DVD and Blu-Ray!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger234125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-7709485948437421352018-06-14T12:14:00.000-07:002018-06-14T12:14:04.712-07:00Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o_RlIH076Y8/WyK980TM54I/AAAAAAAADio/ezvFbQr6lGocgltlm3Ionwd8x-R0BO3EQCLcBGAs/s1600/01-jumanji-main-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o_RlIH076Y8/WyK980TM54I/AAAAAAAADio/ezvFbQr6lGocgltlm3Ionwd8x-R0BO3EQCLcBGAs/s320/01-jumanji-main-2.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Back in 1995, Robin Williams starred in a film that had an
original story, was reasonably good, included a lot of CGI’d excitement, and
was well-received by audiences in general.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, that film aged pretty quickly, with the special effects looking
dated within that decade, yet still held a special place in most people’s
hearts especially after the loss of Robin Williams in 2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">When it was announced that there was going to be another
movie—although it wasn’t said whether it’d be a sequel or a reboot—I thought it
was unneeded and didn’t think it would stand a chance with today’s
audiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, special effects have
advanced in the intervening years since the 1995 original, but the board game
aspect of the story and wild animals running rampant angle wouldn’t cut it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle </i></b>was released last December
(2017) and although it received some very favorable reviews, I had no desire to
go out to the local theater to see it (choosing instead to see <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Last Jedi </i>or whatever else was
playing back then).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But time passed, the
movies I’d been seeing lately on Netflix weren’t really doing it for me, so I
decided to see this one purely for shits-and-giggles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So what did I think of it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First…let me give you the breakdown of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle</i></b>…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wamijwvtj7M/WyK99XUTa1I/AAAAAAAADis/48qadEyDgqkQcrZqhtVV3SjfroRBjt4AgCLcBGAs/s1600/02-Screen-Shot-2017-06-29-at-10_19_07-PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1600" height="131" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wamijwvtj7M/WyK99XUTa1I/AAAAAAAADis/48qadEyDgqkQcrZqhtVV3SjfroRBjt4AgCLcBGAs/s320/02-Screen-Shot-2017-06-29-at-10_19_07-PM.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">In a brand new <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jumanji
</i>adventure, four high school kids—Spencer (Alex Wolff), Fridge (Ser’Darius
Blain), Bethany (Madison Iseman), and Martha (Morgan Turner)—discover an old
video game console and are drawn into the game’s jungle setting, literally
becoming the adult avatars they chose—Smolder Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson),
Franklin “Mouse” Finbar (Kevin Hart), Professor Shelly Oberon (Jack Black), and
Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
they discover is that you don’t just play <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jumanji</i>—you
must survive it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To beat the game and
return to the real world, they’ll have to go on the most dangerous adventure of
their lives, discover what Alan Parrish left 20 years ago, and change the way
they think about themselves…or they’ll be stuck in the game forever, to be
played by others without break.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now, the film appears to try and pick up right where the
1995 film left off, but I think there’s a bit of a discrepancy here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of 1995’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jumanji</i>, after the game is tossed into the ocean, I believe the
board game washes up on a beach in France, with the box halfway submerged in
sand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple of girls are walking up
to it, speaking French, so it’s assumed the game made the voyage all the way to
that country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this new film, it’s the
same setup, only it’s been washed up somewhere in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe the French girls were vacationing in
America…?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just an observation…I
don’t mean to digress.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Aside from that, the story shows us that the game was found
by a father who gives the game to his son, Alex (Mason Guccione), who dismisses
it, mumbling to himself that nobody plays board games anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that said and seeing how the teen
chooses to continue playing video games, it prompts the board game to transform
into a video game console.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After he
notices this, he plugs it into his television and turns it on, grabbing the
joystick as he looks at the screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
film then cuts to the outside view of Alex’s window as we see a flash of light
that tells us something has happened in the room…but we don’t know what.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p7_iL2Fof4M/WyK9893SIeI/AAAAAAAADik/KSQbPfftTLMFQ-7EwUYBdLD3oSUhoXh5QCLcBGAs/s1600/01.5-morgan-turner-serdarius-blain-10-fun-facts-05-e1517292550149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1197" height="209" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p7_iL2Fof4M/WyK9893SIeI/AAAAAAAADik/KSQbPfftTLMFQ-7EwUYBdLD3oSUhoXh5QCLcBGAs/s320/01.5-morgan-turner-serdarius-blain-10-fun-facts-05-e1517292550149.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">So…as the story goes on, we start at present day, centering
around four characters—two are likable, the other two are not—and how they end
up together in detention, which sets them up to find the Jumanji game (which
has made its way to the school’s basement somehow) and to be absorbed into
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do like that angle, having it
become a video game that sucks in the main characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a breath of fresh air and at least the
movie shows that it’s not just a cookie-cutter reimagining of the first
film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The teens’ actions certainly sum
up what most of us Gen-Xers had done throughout the 80s and 90s—being totally
engrossed in video games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Once the teens get immersed into the game and the avatars
are revealed, that’s when the fun begins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seeing the main character of Spencer finding himself to be Smolder
Bravestone was amusing, especially when the real Spencer’s traits show through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching and hearing The Rock repeat “don’t
cry” to himself over and over when he first finds himself to be in this new
jungle world was pretty funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even more
comical was to see the character of Fridge—a huge high school football
player—end up as the diminutive avatar of “Mouse” Finbar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The laughs really start to come when you see
Jack Black embody the character of Bethany within the avatar of Professor
Shelly Oberon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, the introverted
teen Martha turns into the kick-ass Ruby Roundhouse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4bftzB-ZTI8/WyK99pd8KNI/AAAAAAAADiw/TInCmS5uPfssdGzO1yLjdXrH2fwh_3ZNwCLcBGAs/s1600/05-DF_05153_R_2040_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4bftzB-ZTI8/WyK99pd8KNI/AAAAAAAADiw/TInCmS5uPfssdGzO1yLjdXrH2fwh_3ZNwCLcBGAs/s320/05-DF_05153_R_2040_0.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">I like the certain tropes they throw in to show you that our
protagonists are really in the game by presenting the video game side
characters in a loop, repeating certain directions and explanations, not
interacting but just a program to get the players through to the next level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, the way each character finds the way to
display their strengths and weaknesses was a nice touch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you look back on the last few lines of the synopsis, it
really doesn’t ring true when watching the movie unfold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing Alan Parrish (Robin Williams’s
character in the 1995 film) left behind was a jungle shack that he’d built with
his name carved in a piece of wood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
shelter is of little importance in the movie and is glossed over fairly
quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, they discovered it…in a
way…but it has no bearing on the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The last line on the summary…?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
won’t give away the characters’ dilemma, but it sure isn’t what’s said there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H6flv_-RiKA/WyK9999VIYI/AAAAAAAADi0/QpdKB4qmd34kPHJXg-nyuDtmGtM57xbsQCLcBGAs/s1600/RusselVanPelt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H6flv_-RiKA/WyK9999VIYI/AAAAAAAADi0/QpdKB4qmd34kPHJXg-nyuDtmGtM57xbsQCLcBGAs/s320/RusselVanPelt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If there was anything I didn’t like was the choice for the
villain of the game—Van Pelt (Bobby Cannavale).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Though I don’t mind him in most parts he plays (he’s actually really
good in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ant-Man</i>), I didn’t think he
had what it takes to be the dark and over-the-top villain he sets out to be in
this film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, another aspect the
filmmakers had gotten right tended to bite them in the butt at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The featured rule of having side characters
within the game have limited conversations with the protagonists were sometimes
broken—sometimes not engaging with the characters freely, but sometimes they
did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">But these are just nitpicked observations and really don’t
take away from the fun you’ll have while watching this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Directed by Jake Kasdan (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Walk
Hard: The Dewey Cox Story</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bad
Teacher</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sex Tape</i>), he really
turns the adventurous story into a fun popcorn flick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I’m sure Kevin Hart and Jack Black
were probably hard to rein in, Kasdan takes this ensemble cast and makes them
work together cohesively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He takes
advantage of the chemistry worked within this group, both in the teens and the
game avatars, and brings the story together very well, never letting the action
let up for too long and nary a lull is felt. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">What makes the film even more entertaining is the music by
Henry Jackman, who has scored the films of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kick-Ass</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">X-Men: First Class</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain America: Civil War</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Civil War </i>was especially memorable and really brought that movie’s
feelings up front as the battles between friends raged on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With those other music compositions in mind,
it’s very obvious this man knows how to put feeling into a movie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Let’s get right to it and let me give you my final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jumanji:
Welcome to the Jungle</i></b>…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqvEbRxL2Kk/WyK9-lQgxWI/AAAAAAAADi4/AygmDNE4Hw8hvB5rSlFn8aA9_AANxnhWQCLcBGAs/s1600/dwayne-johnson-jumanji.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqvEbRxL2Kk/WyK9-lQgxWI/AAAAAAAADi4/AygmDNE4Hw8hvB5rSlFn8aA9_AANxnhWQCLcBGAs/s320/dwayne-johnson-jumanji.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">As I’d mentioned, the fun is felt all the way and the laughs
keep coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it’s Jack Black
doing his best impression of a millennial teenaged girl or Kevin Hart using
self-deprecating humor, you’d be remiss if you thought this film was
boring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the contrary, it doesn’t let
up and keeps the action going throughout with a lot of comedy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was—and always will
be—a perfect action star with a little modest wit sprinkled in here and there,
yet shares the screen time with his co-stars equally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The movie is funny, action-packed,
over-the-top, and just a great movie to sit and watch while turning off your
brain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-73422900263585548642018-06-04T15:38:00.004-07:002018-06-05T08:47:07.878-07:00Big Driver<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c9CbhunPSkE/WxW-1PqPYeI/AAAAAAAADiA/th8ucn9Tgf4chUxvQ1QeemKek8sUZsNcACLcBGAs/s1600/big_driver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="566" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c9CbhunPSkE/WxW-1PqPYeI/AAAAAAAADiA/th8ucn9Tgf4chUxvQ1QeemKek8sUZsNcACLcBGAs/s320/big_driver.jpg" width="239"></a></div>
As I may have said countless times when reviewing a Stephen King adaptation, I am a huge fan of the author's works and love most of the movies made from his books. Since before the recent rash of films adapted from his novels, there were quite a few that weren't really worth a look. Believe me, there were some so terrible, I didn't have the heart to review them here, let alone admit it to myself.<br>
<br>
However, starting with last year's <i>It</i>, King's work seemed to turn into a new branch of a gold mine, giving us quite a few flicks<span style="font-family: "arial";">—</span>albeit, Netflix originals<span style="font-family: "arial";">—</span>and a sequel to the aforementioned <i>It </i>and a few other rumored productions that may start up soon.<br>
<br>
Recently, I had dove in to a short story collection of Mr. King's, titled "Full Dark, No Stars," to see about reading the first story contained within before the movie version was released on Netflix. The story, "1922," was pretty good and well written. So much so, that I decided to read all the stories in the book, one right after the other<span style="font-family: "arial";">—</span>"Fair Extension," "A Good Marriage" (which also has a film adaptation that ran on Netflix, but I've yet to see), and "Big Driver." That last novella was actually the second story in the book, but I'd left if for last, choosing, instead, to read the other two first<span style="font-family: "arial";">—</span>"A Good Marriage" because I was familiar with the actors in the film and wouldn't have a tough time visualizing the characters in my head, and "Fair Extension" due to the length of the story itself (32 pages).<br>
<br>
Somehow, and I can't remember where I'd read it, but I saw that "Big Driver" was made into a movie. Now, this story, in no way, is anything supernatural or a full-fledged horror story, but it does contain something that would be horrible to anyone who'd have the misfortune to experience such a frightening and life-changing ordeal. Just the fact that it was a Stephen King adaptation, I knew I had to see it as soon as possible, and checking Netflix, seeing it was available on DVD, I had it sent to me right away.<br>
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Before going into this film, let me give you this very short synopsis for <i style="font-weight: bold;">Big Driver</i>...<br>
<br>
A famous mystery writer, Tessa (Maria Bello), sets out for revenge after a brutal sexual assault.<br>
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As I'd looked into the film, before it arrived in my mailbox, I noticed something that lowered my <span style="font-family: sans-serif;">expectations for it and it was the fact that the film was first televised on the Lifetime Network, so I knew the subject matter was going to be altered a bit. </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif;">Reading the story before seeing this movie conjured up scenes like what I'd witnessed in the </span><i>I Spit on Your Grave </i>remake a few years back, which made the payback easily something you could cheer for as you see the heroine of the story get her revenge. I knew Lifetime would not show the movie as it was intended, from book-to-film, so I held little hope that the movie would be any good. Another letdown, in the form of checking the IMDb score, was that the film received an average of 5.6 out of 10, so I really didn't think I'd be able to finish the film.<div><div><br>
Though, on the plus column, the film had a few recognizable faces<span style="font-family: "arial";">—</span>one was an actress from a previous Stephen King adaptation, another was an Oscar winner, and one was a music icon. I'm speaking of Maria Bello (from <i>Secret Window</i>), Olympia Dukakis (Oscar winner for <i>Moonstruck</i>), and Joan Jett (music legend inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015). With this cast in mind, I was more than willing to give the flick a try.<br>
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So...as a whole, the film plays out like the novella, condensed, of course, like most films are when based on a book. Watching it with Stephen King goggles, I enjoyed it thoroughly and thought it was an above-average adaptation. It's when I try to see the film as a King novice, especially looking back at it and re-experiencing it again in my mind, that I may see some problems or confusion. For instance, in the book, the lead character of Tessa is introduced to us as the author of a successful string of books that centers around a group of old women who identify themselves as the "Willow Grove Knitting Society," a small congregation that solves crimes. The leader of the group, who Tessa identifies with the most, always comes to the forefront of her mind, especially when she tries to think her way out of a jam. It's conveyed in the book as just Tessa's imagination coming forward, much like the GPS voice talking to her...it's very obvious that she's using these figments of her imagination to help her out in some way. But sitting back and trying to live vicariously through a King beginner, watching the movie unfold as it does, I have to wonder if all this is obvious.<br>
<br>
Although I had put the movie down, initially, as a Lifetime movie and automatically figured it may be dumbed down, one aspect I'd like to point out is that the filmmakers didn't feel the need to wash out the colors of the movie so that it looks like a bleak story from the get-go. The cinematography looks great, with a lot of visual style here and there. The start of the film gave us a bird's eye view of Tessa setting out on her journey to the speaking engagement she's set to participate in and another shot in the second act had it down to a worm's eye view when Tessa is at her most vulnerable. It may have been a subtle context shown by the director or cinematographer...or maybe they were just lucky with those shots.<br>
<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F7JrP53-bkY/WxW-1PRk3tI/AAAAAAAADh8/YWfgu-dNoBgER7lO8PiOOwMv6EUjIBMtwCLcBGAs/s1600/5YIVO7D5XVA6JNI5TH2IFI2XWU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1400" height="208" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F7JrP53-bkY/WxW-1PRk3tI/AAAAAAAADh8/YWfgu-dNoBgER7lO8PiOOwMv6EUjIBMtwCLcBGAs/s320/5YIVO7D5XVA6JNI5TH2IFI2XWU.jpg" width="320"></a>As it says in the synopsis, the story is about Tessa being brutally attacked, and it's very uncomfortable to see. Even though I mentioned that the movie is a Lifetime production, the act of the Good Samaritan turning rapist is still very graphic in nature, there's no getting around that as the act is a motive for Tessa's actions later. The language and material, naturally, had to be written with the afternoon audiences in mind, no four-letter words or nudity involved in this one, but the message gets across.<br>
<br>
In the book, there is a lot of dialogue going on within Tessa's mind, giving us what she's thinking and cluing us in on her strategy and feelings towards her plans. You may or may not be able to get this from Bello's performance, but I think it wasn't conveyed well enough where<span style="font-family: "arial";">—</span>in the book<span style="font-family: "arial";">—</span>Tessa gets to a very low point where she accepts death; in the film, however, I don't think that comes across too well.<br>
<br>
Everyone's performances are good enough to make the situations believable (except to hear the rapist say "How about I screw you?" instead of what he actually says in the book), but let's face it<span style="font-family: "arial";">—</span>this film wasn't destined to be an Academy Award Contender. It's simply a mystery thriller, surrounded by horrible circumstances, but it's all wrapped up as a nice revenge story.<br>
<br>
Surprisingly, this is not director Mikael Salomon's first dip into the Stephen King adaptation universe. Although he has many credits to his name<span style="font-family: "arial";">—</span>more than 50 as a director<span style="font-family: "arial";">—</span>his first King film was 2004's <i>Salem's Lot </i>television movie remake. He also directed two episodes of "Nightmares & Dreamscapes: the Stories of Stephen King."<br>
<br>
Finally, I think this would've been a nice flick to include a little Stephen King cameo, perhaps during the scene where Tessa finds herself at the biker club...but I didn't see him anywhere in this film.<br>
<br>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_avsUsZPtFY/WxW-1zfqzwI/AAAAAAAADiE/6J2DhcEtuncB1uqm6Ak417i0sCpU4ZdIACLcBGAs/s1600/bigdriver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_avsUsZPtFY/WxW-1zfqzwI/AAAAAAAADiE/6J2DhcEtuncB1uqm6Ak417i0sCpU4ZdIACLcBGAs/s320/bigdriver.jpg" width="213"></a>Anyway...let's get right down to it. What's my final "bit" on <i style="font-weight: bold;">Big Driver</i>?<br>
<br>
The film starts off as your usual Lifetime movie, with girl talk between friends, an author speaking at a library, but soon takes a turn for the rape/revenge sub-genre. It's neutered a bit, but the point is driven home, with our main heroine being driven to vengeance very quickly. The film is short and to the point, no lessons learned, no messages given, just and eye-for-an-eye standard movie. If you're a Stephen King fan and like to see how his books translate to film, the movie is worth a watch. Would I purchase this to add to my Stephen King collection? Probably not. Would an average moviegoer, with no knowledge of King's stories, enjoy this? Hard to say, but I'm thinking they wouldn't. I guess if you're a fan of the leading ladies, maybe so, but I'd wait until it's re-runned on Lifetime or some other channel.<br>
<br>
Thanks for reading!<br>
<br>
Cinema Bits is on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/cinema_bits" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.<br>
<br>
<br></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-50633401706473420122018-06-01T13:26:00.001-07:002018-06-01T13:26:29.857-07:00Deadpool 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8PJMXutGffE/WxGqr9_wGxI/AAAAAAAADhQ/kymIkInRL-MKyMuvkNXUTmw0SBIQMc8pwCLcBGAs/s1600/01-deadpool-2-poster-final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8PJMXutGffE/WxGqr9_wGxI/AAAAAAAADhQ/kymIkInRL-MKyMuvkNXUTmw0SBIQMc8pwCLcBGAs/s320/01-deadpool-2-poster-final.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<strong><em>
</em></strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Prepare for the second coming...</em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The surprise hit back in 2016 from Fox (“the studio that
killed Wolverine”) pretty much proved itself worthy of a sequel in the first
day of its release back then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the
money it made, making its budget back in probably the first few hours of
screenings, the studio would have to be a bunch of “ass-hats” to not throw
money at—and greenlight—a sequel right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">What helped the sell?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ryan Reynolds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it wasn’t for
his portrayal of the titular character of Wade Wilson—which shouldn’t be that
difficult seeing as the writers of most of the comic book series currently use
his comedic wit as a template for the hero—that movie wouldn’t have been as
successful as it had been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even before
there was any mention of a movie being in development, when reading a
“Deadpool” comic book, I couldn’t help but picture Reynolds speaking the parts
and cracking wise throughout the storyline.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">No one wants to talk about the first time Reynolds portrayed
the character of Wade Wilson (not even Reynolds himself) back in 2009 in the
film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">X-Men Origins: Wolverine</i>, but
there was a bit of excitement when it was learned that he’d be featured in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the movie played out and people came to
understand how the character’s depiction had turned out, that’s when comic book
aficionados became upset and lost even more faith in Fox.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">However, all the wrongs have been made right, we’d gotten a
movie with a decent origin, finishing off with an after-credits stinger that
went right out and announced a sequel, going as far as telling us that the
character of Cable would be in it…comic book fanboys went nuts.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So here we are, after nearly a year of constant promotions,
starting with the hilarious short that played before the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logan </i>film last year, we get the sequel…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Deadpool 2</i></b>.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J0-_Yz_sFso/WxGqs0AMYsI/AAAAAAAADhs/01PQM3SMGuUHBK9Ira0uNTd8uilAG7_JACEwYBhgL/s1600/9955untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J0-_Yz_sFso/WxGqs0AMYsI/AAAAAAAADhs/01PQM3SMGuUHBK9Ira0uNTd8uilAG7_JACEwYBhgL/s1600/9955untitled.png" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">I’ve got to say, I’m a little surprised that the film is
titled so simply, not giving us a subtitle, but opting for the sequential
number of 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought there’d be
something funny to go into this movie, like a subtitle mocking some other movie
or an MCU movie or maybe even something from the DCEU, like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Deadpool V Cable: Martha Martha
Martha…?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>But what’s in a title,
right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the finished product that
makes or breaks the bank…the title could’ve been something lame like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Deadpool Returns</i>, so it really doesn’t
matter if it has a cool title.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As I gather my thoughts and piece together everything I saw
on the opening weekend, let me give you the synopsis of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Deadpool 2</i></b>…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Foul-mouthed mutant mercenary, Wade Wilson—also known as
Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds)—brings together a team of fellow mutant rogues—Domino
(Zazie Beetz), Zeitgeist (Bill Skarsgård), Bedlam (Terry Crews), and
Shatterstar (Lewis Tan)—to protect a young boy (Julian Dennison) with
superpowered abilities from the brutal, time-traveling mutant, Cable (Josh
Brolin).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-muUGtM77JQU/WxGqsYK21NI/AAAAAAAADhs/jfVJ0cLuMWs0fsu6fQFOB1NSNHUv4yJ9wCEwYBhgL/s1600/04-images27WHEYXV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-muUGtM77JQU/WxGqsYK21NI/AAAAAAAADhs/jfVJ0cLuMWs0fsu6fQFOB1NSNHUv4yJ9wCEwYBhgL/s1600/04-images27WHEYXV.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The above summary is definitely shortened and streamlined to
save you from any spoilers because there is a lot of funny surprises that
you’ll have to see fresh and for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, unlike most movies these days that
ruin some of the story for you by showing most of the action and jokes in the
trailer, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Deadpool 2 </i></b>shows you different takes of the scenes which gives
us revelations and fresh takes that we haven’t seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, in this sequel, it’s a bit jarring
to go from slapstick scenes to more serious notes in the story, but it all
comes together in a very stimulating style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most filmmakers would not be able to accomplish this, nor would they
have the courage to try.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Character by character…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Of course, Ryan Reynolds—back in that red and black leather
number—kicks ass just as much as he had in his first outing (not the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">X-Men Origins: Wolverine </i>film, but the
2016 standalone).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The laughs are
constant, with Reynolds’ humor showcased throughout, breaking the fourth wall,
interacting hilariously with the straight characters, showing his awareness
that he’s in a movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) is here once again, acting as
Wade’s anchor to calm him down from the constant quips and to bring the movie
to a more serious tone when they’re together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We don’t get too much of her character within the story, and it’s for
good reason…you’ll see once you experience the film.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">T.J. Miller’s “Weasel” is not featured as prominently as he
was in the first film—it may be due to Miller’s off-screen issues, it may
not—but he does have some funny interactions within the film, as Wade’s
assistant in the X-Force interviewing scenes and in one particular scene where
Wade is recovering from a pretty critical injury…which gets a lot of laughs
here. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2K9GmbgltE/WxGqr3qtSkI/AAAAAAAADhk/M58YOgmo7LQRS3gV9RNuRjSfxooY1JQpwCEwYBhgL/s1600/03-imagesKGW8A76Q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2K9GmbgltE/WxGqr3qtSkI/AAAAAAAADhk/M58YOgmo7LQRS3gV9RNuRjSfxooY1JQpwCEwYBhgL/s1600/03-imagesKGW8A76Q.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now, the character every comic book geek was waiting
for—Cable (Josh Brolin).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first film
was bold enough to give us that bit of info during the after-credits scene in
the first film—as Deadpool parodies the end of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ferris Bueller’s Day Off</i>, complete with robe and background set
design, he flat out tells the audience the sequel will include the character of
Cable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, at that time, no one was
cast as the cybernetic-armed mutant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Though many names were thrown about, Josh Brolin was the one who’d won
the part and he delivered in spades, giving us the look and mannerisms we’d
come to expect—well, at least us comic book fans anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brolin embodies this character and I loved
everything about his depiction…well, except for his height…which wasn’t a
problem until near the end of the movie when he’s walking alongside Reynolds,
who’s a good three inches taller than him.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--YikJ-FVnJM/WxGqrxfP-zI/AAAAAAAADhs/PUrsyoPMqOMPgsZgayWb2MsK_bloJI8ZQCEwYBhgL/s1600/02-v1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--YikJ-FVnJM/WxGqrxfP-zI/AAAAAAAADhs/PUrsyoPMqOMPgsZgayWb2MsK_bloJI8ZQCEwYBhgL/s200/02-v1.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As for the rest of the cast, back for the ride are Blind Al
(Leslie Uggams), Dopinder (Karan Soni), Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna
Hildebrand) and Colossus (voiced by Stefan Kapicic).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But new to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Deadpool </i>franchise are Firefist (Julian Dennison), Domino (Zazie
Beetz), Yukio (Shioli Kutsuna), Shatterstar (Lewis Tan), Zeitgeist (Bill
Skarsgård), Bedlam (Terry Crews), and Peter (Rob Delaney).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve left off a few other characters because
they’re a good jolt added to the film, so I don’t want to spoil it for you.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Although director Tim Miller gets a lot of accolades for
what he was able to do with so little in the 2016 film, he decided not to come
back for the sequel (probably because he’s working on the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Terminator </i>reboot set to be released next year).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, the director’s job went to David Leitch,
who really doesn’t have that much in the way of directing movies, but has had
quite a career in stunt work for films.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Leitch’s first directing gig was for the highly acclaimed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">John Wick</i>, followed by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Atomic Blonde </i>before coming on board for
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Deadpool
2</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, let me just give you my final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Deadpool
2</i></b>...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80ZHWik_Uw4/WxGqsi9kjWI/AAAAAAAADhw/7GWV3D8fOt41Ide_0TnqzOEt-yljF2W2gCEwYBhgL/s1600/05-untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="293" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80ZHWik_Uw4/WxGqsi9kjWI/AAAAAAAADhw/7GWV3D8fOt41Ide_0TnqzOEt-yljF2W2gCEwYBhgL/s1600/05-untitled.png" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">The sequel is just about as funny and entertaining as the
first, with a bit more action and a lot more characters involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we’ve seen in the trailers, the “X-Force”
team is initialized and we’re more than likely going to get a movie soon,
featuring these team members and maybe more added to the mix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You won’t have to sit through all the credits
to see some scene that’ll clue you in on a sequel because there is none.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the start of the credits features some
humorous animated stills and in between the middle of the credits are some
hilarious scenes that are surprisingly comical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As in the first film, the strong language and graphic content are not
suitable for young children, but there isn’t any nudity or sexual situations
here, so you can feel comfortable watching this with teens…or at least allowing
yours to see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few shocks are to be
seen here, especially for comic book fans, so just get out there and see this
before it leaves theaters.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cinema Bits is on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and now, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/cinema_bits" target="_blank">Instagram</a>!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-15544286941836920722018-05-30T09:53:00.002-07:002018-05-30T09:53:37.803-07:00Solo: A Star Wars Story<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CNf1aVB42PE/Ww7WV5xv4QI/AAAAAAAADgs/buUcwjd3qDo0lunHR-L1ZXuV3e7RNwnzwCLcBGAs/s1600/solo-star-wars-story-imax-poster-1108152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1103" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CNf1aVB42PE/Ww7WV5xv4QI/AAAAAAAADgs/buUcwjd3qDo0lunHR-L1ZXuV3e7RNwnzwCLcBGAs/s320/solo-star-wars-story-imax-poster-1108152.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Never tell him the
odds…</span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, Disney wasn’t kidding when they said they’d be releasing
a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars</i> film every year, were
they?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starting in 2015, we’d gotten <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Force Awakens</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rogue One </i>in 2016, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Last
Jedi </i>the following year, and, here in 2018, we get the standalone film—<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Solo:
A Star Wars Story</i></b>.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I’ve got to admit, I wasn’t very excited when they had
announced this at first, even when the date grew near.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reason being is that when I think of a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars</i> film, I’m expecting a little
bit of Jedi fighting with some lightsaber action going down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But since I had enjoyed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rogue One </i>(which didn’t have any Jedi or lightsaber duels, only
brief mentions of The Force), I decided to be optimistic and had started looking
forward to the movie, making sure to see it the day after the opening date (May
25<sup>th</sup>, 2018).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like everyone
else who had followed the story of this production, hearing the firing of the
original directors—Phil Lord and Christopher Miller—at first left me feeling
that this movie wasn’t going to be very good, especially knowing that those
directors had gotten very far into the production before they were let go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enter Ron Howard—director supreme of such
hits as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Splash</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Backdraft</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Apollo 13</i>, and
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Beautiful Mind</i>—to fix what was
presented to him, which resulted in a reported 80% of re-filming and
reshoots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the short amount of time
that Mr. Howard had to make the production and release it on schedule, it
looked rather bleak.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As I first set eyes on the trailer for this film, I felt it
had the look and feel to the first <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blade
Runner </i>film, with the synth-heavy score and dimly-lit sets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only redeeming quality the preview had
for me was that it was a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars</i>
film and it contained a bit of the John Williams music throughout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All that aside, I knew I was going to see
this film within the scope of the release date and that I was not going to wait
for it to arrive on home media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only, my
hopes were going to be minimal, setting the bar pretty low when going into it.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, before getting into my views of the film, here’s the
breakdown for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Solo: A Star Wars Story</i></b>…</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">With the emerging demand for hyperfuel and other resources,
Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) finds himself in the middle of a heist together
with other criminals—Beckett (Woody Harrelson), Val (Thandie Newton), and Rio
Durant (voiced by Jon Favreau)—to find a way to save the girl he loves, Qi’ra
(Emilia Clarke).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the way, he meets
his future co-pilot, Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo), and the suave gambler, Lando
Calrissian (Donald Glover), in an adventurous situation exposing the criminal
underworld of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars</i> saga.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As this film started, it was great to see the story start
out with the text, “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rogue One</i>, we don’t get the fanfare or the episode text crawl, just
the explanation of the demand for hyperfuel within the galaxy, which is the
crux for this story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
hyperfuel—coaxium—in little or large amounts, is like gold and it’s what our
young hero, Han Solo, uses to try and get off the world of Corellia with Qi’ra,
the girl he loves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he has no choice
but to leave her behind, throughout the start of the film, he does what he can
to get back to her and save her from the terrible planet where she
remains…that’s where the adventure begins.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lf8o-DjaDe0/Ww7WSjojBeI/AAAAAAAADgg/Xf9XHyMJHqM4PnMDqNJFktCfkq7U4Lh_ACEwYBhgL/s1600/imagesX6C1FS24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lf8o-DjaDe0/Ww7WSjojBeI/AAAAAAAADgg/Xf9XHyMJHqM4PnMDqNJFktCfkq7U4Lh_ACEwYBhgL/s1600/imagesX6C1FS24.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">A bit different from the books and comic books, where it’s
said to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars</i> canon, the
origin of how Han and Chewbacca meet is enjoyable and gets a few laughs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s great to see how their friendship
develops throughout the film, starting with them just being members of a
hyperfuel heist to finally being pilot and co-pilot of the Millennium
Falcon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same can be said for when
Lando Calrissian is introduced, played brilliantly and believably by Donald
Glover, as he’s definitely a smooth operator much like Billy Dee Williams
played the character back in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Empire
Strikes Back </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Return of the Jedi</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you’re a fan of the original trilogy, you may have always
wondered about how Han won the Millennium Falcon from Lando and what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">was</i> the Kessel Run...well...you’ll see
it here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are there any familiar faces
from any of the other films?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A very surprising cameo is to be seen and had
me running some numbers and doing some galaxy math…but it was good to see this
character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How they fit into Han Solo’s
world, I have no idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may want to
know about some other origins regarding Han’s life that had been mentioned in
the original trilogy and you won’t get them here in this film, but I’m willing
to bet we will in future installments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I’m happy with that because I really didn’t want Ron Howard and the
Kasdans to shoot their whole wad with inundating us with everything about Han
Solo’s life in one short movie.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMf_GFauy1Q/Ww7WSXt7SbI/AAAAAAAADgY/eKRLl78JhnQJVsyZX3PVMtA4ntooBFebACEwYBhgL/s1600/imagesQ1HT02HR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="293" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMf_GFauy1Q/Ww7WSXt7SbI/AAAAAAAADgY/eKRLl78JhnQJVsyZX3PVMtA4ntooBFebACEwYBhgL/s1600/imagesQ1HT02HR.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">One aspect of this production that made the rounds was the
news that Alden Ehrenreich had to take some acting lessons during some of the
filming, making most believe he wasn’t right for the part and that he wasn’t
going to be convincing as a young Han Solo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t know what that all entailed and I really don’t care—and most
viewers shouldn’t as well—Ehrenreich nails this part and he’s very believable
as a young Solo.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As the trailer offered, the film plays some music cues that
pay tribute to John Williams, which is what the fanboys want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of people complained about the choice
of music score on the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rogue One </i>film,
going as far as to re-edit some scenes on YouTube with John Williams music,
showing that the scenes play a lot more dramatic that way than with the
original music from composer Michael Giacchino.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here, in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Solo: A Star Wars Story</i></b>, the music duties go to John Powell (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shrek</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Bourne Identity</i>) and I can’t really fault him for relying a
little on familiar <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars</i> nods to
Williams.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-35tUN797Mbg/Ww7WTBo0HsI/AAAAAAAADgk/K205m6UkAewFUFSChhesM-RUCMUd_athwCEwYBhgL/s1600/untit55led.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="311" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-35tUN797Mbg/Ww7WTBo0HsI/AAAAAAAADgk/K205m6UkAewFUFSChhesM-RUCMUd_athwCEwYBhgL/s1600/untit55led.png" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Overall, the film will keep your attention, noticing the
bravado Ehrenreich brings to the table and taking in all the CGI-generated
sci-fi action within the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
particular scene that made me smile and brought me back to my younger days,
looking up to the hero of Han Solo, was his piloting skills as he twisted the
Falcon in flight to bat away an Imperial Tie-Fighter to make it crash off to
the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all the history of Solo’s
famed ship, it was good to see it in its heyday and to see how good it really
was with the right pilot at the helm.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Along with Alden Ehrenreich, the other actors in the film
all added to the eclectic collection of characters within the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had my doubts about Harrelson because I
always see him as Woody from Cheers, but he is a strong character here, playing
Tobias Beckett—sort of a mentor to Han Solo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although the CGI character doesn’t get much time on screen, Rio Durant
adds a bit of levity, especially as it’s voiced by Jon Favreau in a
lighthearted and amusing manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thandie
Newton’s Val is a no-nonsense member of Beckett’s team who is only dedicated to
him and no one else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, Joonas
Suotamo is not new to playing the part of Chewbacca, though he quietly steals
some scenes here and there; because of his stature, he shared the part with
Peter Mayhew in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Force Awakens</i> and
took over the role in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Last Jedi</i>,
so this isn’t his first rodeo.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Also, some key characters that are worth mentioning...</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vsZxoBvnM4s/Ww7WTUQMQBI/AAAAAAAADgo/L9vcNGPrOiAu4XyeDrOw2gMNQeTi1CxqwCEwYBhgL/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vsZxoBvnM4s/Ww7WTUQMQBI/AAAAAAAADgo/L9vcNGPrOiAu4XyeDrOw2gMNQeTi1CxqwCEwYBhgL/s1600/untitled.png" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Phoebe Waller-Bridge as the voice of the droid L3-37 was
refreshing and, at times, very amusing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
need to free droids or to make them aware of how enslaved they are within this
world gave the character a purpose besides to make precise calculations or to
be the deus ex machina getting the human characters out of a jam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The villainous character of Dryden Vos (Paul
Bettany) was nice, especially the touch of having the markings on his face
turning redder as he was angered was something new to these films and I liked
it very much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Erin Kellyman as Enfys
Nest ended up being a very important part, especially near the end when it’s
clued to the audience that she and her people are the start of the Rebellion
that’s to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, it’s nice to
see Warwick Davis (playing the minor character of Weazel) in a Star Wars
film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though you won’t know it’s
him, the thin Wookiee, Tak, that Chewbacca helps to free is none other than Mr.
Anthony Daniels (normally seen in the gold-plated costume of C-3PO).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And how can there be a Ron Howard movie
without a cameo from his brother, Clint Howard?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’ll see him playing the repugnant Ralakii who runs the droid fights
in the film.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">My final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Solo: A Star Wars Story</i></b>?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_KBdQCzD2Nc/Ww7WSQE0J5I/AAAAAAAADgc/VgPy7tS8w3kmeLMD53i8iOTHpQ6ArmPQgCEwYBhgL/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_KBdQCzD2Nc/Ww7WSQE0J5I/AAAAAAAADgc/VgPy7tS8w3kmeLMD53i8iOTHpQ6ArmPQgCEwYBhgL/s1600/images.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">I can’t say that I disliked this film, but I can’t say I
totally loved it either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it
was a fun ride, very adventurous at times, and had some lump-in-the-throat
moments (like when Chewie first sits in the co-pilot’s chair with Han).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few scenes made me want to clap and/or
cheer, while most of the film made me smile with some of the wink-wink references
to something we may or may not see in future films.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the plot of this film was pretty
thin with not much at stake—that we can see at least—just the fact that it’s
viewed as an historical piece, with origins some of us may have wanted to see,
it’s still a very fun film and worth the price of admission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Solo: A Star Wars Story</i></b> is a fun
time for the whole family, so take an afternoon off or see it this weekend…you
won’t be disappointed.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cinema Bits is on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-27784092448411059112018-04-27T14:03:00.001-07:002018-04-27T14:03:17.114-07:00Avengers: Infinity War
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WS43fOrTzbA/WuOPby3dKbI/AAAAAAAADfc/nest0MJBbU8UZna2c1lztRirr6AKiKvJgCLcBGAs/s1600/Aveng01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WS43fOrTzbA/WuOPby3dKbI/AAAAAAAADfc/nest0MJBbU8UZna2c1lztRirr6AKiKvJgCLcBGAs/s320/Aveng01.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Wow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just…wow!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So much has gone through my mind in the last twenty-four
hours, both during the movie and hours after leaving the theater, and I’m
already planning a second viewing of this third chapter of the Earth’s
Mightiest Heroes—<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avengers: Infinity War</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The film is epic, both in running time and the scope of the story—where
it goes and how it divides up the team of superheroes…this movie is immensely
marvelous.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I’ve got to say, I had my doubts, yet had my expectations
set pretty high, because that’s where this film had to go to impress me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the first teaming back in 2012, I had
been let down a bit with the follow-up—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Age
of Ultron</i>—and, to put it in James Cameron’s recent idiom, was starting to
give audiences “Superhero Fatigue.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
this new film certainly put that uneasiness to rest and shut down Cameron’s
foolish projection, as we now have a bar set so high that any chapter of the
Marvel Studios films is going to have a tough time reaching.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As each trailer was released—and even the leaked Comic Con
footage—on the internet, I’ve indulged myself to those short vignettes multiple
times just to satisfy my craving for the upcoming film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was sitting in the theater yesterday,
waiting through the few trailers they showed before the main feature, I wanted
to scream out for the projectionist (Is there actually still a person up there
in that little room?) to play the movie already!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the time arrived, the lights dimmed, and
the movie started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About two hours and
thirty minutes later, I sat awestruck and eager for more.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, with all that expressed, let me give you the film’s
breakdown from Marvel Studios…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-asJiVdkTSJ8/WuOPce7bJkI/AAAAAAAADfk/TW-0YTwzMyUSYRSR0SEL3OzrelWOXM4YQCLcBGAs/s1600/Aveng05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="630" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-asJiVdkTSJ8/WuOPce7bJkI/AAAAAAAADfk/TW-0YTwzMyUSYRSR0SEL3OzrelWOXM4YQCLcBGAs/s320/Aveng05.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect
the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has
emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six
Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his
twisted will on all of reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment—the
fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Of course, I’m going to be very careful not to spoil the
plot, the surprises, the ending, nor will I describe the after credits
scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Full disclosure, however, I am a
Marvel Comics fanboy and will gush over certain superheroes featured throughout
this film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you still feel this may
spoil the film for you, or if you want to go into this movie fresh without any
info whatsoever (which I recommend), please stop reading and come on back after
you see it.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">With that out of the way, let’s talk about <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avengers:
Infinity War</i></b>.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (who have
both teamed to write a few other Marvel Studios films in the last five or six
years), these men gave us a fantastic story to follow along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They must have an Infinity Stone of their own
(the ‘Scribe Stone’ perhaps?) but they’ve given us a few wonderful stories out
of the oeuvre of Marvel superhero films we’ve seen thus far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EBkJ8SKYd5M/WuOPcEeb8sI/AAAAAAAADfg/3qo0NTGfuJkWdBM7AeZdczHQNPkewRC5QCLcBGAs/s1600/Aveng04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="400" height="233" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EBkJ8SKYd5M/WuOPcEeb8sI/AAAAAAAADfg/3qo0NTGfuJkWdBM7AeZdczHQNPkewRC5QCLcBGAs/s320/Aveng04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Many of you who have picked and chosen certain movies out of
the whole Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and have not seen every single movie
from the litany of their superhero flicks may be asking yourselves if one would
need to see all or any of the movies preceding this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d say that if you have an idea of which
hero is which and know a semblance of their origins, you might be okay with
going into this cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably the only
confusion one may have is at the start of this film and how it kicks into
gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thinking about that, I may be
inclined to say that you should at least watch the very entertaining <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thor: Ragnarok</i>, especially waiting until
the first of the rolling credits to see what happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it’s probably best to experience all
the movies—in order of release—before you go and see <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avengers: Infinity War</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you just can’t manage to sit through
around thirty-six hours of superhero cinema, you can watch a recap in about
fifteen minutes right <a href="https://youtu.be/97OJjlpbuBc" target="_blank">here</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As each Marvel film has shown, whether during its main story
or as an after credits scene, something big was coming with some very high
stakes involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially the scene
that was featured after the credits rolled for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Age of Ultron</i>, we knew Thanos (voiced by Josh Brolin) was finally
going to show and make it a gamechanger, and it was no secret that this film
was going to feature him as the main antagonist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the previous films’ teasers to the
trailers for this film, we all knew that Thanos was going to be a force the
Avengers were going to have to reckon with…and boy, is he ever that force in
this!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Although it’s not my favorite format to watch a film (I
still think it’s a gimmick that has ran its course for far too long), the 3D
wasn’t too bad and it didn’t induce a headache like most 3D films usually
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I kind of liked the Marvel
logo that slides in-and-out in the beginning of the film that finishes with
Captain America flinging his shield toward the camera…that wasn’t too
shabby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for the rest of the film, it
really did nothing to make the movie better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I found myself during some of the darker scenes wanting to take the
glasses off so I could have a clearer and brighter view of what was going on,
so you’re going to want to see this in standard viewing form.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l40U0KiQ60s/WuOPbuRzI1I/AAAAAAAADfY/mhyv0e9lKiUP1MWokesSZ8xK7X5WFozFwCLcBGAs/s1600/Aveng02.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="446" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l40U0KiQ60s/WuOPbuRzI1I/AAAAAAAADfY/mhyv0e9lKiUP1MWokesSZ8xK7X5WFozFwCLcBGAs/s320/Aveng02.bmp" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Avengers fanfare is back to start off this flick with
Alan Silvestri back in the composer’s chair to give us a great soundtrack to
back our heroes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was certainly missed
in the previous entry of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Age of Ultron </i>where
Danny Elfman and Brian Tyler took up that spot for some reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve gushed over Silvestri many times before
because of the memorable movies for which he’s composed music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Films such as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Back to the Future</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Predator</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Forrest Gump</i>, and most recently, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ready Player One</i> are some of his
memorable ones.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As for screen time each actor is given within this story,
one would think it’d be an impossibility to allot them all ample time, but it
wasn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Counting the main characters in the
cast listing—and that’s the main heroes without counting their righthand
guards, fellow sorcerers, significant others, etc.—was upwards of around
thirty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you want to include the
rest of the characters that are noteworthy and substantial, you’re probably
looking at around sixty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one is
shortchanged and everybody has a role to play in this epic parable.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The directing team of Anthony and Joe Russo do a fantastic
job of taking this huge task and giving us such a beautiful superhero
flick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a comic book geek’s dream—I
should know—and seeing how they took charge of the second and third <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain America </i>films, you can see why
this worked so well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s more than
that…it surpassed my expectations, surprised the hell out of me in one scene as
I think I left my jaw on the floor of that movie theater last night, and, at
the end of the film, I haven’t felt this way since I saw <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Empire Strikes Back </i>way back in 1980.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I mean by that is that I’ve never felt
the need to see what comes next in any movie since.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G_vOdozZ28s/WuOPbTtmysI/AAAAAAAADfU/1CJlTpQ5NJUp-WLUBfOSycLt9N44_6LdwCLcBGAs/s1600/Aveng03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="480" height="168" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G_vOdozZ28s/WuOPbTtmysI/AAAAAAAADfU/1CJlTpQ5NJUp-WLUBfOSycLt9N44_6LdwCLcBGAs/s320/Aveng03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As I spoke to some colleagues of mine who partook in this
outing last night, we discussed what we saw for a few minutes after the film,
standing in the lobby of the theater as the next batch of moviegoers were
flowing in to see the next showing of the movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the discussion, I couldn’t help
comparing this film to its predecessor, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Age
of Ultron</i>, noting how much down time that film had with a few
lulls…especially the scenes featured in Hawkeye’s house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avengers: Infinity War </i></b>has no such
breaks or screeching halts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may seem
that way at times, but it always ends up with some action that helps out the
plot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s the thing about this
flick, as opposed to some of the other Marvel films, there are no action scenes
for action scenes’ sake, only action that helps the plot move along.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Besides the serious tones in this film—and there are quite a
bit—additionally, you’ll see some very funny moments at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though it’s nothing like the laugh-a-minute
romp that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thor: Ragnarok</i> had been,
this film has quite a few laughs that had the crowd cracking up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, ten years ago, would you have
believed we’d see a film with a God of Thunder teaming up with a living tree
and a talking raccoon?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Though every main character has their own introduction into
certain points within this plot, there are a few that just caused everyone to
clap and cheer as they were shown up on the screen.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I won’t get into the scene or spoil anything—as I’m
nervously trying my best as I write this—but when Captain America (Chris Evans)
is shown for the first time in this film, it is monumental, eliciting quite a
bit of applause from the packed house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now sporting a beard and some longer locks, he’s now a gruffer Cap,
without his shield (which you would’ve known if you’d seen <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain America: Civil War</i>) but just as strong and agile as he’s
ever been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6eFOke0wnIQ/WuOPc0CaUoI/AAAAAAAADfo/qxXiSJr5uHAr0TJ0VpTH0GD9DyijuqZ8wCLcBGAs/s1600/Aveng06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1280" height="179" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6eFOke0wnIQ/WuOPc0CaUoI/AAAAAAAADfo/qxXiSJr5uHAr0TJ0VpTH0GD9DyijuqZ8wCLcBGAs/s320/Aveng06.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Now I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Spider-Man
and loved the fact that Sony finally came to their senses to allow the
inclusion of the character to the rightful owners when he made his MCU debut in
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain America: Civil War</i>. Though
I’m iffy on his first MCU outing in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man:
Homecoming</i>, I felt that the character has finally come into his own and
shined when he was on screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom
Holland fully embodies the young hero and gets his due screen time in this
extravaganza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As with Captain America’s
entrance, we get the same from Tom Holland’s arrival, which is seen in the
movie’s trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he’s definitely
more of a webslinger here, seemingly getting the hang of his powers and
agility, and when he jumps into action at the start, it’s…amazing.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Another favorite of mine is Hulk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Growing up, I’ve enjoyed some of the
cartoons, positively loved the CBS series in the late 70s with Lou Ferrigno
donning the green paint and shredded pants, and I still enjoy the 2003 film
starring Eric Bana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since his appearance
in the first <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avengers </i>film, his
appearance—voiced and motion captured by Mark Ruffalo—has been the best
adaptations of the character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once
again, I won’t spoil the inclusion of his character to the story, but Hulk’s
scenes are sure to shock you.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Without writing a book, you’ll have to believe me that
they’re all here, all with equal or at least a meaningful amount of time in the
film, giving it their all, battling like you’ve never seen them battle
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The risks are deadly, the fights
are felt, because these heroes are up against something that they’ve never been
up against before in their life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll
feel their pain, their aguish, their dilemmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the same time, there is so much humor, unlikely comradery…it is so
much fun and adventurous…this is an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avengers
</i>movie like you’ve never seen before.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Before I make a mistake and write something a little too
revealing about the plot, let me give you my final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avengers:
Infinity War</i></b>.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A great example of what a superhero film should be is what
I’d watched last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate to
compare Marvel Studios to Warner Bros., but the execs over there have got to be
pulling their hair out as they try to understand how their rival comic book
moviemakers are kicking ass at putting these superheroes up on the
screens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any other studio should just
pack it up and give up because Marvel Studios have got what it takes and must
have the greatest moviemaking strategies ever conceived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But besides all that, this movie is excellent
and the Russo brothers have got a difficult task ahead of them in trying to top
what they’ve accomplished so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avengers:
Infinity War </i></b>is funny, action-packed, full of story, and will leave you
wanting more when that screen goes black and the credits roll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The good news is that we don’t have to wait
the normal two- to three-year gap before they get the next movie released—the
next one is coming out next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
only that, but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ant-Man and the Wasp</i>
is set to arrive on July 6<sup>th</sup> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain
Marvel</i> on March 8<sup>th</sup> of 2019.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also coming to theaters near you, though not exactly part of the MCU, is
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Deadpool 2</i> on May 17<sup>th</sup> and
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Venom</i> on October 5<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, fear not, comic book fans, there are
quite a few other films to satiate your appetite until next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For now, go out there, see this film, don’t
let anybody spoil it for you, and thank me later.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">However, I thank <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i>
for reading!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cinema Bits is on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-8227496465939040402018-04-26T12:28:00.003-07:002018-04-26T12:28:28.425-07:00The Belko Experiment
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1XjFfSgJLBw/WuIn8v5eofI/AAAAAAAADew/FuDkgvFa0vUd4TGZxncqOPCNo-yDvM6kwCLcBGAs/s1600/BELKO%2BEXPd.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1XjFfSgJLBw/WuIn8v5eofI/AAAAAAAADew/FuDkgvFa0vUd4TGZxncqOPCNo-yDvM6kwCLcBGAs/s320/BELKO%2BEXPd.bmp" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As always, searching through Netflix’s titles for something
I’ve never seen before, I came across <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Belko Experiment </i></b>as it had a
very high rating average from other members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seeing that it was categorized as being in the horror genre, it piqued
my interest enough for me to look it up and to read up on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The first name that caught my eye was the name of James
Gunn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of you may know that name of
the man who brought a little-known Marvel Comics property to the screen in a
film called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Guardians of the Galaxy</i>,
but I also remember him as the director for a pretty good throwback horror
flick—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Slither</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gunn has also been a very successful writer
of screenplays, such as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Scooby-Doo</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dawn of the Dead</i> (2004), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Super</i>, as well as the two—soon to be
three—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Guardians of the Galaxy</i>
films.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After seeing him attached to this
title, I figured it’d be somewhat entertaining.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Although Greg McLean’s name didn’t ring a bell when I saw
his name attached as director, I soon found out he was the director of a couple
of Aussie horror flicks that I thoroughly enjoyed—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wolf Creek</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wolf Creek 2</i>.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Along with a few familiar names in the cast, I decided to
have this disc sent to me to watch, and so I added <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Belko Experiment </i></b>to
my queue and awaited its arrival.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Let me synopsize the film with the help of IMDb’s plot
summary…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In a twisted social experiment, eighty Americans are locked
in their high-rise corporate office in Bogotá, Colombia, and ordered by an
unknown voice coming from the company’s intercom system to participate in a
deadly game of kill or be killed.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpoW34gyClQ/WuIn8LPVukI/AAAAAAAADes/7RUwjW-Ke_M6tXb3M5PH9n6Edm_1AI5_wCLcBGAs/s1600/BELKO%2BEXPd1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpoW34gyClQ/WuIn8LPVukI/AAAAAAAADes/7RUwjW-Ke_M6tXb3M5PH9n6Edm_1AI5_wCLcBGAs/s1600/BELKO%2BEXPd1.bmp" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">From the start of this film, it had me interested, having
all the characters introduced as exposition is given about how they all—as most
of them are Americans—took this awesome job in South America, working for this
American governmental building in the middle of nowhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that’s when the uneasiness begins,
especially when they notice there is a bit more security on this particular day
as they’re all being checked in systematically upon entering the company’s
grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Of course, this movie comes with the understanding that
you’re going to need to suspend disbelief a bit—as most films of this
caliber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certain features of the film
might make you laugh at how absurd it is, but some aspects might make you ask
yourself would you do the same if you were in the position of the characters on
screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d give an example, but I
really don’t want to ruin any of the surprises or shocks this movie will
present to you upon first viewing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
in all, as the synopsis above will tell you, this is a story about a deadly
group test to see who has the best survival instinct.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So…what can I tell you?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Although most of the characters are cookie-cutter and
run-of-the-mill clichés of your average good guy/bad guys, they still give you
faces to root for and others to jeer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even though the subject matter is pretty serious, there’s always room
for the comic relief which is brought forth in the shape of Sean Gunn as he
plays Marty, the stoner employee of the Belko Corporation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the dialogue he delivers is pretty
funny and alleviates the tension in some of the scenes. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L1JniR1kv5g/WuIn8Kb0ZLI/AAAAAAAADeo/m2W-SwYJTXETZ0ircBjsMmIErxtiacZXwCLcBGAs/s1600/BELKO%2BEXPd2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L1JniR1kv5g/WuIn8Kb0ZLI/AAAAAAAADeo/m2W-SwYJTXETZ0ircBjsMmIErxtiacZXwCLcBGAs/s1600/BELKO%2BEXPd2.bmp" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now the main character of Mike, John Gallagher Jr., was
someone who I didn’t know at all and wondered why they’d have an unrecognizable
actor in the lead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When reading up on
him, I realized that I did see him in a couple of other films—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hush</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">10 Cloverfield Lane</i>—but he really wasn’t the center of attention in
any of those movies, so he never really left an impression on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as the film went along, it became clear
that the story needed him to be the regular-everyday-good-guy that felt a moral
obligation to save whoever he can rather than taking the easy way out.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In watching this movie, it basically asks you a theoretical
question: What would you do in this situation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re stuck in this building, with no way out, and you’re given a
choice to kill other people to save yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s a tough dilemma, that’s for sure.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-br3PEbt8cgY/WuIn8wLRAlI/AAAAAAAADe0/feYGLm9dTfYL6fFoDKNXYRySnkbDKULwACLcBGAs/s1600/BELKO%2BEXPd3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="620" height="147" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-br3PEbt8cgY/WuIn8wLRAlI/AAAAAAAADe0/feYGLm9dTfYL6fFoDKNXYRySnkbDKULwACLcBGAs/s320/BELKO%2BEXPd3.bmp" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Now, Tony Goldwyn plays Barry, the manager of the employees
and, at first, plays it as the protagonist, trying to have everybody remain
calm and to reassure them that they’ll all make it through this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing him in this capacity surprised me as I
can’t help but remember him as the antagonist in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ghost </i>opposite Patrick Swayze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sure enough, however, after it’s apparent that the only means of escape
is to do what the voice over the intercom tells them to do, he turns into the
nemesis we all know he’s destined to be. Also along for the ride in the bad guy
train is John C. McGinley as Wendell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both men are portrayed as former military and have an edge over
everybody else in their experience with combat and taking the offensive.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You’ll see Michael Rooker in this as Bud the maintenance guy
and although he really doesn’t play into the plot, it’s good to see a James
Gunn alum involved here.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">What’s my final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Belko Experiment</i></b>?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TFMrR3dHlQc/WuIn8wbNUdI/AAAAAAAADe4/aGmL9ZsoMIAUR890Oexg0Tfpf0NS0biRQCLcBGAs/s1600/BELKO%2BEXPd4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="144" data-original-width="351" height="131" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TFMrR3dHlQc/WuIn8wbNUdI/AAAAAAAADe4/aGmL9ZsoMIAUR890Oexg0Tfpf0NS0biRQCLcBGAs/s320/BELKO%2BEXPd4.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Overall, the movie is a lot of fun and will hold your
interest throughout, especially to see what will be the outcome of all
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess this film can be
categorized as a thriller—not really a horror film, but it does have it’s
bloody moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the gore hits, it’s
pretty wild and shocking, coming out of left field and upping the ante.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The few main characters go through quite a
bit in this film and you can totally understand what they’re all going through,
wondering if you’d have the audacity to do the unthinkable or the moral
obligation to do what’s right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Belko Experiment </i></b>will definitely make you think twice if you’re ever
offered a government job in a country outside of the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check this one out, you’ll really enjoy it.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cinema Bits is on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-54076342296005557812018-03-09T06:02:00.001-08:002018-03-09T06:02:12.715-08:00Jeepers Creepers 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-69BEdIV0ZqQ/WqKTacNc4mI/AAAAAAAADb4/8z6JchQUmxsb7--GintWlhYf_DgKTqJVACLcBGAs/s1600/jc3%2B-%2B01.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="192" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-69BEdIV0ZqQ/WqKTacNc4mI/AAAAAAAADb4/8z6JchQUmxsb7--GintWlhYf_DgKTqJVACLcBGAs/s1600/jc3%2B-%2B01.bmp" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">One of the biggest surprises of 2001 in the horror genre of
films was the release of the frivolously recognized <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jeepers Creepers</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The film,
as it turns out, introduced the world to a whole new icon of terror, giving us
The Creeper—a mysterious demon that, for every twenty-third spring, for
twenty-three days, gets to eat…parts of people that it needs for its own
rejuvenation of appendages, organs, or whatever bodily parts that needs
replacing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a fascinating concept
that took the horror world by storm, giving us one hell of a scary movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 2003 sequel, though not as good as the
first, was still a lot of fun to watch and entertaining throughout.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, for nearly 15 years, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jeepers
Creepers </i>fans had been waiting for a sequel to this franchise, hoping that
The Creeper was going to return to the big screen to bring more terror to
hapless victims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Questions arose to how
this would happen, as we saw that the creature was seemingly defeated after the
second film, with the desiccated body hanging in a barn showing that the demon
had gone into hibernation for the next twenty-three springs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would we see a film set twenty-three years from
that first film, some sort of sci-fi vision of the future where the body comes
back to life and somehow escapes the barn it was kept within?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or would Victor Salva (writer, director, and
overall creator of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jeepers Creepers </i>franchise)
take the story back to the old west (as was the rumors that had been swirling
around, hinting that the story would go that way when he spoke in interviews)?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Well, as it turns out, after waiting a decade and a half,
Salva decided to create a story that takes place between the first and second
film, showing what The Creeper had been up to after it took Darry and before it
terrorized the busload of high schoolers stuck on the desolate highway.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_RkmfKCPcso/WqKTa3tJvNI/AAAAAAAADb8/gOoAa0K84E8G_R3k26LnmlGuu4GZkFvcwCEwYBhgL/s1600/jc3%2B-%2B04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_RkmfKCPcso/WqKTa3tJvNI/AAAAAAAADb8/gOoAa0K84E8G_R3k26LnmlGuu4GZkFvcwCEwYBhgL/s1600/jc3%2B-%2B04.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Although I hadn’t really read into the plot of the film
before its opening, one thing that took me a back was the fact that the film
was set to be released for a one-day-only engagement back in September of
2017.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure some of this stemmed from
Victor Salva’s past, where he’d been convicted of molesting a child—a child
that had starred in a film he directed back in 1989—with that same individual
leading protests every time one of Salva’s films were set to be released.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jeepers Creepers 3 </i></b>was supposed to
be released a week earlier than it was, but was delayed due to some
protests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, after that hoopla was
overlooked, the success of that one-day showing prompted theaters to screen it
for a second day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, I
missed those two opportunities and chose to wait until now to view the film in
its entirety (although the film was shown in its edited form on the SyFy
channel during that theatrical run).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So…before we dive into this film, let’s synopsize <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jeepers
Creepers 3</i></b>…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Set between the first and second film, Sergeant Davis Tubbs
(Brandon Smith)—along with Sheriff Dan Tashtego (Stan Shaw)—assembles a task
force to hunt and destroy The Creeper (Jonathan Breck) once and for all while
growing closer than ever in learning the secrets of its dark origins, as the
monster terrorizes a local farming community.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TKDcbBG7VY/WqKTbmXVw9I/AAAAAAAADcA/Tc7hFHKg3bonwF_lg_odFWFuwsPRDdAawCEwYBhgL/s1600/jc3%2B-%2B05.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="1000" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TKDcbBG7VY/WqKTbmXVw9I/AAAAAAAADcA/Tc7hFHKg3bonwF_lg_odFWFuwsPRDdAawCEwYBhgL/s320/jc3%2B-%2B05.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Right away, I’d noticed that the film had a different feel
to it, ostensibly showing that Salva had changed his directing style and
filming tastes, which didn’t necessarily make me dislike this film at the
beginning, but was a little different nonetheless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point I had known this was going to
be an in-between story so I was going with it the best I could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t help but think that this was going
to go the route of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rogue One</i> where I
knew how it would end, that the creature wouldn’t be killed in the finale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, if part one and part two were only
days apart, it’s obvious that The Creeper wasn’t going to be defeated in this
story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">With that in mind, really, the only way to enjoy this film
is to watch what The Creeper does, who it kills, who it eats, and what new
things we can learn about it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But do we
truly learn anything about it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little,
I guess…but that’s not saying much—trust me.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Okay, so it’s nitpick time.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">One of the main things I’d liked about the first two
films—which is a theme I like about most good horror flicks—is setting most of
the film in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the first
film starts off during the day, that was the time of the film where we didn’t
see much of The Creeper, with the remainder of the film taking place at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same goes for the second film, where the
shit goes down when night falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here in
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jeepers
Creepers 3</i></b>, just about everything takes place during the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many things go against the film because of
that fact and diminishes the terror and horror we should be feeling for the
characters in this story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For one, the
special effects don’t look that great, specifically the CGI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure Salva had a hard time selling this
film and trying to get a decent budget for it…seeing The Creeper’s booby traps
shooting out from his vehicle, and even his wings flapping behind him, give
this away in such a paltry way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
probably would’ve helped if the effects were concealed or suppressed would they
have shot these scenes in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
even if the CGI was near perfect, having The Creeper appear in the daytime
doesn’t seem as scary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeping those
things in mind, along with some of the sound effects as well, all make for this
film to be a bit of a downer.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QqeYFfM2fLc/WqKTaPSDP4I/AAAAAAAADbw/LT3EkMg3AogT_mAMPvN2rd_wtOp9ubudwCEwYBhgL/s1600/jc3%2B-%2B02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QqeYFfM2fLc/WqKTaPSDP4I/AAAAAAAADbw/LT3EkMg3AogT_mAMPvN2rd_wtOp9ubudwCEwYBhgL/s320/jc3%2B-%2B02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It’s always expected that these horror movies will include a
secondary plot, such as incorporating a teenaged romantic encounter or maybe
some family quarrel going on, so I can’t fault Salva for featuring the love
interests of Addison and Buddy (Gabrielle Haugh and Chester Rushing
respectively).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, whatever story he
was trying to put forth with Meg Foster’s character of Gaylen was a little
confusing at best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A scene at the
beginning of the film introduced us to a man encountering The Creeper on some
deserted road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out, that guy was
Gaylen’s son, Kenny (Jordan Salloum).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now, she’s seeing visions of him and he’s telling her to stay away from
the severed hand of The Creeper that he buried on the property…?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could have been a bit more interesting if
they had expanded on this plot thread and why she’s able to see him, but I
usually dislike subplots like this that show some sort of clairvoyance (much
like the cheerleader in the second film) of one of the characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Probably the biggest question I have for this film: What was
with Sergeant Tubbs’ terrible hairpiece?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If anything shows the limited budget this movie attained, it’s that
awful periwig. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I think I’ve said enough about this film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s my final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jeepers Creepers 3</i></b>?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4FTdn8LotyA/WqKTaWBqhZI/AAAAAAAADb0/pu8Ef5figLUAkejJDHO5KXfUiw4SdqU0gCEwYBhgL/s1600/jc3%2B-%2B03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4FTdn8LotyA/WqKTaWBqhZI/AAAAAAAADb0/pu8Ef5figLUAkejJDHO5KXfUiw4SdqU0gCEwYBhgL/s320/jc3%2B-%2B03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">For a film that was many years in the making, as well as
Victor Salva constantly talking about doing a sequel during all that time, this
sure was a mediocre accomplishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’d figure he’d have something more in store for us, either showing us
The Creeper’s origins long ago or going into the future to see how it was going
to escape its capture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talks of having
Gina Philips reprising her role as Trisha while teaming up with an aging
Taggart to finally go after and ending The Creeper for good sounded like such a
great concept, I really don’t know why Salva didn’t go with that angle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though Philips reprised her role for about a
minute at the end of this one, setting up a potential sequel later on, it was
probably all for naught as I don’t think we’ll ever get another <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jeepers Creepers </i>film unless Salva gives
the rights to another filmmaker to do it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want to see an okay, yet average,
horror movie, go ahead and seek this out (I think it’s still on SyFy’s OnDemand
channel and even streaming on Netflix).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even if you’re a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jeepers Creepers </i>fan,
this film is worth a watch…somewhat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’d be interesting to watch all three movies in a sitting (if you’ve
got about six hours to kill), but just make sure to watch it in this order:
part one, part three, and then part two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At least part two will leave it on a high note.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-2699936055620092472018-02-15T14:24:00.001-08:002018-02-15T14:24:06.984-08:00Happy Death Day<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oRTMFtElPd4/WoYH5Ws7XeI/AAAAAAAADak/fBUn6P8Upt024OQ4cfBXaQ3_WaFI7VJXgCLcBGAs/s1600/happy-death-day-1_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="680" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oRTMFtElPd4/WoYH5Ws7XeI/AAAAAAAADak/fBUn6P8Upt024OQ4cfBXaQ3_WaFI7VJXgCLcBGAs/s320/happy-death-day-1_large.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now, you all know I love me some horror flicks with the
slasher subgenre being my favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
films of yore, showing masked maniacs terrorizing teenagers and being defeated
at the end by the survivor of the film (yet never truly dying) only to come
back in a sequel is very nostalgic to me and something we haven’t seen lately
in theatric horror movie releases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Don’t misunderstand me, there are quite a lot of horror
films in the past ten or fifteen years that have been captivating and
entertaining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’ve just missed that
age of cinema where we’d get a slasher flick here and there that was just pure
fun and terrifyingly engrossing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nowadays,
we’re just treated to so many haunted tales, like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Conjuring</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Insidious</i>,
and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Annabelle</i>, leaving “Chucky” and
“The Creeper” to scare audiences only in direct-to-disc releases. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">There’s just something about a masked-killer-movie that gets
the blood pumping and gives the audience that point of mystery—especially if
the killer is never revealed, only to be resurrected in a follow-up film.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And that’s what I had expected when I first caught a trailer
for the 2017 film, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Happy Death Day</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing
the killer stalking around with a butcher knife and wearing a baby-faced mask
seemed all too perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add to that, the
story seemed to take on a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Groundhog Day </i>vibe,
where the focal point of the film must relive her demise over and over
again…the film seemed to be the faultless amalgamation in making a slasher for
the 21<sup>st</sup> century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
interested—yet, not that interested to go out and see it in the theater—and
when it was available on Netflix, I gave it a looksee.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZU51ng2Zbg/WoYH6jiK7NI/AAAAAAAADa4/XjexaEt5WyQ3CM8aVje2GZSPLXlpTb9jgCEwYBhgL/s1600/v1%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZU51ng2Zbg/WoYH6jiK7NI/AAAAAAAADa4/XjexaEt5WyQ3CM8aVje2GZSPLXlpTb9jgCEwYBhgL/s1600/v1%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">But before I get into my view of the film, here’s the
synopsis of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Happy Death day</i></b>…</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">After a night of hard partying and heavy drinking,
self-centered college student, Tree (Jessica Rothe), wakes up on the morning of
her birthday with a serious hangover in the dorm of a guy—Carter (Israel
Broussard)—whom his name she can’t remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Within the course of the day, Tree is murdered by some unknown masked
assailant and wakes up to start the day all over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tree then realizes she’s re-experiencing the
day of her murder—always restarting with her waking up in the same dorm with
the same situations—and will end only when she discovers her killer’s identity.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">What I liked about the film, without a doubt, was the look
of the masked killer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess you can
put any type of mask on someone and if they don’t speak and just leer at their
victim, they’ll seem just as disturbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although my opinion of having the film reveal who was wearing the mask
the whole time was that they should’ve chosen not to do so, but the twist that
was worked into the end more than made up for it. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFlRGJHMOF8/WoYH5U8IqnI/AAAAAAAADao/9-LXW47KgCUfmJt2HXpYsgRvLay7uOFyQCEwYBhgL/s1600/happy-death-day-stills-02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1205" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFlRGJHMOF8/WoYH5U8IqnI/AAAAAAAADao/9-LXW47KgCUfmJt2HXpYsgRvLay7uOFyQCEwYBhgL/s320/happy-death-day-stills-02.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">What I didn’t like about the film was the matchup of Jessica
Rothe and Israel Broussard as Tree and Carter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It worked at first only because Rothe’s character was a despicable
person who was easy to hate and when she treats Broussard’s character like
crap, it was easy to take in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
once she took a liking to him and saw that he cared about her, there didn’t
seem to be enough chemistry between them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The scenes they shared at that point were awkward and unnatural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, those scenes were very few so it
didn’t take you out of the film as much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Another aspect of the film I thought was wrong to include was Tree’s
relationship with her father and how she makes amends with him during the
second act.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt out of place and
seemed to be taken out of a Hallmark or Lifetime channel movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The actors tried to convey their
strained-relationship-turned-loving interaction, but just like the rapport
between Tree and Carter, it seemed artificial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Alone, though, Jessica Rothe seems to really take hold of
this part and plays it very naturally, especially the spoiled and bitter
college sorority girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, she
plays the part so well, it makes it hard to believe that she could change her
ways near the end of this film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
first, she looked familiar, yet I really don’t recognize her from anything
else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking at her IMDb list of
productions, however, she has a list of about 33 acting parts—but nothing I’d
ever seen.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The same goes for Israel Broussard, I kept thinking he
looked familiar and all through the movie I kept racking my brain as to where
I’d seen him before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glancing through
his résumé on IMDb didn’t help much because there was nothing there I’d
seen…and it finally hit me—he just reminded me of Hayden Christensen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perfectly cast as this good kid who decided
not to take advantage of the hot girl who he let stay in his dorm room, there
was no believable kismet about them when it comes to this flick.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWyukRT_Ge0/WoYH6BRqFAI/AAAAAAAADaw/iwEEB0vNht02YJhZAzhBUJt5HPSeRtxkgCEwYBhgL/s1600/happy-death-day1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="1000" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWyukRT_Ge0/WoYH6BRqFAI/AAAAAAAADaw/iwEEB0vNht02YJhZAzhBUJt5HPSeRtxkgCEwYBhgL/s320/happy-death-day1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Happy Death Day </i></b>was directed by Christopher Landon and although
he hasn’t directed a slough of films, he’s actually helmed a couple of flicks
that had surprised me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2014, he
directed the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Paranormal Activity </i>spinoff,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones</i>
and the following year had him overseeing the very entertaining <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t say that Landon did anything special
with this film, nor can I say he was able to bring out the best in these
actors, but the shots were set up nicely and I really couldn’t complain about
anything regarding the direction of the film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Writing credit goes to Scott Lobdell and his claim to fame is being the
writer of a number of X-Men comic book titles in the 90s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides writing the comedic film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Man of the House </i>back in 2005, this is
probably his biggest theatrical film that he has a credit for writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Together, these guys really didn’t knock it
out of the park, but it was a solid effort.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Even though the plot is similar to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Groundhog Day--</i>so you really can’t give the story the recognition
for being original—there is one supplement to the plot that I thought was a
unique twist to the whole living-out-your-day-over-and-over idea, and that is
the little subplot on how the repeated murdering of Tree is taking a toll on
her physically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point, she passes
out and ends up in the ER where the doctor tells her the x-rays show scar
tissue and damage from the trauma her body had withstood from the murders she
had suffered through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought that was
a nice touch…though it went nowhere from there after that.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So…what’s my final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Happy Death Day</i></b>?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ggmJ-u7LUwI/WoYH5gT3oMI/AAAAAAAADas/TT2AjFEZTAY6YBd8bKnQcRlAdUpMlUHegCEwYBhgL/s1600/1_aS6e99e251YnANOKG-ofmQ.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1481" height="171" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ggmJ-u7LUwI/WoYH5gT3oMI/AAAAAAAADas/TT2AjFEZTAY6YBd8bKnQcRlAdUpMlUHegCEwYBhgL/s320/1_aS6e99e251YnANOKG-ofmQ.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Aside from borrowing the framework of Bill Murray’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Groundhog Day</i>, the film works with that
aspect of the main character living the same day over and over again,
especially bringing in the mystery of this killer always getting to her no
matter what course she takes in the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, then again, that’s the downfall of the story because it gives a
sense of the supernatural that no matter what happens or what the main
character does, this killer always kills her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Though this aspect kept me rooted in my seat and having me wait for the
reasoning behind this, when we find out, it really doesn’t make sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can suspend disbelief in that facet of
the film, it’s still enjoyable throughout the first half.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, interjecting the strained
relationship with the father brings the story to a full halt and really changes
the style of the film to a lighthearted drama—something that really shouldn’t
be in a horror movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in all, the
film is entertaining enough, but don’t expect it to be remembered for years to
come.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-39195908015586219682018-02-09T14:03:00.001-08:002018-02-09T14:03:52.182-08:00The Open House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9VUTdXDAKJI/Wn4aV8BzJtI/AAAAAAAADZo/OjfU-yvXhZsfwOZAAMZzKirO3Xbyjvx0ACLcBGAs/s1600/b30692ea95ba3272862de075195eb4769d95cdaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="426" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9VUTdXDAKJI/Wn4aV8BzJtI/AAAAAAAADZo/OjfU-yvXhZsfwOZAAMZzKirO3Xbyjvx0ACLcBGAs/s200/b30692ea95ba3272862de075195eb4769d95cdaf.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Netflix has had a string of hits within their series of
original films, from their television series like “House of Cards” and
“Stranger Things” to the movies like “Gerald’s Game” and “War Machine.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With so many films to choose from and so many
series to get into, you can literally spend days to months binging on these
presentations and becoming a closed-in recluse as you do so.</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Of course, I tend to gravitate to anything horror—especially
if it’s a Stephen King adaptation—so when I saw this new Netflix Original
called <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Open House</i></b>, I immediately sat down to watch it.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It actually caught my attention in an online article that
listed the “horror movies that’ll blow you away in 2018” and had this flick
near the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It even showcased its
trailer, which I indulged myself in, and I was very impressed with it, so my
curiosity was piqued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, as an
oddity to all this, with my decision to watch this film, I also checked the
IMDb page to look into the production a bit more and noticed right away that
the film had an average user rating of 3.3 out of 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say that’s an rarity because I usually
won’t even start watching a film unless I see it has a 5 or more in IMDb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I was enticed and wanted to see for
myself how this movie would pan out.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, before getting into it, here’s the synopsis of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Open House</i></b>…</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Teenager, Logan Wallace (Dylan Minnette), and his mother,
Naomi (Piercey Dalton), find themselves on their own after Logan’s father
(Aaron Abrams) is ran down and killed by a car speeding through the parking lot
of a convenience store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With Logan and
his mother left destitute, they decide to take the offer of Naomi’s sister,
Allison (Katie Walder), to stay in her house temporarily while it’s in the
market to be sold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the house is open
for potential buyers during the day, Logan and his mother are besieged by a
threatening force during the dark hours of night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it a supernatural being?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it a malevolent individual hiding in the
house?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever it is, it doesn’t seem
to want them there.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2-EPS3WQ2XQ/Wn4aV0c3qWI/AAAAAAAADZs/vkdqMdqwKlsILIN37YGRe3NL5FaiDH90ACLcBGAs/s1600/452ec91e0bbe5eabe828efb5a5912e9ce58ff26e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2-EPS3WQ2XQ/Wn4aV0c3qWI/AAAAAAAADZs/vkdqMdqwKlsILIN37YGRe3NL5FaiDH90ACLcBGAs/s320/452ec91e0bbe5eabe828efb5a5912e9ce58ff26e.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Now, this movie starts off pretty well and I think the
writing and directing team of Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote had some good
intentions going into this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
backstory on the two central characters are described well enough to give you
an understanding on their life and how their situation comes to be, moving it
to the psychological thriller portion of the film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It definitely strings you along as we see
Logan and his mom experience some very weird incidents in the house—banging in
the basement, the water heater being shut off, doors slamming closed behind a
character…all your typical horror movie tropes are thrown in there for good
measure and are used well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even at that
point, we get some good scares and setup, evolving the story into some
paranormal insinuation, so I can’t fault the two directors on their ability on
putting together a film that sucks you in.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The problem with this film is how completely unsatisfying it
is when it ends, where so many plot points are unresolved and the answer to the
main question—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Who is this person
responsible for everything?</i>—never materializes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seems like they wrote themselves into a
corner with all the little indications of other characters that appeared
enigmatic, but couldn’t come up with a resultant ending to them all.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZvX0mRRrcc/Wn4aW1cEYwI/AAAAAAAADZ0/788cS6A339M6sdbj3K8RaCDuanPMf98zwCLcBGAs/s1600/v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZvX0mRRrcc/Wn4aW1cEYwI/AAAAAAAADZ0/788cS6A339M6sdbj3K8RaCDuanPMf98zwCLcBGAs/s1600/v1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As I’d mentioned, Matt Angel and Suzanne Cootes were the
writing and directing team behind this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Angel has had a nice career in acting, playing bit parts here and there
(he actually plays the younger cop in this film), but his directing résumé
consists of two films—a film called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ha/lf
</i>and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Open House</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suzanne
Cootes, however, has had even less experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She’s credited as a writer for two films, a director for two films, and
a producer for two films—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Welcome Home,
Lee </i>and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Open House</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I’m
all for giving someone a chance to climb that ladder in the movie business
because everyone has to start somewhere, but you’ve got to knock it out of the
park or give a little something more than this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who knows?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it was Netflix
studio interference or a lack of money for filming…it could be anything out of
their power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the sum of it all falls
here in what we see on screen…and it ain’t much.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I’ve got to admit, the film kept me watching, I was never
bored or felt like turning off the show, waiting it out until the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it left a bad taste in my mouth to wait
an hour and a half to get no answer to the questions raised throughout the
story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me wrong, I know there
have been a lot of films throughout the years that use the formula of a masked
killer that is never revealed, but that formula usually doesn’t include other
cryptic individuals that are hinted as maybe being possible culprits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they were going for a vibe like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Strangers</i>, then they shouldn’t have
written these other characters in as suspects, they should’ve started with how
Logan and his mom were thrown into this situation and became targeted by
someone who just wanted to randomly target them, much like the movie <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hush</i>, which is a very good thriller.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The two biggest characters that are shown in this film that
makes us think they have something to do with the strange occurrences in the
house?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Martha (Patricia Bethune) and
Chris (Sharif Atkins).</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9gU59hjWYww/Wn4aWtLQ4SI/AAAAAAAADZw/7cMmstYcT8cP2lejSSNHmi25OD_DdWlIACLcBGAs/s1600/open-house-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="800" height="133" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9gU59hjWYww/Wn4aWtLQ4SI/AAAAAAAADZw/7cMmstYcT8cP2lejSSNHmi25OD_DdWlIACLcBGAs/s320/open-house-3.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Martha—seemingly a neighbor who resides nearby, but is never
shown where she lives—is the biggest question mark, showing up at strange times
during the film and saying something at one time only to be contradicted
later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was purposely written to be a
candidate for the unknown terrorist of the film, but is simply cast off at the
end.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Chris—the local store clerk who tries to befriend Logan’s
mom—is another character who seems a little off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He appears at awkward times throughout the
film, even showing up at the house to see if he can look through it as he claims
to be a potential buyer only to disappear without saying a word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The character’s inclusion as one of the
suspects isn’t as bad since we see his full arc of the film.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Of course, there’s even the hint that all the activity in
the house may be on the paranormal side, seeing that Logan has visions of his
dad in the house and the song that he happened to be listening to at the time
of his father’s death is played by the mystery man as a way to taunt Logan.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I think I’ve said enough about this movie…my final bit on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Open House</i></b>?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dgLB4gDrtv0/Wn4aV1t97UI/AAAAAAAADZk/6znZO6DOPYs1C6S4GGufgKufGXSzMs4dwCLcBGAs/s1600/3d7cf4b3e2b7ef6c-800x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dgLB4gDrtv0/Wn4aV1t97UI/AAAAAAAADZk/6znZO6DOPYs1C6S4GGufgKufGXSzMs4dwCLcBGAs/s320/3d7cf4b3e2b7ef6c-800x450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The story, as a whole, seems to be one big setup that does
not pay off whatsoever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We seem to have
a whole lot of red herrings in this film that all come to be nothing at
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of this is given to us while strange
occurrences are happening in the house, but nothing is paid off for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is that the suggestion we’re
given throughout the film is that one of the red herrings is responsible for
the targeting of the main characters…but I guess we’ll never find out…I doubt
there’s a sequel being made for this dud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My suggestion?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try watching any
of the other good titles on Netflix and make sure to check the average rating
on IMDb…I should’ve trusted it more.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cinema Bits is on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-33444935696468877222017-12-29T09:55:00.000-08:002017-12-29T10:05:25.480-08:00Justice League
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3nGXy_Lr49w/WkaAf1MpmpI/AAAAAAAADYc/EeJZpJW99m4KJ585FFBPODiqM8u9Gqv2QCLcBGAs/s1600/Justice-League-Poster-UK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1040" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3nGXy_Lr49w/WkaAf1MpmpI/AAAAAAAADYc/EeJZpJW99m4KJ585FFBPODiqM8u9Gqv2QCLcBGAs/s320/Justice-League-Poster-UK.jpg" width="207"></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Before all else, I must say that I’ve always been more of a
Marvel Comics fan, never really getting into the DC Comics side of the
books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing that Marvel used real
world cities in their stories—mainly having New York as the backdrop to most of
their heroes—I‘ve always felt it was hard to engage myself in made-up worlds
like Gotham or Metropolis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me
wrong, I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do </i>have my share of Batman
comics as well as Superman and others of that side of the house, but Marvel is
always where my heart had resided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
it comes to movies, however, as long as it’s a superhero adaptation it doesn’t
matter what comic book publisher it comes from—as long as they’re put upon the
big screen, I’ll plop down my money to see it.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">With that said, I was fairly excited about DC coming out
with their own ensemble of characters sharing the screen, much like we’d gotten
with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Marvel’s The Avengers</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as time went on—but in a quick way as not
to induce anxiety in the fanboys—I had become less and less enchanted with the
eventual release of this film. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Man of
Steel </i>was—in my opinion—a very good film, dare I say very well done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Henry Cavill was an excellent choice to play
Superman and I’d really liked Zack Snyder’s vision in that film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, after watching <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice</i>, I saw how convoluted a movie
can become, with too many threadbare subplots and impossible conclusions that
made me a little uneasy about where this DC cinematic universe was going.
Nevertheless, I did enjoy the film and thought there were some highlights that
exceeded my expectations, but left me wanting more overall.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now…finally…we get <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Justice League</i></b>, and I can’t help but
think this was coming at us way too fast…but let’s get the plot summary out of
the way…</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZzx498m_ok/WkaBFj_3OAI/AAAAAAAADYs/5dYsTBeuoWoQiSBq6IBF0X1moXBjREpRwCLcBGAs/s1600/justice-league-batman-poster-trailer-tease.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="696" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZzx498m_ok/WkaBFj_3OAI/AAAAAAAADYs/5dYsTBeuoWoQiSBq6IBF0X1moXBjREpRwCLcBGAs/s320/justice-league-batman-poster-trailer-tease.jpg" width="320"></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by
Superman’s (Henry Cavill) selfless act, Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck)
enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince/Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot),
to face an even greater enemy—Steppenwolf (voiced by Ciarán Hinds).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Together, they work quickly to find and
recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But despite the formation of this
unprecedented league of heroes—including Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray
Fisher), and The Flash (Ezra Miller)—it may already be too late to save the
planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So…the team-up we’ve all been waiting for, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well…in a way…I guess.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The film starts off nicely with a burglar (an uncredited
Holt McCallany) leaving some apartment with Batman coming in to apprehend
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a great scene, being a
callback to the beginning of 1989’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Batman</i>,
but here’s where my confusion starts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Turns out that Batman is here, not to capture this crook, but to use him
to lure a parademon out into the open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I miss something?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know we get a vision or dream sequence in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">BvS </i>regarding these creatures, but when
did they become a known threat?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either
something was cut out in the beginning of this film or this is just lazy
screenwriting.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Although their introductions into this superhero universe
was totally forced into <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">BvS</i>, the
inclusion of Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash are done a bit better here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each intro still lacks a little and needs a
bit of finesse, but we’re given enough to care for them and realize their
importance in this film.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EV-w9JhJ9Gg/WkaAgfYuLSI/AAAAAAAADYk/O3qG5LTCQSMbqAqmOIQ5aQO9XloHqw-hACEwYBhgL/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EV-w9JhJ9Gg/WkaAgfYuLSI/AAAAAAAADYk/O3qG5LTCQSMbqAqmOIQ5aQO9XloHqw-hACEwYBhgL/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320"></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">My thoughts on Aquaman?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When it was announced that Jason Momoa was cast as the underwater hero,
I thought it was a little weird, seeing that I knew the character to be this
clean-shaven blonde man who swam with whales and communicated with all the sea
creatures in the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m
accepting of casting such as this, trying to spice up the vision to make it
cooler and to give the hero a bad boy look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, it still seems a bit unusual to include this superhero to
engage in battles that take place on land and in the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With Batman requiring to give Aquaman a ride
on the car or Cyborg needing to catch him in midair to throw him into another
fight, he seems more like a hindrance than a hero. </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The Flash was always a hero that I liked in the DC Comics,
probably because the thought of being able to move that fast would be
awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I don’t think I’ve
ever purchased a comic book containing this character, the TV show that ran in
the 90s was a favorite of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do
enjoy the new show and wished they would’ve just incorporated it into this
film, but Ezra Miller fills in the role just fine here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s definitely the comic relief in this
movie as he has some of the best lines spoken throughout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QVKkVJJ0Xbw/WkaAfk4YBdI/AAAAAAAADYY/FzX_ovS1z0cutY6wywYOoy4j-oHm1_Z_QCEwYBhgL/s1600/ba8e2b97a6b32662e209e983056342de03b65d07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="600" height="160" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QVKkVJJ0Xbw/WkaAfk4YBdI/AAAAAAAADYY/FzX_ovS1z0cutY6wywYOoy4j-oHm1_Z_QCEwYBhgL/s320/ba8e2b97a6b32662e209e983056342de03b65d07.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cyborg is a character I’m not too familiar with but took a
liking to right away in this film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
story—which we can kind of get in bits and pieces here—of how he became this
half man-half machine is very interesting and has the potential for a great
standalone movie (yet another strike against Warner Bros.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The design of the character leaves a bit to
be desired, but gets a little better by the end of the film (you’ll see what I
mean when you see it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ray Fisher plays
the part fantastically and it’s hard to believe that this guy has barely a
résumé in IMDb.com. </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Gal Gadot continues her role as Wonder Woman, displaying her
heroics early on in the film as she stops some terrorists from blowing up a
bank filled with innocent people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
unquestionably shows her leadership throughout this story and definitely
doesn’t take the backseat anywhere in this flick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still don’t agree with the casting decision
of Gal Gadot in this role because her accent is a little off-putting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just that I have fond memories of
watching Lynda Carter in the role back in the 70s and seeing the cartoons over
the years with the character never speaking with any accent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Gadot is clearly making this role her own
and I guess time will tell if I’ll be able to finally accept her as Wonder
Woman.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Once again, Ben Affleck nails it as Bruce Wayne/Batman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a shame we’re hearing stories about him
not wanting to continue his role as the hero and how Warner Bros. may need to
recast someone else as Batman, but what we’ve seen in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">BvS</i> and here in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Justice League</i></b>, it’s pretty
upsetting to hear there may be such a change to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As is with Gadot’s Wonder Woman, Affleck’s
Batman is quite a leader as he recruits the new members to join as a team to
fight the coming threat to the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LBiOtB1oydQ/WkaAgVqR13I/AAAAAAAADYg/mszQ68FanEQwR9_DhFSgojF8yYTKOMclQCEwYBhgL/s1600/jl-06633r-h_2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="768" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LBiOtB1oydQ/WkaAgVqR13I/AAAAAAAADYg/mszQ68FanEQwR9_DhFSgojF8yYTKOMclQCEwYBhgL/s320/jl-06633r-h_2017.jpg" width="320"></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Finally…it’s no secret that Superman makes his return in
this film—even if the trailers didn’t give us this info, all you have to do is
check IMDb.com to see that Henry Cavill is included in the cast, so I don’t
think I’m giving out any spoilers by stating this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All that as a given, I’d say that Cavill
gives us a much better Superman than he had given us in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">BvS</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a confident figure
and leader, with a more lighthearted way about him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t even get into the much maligned
complaint about his CGI’d upper lip—which, for the record, I couldn’t tell
where this work was done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">My final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Justice League</i></b>?</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s7OuJnSbCBM/WkaBUNiNzaI/AAAAAAAADYw/wev4a__Kx80m-JrIHCYIt2h1NXh72Z1kQCLcBGAs/s1600/Ezra-Miller-The-Flash-Justice-League.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="800" height="176" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s7OuJnSbCBM/WkaBUNiNzaI/AAAAAAAADYw/wev4a__Kx80m-JrIHCYIt2h1NXh72Z1kQCLcBGAs/s320/Ezra-Miller-The-Flash-Justice-League.jpg" width="320"></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">My overall thought when the third act began—and even as I
thought about the film shortly after it ended—was that it felt rushed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The film clocks in at around two hours and
with a large ensemble film like this one, you need to give it a little more
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d already mentioned the
mysterious introduction of the parademons and how it seemed like Batman and
Wonder Woman already knew about the danger, but that was probably the only gleaming
issue I had with the film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, besides
the short run time and unexplained presentation of the planetary threat, I
actually liked this movie a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dare I
say, I may have enjoyed this film more than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Last Jedi </i>(I’ll get to that post shortly).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d mentioned earlier that there must have been some scenes cut from the
movie and it’s most evident especially if you’ve seen the last trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most notably, there’s a shot where Cyborg
saves a police officer from getting crushed by a tank, Barry Allen/The Flash is
shown to push his finger through some glass to make it bubble out then explode,
and the teaser at the end of the trailer shows someone walking up to Alfred
(Jeremy Irons) though we never see this individual’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But none of those scenes were in the film
that was released to us…boo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in all,
Warner Bros. just needs to take their time with this filmic world, put more
trust into the filmmakers and cease their constant interference, stop putting
all their eggs in one basket (having Zack Snyder directing multiple movies is a
mistake), and they can truly have an awesome DC Cinematic Universe that would
give Marvel Studios some competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All that aside, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Justice League </i></b>is a good time and
worth a watch.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cinema Bits is on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits"><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial;">Facebook</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"> and </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits"><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial;">Twitter</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-29069859952911698482017-11-17T14:27:00.004-08:002017-11-17T14:28:20.317-08:00Thor: Ragnarok<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E5g8hxCE7XA/Wg9h9lRd_VI/AAAAAAAADXc/JA2lCwsE7tknKi_DTkhp0fRu7WXddp9_gCLcBGAs/s1600/01-thor-ragnarok-poster-main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1081" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E5g8hxCE7XA/Wg9h9lRd_VI/AAAAAAAADXc/JA2lCwsE7tknKi_DTkhp0fRu7WXddp9_gCLcBGAs/s320/01-thor-ragnarok-poster-main.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";">Short of boring you on the list of movies within the Marvel
Cinematic Universe so far, I’ll just say that we’re here on film number five of
Phase Three (the 17<sup>th</sup> film altogether) and there are still a lot of
films slated to be released for the next three years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thor: Ragnarok </i></b>is more or less a
sequel of sorts after the events of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avengers:
Age of Ultron</i> and where Thor—and especially Hulk—went from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’ve seen <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Doctor Strange</i>, the post credits scene of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> film is lengthened a bit in this film as well and all of that
dialogue is explained here in this story.</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";">Of course, I’m getting well ahead of myself and making this
a bit confusing to the Marvel novices out there, so let me just get into this
as easily as I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, if you’re
really new to these films and starting with this particular chapter, you may
want to be more acquainted with this series of films and start from the beginning
with 2008’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Iron Man</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe me, it’s a lot of fun to go through
each one, enjoying how they all tie together and seeing the little clues or
cliffhangers at the end of each one as you wait for that extra scene (or
scenes) in the middle of—or after—the end credits…all paying off with the
eventual <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Avengers </i>film…as well as
the subsequent chapters.</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";">But…let’s dive into the summary of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thor: Ragnarok</i></b>…</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";">Imprisoned on the other side of the universe, the Mighty
Thor (Chris Hemsworth) finds himself in a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits
him against the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), his former ally and fellow Avenger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thor’s quest for survival leads him in a race
against time to prevent the all-powerful Hela (Cate Blanchett) from destroying
his home world and the Asgardian civilization.</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";">Now, the story starts off with what may be perceived as Thor
breaking the fourth wall, chronicling how he came to be in the predicament he
finds himself and it’s kind of along the lines of Deadpool explaining to the
audience the happenings in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">his</i>
film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as the camera shows his plight
in his confines, we see he’s talking to a skeletal corpse…and this is the
beginning of the comedy we’re going to witness in this flick (more on that
later).</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8euGoSWyzq4/Wg9h9RMxYgI/AAAAAAAADXY/NZs7Ad1SBCYHdzHvGbaZC9PviJzUBg7OwCLcBGAs/s1600/02-thor.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="167" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8euGoSWyzq4/Wg9h9RMxYgI/AAAAAAAADXY/NZs7Ad1SBCYHdzHvGbaZC9PviJzUBg7OwCLcBGAs/s320/02-thor.png" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";">In <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thor: Ragnarok</i></b>, we get a more
lighthearted hero, with a bit of humility and clowning (bordering on
buffoonery) that we haven’t seen in the previous two solo outings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But make no mistake—he’s still the hero and
still the Mighty Thor of this story…but he’s forced to be submissive for the
sake of returning to his home in the hopes of saving his people from the evil
Hela.</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";">Speaking of Hela, I wasn’t sure what to expect of this
character, if we were going to get someone along the lines of the opponents of
the other Marvel heroes or if it was going to be a boring character that Thor
would easily defeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out that
Hela is a very complex character who is very powerful and the story shows how
dangerous she is from the moment she’s brought forth on screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cate Blanchett really shines as this evil
adversary and is probably the most refreshing antagonist Thor has faced thus
far.</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUIut5CVaa4/Wg9h9OymKSI/AAAAAAAADXU/Vzsc2dDHvDkDsrEpjNgbZugIAHUfvjRPgCLcBGAs/s1600/03-HULKZw%253D%253D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="575" height="130" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUIut5CVaa4/Wg9h9OymKSI/AAAAAAAADXU/Vzsc2dDHvDkDsrEpjNgbZugIAHUfvjRPgCLcBGAs/s320/03-HULKZw%253D%253D.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";">Going into my favorite portion of this film and being
somewhat familiar with the Hulk line of comic books, there has been one aspect
not explored and that is the character’s ability to speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the late 70s, Lou Ferrigno famously
brought the hero to life but had roars and growls dubbed in when he opened his
mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the 2003 Ang Lee film, there
were a couple of scenes (one was a dream sequence) where the Hulk spoke a line
or two and the 2008 film had a few words as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Avengers</i>, Hulk had his “puny god” line he delivered, but not much
else…until now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Giving him many
lines—mostly hilarious—makes it easy to build on the bond we see between the
two heroes of the film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The anger, the
tantrums…even the silly display of childishness in this film is so comical and
uplifting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moment he’s introduced in
the gladiatorial match against Thor, yelling out his name along with the chants
of the crowd, is the moment you’ll grow a grin from ear to ear.</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMlSDfzuJvQ/Wg9h-HGdiBI/AAAAAAAADXg/GsNesMC7maArr-tCmoTVBf5GOckESk4eACLcBGAs/s1600/04-HELA-b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="600" height="160" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMlSDfzuJvQ/Wg9h-HGdiBI/AAAAAAAADXg/GsNesMC7maArr-tCmoTVBf5GOckESk4eACLcBGAs/s320/04-HELA-b.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";">So, I mentioned the comedy of this film and it’s one of the
little things I can nitpick about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll admit, just about every gag and one-liner that’s performed in this
movie had me laughing out loud and I enjoyed every minute of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But standing back to look at what I’d just
watched, especially comparing Hemsworth’s performances in all the other Marvel
films in which he’d been featured, makes it very obvious that he’s a different
person here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the first film there are
funny scenes because he’s a fish-out-of-water character on Earth, in the other
films there may have been one or two funny moments but he was always the
straight man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here…he’s funny for the
sake of it and it’s very obvious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, since it’s entertaining—and not very annoying—it’s easily
forgiven, especially knowing that director Taika Waititi has a comedic
background and infused it into the character of Thor and the surrounding Marvel
characters.</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tXJcOLJPUQQ/Wg9h-k8GN5I/AAAAAAAADXo/8MGOonELe9E4PQmkBF3ugMY4RhtTWOLJgCLcBGAs/s1600/07-GRANDMASTER-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tXJcOLJPUQQ/Wg9h-k8GN5I/AAAAAAAADXo/8MGOonELe9E4PQmkBF3ugMY4RhtTWOLJgCLcBGAs/s200/07-GRANDMASTER-0.png" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";">Finally, Jeff Goldblum as The Grandmaster is perfect as he’s
given the freedom to just be himself and just run the character as he sees
fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being the ruler of the planet
Sakaar, he plays the character as a giddy—yet likable—villain, but shows his
bad side in ways that are both funny and extreme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goldblum fits so well in this film and you’ll
love it every time he gets screen time.</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";">Overall, the emotion most of us comic book geeks have is the
anxiousness we’re feeling for the future films to come: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Black Panther</i>,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Avengers:
Infinity War</i>,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Ant-Man and the Wasp</i>,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Captain Marvel</i>,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>and so many others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a
great time for us fans of Marvel Comics to be alive!</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";">My final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thor: Ragnarok</i></b>?</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pRmeHrD_X58/Wg9h-QD-xwI/AAAAAAAADXk/lUtv8beqamYsXyhK6bOOasxdnHx6o2c2wCLcBGAs/s1600/05-TEAM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1212" height="175" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pRmeHrD_X58/Wg9h-QD-xwI/AAAAAAAADXk/lUtv8beqamYsXyhK6bOOasxdnHx6o2c2wCLcBGAs/s320/05-TEAM.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";">There is so much here, much more than I can go over without
spoiling the main plot as well as minor subplots within the film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The film will leave you wanting more and
hoping it’ll never end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music score
is wonderful, with an 80s synth vibe, leaving Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song”
to pop up during the climatic part of the film (I’ve never heard the song sound
so good!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the players do such a
great job in this film, from the returning cast members (Tom Hiddleston as
Loki, Idris Elba as Heimdall, and Anthony Hopkins as Odin) to the newcomers of
the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Karl Urban as
Skurge, and Taika Waititi voicing the fan-favorite Korg), I’m hoping we get
more <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thor </i>films like this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thor: Ragnarok </i></b>should not be missed!</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";">By the way, make sure to wait for the mid-credits scene that
will give you a taste of what’s to come in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avengers:
Infinity War</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it’s up to
you if you want to wait until all of the credits finish up to view the last
scene…it’s a bit amusing, but it’s a coin-flip if you want to sit through all
that time to see it.</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial";"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Cinema Bits is on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Facebook</span></a><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"> and </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Twitter</span></a><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-90303354819472660712017-10-31T09:49:00.002-07:002017-10-31T09:49:39.994-07:00Cult of Chucky
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtCuIK7qPiY/Wfiox3NPzUI/AAAAAAAADW0/8LVUsZACpkg0JefOQddeo_sVqUE2SsquQCLcBGAs/s1600/Cult-of-Chucky-2017-movie-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtCuIK7qPiY/Wfiox3NPzUI/AAAAAAAADW0/8LVUsZACpkg0JefOQddeo_sVqUE2SsquQCLcBGAs/s200/Cult-of-Chucky-2017-movie-poster.jpg" width="143" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Remembering the first time I saw <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Child’s Play </i>when it was playing in theaters back in 1988, waiting
for that scary reveal when Chucky finally comes to life in front of his
victim’s eyes and making everybody scream in their seats, that memory always
comes back whenever I pop in any of the films from that franchise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only was that 20-year-old version of me
freaked out by the film back then, I was also analyzing how the filmmakers were
able to make the doll walk and run and stab and kill…I was mesmerized by the
logistics of the scenes and how the special effects worked and here I am, still
with that wonderment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, I know
a lot of special effects are achieved with CGI or digital removal of wires and
cables, but I’m still drawn back to those times in the 80s when I’d head over
with some friends to see the latest slasher.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, after 29 years, Chucky is still at it in his latest
adventure in the seventh outing of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Child’s
Play </i>franchise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seed of Chucky </i>was the least
entertaining of all the films, which took the story into a weird Meta
direction, but I love this franchise and always visit it every Halloween
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I have another entry to add
to my playlist that I’d purchased sight-unseen.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Was the purchase a win?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let’s synopsize first…</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5LdfU49lHA/WfioyQcGQAI/AAAAAAAADW4/ZdXY-ssySPAr18LUkJSGBITI_uil9VnBQCEwYBhgL/s1600/chucky1_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="1024" height="168" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5LdfU49lHA/WfioyQcGQAI/AAAAAAAADW4/ZdXY-ssySPAr18LUkJSGBITI_uil9VnBQCEwYBhgL/s320/chucky1_orig.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">After being accused of murdering her family, Nica (Fiona
Dourif) is sentenced to an asylum and begins to believe—after many therapy
sessions and shock treatments—that she was guilty of her family’s demise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But soon, grizzly deaths start to occur and
she then realizes that what her psychiatrist, Dr. Foley (Michael Therriault),
convinced her was illusion—that Chucky (Brad Dourif) was a living killer
doll—may, in fact, be real after all. </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Instead of an entirely different storyline for a sequel
or—perish the thought—a reboot of the franchise all together, writer and
director Don Mancini gives us something fresh and takes the idea of Chucky in
another direction, just as thrilling and fun as the original.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cult of Chucky </i></b>follows closely after
the events in the previous entry and gives us the rest of the story after the
events of the previous film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1XlBvEKT1uc/WfioyRYZjZI/AAAAAAAADXA/ckVD9sc37QcG2NYl7rGEvZNW1IhT7c7ZgCEwYBhgL/s1600/cultofchucky-wide-unit-m-therriault-syringe-f-dourif-1000w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="668" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1XlBvEKT1uc/WfioyRYZjZI/AAAAAAAADXA/ckVD9sc37QcG2NYl7rGEvZNW1IhT7c7ZgCEwYBhgL/s200/cultofchucky-wide-unit-m-therriault-syringe-f-dourif-1000w.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The crux of the story takes place in the asylum with Fiona
Dourif reprising her role as Nica, which was nice to see her again and to see
what was the result of her incarceration was at the end of the last film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Added to the mix of this story are five main
characters: the psychiatrist—Dr. Foley—who is stationed at the institution,
Angela (Marina Stephenson Kerr) is an older patient who thinks she’s dead,
Claire (Grace Lynn Kung) another patient with anger issues but looks out for
the well-being of her friends there in the asylum, Michael (Adam Hurtig) has a
multiple personality disorder and takes a liking to Nica, and Madeleine
(Elisabeth Rosen) who is clearly disturbed as she’s confined for smothering her
baby to death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of these characters
are presented as red herrings to the plot at times, but all add to the plot
intrinsically.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Besides the key narrative of the story, we also get a
subplot involving a familiar face in the earlier films of the franchise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the previous entry, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Curse of Chucky</i>, there was an after-credits scene for which some of
you might’ve waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a short
scene where we see Andy Barclay (Alex Vincent, reprising his role from the
first two movies) grown up and living on his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He receives a large parcel which turns out to
be Chucky paying a visit to his old friend and trying to tie up loose
ends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andy, of course, gets the upper
hand and ends up blasting Chucky away with a shotgun, knowing full well that
the package was in the shape of the Good Guys Doll packaging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, fans of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Child’s Play </i>series loved it, so the filmmakers had to have him
return in this sequel to be Chucky’s “Dr. Loomis” as the one who knows how to
defeat the doll by planning ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-feDACm1bCig/Wfioy7bukgI/AAAAAAAADXE/GWJn26YOPpg7pxTL9p8G-erID9oqCuO4gCEwYBhgL/s1600/cultofchuckyexclusiveimagejennifertilly.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1500" height="133" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-feDACm1bCig/Wfioy7bukgI/AAAAAAAADXE/GWJn26YOPpg7pxTL9p8G-erID9oqCuO4gCEwYBhgL/s200/cultofchuckyexclusiveimagejennifertilly.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Back as well is Jennifer Tilly as Tiffany (the logistics of
her return is a little confusing, so I’ll let you draw your own conclusions
when you watch this) and hasn’t missed a beat as Chucky’s girlfriend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s in this for a glorified cameo, but adds
the evil levity for which she brought to the franchise back in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bride of Chucky</i>.</span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">One can’t say that this movie is scary or spooky in any way
(although there are a few stirring moments)…the original achieved that and
everyone knows the character already as Chucky had become a household name
years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there is a bit of a
mystery here and you really don’t know what’s going to happen or where the
story is going until later in the film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Before I get to my overall thoughts of this movie, I’ve just
got to say how amazing it is that this franchise is still going strong and not
losing any steam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being that Chucky is
one of the Titans of Terror—alongside Jason Voorhees, Freddy Kruger,
Leatherface, Michael Myers, et al—he’s the only one who hasn’t had a rebooted
or remade movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cult of Chucky </i></b>is
actually a continuation of the story set in motion in 1988—that’s amazing!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">My final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cult of Chucky</i></b>?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fofsM70ydyM/Wfiox1RIP1I/AAAAAAAADWs/fS0foVITMfQI9kDQsxGKcJ9yIF0gqiEqwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Cult-of-Chucky-2017-e1506696598182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="646" height="179" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fofsM70ydyM/Wfiox1RIP1I/AAAAAAAADWs/fS0foVITMfQI9kDQsxGKcJ9yIF0gqiEqwCEwYBhgL/s320/Cult-of-Chucky-2017-e1506696598182.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I had a lot of fun with this film, enjoying the dark humor
and thrills, along with the inventiveness of the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than ignoring the whole voodoo ritual
that started this whole franchise, Mancini embraces it and uses it even
further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brad Dourif still has what it
takes to bring the killer doll to life and it always brings a smile to my face
when I hear his quips, curse words, and all around rage on the screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, it’s upsetting to see this sequel get
the straight-to-home-media treatment instead of bringing Chucky back onto the
big screen, but it is what it is—Universal Studios’ loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though the ending of the film has a lot to
desire, and a bit of a letdown (only because I really didn’t see it going that
way), it’s still a lot of fun throughout and shouldn’t be missed if you’re an
avid Chucky fan.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cinema Bits is on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-56037223781300804882017-10-25T07:15:00.000-07:002017-10-25T07:19:50.706-07:001922<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xk_UfAHHa1s/We4f-bIsrlI/AAAAAAAADWE/KlZA1U2Hu34DdhQrmR4t5UIqWBrcC_B5QCLcBGAs/s1600/MV5BYTg0MmUyNjItYzJmNi00YTcxLTg4OTQtNmI2ZjI0ZDIzNjQ2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNTM0MDc1ODE%2540__V1_UY268_CR4%252C0%252C182%252C268_AL_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="182" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xk_UfAHHa1s/We4f-bIsrlI/AAAAAAAADWE/KlZA1U2Hu34DdhQrmR4t5UIqWBrcC_B5QCLcBGAs/s1600/MV5BYTg0MmUyNjItYzJmNi00YTcxLTg4OTQtNmI2ZjI0ZDIzNjQ2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNTM0MDc1ODE%2540__V1_UY268_CR4%252C0%252C182%252C268_AL_.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">So, this is pretty incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In early September, we get the very
impressive <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It</i>, then <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gerald’s Game</i> later that month as a
Netflix original movie, now here we are with another Netflix film…Stephen
King’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1922</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with the
couple of television series and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dark
Tower </i>film adaptation (which I’ve yet to see), 2017 continues to be an
excellent year for Stephen King.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Another impressive aspect of this latest film is the
starring actor, Thomas Jane, and his history with Stephen King.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2003, he starred in the disappointing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dreamcatcher </i>and in 2007 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Mist</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s good to see an actor frequenting Stephen
King films as Jane now joins the ranks of Kathy Bates and Jeffrey DeMunn as
being featured in multiple outings.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The announcement of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1922 </i></b>took me by surprise and I had
to figure out from what book this movie was adapted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was pretty sure it was a short story and
was right when I finally discovered it in the Stephen King collection, “Full
Dark, No Stars,” published in 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
had it sitting on my bookshelf since I’d purchased it after its release and hadn’t
read it since, so I pulled it from my shelf and dove into the first story right
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a lengthy short story—more
of a novella—clocking in at 131 pages, but I found myself immersed in it
and had a hard time putting it down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One thing to note, I’m a stickler when it comes to Stephen King films and have to
read the book before seeing the movie.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">So…just a day before October 20<sup>th</sup>, I’d finished
the story, being very impressed with it, and waited patiently for the film to
be released on Netflix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">What did I think of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1922</i></b>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, the synopsis...</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">In the year 1922, a simple yet proud rancher, Wilfred James
(Thomas Jane), conspires to murder his wife, Arlette (Molly Parker), for
financial gain, convincing his teenage son, Henry (Dylan Schmid), to
participate.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OOMYREKOyT8/We4gBp-e_LI/AAAAAAAADWM/Aah750tEH9svx2sBrkSDzlfUxjJ3cK8ZwCEwYBhgL/s1600/TJane-as-Wilfred-James-in-Stephen-Kings-1922-for-Netflix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="682" height="149" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OOMYREKOyT8/We4gBp-e_LI/AAAAAAAADWM/Aah750tEH9svx2sBrkSDzlfUxjJ3cK8ZwCEwYBhgL/s320/TJane-as-Wilfred-James-in-Stephen-Kings-1922-for-Netflix.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial";">The misgivings I’d had with the story, and what made me a
little nervous about watching the adaptation, was the few animal deaths
described in the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first thought,
after reading the details of one of the first animals to die, was about how the
film would depict this or if it would be shown at all...or maybe happen off-screen (my preference).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although filmmakers these days wouldn’t
actually film an animal death for the purpose of entertainment—though, in the
past, some have done just that (i.e., <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cannibal
Holocaust</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Apocalypse Now</i>)—the
realistic special effects that movies display are pretty detailed and hard to
accept as fakery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I was thinking I
may take umbrage with the scenes I’d read in the book if I see them brought to
the screen.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">However, what I’d been looking forward to was how well the
filmmakers were going to show the period that this movie takes place—the
1920s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The descriptions of the vehicles
used by the characters—the Model T, for instance, owned by the main character,
Wilfred James—was going to be interesting to see it in the film.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u_GYeFHOLDU/We4gB1MC0TI/AAAAAAAADWU/blH-kPl6xdwjHMx9WsF_uY1IcCgogqEugCEwYBhgL/s1600/screen_shot_2017-09-22_at_2-26-07_pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="780" height="188" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u_GYeFHOLDU/We4gB1MC0TI/AAAAAAAADWU/blH-kPl6xdwjHMx9WsF_uY1IcCgogqEugCEwYBhgL/s320/screen_shot_2017-09-22_at_2-26-07_pm.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Now, when comparing what I was expecting to see and what I
actually did see, this film delivered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What I had pictured in my head as I’d read the novella had vividly come to life
on my television screen as it was presented on Netflix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The James family farm, the vehicles, the
buildings in town, the corn fields…the setting was done perfectly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the cast was stellar and gave great
performances, especially Thomas Jane (more on him later), I felt the casting
could’ve been done a bit better with a few of the characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
example, Sheriff Jones was described as an old man, a little
overweight and ready to retire, but still had his wits about him for the job
he’d held for so long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the film,
however, he was a bit younger, played by Brian d’Arcy James, and didn’t have
that seasoned look about him as described in the book.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">As for Thomas Jane, I’ve always liked him as an actor and
felt he brings a sense of levity to any scene he’s featured in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the terrible <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dreamcatcher</i>—the first Stephen King adaptation Jane has
starred in—was a flick to which he added some depth and brought a character you
can relate to and cheer for as he goes through whatever plight he faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Thomas Jane is always himself and never
really diverts from his own persona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here, in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1922</i></b>, he completely transformed himself in both his speech
patterns and his physical appearance. Gone is his tough guy image as he seemed to
have slimmed down for this role, looking very lean and much older than he
usually appears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, he must’ve really
studied the speech and lingo of midwesterners, as he really passes for a
seasoned farmer of the early 20<sup>th</sup> century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I hadn’t known he was to star in this
film, I might’ve thought he was some other actor—Jane is almost unrecognizable
here, yet gives a hell of a performance.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5PVf_0ESzVM/We4gBqhRtvI/AAAAAAAADWI/EeZT4xPDFrEO9rCEbOP0JR93L49ENMlRwCEwYBhgL/s1600/4499796700000578-4911172-image-m-44_1506106144662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="634" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5PVf_0ESzVM/We4gBqhRtvI/AAAAAAAADWI/EeZT4xPDFrEO9rCEbOP0JR93L49ENMlRwCEwYBhgL/s320/4499796700000578-4911172-image-m-44_1506106144662.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial";">Another familiar actor you’ll see in this film is Neal
McDonough as Harlan Cotterie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
important to feature him as he’s the father of Shannon (Kaitlyn Bernard),
girlfriend of Wilfred’s son, Henry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>McDonough doesn’t do much throughout this film until he emotes a bit
towards the climax of the film, with his part in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1922 </i></b>feeling a bit
wasted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But his scenes were needed in
this story and that’s how they were written in the book, so his character was adapted as intended.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Zak Hilditch wrote and directed this film, and though he’s
no Frank Darabont, the story seems to be depicted like something he’d
film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hilditch certainly brought this to
screen much like the story is presented in the novella, with the narrator,
Wilfred James, starting off the story as a written confession in some hotel
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also keeps the story moving and
gives each situation the characters face a feeling of dread at every turn.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTrw8XgDszg/We4gBsRbNkI/AAAAAAAADWQ/sZB8S8Jd2G0RNLMNEo3g8AmSYBLulzXKQCEwYBhgL/s1600/1922-feature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="850" height="183" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTrw8XgDszg/We4gBsRbNkI/AAAAAAAADWQ/sZB8S8Jd2G0RNLMNEo3g8AmSYBLulzXKQCEwYBhgL/s320/1922-feature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Overal, the point of this story may not be so transparent once you
begin watching this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But by the time the
film is done you’ll see that the one bad action the main character commits,
results in bad karma, guilt and a domino effect that leads to a bitter
end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a great message and a
well-written plot by the great Stephen King.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">My final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1922</i></b>?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I really applaud Netflix for taking a chance on these
obscure titles by Stephen king, such as 2014's <i>A Good Marriage</i> and this year's <i>Gerald’s Game</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most
major studios won’t gamble on original stories like <b><i>1922</i></b>, choosing instead to
churn out remake after remake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It </i>was a remake of a television film
that should have never been attempted in the first place (though it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">does </i>have its merits), but King has so
many stories that can be developed—it’s a limitless well that can entertain
moviegoers until the end of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking
this little-known story from the “Full Dark, No Stars” collection of short
stories was ballsy and paid off in spades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It keeps you captivated throughout, featuring some awesome performances,
and will keep you thinking about it long after you watch it. And if you're a diehard fan of Stephen King, you're going to want to watch <b><i>1922</i></b>.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cinema Bits is on Facebook and Twitter.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-80009799810935219332017-10-17T10:02:00.001-07:002017-10-17T11:50:31.592-07:00Gerald's Game
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HcfArvVkHqc/WeY2AhBpuqI/AAAAAAAADVw/N4lxE9ScsNoThHk0J1qFA8xxsV_DPflgQCLcBGAs/s1600/Geralds-Game-poster-620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="620" height="147" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HcfArvVkHqc/WeY2AhBpuqI/AAAAAAAADVw/N4lxE9ScsNoThHk0J1qFA8xxsV_DPflgQCLcBGAs/s320/Geralds-Game-poster-620.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">2017 has been a good year for Stephen King.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Mist” television series had come and
went, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dark Tower </i>was an idea that
should’ve been taken care of more sufficiently, ”Mr. Mercedes” has been going
strong on AT&T’s Audience Network, the great <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It </i>is captivating audiences in theaters (with the second chapter set
to be released in 2019), there’s a Netflix original coming up based on King’s
short story, “1922,” and an interesting TV series has been announced for 2018
called “Castle Rock.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with his
adaptations going strong, King has been killing it with his criticisms of
Donald Trump on Twitter, even getting himself blocked by the POTUS, which gives
King that much approbation in my opinion.</span></div>
<br>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Who’d have thought that Stephen King would still be relevant
in today’s bevy of horror films?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although I think King has heaps of stories that can be easily adapted to
the screen, it would have seemed audiences today wouldn’t enjoy the types of
stories he has churned out over the years, choosing to see these cheap
jump-scare, teenie-bopper flicks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It </i>has proven audiences are smarter than
that and choose to see something more than a scare fest—they truly do want to
see something much deeper and meaningful.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">With all that said, cinema and network television are not
the only forms of media to see these worthy films.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The advent of Netflix Originals is what’s
taking the world by storm, rolling out a well-rounded cluster of films and
on-going series (which have seasons released all at once).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With already a multitude of Marvel Studios
superhero series earning high praise, there have also been some strong
docu-dramas and full-length movies receiving the same acclaim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Continuing that strong current of films is
the Stephen King adaptation of his 1992 novel of the same name, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gerald’s
Game</i></b>.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Let me synopsize…</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1OIhYi8pYxE/WeY1VzobDQI/AAAAAAAADVg/hCsi5gbDVrAh7Vhn50vWk5i3KaEMzm4vQCEwYBhgL/s1600/GERALDS-GAME.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1OIhYi8pYxE/WeY1VzobDQI/AAAAAAAADVg/hCsi5gbDVrAh7Vhn50vWk5i3KaEMzm4vQCEwYBhgL/s320/GERALDS-GAME.jpg" width="320"></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Trying to rekindle their marriage, Jessie and Gerald
Burlingame (Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood) take a drive out to their remote
lake house, planning to spend a few days by themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Attempting to spice up their sex life, Gerald
decides to handcuff Jessie to their bed frame, but she has second thoughts
about it when he gets too far into their role-playing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when Gerald dies unexpectedly of an
apparent heart attack, Jessie must fight to survive as she’s still handcuffed
to the bed.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The announcement of this film took me by surprise a bit, for
I hadn’t heard anything about it besides the little tidbit of info a few years
ago where some movie article mentioned it might be made into a movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing the source material, I really didn’t
think it’d make a good movie, maybe even being perceived as boring if
filmmakers tried to adapt it.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here in this Netflix film, released on September 29<sup>th</sup>
of this year, the story is set up well enough, modernizing it for today’s
audiences and making it believable for everyone to suspend disbelief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, would a couple just leave their
front door wide open when going inside to start a bit of intimacy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe, I guess…if you know there isn’t a soul
around for miles and miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there
aren’t too many other scenes where you’d sit there and say, “I can’t believe
that can happen!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story gets going
right away, with Gugino’s character stuck in her predicament, her husband dead
at the foot of the bed, all with her mind playing tricks as she slowly starts
to unravel while trying to find a way to save herself.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Without giving away too much, I felt the technique of
bringing second images of Jessie and Gerald to life as sort of the two sides of
her conscience was a lot better than the idea of just having a voiceover to
hear her thoughts, which is mainly what you’d read in King’s novel—that works
in a book, but not so much in a movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jessie remembering her childhood in the form of flashbacks helped with
her character’s development and I found the story interesting as well.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tz_gs30ZbHU/WeY1WbNORUI/AAAAAAAADVo/InEUU-l2jOs5YwF9TCVFDv4HjfxROan2ACEwYBhgL/s1600/geralds-game-2017-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="1017" height="179" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tz_gs30ZbHU/WeY1WbNORUI/AAAAAAAADVo/InEUU-l2jOs5YwF9TCVFDv4HjfxROan2ACEwYBhgL/s320/geralds-game-2017-3.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">With the flashback scenes diving into Jessie’s past, it gave
the story added depth as it had with the novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It explained Jessie’s weakness in how she’d gotten herself in the
situation she was in as well as helping her overcome it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, these scenes takes us away from
the boring claustrophobic atmosphere some audiences may think of when the story
takes place in a small setting the whole time.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Director Mike Flanagan does a fine job of helming this
feature, as well as presenting it to us as a true adaptation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flanagan co-wrote the script with Jeff Howard
and did the right thing by not deviating too far from the source material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the only variations I’d noticed in
the story is the modernization of certain aspects, such as cell phones and the
inclusion of Viagra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other than that,
everything here is taken straight from the book.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Back to the dual roles of each main actor, having them play
the two sides to Jessie’s conscience really needed two people with great acting
chops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood
fill those roles perfectly, showing us what the imprisoned Jessie is thinking
and planning, as well as giving her ideas on how to cope with her situation in
both good and bad ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They come across
as the angel and devil on Jessie’s shoulders, which was pretty ingenious on the
filmmakers’ parts.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jw6ioBVICPw/WeY1Wby5xrI/AAAAAAAADVs/Et63A7NcTzk6PxrVu7RTnsbe7_kkTGMqACEwYBhgL/s1600/geralds-game-2017-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="1017" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jw6ioBVICPw/WeY1Wby5xrI/AAAAAAAADVs/Et63A7NcTzk6PxrVu7RTnsbe7_kkTGMqACEwYBhgL/s320/geralds-game-2017-4.jpg" width="320"></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Although the story isn’t really your typical horror
narrative, there’s still an aspect of fear that leads the audience to feel that
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only does our main character
have the trepidation of her circumstances, but she also has to contend with a
hungry stray dog that keeps showing up to feed (remember, the front door was
left wide open) and the hallucination (or existence) of a terrifying visitor
called The Moonlight Man (Carel Struycken).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All of this adds to the dreadful atmosphere to give Jessie the need to
get out of handcuffs.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As a side note, those who get squeamish when viewing gory
effects may want to turn away from the screen occasionally—especially during
the climax at the lake house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But—Who
knows?—the story may be a life lesson to those who may be stuck in this
situation where they find themselves handcuffed to bed posts and need to get
themselves out.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So…what’s my final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gerald’s Game</i></b>?</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sJAALbEcF4/WeY1V_CRF3I/AAAAAAAADVk/BlHzZZORPgoLWIvI9yCrA7tmuaK_cDbhgCEwYBhgL/s1600/geralds-game-2017-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="1017" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sJAALbEcF4/WeY1V_CRF3I/AAAAAAAADVk/BlHzZZORPgoLWIvI9yCrA7tmuaK_cDbhgCEwYBhgL/s320/geralds-game-2017-1.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">From start to finish, I was engrossed and taken back to the
days when I was reading this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
acting from both Gugino and Greenwood were great, giving just the right balance
needed between the two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, it was
more understandable on how everything went down than what had transpired in the
book, particularly the feelings the characters had for one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The night scenes that Gugino’s character had
to go through were spooky and a bit terrifying, especially when you put
yourself in her situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only part
of the film that let me down was the conclusion of the story, which seemed out
of place and almost felt like it was tacked on as an afterthought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, as a whole, I loved this movie and felt
it was worthy to be called a true Stephen King adaptation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’ve got the Netflix streaming service,
please take a look at this film—you won’t be disappointed.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thanks for reading.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cinema Bits is on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-81466017692252331162017-09-18T14:16:00.002-07:002017-09-18T14:29:23.175-07:00It
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mQkMwE6vtvA/WcA25Y0n_GI/AAAAAAAADUw/uG5XGz3CC0EukirLU-xO23RcGBSGpJQLQCLcBGAs/s1600/01It.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="501" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mQkMwE6vtvA/WcA25Y0n_GI/AAAAAAAADUw/uG5XGz3CC0EukirLU-xO23RcGBSGpJQLQCLcBGAs/s320/01It.bmp" width="215"></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Before becoming such an aficionado of Stephen King’s
literary works, I still had knowledge of his writings and knew the connection
he had of books-to-film as far back as I can remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the first adaptation of Brian De Palma’s
Carrie in 1976 and all through the first part of the 80s, I’d recognized
Stephen King as a writer of horror fiction, but never dove into his books until
my senior year of high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally
being curious about what was so special about this author, I’d borrowed my
brother’s paperback of “It” and dove into it, all the while worried about the
size of the book (I’d made sure to check out the page-count and was a little
perplexed to see it was over 1,100 pages long…longer than any book I had read
in that period of my life).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within the
first chapter, however, I found I couldn’t put it down and was completely taken
into another world—another city and another time, in fact—to the made-up small
town of Derry in Stephen King’s home state of Maine.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I don’t know how long it took to get through it—it didn’t
feel that long, it felt like too short of a time—but I was amazed, and a bit
saddened, by the time I’d finished it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amazed at the imagination King had put down on paper and saddened
because I’d come to the end of that great story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To this day, whenever anyone asks or talks
about his catalog of stories, I cite Stephen King’s “It” to be my favorite of
all his books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Some few years later, in 1990, a television event was
broadcast—“Stephen King’s It”—which was a bit disappointing, since TV movies
had its limits compared to a theatrical release.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the film had—and still has—its merits,
particularly the first half of the film, so it’s still enjoyable to watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the terrifying aspects and the
wondrous descriptions of the creature were missing from the film, so it left
me—as well as a lot of other Stephen King fans—a little flat.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dwqhk7GRWJc/WcA2549LatI/AAAAAAAADU4/8wONRjHUXZs6EMarXASZERQah93-OAsOACEwYBhgL/s1600/05It.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="112" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dwqhk7GRWJc/WcA2549LatI/AAAAAAAADU4/8wONRjHUXZs6EMarXASZERQah93-OAsOACEwYBhgL/s200/05It.jpg" width="200"></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Now, here we are, 27 years later (that number definitely has
some significance if you’ve read the novel), and Stephen King’s “It” gets the
theatrical treatment, with no holds barred and all the R-ratedness you can
stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going through a few years of
developmental hell—some interchangeable director selections and an adjustment
of casts—it was finally announced that Andy Muschietti was hired on as
director.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having a couple of foreign
films under his belt, he finally had gained some recognition for his American film,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mama</i>,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>in 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I have to
admit, it was a little worrisome to hear that Muschietti, a relatively unknown
director, was given the reins to such a high-profile horror film.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So…what did I think?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let’s break down the plot first…</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9M3dPO8zTI/WcA26o24LyI/AAAAAAAADVA/xBtl1dsKPaMuJbgMoOUUJlYnAoxIh6XcgCEwYBhgL/s1600/04It.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9M3dPO8zTI/WcA26o24LyI/AAAAAAAADVA/xBtl1dsKPaMuJbgMoOUUJlYnAoxIh6XcgCEwYBhgL/s320/04It.png" width="320"></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A group of bullied kids—Bill Denbrough (Jaeden Lieberher),
Ben Hanscom (Jeremy Ray Taylor), Beverly Marsh (Sophia Lillis), Richie Tozier
(Finn Wolfhard), Mike Hanlon (Chosen Jacobs), Eddie Kaspbrak (Jack Dylan
Grazer), and Stanley Uris (Wyatt Oleff)—calling themselves The Losers Club,
band together when a monster, taking the appearance of a clown named Pennywise
(Bill Skarsgård), begins hunting children.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As a teenager, just starting to devote my life to the
fantastic world of Stephen King novels, reading this book was terrific and I’d
always imagined the goings-on in the story as a possible movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the first monster encounters described
in the book is when the character of Georgie Denbrough (played by Jackson
Robert Scott in this new adaptation) is taken as Pennywise’s victim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s horrific and viscerally described, which
led me to believe a movie would never show a scene as shocking as what I’d
read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, in 2017, it finally had come
to fruition just as I’d read it in 1986 and it was as scary and shocking as I’d
imagined it to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was at this point
of the movie that I’d known…this flick was going to be fantastic.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvY--2oxYEY/WcA25f_RbBI/AAAAAAAADUs/EDeumWSo56cpHEGcE79BfI9qxe2aM8rDgCEwYBhgL/s1600/02It.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvY--2oxYEY/WcA25f_RbBI/AAAAAAAADUs/EDeumWSo56cpHEGcE79BfI9qxe2aM8rDgCEwYBhgL/s320/02It.jpg" width="320"></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Coming in to work the next day, speaking to my coworkers
about my experience, some of them had shown their distaste of horror
movies—either not enjoying the idea of being scared or just not wanting to see
disturbing images on screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To them, I
mentioned that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It </i></b>would be just as great of a film if they were to take out
all of the scary parts—even omitting the scenes featuring Bill Skarsgård as
Pennywise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The interaction and overall
acting displayed by this young group of children was amazing and so
entertaining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dialogue shared by all
of them flowed so smoothly, you really felt like they had been friends forever,
nothing feeling forced or fake.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">For me, the standout of the ensemble was Jack Dylan Grazer
playing the character of Eddie Kaspbrak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remembering the book, the character wasn’t really that much of an important part of the story, but the professionalism and performance displayed by this young man
were really felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had quite few funny
moments, especially between him and Finn Wolfhard (playing Richie Tozier, who,
understandably, stole the movie with his constant quips and dirty jokes).</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rEUb6N8xaE4/WcA25YVRgDI/AAAAAAAADU0/h7yQPGca-pYP4tkQcgdLWEwFpu64KDLLgCEwYBhgL/s1600/03It.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="1365" height="132" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rEUb6N8xaE4/WcA25YVRgDI/AAAAAAAADU0/h7yQPGca-pYP4tkQcgdLWEwFpu64KDLLgCEwYBhgL/s320/03It.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">For a horror film, you’d think there wouldn’t be too much
emotion felt, but there were quite a few moments nevertheless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You experience this, even in the trailer
before the movie was released, between the brothers Bill and Georgie, as the
older brother makes his younger one a paper sailboat to play with out in the
flooded gutters of the neighborhood street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even in the later scenes where you’re not sure if Bill is really seeing
his little brother or if it’s a forced vision that Pennywise had created, it’s
heartbreaking at times.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now, let’s talk about Pennywise…</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Although the TV movie back in 1990 was pretty tame, it can
be agreed by most that the performance of Tim Curry as Pennywise was what made
that flick watchable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The makeup and
outfit, complete with his menacing performance, will always have a place in
Stephen King fans’ hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So to have a
new actor donning the clown shoes must’ve been a bit worrying for all
involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, rest-assured, the
moment we see Skarsgård for the first time, enticing Georgie Denbrough to reach
for his sailboat that fell down into the sewer, we’re in—all in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bulbous head, the grease-painted face,
and the tufts of orange-red hair…it’s both terrifying (as most clowns tend to
be, regardless of what the World Clown Association may think) and friendly,
oddly enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skarsgård goes from a hilarious
giggle-inducing caricature to a menacing fiend in an instant, definitely
sending shivers down your spine with his glowing eyes and sinister smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although he doesn’t have much screen time,
when Pennywise shows up, it usually scares the hell out of you.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">If I can point out a minor weak aspect of the film, it’s
probably just the absence of some character development.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that’s to be expected in a film with such
a big cast, there’s just not enough time to tell everybody’s story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The important thing to see in this film is
that these children band together and do what’s necessary to fight the evil
bestowed upon their town, and to do it as loving friends—that definitely shows.</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I really wish I can go on and talk about some of the scenes
that were entertaining and memorable, but I don’t want to spoil too much of
it…it just needs to be seen and felt without knowing much about the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, I’ll just give you my final “bit” on
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It</i></b>...</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KOzhm9_dBqU/WcA26auI9NI/AAAAAAAADU8/omLrUEli1vMSEhTllzmE8_yfMRXxh1W-QCEwYBhgL/s1600/07It.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="636" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KOzhm9_dBqU/WcA26auI9NI/AAAAAAAADU8/omLrUEli1vMSEhTllzmE8_yfMRXxh1W-QCEwYBhgL/s320/07It.jpg" width="320"></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">A brilliant movie, filmed so well, showing us the innocence
of the time between these young kids, yet tragic to observe what they go
through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cast is perfect, making me
wonder how they’re going to top this in the sequel—in the book, the first half
is all about the kids, while the second half is how they all return 27 years
later as adults—so I have to wonder who they’re going to cast as the adult
versions of this awesome group of friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t help but compare this to the 1990 television movie, because the
first half was excellent while the second half wasn’t as good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in all, it’s not too often when I’m
willing to see a movie for a second time during its theatrical run, but it’s
pretty rare when I want to go right back into the theater to see it again right
after watching it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether you’re horror
fan or not, if you love movies like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stand
By Me</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Goonies</i>, then you’ll
love <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It</i></b>…go
see it!</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cinema Bits is on <a href="http://www/facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-7508581912103008772017-08-17T14:02:00.002-07:002017-08-17T14:18:37.288-07:00Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s2XulXZiAn8/WZYCUXTP7FI/AAAAAAAADUQ/iB5ZljJa8NcX9kU5VXN2KHsblDFGGdyOwCLcBGAs/s1600/abbott-and-Costello-Meet-Frankenstein-Poster-14340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="806" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s2XulXZiAn8/WZYCUXTP7FI/AAAAAAAADUQ/iB5ZljJa8NcX9kU5VXN2KHsblDFGGdyOwCLcBGAs/s320/abbott-and-Costello-Meet-Frankenstein-Poster-14340.jpg" width="161" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">I’ve always enjoyed the comedy duo of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello,
remembering watching their movies as a child as I’d spend my Saturdays watching
the local channel that would feature their films.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were such a great pair—Abbott being the
straight man and shining Costello on as the chubby little guy who usually cried
wolf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’d been years and years
since I had the good fortune to sit down and watch one of their movies, not
recalling any of the ones I’d seen as a kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Knowing that the most popular ones they’d filmed were the ones that
featured the Universal Monsters, I checked with Netflix for the availability on
the first one and had it sent to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"></span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Some of the most notable and recognizable movie characters are the Universal Monsters from the 1930s to the 1950s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Icons like Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and The Wolf Man are just a few of the well-known monsters that we’ve all come to know and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To this day, those movies still work and will forever be timeless, as the use of eerie shadows and tranquil illumination make me feel that I can never get enough of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first of the monsters movies—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dracula</i>—is nearly 90 years old and it was the one that started them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Frankenstein </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bride of Frankenstein </i>soon followed, making Universal Studios monster movies the phenomenon of its time. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">
</span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">
</span></span><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The witty comedy duo, Abbott and Costello, were a hit in the 40s,
making Universal Studios a lot of money with their films.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toward the end of that decade, it was quite
an ingenious idea to have the comedy duo “meet” the popular horror monsters of
that era with the first experiment beginning in 1948.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea was so successful that it spawned
another four films where the two comics run into other popular scary movie
characters in comedic fashion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the
movie that started this trend, however, is none other than <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Abbott and Costello Meet
Frankenstein</i></b>.</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Although the title makes it sound like the comics were only going
to meet Frankenstein’s Monster (of course, the title is a misnomer, as
Frankenstein was the name of the man who’d created the monster, not the name of
the monster itself), but two other characters are brought into the mix as well.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Before any further discussion, here’s the plot breakdown of the
film…</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Two hapless freight handlers, Chick (Bud Abbott) and Wilbur (Lou
Costello), find themselves encountering Dracula (Bela Lugosi), the Frankenstein
Monster (Glenn Strange), and the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.).</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Released in 1948, this was the perfect time for a mishmash of
comedy and horror, putting together the genius comedy of Abbott and Costello
with the ever-popular and ongoing Universal Studios monster movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the recent films of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wolf Man </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">House of
Frankenstein</i> still popular and going strong, it was a no-brainer to put
this together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The director, Charles Barton, has quite a list of films he’s
helmed from the early 1930s until the 1960s, with quite a few popular
television series interspersed between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One thing I’d noticed, however, was how many Abbott and Costello films
he had directed and that number is eight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seems that Barton was a good fit with the comedy twosome and Universal
Studios had recognized that, giving him the reins to direct the funnymen in all
those hits.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88oirqpiBRk/WZYB3Hf8PcI/AAAAAAAADUA/E3LsTRlGaoU1qVd-9e9QB7DHmgqV-9NWwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Annex-Abbott-Costello-Abbott-and-Costello-Meet-Frankenstein_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="1300" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88oirqpiBRk/WZYB3Hf8PcI/AAAAAAAADUA/E3LsTRlGaoU1qVd-9e9QB7DHmgqV-9NWwCEwYBhgL/s320/Annex-Abbott-Costello-Abbott-and-Costello-Meet-Frankenstein_01.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> does
feel like one of the serious Universal Classics at its heart, especially with
Lugosi picking up where he had left off so many years before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although he had played a similar vampire
character of Count Mora in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mark of the
Vampire </i>in 1935, this was the first time in 17 years that Lugosi came back
to play Dracula in a feature-length movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lon Chaney Jr.’s last outing as the lycanthroped Larry Talbot had only
been 3 years prior along with Glenn Strange as Frankenstein’s Monster in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">House of Dracula</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they all stepped into their roles
flawlessly and had played them earnestly, regardless of the film being a
comedy. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">By today’s standards, yes, the movie isn’t very scary and might be
seen as a bit cheesy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the comedy of
Abbott and Costello isn’t that great in this flick, but all the components that
were brought together for this outing totally makes up for any inconsistencies
you may notice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the skits seen
throughout this film made me chuckle—one in particular, when Costello needed to
grab a table cloth and pulled it off while leaving all the glasses and
candleholders in place, he stops to look at the camera, breaking the fourth
wall…classic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll see quite a few
scenes like that, where Lou Costello chews the scenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, there are a few YouTube videos you
can find where there are some very funny bloopers from this movie, a lot of
them having Glenn Strange crack up at Costello’s antics.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkwWjC3ZoYg/WZYB3MSOTyI/AAAAAAAADT8/A5RUMWrxHMo23BnxGNcKTOMyc-I8TbnAQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Wilbur%2Band%2BFrankenstein.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="489" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkwWjC3ZoYg/WZYB3MSOTyI/AAAAAAAADT8/A5RUMWrxHMo23BnxGNcKTOMyc-I8TbnAQCEwYBhgL/s320/Wilbur%2Band%2BFrankenstein.PNG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">First off, one of the biggest misconceptions of all the popular
monsters is that Frankenstein is the name of the monster in the film of the
same name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, the title refers to
the doctor who created the creature with it never receiving a name within the
film’s story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been a misnomer for
years and years, and I’m sure if you were to show a picture of the monster to
anyone and asked them to name the creature, they’d reply “Frankenstein.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here, in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Abbott and Costello Meet
Frankenstein</i></b>, Dr. Frankenstein isn’t in the story, but all this can be
overlooked…unless you’re a picky movie enthusiast like me.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">You can tell all the cast is having fun, at times not really
taking the film seriously, but overall you can tell Universal had struck a gold
mine with this concept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the
studio mined the idea four more times with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff</i> (1949), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man</i>
(1951), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Abbott and Costello Meet Dr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde</i> (1953), and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Abbott
and Costello Meet the Mummy</i> (1955).</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-arIflA6Wg5c/WZYB3HZYmWI/AAAAAAAADUE/Bl68jfMj4o4MDojImHc1tYICJy-uaGwgACEwYBhgL/s1600/imagesGFTSSK2H.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="264" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-arIflA6Wg5c/WZYB3HZYmWI/AAAAAAAADUE/Bl68jfMj4o4MDojImHc1tYICJy-uaGwgACEwYBhgL/s1600/imagesGFTSSK2H.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" /></span></a><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Lastly, I’ll say it’s kind of sad that the real creator of these
famous monsters wasn’t asked to come back for these films and that’s the great
make-up artist, Jack P. Pierce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He,
alone, is responsible for the appearance of Frankenstein’s Monster and The Wolf
Man, as well as many other famous monsters from Universal Studios’ canon of
early horror flicks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, Bud Westmore
was brought in for the task of replicating Pierce’s work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s not to disparage Westmore’s efforts,
it’s just upsetting that Jack Pierce was treated the way he was by Universal.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">So…what’s my final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein</i></b>?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The movie has nearly the same feel as most of the Universal
Monster movies, just supplementing some of the light comedy touches from the
comic duo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It never feels like a parody
of the films from the 30s and 40s—Bela Lugosi as Dracula is just as ominous,
Glenn Strange as Frankenstein’s Monster is somewhat menacing, and Lon Chaney
Jr. as The Wolf Man is once again frightening—so, they’re never put in
situations that make them look ridiculous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The movie, as a whole, is a good time and fun for all ages.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Cinema Bits is on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Facebook</span></a><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"> and </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Twitter</span></a><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">.</span></span></div>
<img height="69" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-arIflA6Wg5c/WZYB3HZYmWI/AAAAAAAADUE/Bl68jfMj4o4MDojImHc1tYICJy-uaGwgACEwYBhgL/s1600/imagesGFTSSK2H.jpg" style="left: 646px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1692px;" width="96" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-53344688754525089242017-08-10T06:38:00.000-07:002018-02-24T10:26:28.051-08:00Test<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VEqFiAltL9s/WpGuTOEbTrI/AAAAAAAADbc/vDKf6NwVN30zZjHwbP046p884m7HyaFtgCLcBGAs/s1600/Jimmy%2BG-Sus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="375" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VEqFiAltL9s/WpGuTOEbTrI/AAAAAAAADbc/vDKf6NwVN30zZjHwbP046p884m7HyaFtgCLcBGAs/s320/Jimmy%2BG-Sus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-31164914571724319662017-08-04T11:08:00.003-07:002017-08-04T11:10:49.610-07:00The Hidden<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3vyOEWopcMQ/WYRwAEJ3ixI/AAAAAAAADS0/spwIfUNcgIMwRmMm3fbNmeMf4sjJ6cqBQCLcBGAs/s1600/0001hidden_xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="982" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3vyOEWopcMQ/WYRwAEJ3ixI/AAAAAAAADS0/spwIfUNcgIMwRmMm3fbNmeMf4sjJ6cqBQCLcBGAs/s320/0001hidden_xlg.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Although I have a great appreciation for the films of the 1980s,
it’s usually reserved for the ones released within the early part of the decade
with anything after 1985 being ignored or not as enjoyable…for the most
part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, my love of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Friday the 13<sup>th</sup> </i>franchise is
mainly for the first four films and I usually stop after watching the fourth
film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Nightmare on Elm Street </i>film franchise, I go as far as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dream Warriors</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just seems that the latter half of the 80s
included too many silly films and they all became parodies of what we’d seen a
mere few years before it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for some
reason, 1987 was a year that churned out some very memorable movies that were
entertaining and exciting.</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">With that said, and as unfortunate as it is, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Hidden </i></b>had fallen
through the cracks and hasn’t seen resurgence thus far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m here to tell you…it needs to be
looked at and discussed.</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The plot breakdown…</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">An alien parasite with the ability to possess human bodies goes on
a merciless crime spree in Los Angeles, committing dozens of murders and
robberies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In pursuit of the
extraterrestrial criminal is FBI agent Lloyd Gallagher (Kyle MacLachlan) and
police detective Tom Beck (Michael Nouri) who is investigating the recent
outbreak of violence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Closing in on the
vicious intruder, the city faces a brutal threat like no other it has ever
encountered.</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Speaking of the 80s, there was a time back then when many
productions were filmed in and around the Los Angeles area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I’m not that familiar with the L.A.
area, seeing these films almost makes me think I know it quite well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the films were memorable classics
like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Terminator</i>,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> To Live and Die in L.A.</i>,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Lethal Weapon</i>, and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Die Hard</i>, and those films always bring a sense of nostalgia into
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can go through a slough of films
that most of you would recognize, but <strong><em>The Hidden </em></strong></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">stands out as an underrated
classic—to me anyway</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OrjVEJ0Ueqg/WYRwCrXtRvI/AAAAAAAADS8/n342LzsySJclIuu8EPNXxBxe7anHbjDdgCLcBGAs/s1600/0002H2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="524" height="167" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OrjVEJ0Ueqg/WYRwCrXtRvI/AAAAAAAADS8/n342LzsySJclIuu8EPNXxBxe7anHbjDdgCLcBGAs/s320/0002H2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">I remember seeing this in theaters way back in 1987 and it seemed
to be somewhat of a hit, resonating a little bit of a following at the time,
but it seemed to be quickly forgotten after its run in theaters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s understandable, of course, since 1987
was a big year for hit films.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Films like
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beverly Hills Cop II</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lethal Weapon</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Robocop</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Creepshow</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">2</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fatal
Attraction</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Full Metal Jacket</i>—which
preceded and followed <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Hidden</i></b>—made it a vague memory
soon after it came out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I
happened to be perusing eBay when I noticed a Japanese import of this DVD which
made me pause and gave me a bit of a surprise as it instantly brought me back
to 1987.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believing it to be an
above-average sci-fi/action/thriller, I knew I had to add it to my collection.</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The film grabs you right from the beginning, as it opens on a bank
robbery, seen from a security camera, with a man shooting up the place before
taking off with his take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One part of
this scene that I enjoy is after the crook shoots everybody up and is about to
leave with his loot, he pauses to look at the security camera and smiles before
shooting it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then goes out to his
Ferrari, pops in a cassette to blast some heavy metal music (these aspects are
a repeated trait of this villain in the film), and speeds off with the police
sirens being heard in the background.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Right away, this movie sucks you in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It leaves you with so many questions: Who is this guy? Why is he so
violent? Why is he openly breaking the law, even after getting away from the
bank?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the right way to start a film
like this, hooking the audience to watch until the end.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LYG2qBPSWuY/WYRwCgljZqI/AAAAAAAADS4/c7Uw7t4ODJMcuj6fF0x-n-W6Mw6hIqxGQCLcBGAs/s1600/0004TheHidden4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="450" height="169" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LYG2qBPSWuY/WYRwCgljZqI/AAAAAAAADS4/c7Uw7t4ODJMcuj6fF0x-n-W6Mw6hIqxGQCLcBGAs/s320/0004TheHidden4.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">For a little known film, with probably not that big of a budget,
the special effects were—and still are—pretty convincing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though the movie is thirty years old, it
still makes me scratch my head here and there as I wonder how they performed
some of those gags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s no secret,
especially if you read the plot summary to the story, that the film is about an
alien parasite that takes over human bodies and will leave a dying one to take
over another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So performing those scenes
would’ve been a daunting task, even by today’s standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t get into the descriptions of those
scenes, but I would’ve thought the special effects would’ve looked phony today,
but it still holds up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gurus that
worked on it obviously make use of dummy heads of the actors that had to be
created, but they looked spot on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Compared to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Terminator </i>and
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Robocop</i>, which were made around the
same time and employed similar special effects techniques, the mechanical heads
here looked way more convincing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6s_4ZUBsPQ/WYRwC-ux-4I/AAAAAAAADTE/87ZbAjY95Zsbw0McBoYI7H5ziCzAG4v_QCLcBGAs/s1600/0006Hidden-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="560" height="173" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6s_4ZUBsPQ/WYRwC-ux-4I/AAAAAAAADTE/87ZbAjY95Zsbw0McBoYI7H5ziCzAG4v_QCLcBGAs/s320/0006Hidden-1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">One critic’s quote on the cover of the DVD, by some random movie
journalist, cites this film is “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Invasion
of the Body Snatchers </i>meets<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> The
Terminator,</i>”<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>which is the perfect
description because that’s the feel of this film throughout: The movie doesn’t
let up, there’s no dull downtime (besides the dinner visit, but that lets
us—the audience—get to know the characters of Gallagher and Beck a bit more),
and it’s basically the good guys against an unstoppable force that can take
over anyone it chooses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hell, I’d even
say there’s a little bit of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Thing </i>in
this flick as there’s a bit of a who’s who plot device to the story.</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Always giving kudos to animal actors, I have to give props to Roy
the Dog who plays Jake, Lieutenant Masterson’s (Clarence Felder) dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A characteristic that’s shown throughout the
film, when the parasite takes over a body, the alien-controlled person tends to
slightly lick their lips to appear menacing or cluing in the audience to show
that the person we see is the antagonist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At one point during the movie, the dog becomes infested with the
parasite and later we see it looking at Gallagher as it licks his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scene always puts a smile on my face.</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">If there’s anything I can nitpick about the film is that I wish
there was a backstory shown of where this parasite came from, maybe a scene
showing it escaping the planet from where it originated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I understand the budget the film had to
work with and it really doesn’t take anything away for me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Being a 30-year-old movie, you’re going to see some silliness like
the cars of the time and the technology available (like a car stereo that plays
cassettes or a man walking around with a boom box), but as long as you can get
past that, you’ll enjoy the movie immensely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">My final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Hidden</i></b>?</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ia3VesiLvAo/WYRwCpjBdkI/AAAAAAAADTA/y8rXiCbXGy82opF3QdrfoaIqfyQrzTeoQCLcBGAs/s1600/0003alien1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><img border="0" data-original-height="193" data-original-width="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ia3VesiLvAo/WYRwCpjBdkI/AAAAAAAADTA/y8rXiCbXGy82opF3QdrfoaIqfyQrzTeoQCLcBGAs/s1600/0003alien1.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The movie is a forgotten gem that many people may not know about
or have never seen before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it’s
your typical 80s flick with a lot of gun fighting and action scenes, it’s a
well-made film that encompasses so much originality and the right balance of
humor and gravitas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I’d mentioned,
the special effects are still believable and the acting is taken seriously,
making this movie a must for a fun, popcorn-munching good time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe Shout! Factory can get a collector’s
edition going with this one…I know<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> I’d </i>appreciate
it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Cinema Bits is on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Facebook</span></a><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"> and </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Twitter</span></a><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">.</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-24503525219583639012017-07-24T12:38:00.003-07:002017-07-24T12:40:09.256-07:00Get Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dixT05312Ng/WWaMvIWMuZI/AAAAAAAADRY/VnE1zehKJPMRquZliRC6Blb8RwF2goc4wCLcBGAs/s1600/get_out_ver2_xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="947" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dixT05312Ng/WWaMvIWMuZI/AAAAAAAADRY/VnE1zehKJPMRquZliRC6Blb8RwF2goc4wCLcBGAs/s320/get_out_ver2_xlg.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Most of you know the comic genius of the Key and Peele duo: Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the men are talented comedians—both in the business for some time before hitting stardom on the comedy sketch show, “MadTV,” then hitting the television waves with their own show: “Key and Peele”—Jordan Peele has made a name for himself lately as a film director.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, his only directorial job so far has been the praised film we’re going to talk about today…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Get Out</i></b>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">It’s time for a young African-American, Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), to meet the parents of his white girlfriend, Rose (Allison Williams), for a weekend visit at their secluded estate in the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But before long, the friendly and polite ambience will give way to a nightmare.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">For a first time director—let alone, horror movie director—Jordan Peele definitely knows how to set the mood and arranges it eerily so in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Get Out</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although some of the tropes featured in the beginning structure of the story are typical thriller clichés, Peele tracks it well and fits it into the film without making it stick out like a sore thumb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, at the beginning of the film, the young couple, Chris and Rose, is on their way to the parents’ home and something shocking happens to act as an omen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s no rhyme or reason to it, nor does it spell out anything in particular, but before you have time to think about it, Peele’s setting up the next scene to make you invest your feelings into what’s coming next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t allow the audience to dwell upon certain scenes that may or may not be <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s<span style="font-size: 11pt;">tereotypical </span><span style="font-size: small;">or </span>overly</span> dramatic, he just keeps the story moving along to keep our brains busy. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jdolXKjzvks/WWaMvLb0uwI/AAAAAAAADRU/Ld_U8ztU53Q3lDGLzJ-8ystNJLnpvczZwCEwYBhgL/s1600/la-et-mn-get-out-milk-horror-jordan-peele-allison-williams-20170301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="980" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jdolXKjzvks/WWaMvLb0uwI/AAAAAAAADRU/Ld_U8ztU53Q3lDGLzJ-8ystNJLnpvczZwCEwYBhgL/s320/la-et-mn-get-out-milk-horror-jordan-peele-allison-williams-20170301.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Racism is definitely in the forefront of this story, going from Chris’s concern that Rose should tell her parents about him, to the parents'—especially the dad—over-acceptance of their daughter’s boyfriend, to the obvious majority of Caucasian people throughout the story…it’s constantly there and brought to attention at times in the most uncomfortable way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The typical dialogue that white people seem to fall back on, to try—and fail—and fit in with an African-American is amusingly used here (Rose’s dad says he’d vote for Obama for a third term if he could is one of the many uncomfortable conversations you’ll hear), yet it gives the movie an even more unnerving undertone and making us worry for the central character of Chris.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">I’ve got to say that the performances of Catherine Keener and Bradley Whitford as Rose’s parents, the Armitages, were probably the two that I’d accepted right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the setting at their home, which is in the middle of some woods and far from any neighbors (as mentioned by Mr. Armitage himself), it’s believable to think that they’d truly be out of touch with society and to be as odd as they are when Chris first meets them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keener and Whitford play the open-armed parents beautifully, making it the only time we—the audience—truly feel at ease...or vulnerable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">It’s when we meet the rest of the main cast that we start to feel something’s amiss, especially with the hired help: Walter (Marcus Henderson) and Georgina (Betty Gabriel).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walter is introduced as the groundskeeper and Georgina as the help around the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, ones thought will go to how it seems a bit racist to have African-Americans as servants, but Mr. Armitage actually gives an acceptable explanation that the two were around and helped with the grandparents when they were on hospice care, explaining that they were like family and didn’t want them to go after the grandparents passed on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fair enough…but the strange actions of Walter and Georgina are what really show something’s not right at the estate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And how could I forget Rose’s brother, Jeremy (Caleb Landry Jones)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The over-aggressive, yet accepting way, he treats Chris during their first dinner together is a little off-putting and sets the tone for his relationship with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Yes, Jordan Peele plays this out perfectly, making the audience wonder just what they hell is going on with everybody surrounding the Armitages throughout the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When remembering certain parts of the film, or rewatching it, Peele actually puts subtle hints of foreshadowing that really get under your skin once you get to the third act of this film.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Of course, what every horror movie needs is some comedy interspersed throughout and that’s where Chris’s friend, Rod (LilRel Howery), comes in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rod is Chris’s friend who works for TSA at the airport and is housesitting for him while he’s away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t help but think this part should’ve gone to Peele himself, but Howery is hilarious in the short scenes that he’s featured in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Is there anything I can nitpick about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Get Out</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well…yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But…it’ll give away the twist of the story, so I really don’t want to divulge that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75kM5BGX1Hg/WWaMup2rO_I/AAAAAAAADRQ/60P9ImAuJDURmCFInpM3cRVRbUTmBl7iQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Get-Out-Strange-Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="1440" height="132" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75kM5BGX1Hg/WWaMup2rO_I/AAAAAAAADRQ/60P9ImAuJDURmCFInpM3cRVRbUTmBl7iQCEwYBhgL/s320/Get-Out-Strange-Man.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">I’m actually glad that I stayed away from spoilers before going into it and stayed away from web sites and YouTube channels that discussed the movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going into this cold is the best thing one can do and you’ll thank yourself for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really had no idea what was going to happen and it made the experience that much more exciting.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Lastly, I’ll say that I had really enjoyed Daniel Kaluuya’s performance as Chris, how levelheaded he played the part and the emotion he displayed during some of the tough scenes, were great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although he has quite a résumé in film and television, this is the first time I’ve witnessed his acting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s set to be in Marvel Studio’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Black Panther </i>next year, so I look forward to following his career.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">So…what’s my final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Get Out</i></b>?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">I’m so blown away by Jordan Peele’s directorial debut, I can’t say it enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After watching this, I thought for sure Peele’s been a seasoned veteran of helming productions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, for being a first time director, and to take charge of such a great movie, I have to applaud him fervently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many great touches here and there, the lighting used so well, the perfect settings, and such a slight connotation of awkwardness brought out by the actors…all blends together and turns into an amazing film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m looking forward to seeing what Jordan Peele does next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need to see this film.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Thanks for reading!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Cinema Bits is on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Facebook</span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> and </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Twitter</span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;">.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-81314288314900471952017-07-17T13:49:00.003-07:002017-07-17T14:06:52.355-07:00War for the Planet of the Apes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Apes…together…strong!”</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here we are, just six years after
the remarkable first film in these new reboots that has featured the most
incredible special effects in movie history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">War for the Planet of the Apes </i></b>has arrived and what a feast for
the eyes and ears!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Say what you will
about the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avatar </i>films and how they’d
set the path for motion capture CGI, but these films have grown and secured
such a foothold within the special effects spectacles we see just about every
summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve always been a fan—not a huge
fan, but a fan—of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Planet of the Apes </i>series
of films.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first one, released in
1968, is still an amazing film despite the laughable costumes and masks that
the actors wear to depict the apes within that production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the story is so captivating and
engrossing that you quickly forget about the cheesy makeup effects of that
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can accept it because I would
just imagine that the apes had evolved over the centuries to stand more upright
and to become taller, so it’s not too far gone of a conclusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where it’s ridiculous—and I can’t remember
which sequel it was—but there’s a film in the series where the apes end up back
in time and are captured and believed to be normal apes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Back in 2011, ten years after the
flop that Burton’s film had been, I really had thought the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Apes </i>films had run their course and couldn’t possibly be able to
provide any more to the whole story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
I was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been the right time,
especially with the special effects technology, to start from the beginning and
render realistic-looking chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans to show exactly
how this all started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rise </i>played that out brilliantly and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dawn </i>continued the story faultlessly.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cN-oOdUTc2M/WW0iccBXmZI/AAAAAAAADSY/YG9yRK7NNQEmkm202Z1D84QuV5BIk1lfwCLcBGAs/s1600/00003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="1280" height="144" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cN-oOdUTc2M/WW0iccBXmZI/AAAAAAAADSY/YG9yRK7NNQEmkm202Z1D84QuV5BIk1lfwCLcBGAs/s320/00003.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So here we are with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">War for
the Planet of the Apes</i></b> and I was chomping at the bit to go out to see
this flick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say this with a bit of
chagrin, but I think I’d been looking forward to seeing this movie more so than
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man: Homecoming</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suffice it to say, I think <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">War </i></b>may
be the…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…well, let’s break down the plot
summary and go at this step-by-step…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After the apes suffer unimaginable
losses at the hands of a new enemy, The Colonel (Woody Harrelson), Caesar (Andy
Serkis) wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to
avenge his kind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you’ve seen the previous entry to
this franchise, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dawn of the Planet of the
Apes</i>, then you know this story was coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the end of the previous film, it was said through exposition that the
military was on its way to fight the supposed threat of the apes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a way, the transition to this film is
seamless and we can go right into this plot without much thought of what had
happened beforehand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’ll help to
refresh yourself with a viewing of the preceding two entries, however, just so
you don’t have to think much about some of the aspects of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i> film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overall, we knew
this was coming, we knew this was going to be a culmination of Caesar’s
story—in one way or another—and we knew this would be an afflicting plight for
both the humans and the apes. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KxKEedt-WMY/WW0icfQJnOI/AAAAAAAADSg/VgHpl4P5Pu4qH6umpDqef9XwpfK9eqd-ACLcBGAs/s1600/00005.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="650" height="183" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KxKEedt-WMY/WW0icfQJnOI/AAAAAAAADSg/VgHpl4P5Pu4qH6umpDqef9XwpfK9eqd-ACLcBGAs/s320/00005.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although most of the audiences’
presumptions of what will happen are correct, there are still a few surprises
to be seen as well as a few connections to the original 1968 film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the way, the audience will see great
acting through the wonder of motion capture technology (and it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> quite incredible this time
around—more on that later), a few heartbreaking moments, and some delightfully
humorous moments (mainly with the new character of “Bad Ape,” a
quickly-established crowd favorite, played by Steve Zahn).</span></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When thinking of the special effects
used in this particular film, one can’t help but think back on the previous two
and know that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">War </i></b>surpassed them both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t get me wrong, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rise </i>had
some groundbreaking effects, especially with Andy Serkis’s Mo-Cap performances
as Caesar, and it improved quite a bit in the sequel, but there were some
scenes where the CGI was a bit spotty and obvious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rise</i>,
the young Caesar wasn’t as realistic as the adult version and can take you out
of the movie when seeing it today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dawn </i>was better, but one scene in
particular wasn’t done well and that was when the special effects team rendered
the bear and elk during the hunting scene at the beginning of the film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">War for the Planet of the Apes</i></b>, I
didn’t notice any unrealistic execution of characters.</span></div>
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ovZ2UeUwqA/WW0icUNGI-I/AAAAAAAADSc/KDAiJ1Z5R8Q_lj2t6chWDUrsGMR8XzQmwCLcBGAs/s1600/00002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1600" height="132" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ovZ2UeUwqA/WW0icUNGI-I/AAAAAAAADSc/KDAiJ1Z5R8Q_lj2t6chWDUrsGMR8XzQmwCLcBGAs/s320/00002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As for he humans in this story,
Woody Harrelson played the villain as well as he could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though it was your typical cookie-cutter bad
guy, the point was made that he had a personal vendetta against the apes and
had no empathy for them whatsoever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
learn early on that he’s the Colonel Kurtz (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Apocalypse
Now</i> reference) of the story who is going rogue with his platoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only is he an enemy of the apes, but of
the remaining humans as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Harrelson’s Colonel is heartless and unlikable in this story, making his
character a perfect adversary to Caesar.</span></div>
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3gyjlWpN8Q/WW0ib7IK6XI/AAAAAAAADSM/02klt0wGxkYsoG12fFlmzfBcLdCsRRcTgCLcBGAs/s1600/000006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3gyjlWpN8Q/WW0ib7IK6XI/AAAAAAAADSM/02klt0wGxkYsoG12fFlmzfBcLdCsRRcTgCLcBGAs/s320/000006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To add to the conversation of the
motion capture creature-rendering technology used this time around, I really
think the Academy Awards need to add a category for Mo-Cap performances,
because Andy Serkis is the best out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Either have that new grouping or include him in the competition for best
actor—his performances of Gollum in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lord
of the Rings</i>, the title character in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">King
Kong</i>, and Supreme Leader Snoke in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star
Wars: The Force Awakens </i>are some of the most incredible accomplishments one
will ever see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along those lines, and
seeing how well the effects crew was able to realistically render the apes, I’d
seen an interesting tweet from PETA the other day, where they’d mention how
this new <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Apes </i>movie was proof
positive that filmmakers won’t ever have to use live animals again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really wouldn’t go that far—it’s a bit
cheaper to hire a dog trainer to have a dog obey some simple commands than to
have a CGI-rendered dog that’ll cost quite a bit of money to showcase—but I see
what they’re getting at with that statement and that’s high praise to the
individuals who were able to bring Caesar and his apes to life.</span></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">War
for the Planet of the Apes</i></b>?</span></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lSPABXVInfw/WW0ib-irbFI/AAAAAAAADSU/lPUNsdUMOsIlinWQQloo7PZpJVfOWH9NQCLcBGAs/s1600/000009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="670" height="133" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lSPABXVInfw/WW0ib-irbFI/AAAAAAAADSU/lPUNsdUMOsIlinWQQloo7PZpJVfOWH9NQCLcBGAs/s320/000009.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A stellar completion to the Caesar
arc of these new <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Apes </i>films, but I
still hope we see more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the
filmmakers can spin off or just keep going with this world to see how the apes
came to be in the original ’68 film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
did they evolve to upright-walking apes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When did they decide to wear clothing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How did the Statue of Liberty get buried on the coastline?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even more, will 20<sup>th</sup> Century Fox
allow the original film to be remade/rebooted/reimagined?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t mind and I would even welcome it
just so it fits in this string of films.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">War </i></b>is a great conclusion to a fabulous trilogy of films
documenting Caesar’s rise to power, his leadership, and his legacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andy Serkis is awesome, as are all the motion
capture actors in this, and the box office success speaks volumes on that
fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you haven’t already, go see <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">War
for the Planet of the Apes </i></b>now.</span></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cinema Bits is on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-1738221667757957832017-07-11T13:59:00.003-07:002017-07-11T13:59:58.756-07:00Spider-Man: Homecoming<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J2KNENANXO8/WWU7jhiefJI/AAAAAAAADQk/mIeEMArp1HorxhYW5QONPQ5wZHckL0G-QCLcBGAs/s1600/00122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J2KNENANXO8/WWU7jhiefJI/AAAAAAAADQk/mIeEMArp1HorxhYW5QONPQ5wZHckL0G-QCLcBGAs/s320/00122.jpg" width="190" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Okay, so it’s been awhile, huh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where I was once an unyielding scribe of film criticism, I soon turned
to the world of sports—namely, baseball—and set aside the writing of
reviews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I’m still a constant
movie-goer—always putting in a disc in the player or seeing the occasional
blockbuster in the theaters—but I had to turn my attention elsewhere and put
Cinema Bits in hiatus for a time (it’s a long story and I won’t get into
it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve done it before, taking a
yearlong break until <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars: The Force
Awakens </i>pulled me back to my film scrutiny and making me see the error of
my ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">So, here I am, once again being brought back, compelled to write
about a film I’d watched with the exuberance and giddiness as my 9-year-old
self had experienced way back when I witnessed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars</i> back in 1978 (I didn’t get to see the movie until it was
brought back to theaters the year after its release).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes…even though I’m going to be hitting 49
years old this coming November, I still felt like a little boy as I patiently
waited for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man: Homecoming </i></b>to begin.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">You’d think I would have already felt this way back in 2002 when
Tobey Maguire donned the webbed red-and-blues in Sam Raimi’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man</i>—and I had felt that way as
the movie’s final money-shot elicited a huge smile on my face that took quite a
while to fade away even as I saw the movie again and again during repeat
viewings—but it wasn’t until the sequel to that film was released when I had
the state of euphoria that had equaled my <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star
Wars </i>movie wonderment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">I’ll state it here and now that the bar was set before going into
the theater to see this film—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man 2
</i>was the film to which I’d compare all the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it stands—and I know I’ll get some
arguments against this (goodness knows I’ve already debated about this with
many comic book film enthusiasts)—I don’t think anything has stood up to Sam
Raimi’s second <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man</i>
outing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main dispute that comes up
is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dark Knight</i>, and yes, I do
believe Christopher Nolan’s second Batman film is great, but doesn’t have the
heroic comic book feel that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man 2 </i>exhibits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time I watch the sequel, especially the
scenes where Spidey is fighting Doctor Octopus on the train, I feel like the
scenes are jumping out of a comic book, keeping me glued to the screen as I’d
been glued to the comic books as a kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was how I’d wanted to feel again when venturing out to see <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man:
Homecoming</i></b>.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">For obvious reasons, I’m not going to even address the Andrew
Garfield films because that’ll raise a level of negativity that I really don’t
think I can escape.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">For the casual viewer of these recent Marvel Studios films, such
as the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Iron Man</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain America</i> films, you may not
realize how important this film is to all of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In short, Sony Pictures owned the filming
rights to the Spider-Man character for nearly two decades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marvel Comics decided to create their own
studios—later, having Disney purchase the whole company—and decided to make
this whole cinematic universe to cross-over all their characters in multiple
movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically, Marvel Studios have
most of their characters’ rights back, save for Spider-Man belonging to Sony,
with The X-Men and Fantastic Four belonging to 20<sup>th</sup> Century
Fox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Sony decided to cooperate
and share Spidey (it helped that those aforementioned Andrew Garfield films
bombed—I know, I said I wouldn’t get into that), so now there’s a deal in place
to share the character and split the wealth that comes with it.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Now, if only 20<sup>th</sup> Century Fox would smarten up and
follow suit…I’m sure they will soon.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Well, for now, let’s get into <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man: Homecoming</i></b>…</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b7V9bkbVfBg/WWU7kDk2zeI/AAAAAAAADQw/dIA3_I-Cg-wTbW5K-h_m2KQoXu7aS7xjQCLcBGAs/s1600/Spider-ManHomecomingHighSchool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1439" height="134" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b7V9bkbVfBg/WWU7kDk2zeI/AAAAAAAADQw/dIA3_I-Cg-wTbW5K-h_m2KQoXu7aS7xjQCLcBGAs/s320/Spider-ManHomecomingHighSchool.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, young Peter Parker
(Tom Holland) returns home to live with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) and resumes
life as a high schooler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under the
watchfull eye of mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.), Parker starts to
embrace his newfound identity as Spider-Man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As Peter tries to go back to his normal daily routine, he’s distracted
by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just a friendly neighborhood
superhero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, he must soon put his
powers to the test when the evil Vulture (Michael Keaton) emerges to threaten
everything that he holds dear.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">If you’ve been up-to-date with the Marvel series of movies, then
you’ve seen last year’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain America:
Civil War </i>which showcased the first time Spider-Man has been brought into
this cinematic world…and, boy, was it an entrance!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, coming into this, I’ve got to admit,
my expectations were a little low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
mean, come on, let’s face it…this is the second reboot of the character on
film, with the last crappy reboot still fresh in our minds (I know…I’m still
refraining…but it’s difficult), so it’s hard to think that any <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man</i> film can have any more tricks
up its sleeve to give us something fresh and exciting.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Before getting into the movie, let’s talk about the cast…</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F5-_8U190f0/WWU7jopasJI/AAAAAAAADQo/Q1JiaJBcRgQ6oAu778I0y9E9oBYQGvpjgCLcBGAs/s1600/002R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="630" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F5-_8U190f0/WWU7jopasJI/AAAAAAAADQo/Q1JiaJBcRgQ6oAu778I0y9E9oBYQGvpjgCLcBGAs/s320/002R.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">First up…Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man is the youngest
Spider-Man brought to life on screen at the suitable young age of 21.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In comparison, Nicholas Hammond was 27 when
he played the Wall Crawler in the 1977 television series, Tobey Maguire was
nearly 27 as well when he took the role in the 2002 film, and Andrew (ugh!)
Garfield was close to 29.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It definitely
helps here as Holland looks and sounds like he belongs in high school, not
having a five o’clock shadow certainly supports the illusion that we’re seeing
a young kid deal with the heavy burden of being a person endowed with super
powers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But his acting in this flick
comes across as how any of us would feel if we suddenly could flip and jump around,
crawling up walls and having the power to kick anybody’s ass…I think we’d feel
the same excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well…at least <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i> would.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQfCAJiVKgg/WWU7j1g4IsI/AAAAAAAADQs/1acFAEV1fH0nq9jDZ2vJjOE5eOr-C4MyACLcBGAs/s1600/003es.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQfCAJiVKgg/WWU7j1g4IsI/AAAAAAAADQs/1acFAEV1fH0nq9jDZ2vJjOE5eOr-C4MyACLcBGAs/s320/003es.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The baddie here, Michael Keaton as Adrian Toomes, aka The Vulture,
gives us a memorable performance as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At times, we see the comedian come out of him, but most of the time
Keaton plays this villain as a commanding head of a criminal organization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time, we can side with him as he
starts this story off as the boss of a legitimate clean-up crew who gets gipped
from making a pretty good payday for cleaning up the mess left behind after the
Battle of New York that took place during <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Avengers</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, Keaton—as Adrian
Toomes—plays his role as anybody seeking fairness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing him as the bad guy here in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man:
Homecoming</i></b>, I can’t help but to conjure up memories of Tim Burton’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Batman</i>; it’s very interesting to see
Keaton going from the heroic role to the villain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though, I think we all know he has the
capability to do so, as he’s played the bad guy here and there over the years—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pacific Heights</i>,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Desperate Measures</i>, and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
Robocop</i> are just a few that I can recall—so the choice to make him The
Vulture was good.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">As you may have seen in the trailers, Robert Downey, Jr. is here
as Tony Stark/Iron Man, playing the mentor to young Peter Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get just enough of Downey as to not make
this an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Iron Man</i> movie that features
Spider-Man, which calms the thoughts of many people who’d thought that this was
going to feature more than a cameo of the
billionaire-playboy-philanthropist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pretty much what you see in the trailers are all the scenes Robert
Downey, Jr. is on the screen and that’s a good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he’s the same witty and amusing tech
genius that really doesn’t want Peter to get too involved in the superhero
business, obviously protecting him and not wanting him to get hurt.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fIDz8rfkXec/WWU7kDBJnuI/AAAAAAAADQ0/Dz5L_qLgCKoPMsUWvnQ4BubX_wIatEv-gCLcBGAs/s1600/742448smhma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fIDz8rfkXec/WWU7kDBJnuI/AAAAAAAADQ0/Dz5L_qLgCKoPMsUWvnQ4BubX_wIatEv-gCLcBGAs/s320/742448smhma.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Marisa Tomei as Aunt May is definitely a new take on the
character, but it makes sense when you compare the ages of her character and
Peter Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In reality, it’d be
completely normal for a fifty-something year-old woman to have a 15-year-old
nephew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know all us Spider-Man comic
book fans would love to have the frail, old, grey-haired woman as Aunt May,
complete with hair tied up in a bun, but that would not be relatable…especially
between the two characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like what
they did here, casting Tomei in the role (which was already established in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain America: Civil War</i>), and I look
forward to seeing how her character evolves from this film.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The rest of the cast does well, with great chemistry between them
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some Easter Eggs and
surprises to take in—I may need to take in another viewing to see them all
myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t go over them because
it’ll just bog down this review, not to mention spoil some surprises along the
way.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">So…as I’d mentioned earlier, the bar was set with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man 2 </i>as what I consider the best
superhero movie—let alone, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man</i>
movie—ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man: Homecoming </i></b>beat
it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The quick answer is…no.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">But that’s not to say that this is a bad movie, no, on the
contrary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man: Homecoming </i></b>is
the perfect introduction for the character to enter the Marvel Cinematic
Universe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holland’s Peter Parker
definitely goes through an arc in the film, going from an anxious kid who’d
gotten a taste of superheroing with an awesome technological outfit, to an
adult-minded young man who understands what he has to do with his newfound
powers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">If anything, this is what endears the character to all who’ve
already seen him on the screen to everybody who’s coming into the character
brand new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To see Spider-Man as a
newbie, starting off as a bike-thief and car-jacker deterrent, but making
mistakes here and there, and going up against a real threat to prove himself
even after Stark takes away the tech suit…this all adds up to how valiant and
courageous this character has been throughout the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point during the film, I was kind of
thinking about how we weren’t seeing any real web-swinging, but during a
pivotal scene in Washington DC where Spider-Man has to scale the Washington Monument,
it’s made clear that Peter hasn’t really climbed that high as we see him get a
bit of acrophobia at the top of the monolith.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">No, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man 2 </i>still
has stood the test of time with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Avengers </i>coming close as toppling that film as the best superhero flick,
but <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man:
Homecoming </i></b>is just a different type of movie that is great in and of
itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look forward to where this is
going and how the character will grow within the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Avengers</i> films, in its sequel, and how he’ll crossover into other
Marvel productions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing the numbers
over this past weekend, I’m willing to bet that’s how everyone else felt as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope Sony realizes they have a
good thing here and doesn’t blow it.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">So…my final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man: Homecoming</i></b>?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IDo7DDtsFjM/WWU7lft9I1I/AAAAAAAADQ4/P9A3Qz7ZlykHSdSwpTzrenJINsBw3BoCgCLcBGAs/s1600/nws%252520spider%252520man%252520ferry.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1600" height="131" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IDo7DDtsFjM/WWU7lft9I1I/AAAAAAAADQ4/P9A3Qz7ZlykHSdSwpTzrenJINsBw3BoCgCLcBGAs/s320/nws%252520spider%252520man%252520ferry.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">If anything, this movie has a lot of heart, almost going to the
point where they try to make the character as great as he’d been in past films,
only to dial it back to show you how grounded he should be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s truly an origin story without having us
go through the rigmarole of seeing the spider bite and the uncle’s death, but
to see how Peter Parker deals with having these great powers as he lives a
normal high school life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom Holland
does a wonderful job as both Peter Parker and Spider-Man, giving us some
humorous moments as well as heroic ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s the perfect—official—introduction of the wallcrawler into the
Marvel lineup of films.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m definitely
looking forward to the ones that are coming up.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Just a heads-up and you probably would know this already, but
there is a mid-credits scene that’s fairly important to the film and where
it’ll go from here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, there’s an
after-credits scene where the joke is on us…not going to go any further than
that, but it’s funny…at the movie-goer’s expense.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Cinema Bits is on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-68221283556022601382017-01-17T09:59:00.003-08:002017-01-17T09:59:53.335-08:00Suicide Squad
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dd8itoKnaAo/WH5am-ibJaI/AAAAAAAADOI/AQW_ZkJ1CI0fdiMQhGVOFSKJDO4lYvSHwCLcB/s1600/d4a65bda5131bde968111034cce8f4f33537875d-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dd8itoKnaAo/WH5am-ibJaI/AAAAAAAADOI/AQW_ZkJ1CI0fdiMQhGVOFSKJDO4lYvSHwCLcB/s200/d4a65bda5131bde968111034cce8f4f33537875d-1.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You know, I’ve
never read—nor have I ever collected—the comic books from which this film is
adapted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Criticisms of the movie may have
to be given to the writers of the comic book rather than the writers of this
production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, to me, it’s up in
the air and whomever the blame may lie upon, you can decide for yourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do
</i>know is that this film takes place within the constructs of the DC cinematic
universe, not only of all the latest DC films but also the ones that will be
coming into fruition soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With that
said, I’d opted not to see this film when it was released in theaters this past
summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been on my personal watch
list, albeit not that high up where I’d really felt the need to see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was hot-and-cold on the news of the
production—I’d been excited to see Jared Leto’s own interpretation of The
Joker, but the description of the story and what it entailed seemed a little
lackluster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, the trailer showed us
that Ben Affleck’s Batman would be making some sort of cameo, but I figured
it’d be a very small part of the whole story (and I was right…spoiler alert),
but that wasn’t enough to convince me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore,
shortly after this film’s release, I’d made a conscious decision to wait for
its distribution onto home media, forgetting about it until I’d seen its
availability on Netflix a week ago.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even as it
appeared in my mailbox the other day, I had to push myself to pop it in the
machine to finally see this film and decide on whether I’d liked it or
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So…did
I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well…let me break down the synopsis
of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Suicide
Squad </i></b>first.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ai-MSgSqQLc/WH5anQ7FAOI/AAAAAAAADOY/pyngmXcLSLEEPtlBtBGDj_CRZgERBcANgCEw/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ai-MSgSqQLc/WH5anQ7FAOI/AAAAAAAADOY/pyngmXcLSLEEPtlBtBGDj_CRZgERBcANgCEw/s200/untitled.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A secret
government agency, run by Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), recruits some of the
most dangerous incarcerated super-villains—Deadshot (Will Smith), Harley Quinn
(Margot Robbie), Diablo (Jay Hernandez), Killer Croc (Adewale
Akinnuoye-Agbaje), Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney), and Slipknot (Adam
Beach)—led by Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) and with minor help from Katana (Karen
Fukuhara), to form a defensive task force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their first mission: save the world from the apocalypse caused by The
Enchantress (Cara Delevingne).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the
while, The Joker (Jared Leto) thwarts the group every step of the way.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One thing
that I’d wondered before seeing this, and while witnessing the first of a few
trailers that had been released, was how these villains were going to be put in
check and not run off when they were assembled for this group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing this movie the other night finally
answered that speculation and just provoked disappointment from me rather than
satisfying my inquisitorial thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seems that the writers, producers, comic book authors—whomever—couldn’t
think of a better way to solve this without ripping off the John Carpenter
classic, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Escape From New York</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, the answer was to inject tiny explosive
capsules into the necks of each villain—with an identical mechanical hypodermic
to boot—and threaten them with the assurance that they’d be killed if they
tried to cut and run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I literally shook
my head as this part of the film played out.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let me go
over this group of villains who are apparently needed to form this anti-hero
heroic group.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Deadshot
seems to be the main character of the group and his talent is that he’s a
really good shot with firearms, able to hit the same exact target with
micro-precision—we’re talking about hitting the same exact bullet hole over and
over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t have any super
abilities, like strength or senses, just the capability to shoot a gun
perfectly and accurately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deadshot does
appear to have some sort of military background, definitely has some sort of
combat experience, so he gets a pass on being needed for this team.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
requirement to have Harley Quinn as part of this group puzzled me throughout
the whole movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has no superpowers,
she’s insane, she’s tied to the recently escaped Joker who’s still on the
loose, so I don’t know why she’d be needed—let alone allowed—to be in this
team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Margot Robbie is definitely
included here as eye candy for prepubescent boys who’ll undoubtedly be gaga
over seeing her in this film, but it’s senseless to include her in this squad.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Diablo has
some cool pyrotechnic powers, but reserves them until later, citing his vow to
be peaceful and not to lose control due to him killing his wife and child a
while back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was really getting on my
nerves throughout the film when trouble would arise and he just stayed back,
not helping the situation. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And speaking
of keeping to the background without helping, Killer Croc does NOTHING except
follow the group around until—lo and behold—the soldiers need to swim through
the flooded sewers to get to the battle zone and he jumps in to show off his
super swimming skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, he fights
here and there, but so do the no-name soldiers you see in these quick-cut
scenes.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Captain
Boomerang seems wasted as well, not really doing anything throughout this
story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, he throws a few boomerangs,
even has a boomerang drone (think of the physics and logistics of how that
would work) that he uses to spy on the battle ahead, but besides a few
one-liners that fall flat (in fact, ALL the one-liners you hear in this flick
are not funny at all), Cap is wasted in this ensemble.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In charge of
this group of desperados is Rick Flag, the military leader who keeps the
villains in check with the threat of detonating the charges in their necks
(which he demonstrates on one of the rogues who has the shortest screen time in
superhero movie history).</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VP5ooClT2c8/WH5am7I1dFI/AAAAAAAADOM/RrYTMMSEhgU6P4o3KWNJpRqzyLcrLGEeQCEw/s1600/jokercar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VP5ooClT2c8/WH5am7I1dFI/AAAAAAAADOM/RrYTMMSEhgU6P4o3KWNJpRqzyLcrLGEeQCEw/s320/jokercar.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of all the
characters mentioned, there is not one ounce of chemistry seen between any of
them, making anything they say to one another seemed forced and unbelievable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some characters go from hating each other to
suddenly having a comradery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Case in
point, at the beginning of the film, Deadshot tells Flag a few times that he’s
going to kill him when he gets a chance, showing hatred and a determination in
his words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, shortly after, the men
are nearly sharing a bromance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really
didn’t feel anything for these villains, yet I felt the soldiers and the
government they’d worked for weren’t any better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When there are no characters you care for or
any heroes you can get behind, the movie usually falls flat…and that’s what
happened here with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Suicide Squad</i></b>…at times.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before
seeing this movie, I’d hoped my intuition would’ve been wrong and that it was
going to be better than I’d thought, but the film is just a rushed and thinly
plotted story that didn’t make sense at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For example, Amanda Waller’s reasoning to put this group together was to
thwart an attack of an evil entity of Superman’s ilk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meta-Humans like Enchantress made sense and
so did Diablo, maybe even Killer Croc, but all the other rogues were just
humans that wouldn’t stand a chance against something with Superman’s strength.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And wasn’t it a weird coincidence that
Waller was pushing for this RIGHT BEFORE the shit hit the fan?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The biggest puzzlement of all—for me at
least—was why Batman is nowhere to be seen when the shit goes down in this
movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After seeing the involvement of
Batman during some of the backstories, you’d think he’d be available to help
solve this problem that has put the city’s population in danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, no…I guess Batman’s on vacation.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JaVM94HMnHY/WH5anC4xreI/AAAAAAAADOQ/gh87gH2Sz14PAOlQOWylB3BR4f2NaCk9wCEw/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JaVM94HMnHY/WH5anC4xreI/AAAAAAAADOQ/gh87gH2Sz14PAOlQOWylB3BR4f2NaCk9wCEw/s200/maxresdefault.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, I
had such high hopes for Jared Leto’s Joker and looked forward to his inclusion
most of all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He definitely had some big
shoes to fill as Heath Ledger raised the bar so high on that character that I
really couldn’t see anybody ever playing the part again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But The Joker is Batman’s biggest villain and
he’d have to be included sooner or later, but Leto’s performance left me a bit
flat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, there were some cool
moments—making Alex Ross’s artwork come to life being one of them—but I can’t
really accept this tattooed punk-rock star with silver fronts as the new Joker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure Leto tried to veer away from
Ledger’s performance, but I couldn’t help hear the same vibes and accents in
the few scenes we see in this film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hopefully he’ll work out the kinks by the time we see him again, perhaps
in the standalone Batman movie.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So…may final
“bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Suicide Squad</i></b>???</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0rUYzkjlsQ/WH5anU06WDI/AAAAAAAADOU/5OZmfF_3m5YLN7UplUEULTnIzqr_5uRKACEw/s1600/suicide-squad-review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0rUYzkjlsQ/WH5anU06WDI/AAAAAAAADOU/5OZmfF_3m5YLN7UplUEULTnIzqr_5uRKACEw/s320/suicide-squad-review.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m sure on
paper this seemed like a good idea—good, not great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The acting throughout the production was nice
and made it feel like it was a comic book come-to-life, especially from Smith,
Robbie, and occasionally Courtney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
stylized way it was produced and directed gave us that feeling as well, but I
think all the effort was put into how this film was going to look rather than
getting a good story together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plot
was very thin and wasn’t a very good foundation to place this on top as it
seemed like the studio was banking on a huge blockbuster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Suicide Squad </i></b>had its moments, but
they were few and far between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
want to see Will Smith put on a cool costume and shoot guns or if you want to
see Margot Robbie walk around in a skimpy outfit as she carried a baseball bat
around or if you want to see a few cool special effects—both in CGI and
practical—then you might like this movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It definitely kept my interest, for I’d wanted to see how it was all
going to end, but it left me cold and I’m a little torn on whether I would
recommend this movie or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll leave
you with this: if you want a mindless movie to sit back and eat some popcorn,
maybe to keep on as background noise, this is the movie for you; if you want a
really engaging film with an intriguing plot, I’d skip it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s my
bonus “bit” to Warner Bros. and DC Comics…</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Warner Bros.
and DC: if you’re listening (or reading), you better do something about the
quality of these films in your so-called Cinematic Universe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Justice
League </i>doesn’t fair better, you’re going to have a mess on your hands…and
from what I’ve seen of that released footage, it’s not looking too good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Suicide Squad</i></b> reminds me of the
announcement from Sony a while back, saying they were going to release a
Sinister Six film—a film about Spider-Man’s villains grouping together for a
standalone movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were smart enough
not to do it, why weren’t you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just
seems you’re trying to keep up with—or even trying to overtake—what Marvel
Studios has already accomplished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forget
them…take your time and do this right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The more crap you put out, the fewer people you’ll get in the theater
seats when you release the following movies of this DC filmic world.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the rest
of you, thanks for reading!</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cinema Bits
is on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-82814377603817121952017-01-10T14:02:00.002-08:002017-01-10T14:02:27.969-08:00Blair Witch<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JvdDx7fDt4E/WHVZTpweKfI/AAAAAAAADNg/w6p_uCPWt6UiIoFIH-hWvJsbVRQvHdfaACLcB/s1600/FIN03_TheWoods_Tsr3_VF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JvdDx7fDt4E/WHVZTpweKfI/AAAAAAAADNg/w6p_uCPWt6UiIoFIH-hWvJsbVRQvHdfaACLcB/s200/FIN03_TheWoods_Tsr3_VF.jpg" width="129" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Towards the end of summer in 1999, a phenomenon hit theaters
that featured a very crafty experiment, which became a horror and science
fiction staple-subgenre of many movies to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The film I’m speaking of is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Blair Witch Project </i>and it brought forth the popularity of the found
footage category, becoming a press-stud of horror movies that continues to this
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, there are quite a few films
that predate it which used the same type of classification, like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cannibal Holocaust </i>or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Last Broadcast </i>(which was released a
year prior).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But 1999, by all
intentions, should be considered the manifestation of the found footage
subgenre.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, timing had a lot to do with the fame and reputation the
film had gained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1999, not everybody
had a computer or easy access to the internet, not to mention that it wasn’t as
expansive as it is today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The directors
of the film—Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez—used that to their advantage,
knowing that they could use it to blow up the film and get the word out by
creating a little fake backstory, getting the word out there that this was a
true story and the last remaining days and hours of these victims were captured
on film that had been recovered as featured in this movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people believed they were watching a
documented film, seeing a snuff flick, witnessing the demise of these three
kids…and it was brilliant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The film—made
for around $60,000—reaped nearly $250,000,000 in the box office!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recalling the release of this film, so many
people told me about how frightening it was and how these kids in the film were
real people that had gone missing…I admit, I’d believed the story and thought
it fascinating, so I was very excited to see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, days before going to see the film,
I’d heard it was fake…but it wasn’t a deterrent in the least.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All things considered, I’d hazard a guess to say that this
technique wouldn’t work today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too many
people have technology right at their fingertips…if it was tried today, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Blair Witch Project </i>wouldn’t
work...but that’s just a changing of the times…and, of course, my opinion.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One thing that had always bothered me is that the filmmakers
never tried to make a direct sequel to the 1999 film to follow up on the
made-up story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, a sequel was
released called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Book of Shadows: Blair
Witch 2</i>, but that story just dismissed the 1999 film as fiction, using the
movie-within-the-movie method; it wasn’t a good film, seemed pretty confusing
at times, and is very forgettable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now,
however, 18 years later, it was finally decided to make a direct sequel to that
first film…but before I get into it, let me break down the synopsis of…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blair
Witch</i></b>.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YcsGFN1rdtI/WHVZXl-N_0I/AAAAAAAADNk/Z2H8zAkpCVQdSAZejWJFx4rw2bi8jJz5gCLcB/s1600/973294_025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YcsGFN1rdtI/WHVZXl-N_0I/AAAAAAAADNk/Z2H8zAkpCVQdSAZejWJFx4rw2bi8jJz5gCLcB/s200/973294_025.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After discovering a video showing what he believes to be his
vanished sister Heather, James (James Allen McCune ) and a group of
friends—Lisa (Callie Hernandez), Ashley (Corbin Reid), and Peter (Brandon
Scott)—head to the forest near the town of Burkittsville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way there, they stop to see the guy
who had found the video to get directions to the whereabouts of where he had
discovered it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the local named Lane
(Wes Robinson), gives the condition that he and his girlfriend, Talia (Valorie
Curry), must go with them or he won’t give the location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James agrees and the group soon finds out
about the ominous legend of the Blair Witch.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Written by Simon Barrett and directed by Adam Wingard (both
of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">VHS</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You’re Next</i> fame), they brought forth a more frightening film than
we’d seen in the original.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, the only
reason this film can be considered a sequel is because of the reason the group
of kids decide to go into the woods—to find his sister Heather, one of the three
kids from the original movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
it…that’s the only tie to the first film.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TGcdlAxJc4I/WHVZXkrnFfI/AAAAAAAADNo/GOsMY6Hdu4oSo4EPyEbBE1qS-o8n-EpNgCLcB/s1600/Blair-Witch-poster-2-600x447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TGcdlAxJc4I/WHVZXkrnFfI/AAAAAAAADNo/GOsMY6Hdu4oSo4EPyEbBE1qS-o8n-EpNgCLcB/s200/Blair-Witch-poster-2-600x447.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, I’d read that one difference this film has from the
original is that it’s totally scripted, meaning the words written on page are
what we’re getting from the actors in this flick, and it shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The original had quite a bit of realism and
that’s because the directors basically told the three kids to go into the woods
and improvise their discussions, debates, and dialogues (sorry for the
alliteration) with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
left to their devices at hand while the directors set up situations ahead of
time for which the actors would react.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here, in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blair Witch</i></b>, you can tell the dialogue was written ahead of
time and it really feels like you’re watching a made up movie in
comparison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, the surplus of
battery power is emphasized quite a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even my wife—who doesn’t enjoy horror movies and usually reads a book
off to the side when I’m watching one—caught that bit of dialogue in this film
and called it out right away.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To show off how ahead the world has gotten in technology,
the devices used in this new film are way more advanced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of just a camcorder and camera with
film, each friend has a small camera fitted to the side of their heads much
like Blue Toothes, they have multiple memory cards to continuously switch them
out, and they also have a drone that can hover around to help them get a sense
of their direction within the woods.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What’s different about this film compared to its
predecessor?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some nice special
effects that maybe take up a few frames of film here and there with some ideas
that have a creep factor of ten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will
you get to see a witch this time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think so…you get to see something, but it’s so quick and shaky that you really
don’t know what you’re seeing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
it may have been explored in the first film, but in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blair Witch</i></b> time is
messed with and it definitely conveys a sense of hopelessness for the
characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It even goes as far as dividing
some of them, giving some a sense of minutes passing, with others having weeks
passing—I thought that was well done.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What’s the same?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just
about everything else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, you have
a group of kids going into the woods and documenting everything with video,
they get lost and go in circles, they’re being terrorized by some unseen force,
and they end up exactly the same way as the kids in the original film…in the
same place and in the same manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would’ve liked some resolution or maybe see the kids get the upper hand on the
witch or at least a bit of fight…not the exact same outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt it was a bit of a cheat.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HG1ajCpyteg/WHVZX1ZPA8I/AAAAAAAADNs/i8ilkzsMGek8ikVZ-9jbfgOn_GWb9ns2QCLcB/s1600/blairwitch_hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HG1ajCpyteg/WHVZX1ZPA8I/AAAAAAAADNs/i8ilkzsMGek8ikVZ-9jbfgOn_GWb9ns2QCLcB/s200/blairwitch_hand.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If there’s anything that was left with me after viewing this
was one plot thread that really never amounted to anything and that was when
one of the girls, Ashley, had gotten a big gash on the bottom of her foot when
they had to remove their shoes and socks to cross a creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After it was bandaged up and the girl regained
the ability to keep moving, later we see that she’s wracked with pain every few
steps and we hear the sound of some strange crack or something when she uses
that foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Late in the film, we see the
boyfriend unwrapping the foot to check it out and sees it’s clearly
infected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But a quick shot of this shows
the wound twitching like there’s some sort of animation going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The implication is that the witch had
something to do with it, that the girl is becoming infected with some sort of
paranormal disease, even seeming like she’s turning into a zombie or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it all goes nowhere and her demise
has nothing to do with the foot’s ailment…in fact, she seems to regain a bit of
energy later in the film as she’s able to run and climb a tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nonetheless, this whole plot point went
nowhere and left me confused.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyway…my final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blair Witch</i></b>?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0SdP9EwviU4/WHVZY0xV7rI/AAAAAAAADNw/fK_shGibPM8lJbwr7PVrczRFXC1jHtr9wCLcB/s1600/Screen-Shot-2016-07-23-at-12_34_12-PM-1024x550.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0SdP9EwviU4/WHVZY0xV7rI/AAAAAAAADNw/fK_shGibPM8lJbwr7PVrczRFXC1jHtr9wCLcB/s320/Screen-Shot-2016-07-23-at-12_34_12-PM-1024x550.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a standalone movie, the story is frightening and well
done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The actors and actresses (just a
small ensemble of six characters) perform their parts well, giving us a sense
of believability even though their dialogue is obviously formulated ahead of
time, but the bottom line is that they’re all likable and you’ll end up caring
what happens to all of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For all
intents and purposes, this is a remake of the original film, made a bit better
and obviously with a slightly bigger budget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The new viewers—who’ve never seen the original or who’d thought it was
boring—will enjoy this flick; the fans of the original will see it for what it
is—a complete reboot of the franchise that’s giving us the same situation and
the same (spoiler alert) outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But…it’s still entertaining, will give you some good scares, and it’ll
definitely make you think twice about camping out in the woods…again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recommend it.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-2227185375338893892016-12-20T11:30:00.003-08:002016-12-26T02:32:48.967-08:00Rogue One: A Star Wars Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tRfZJpkTzZc/WFmGac7mO_I/AAAAAAAADMw/XNPOgeUIiYAUfekQQ6plLTY4rclP8b2kQCLcB/s1600/rogueone_onesheeta_1000_309ed8f6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tRfZJpkTzZc/WFmGac7mO_I/AAAAAAAADMw/XNPOgeUIiYAUfekQQ6plLTY4rclP8b2kQCLcB/s320/rogueone_onesheeta_1000_309ed8f6.jpg" width="216"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s been a
year and true to Disney’s word, we’d gotten our first taste of a movie-a-year
after <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Force Awakens</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their claim to release a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars </i>movie each and every year into the foreseeable future has
really started this year with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rogue One: A Star Wars Story </i></b>and I
really can’t wait to get into what I had witnessed this past weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br>
<br><br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, I had
been excited before and while watching <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Force Awakens </i>last year, wanting so badly to see what has transpired in the
time since we’d seen our favorite characters in the original <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars </i>trilogy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although there were many characters
introduced into this continuing cinematic universe, we were still able to catch
up with our favorites interspersed throughout that story and that’s what made
that movie special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, the special
effects were so much better and not overbearing as how they had been in the
prequels of Episodes I, II, and III.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
really hadn’t thought that any of these one-offs I’d heard about would do any
better or would interest me, but I knew I’d see them nevertheless.</span></div>
<br><br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When word
had gotten around about the story of how the group of Rebels was able to steal
the Death Star plans and deliver them to Princess Leia, basically the one or
two sentences from the opening crawl of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star
Wars: A New Hope</i>, I thought it was genius!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what they should
do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell the stories of what is
mentioned in these opening crawls!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right
away, I knew they had a hit on their hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If done right, and without George Lucas’s need to overbear the
audience’s senses with hordes and hordes of special effects, this film could be
a great intro to the original 1977 film!</span></div>
<br><br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Were they
able to accomplish that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well…let’s get
into it with a plot breakdown…</span></div>
<br><br>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F-19vG4w0nA/WFmGaCrvizI/AAAAAAAADMk/rKb1K4n23SoKw-Cye07QrTEgsmiC4W-iACLcB/s1600/rogue-one-25_nocrop_w529_h233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F-19vG4w0nA/WFmGaCrvizI/AAAAAAAADMk/rKb1K4n23SoKw-Cye07QrTEgsmiC4W-iACLcB/s320/rogue-one-25_nocrop_w529_h233.jpg" width="320"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A defected
Imperial scientist, Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen), is brought back to The Empire after being in hiding to help engineer a weaponized space station
called the Death Star—an intergalactic armament powerful enough to destroy a
planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imperial death troopers led by
Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn), force Galen to come back after his wife, Lyra
(Valene Kane) is killed by them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
Galen’s daughter, Jyn (Beau Gadsdon), hiding, then left to be raised by Saw
Gerrera (Forest Whitaker), he ends up with The Empire and is forced to work
on their dreaded weapon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Years later,
with the help of an adult Jyn (Felicity Jones), a rogue team from the Rebel
Alliance—Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) with his reprogrammed Imperial droid, K-2SO
(voiced by Alan Tudyk), the blind combatant Chirrut Îmwe (Donnie Yen) and his
comrade Baze Malbus (Wen Jiang), along with others—fight to find and steal the
plans for the Death Star, setting up the epic saga to follow.</span></div>
<br><br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Right from
the start, I’ve heard and read mixed reviews about this story, although most of
them have been positive, and I’ll say that this review will be on the upper end
of the positive spectrum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What director
Gareth Edwards did here was brilliant and meticulously done, giving us something
on the level of the original trilogy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rogue One </i></b>was not designed to gel seamlessly with the other
movies much like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Force Awakens </i>had
done, but something Edwards can boast as creating something very
standalone-ish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f696rq-Oydg/WFmGZmH3htI/AAAAAAAADMc/ZXnclhRwCysel1VPhdaK2gBHYlmYhSTdwCLcB/s1600/NExRW92MOzqBBB_1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f696rq-Oydg/WFmGZmH3htI/AAAAAAAADMc/ZXnclhRwCysel1VPhdaK2gBHYlmYhSTdwCLcB/s320/NExRW92MOzqBBB_1_b.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What was
different than your typical <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars</i>
movie?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, just like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Force Awakens </i>you’ll notice that
there is no 20<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Century Fox fanfare that plays and shows before we
see the text, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” but that’s just
because of the ownership switching from that studio to Disney Studios.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, that wasn’t very noticeable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was very obvious here was that after
that text shows up, we don’t hear the John Williams score we’re so used to
hearing in the beginning of every episodic film we’ve seen so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rogue One</i></b>, we go from that simple
blue text into the movie—no trumpet-blasting heroic music, not even an opening
crawl to explain what has happened since Episode III.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since John Williams was not involved with
this film, it’s understandable and I can commend Edwards and the actual
composer of this film, Michael Giacchino, for going against the predictable way
of just reusing the themes from Williams (although there are a few cues here
and there) and composing his own motifs throughout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music is very fitting and exciting at times;
I can almost say that I’m glad they decided to go with a different composer on
this film.</span></div>
<br><br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Force Awakens</i>, the one complaint I’d
heard many people make was that the story was just a retread of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A New Hope</i> and I can see the points that
some people had made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can also side
with J.J. Abrams on how they’d played it safe to get the franchise back on
track, having faith that they’ll give us something great when they continue the
saga with Episode VIII.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, however,
the story is very original (although already given to us in a few lines of text
in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A New Hope</i>’s opening crawl) and
energetic, giving us a story we can follow along and see where it’s going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re a big <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars </i>fan, you may be able to guess how it’ll all end, but it’s
epically told and brings you to the edge of your seat, wondering how it’ll all
come together.</span></div>
<br><br>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IkSD1cDB-8g/WFmGZfLv1QI/AAAAAAAADMY/25rWaOZhrTI7PHt51w-kxJOQp9qL3zyiQCLcB/s1600/Brody-Star-Wars-Rogue-One-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IkSD1cDB-8g/WFmGZfLv1QI/AAAAAAAADMY/25rWaOZhrTI7PHt51w-kxJOQp9qL3zyiQCLcB/s320/Brody-Star-Wars-Rogue-One-1200.jpg" width="320"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you may
have heard, you’re going to see a lot of very familiar faces—some blended into
the story perfectly, one or two forced in just for the nostalgia—and that’s
what makes this a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars</i> movie and
one that sets a feeling of familiarity once it starts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the Episode I through III trilogy
had familiar characters that were known in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars </i>canon, it was set a bit too far back in time, leaving you
guessing if the characters you were seeing were actually the ones you were
familiar with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rogue One</i></b>, you know who
you were seeing, whether you knew the names or not, because this story
literally takes place right before <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A New
Hope</i> and characters you see here will be the exact same ones you’ll see in
the 1977 film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of them—or one in
particular—was brought in painstakingly and it works so well (not going to
spoil it).</span></div>
<br><br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let’s be
honest, the acting in this film will not gain any attention from the Academy,
but it’s all believable enough that you’ll really feel like you’re going
through the turmoil they’re all facing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’ll feel their adventure as they travel throughout these different
worlds and be pleased or saddened by what ensues in their journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Identifying with their characters felt
straightforward because each one has their own persona and identities, both in
their ways and their looks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main
group of our heroes is very diverse and it helps us recognize them when they’re
on screen. </span></div>
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-la9JoOtCdiM/WFmGaPdOikI/AAAAAAAADMo/d2xtbCIYxO0bpfVqehl3iApQ8GjK9MftQCLcB/s1600/rogue-one-a-star-wars-story-donnie-yen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-la9JoOtCdiM/WFmGaPdOikI/AAAAAAAADMo/d2xtbCIYxO0bpfVqehl3iApQ8GjK9MftQCLcB/s200/rogue-one-a-star-wars-story-donnie-yen.jpg" width="200"></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here, in
this film and out of all the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars </i>films,
you’ll see the most realistic action out of all the films in the cinematic
franchise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike the other films, where
there are some storm troopers that get shot up quickly and the heroes move on,
the battles here take time but are action-filled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You really get a sense that the heroes are
having a hard time with their quest and you may even feel some doubt that they’re
going to succeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the first time,
you really get a true sense of the Death Star’s power, up close and personal,
seeing it from the victims’ perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead of seeing the space station sending a large laser blast to blow
up a planet, you actually see what everyone on the planet is seeing or even an
overhead close-up of the destruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All in all, this film may be a little more violent with a lot of lives
lost and devastation seen all around.</span></div>
<br><br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t help
but go over this as a big <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star Wars</i>
fan, but I can see how this would play out to the casual viewer if they watch <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rogue
One</i></b> as a standalone movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
definitely can work that way as well as a way to introduce anyone who hasn’t
seen the original trilogy (though, I can’t believe no one has ever seen
them).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br><br>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nO9GyP-CXuk/WFmGaVd_t2I/AAAAAAAADMs/sUH2_fY7S_wbaodxEzZQnohdqmcS6Y86ACLcB/s1600/an1-ff-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nO9GyP-CXuk/WFmGaVd_t2I/AAAAAAAADMs/sUH2_fY7S_wbaodxEzZQnohdqmcS6Y86ACLcB/s320/an1-ff-001.jpg" width="320"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, I’d
mentioned a bit about what we see with the Death Star’s capability for
destruction, but that’s not where the awesome visuals stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All throughout this film, you’re going to see
giant spectacles, great use of motion capture technology (Tudyk’s K-2SO was
magnificent) , X-wing and tie-fighter battles like never before…there is so
much digital eye candy in this film, you’ll have to see it a second time just
to take it all in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re also introduced
to a few new worlds, as well as some familiar ones, and it’s just a great sight
to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where George Lucas
failed—forcing in the obvious CGI-laden worlds that ended up looking so
distracting—Disney, with the help of Gareth Edwards, prevailed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br><br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One
semi-spoiler—but if you’ve seen the trailers, you’re aware of this already—is
that the inclusion of Darth Vader was amazing and really made up for his weak
appearance in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Revenge of the Sith</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, he’s evil here…bad ass and scary, making
you fear for the fate of anyone who goes up against him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br><br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can go on
and on about this film, but let me just give you my final “bit” on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rogue
One: A Star Wars Story</i></b>.</span></div>
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ko4t8Gxy_lE/WFmGZjqstUI/AAAAAAAADMg/btNrmYAXen0zLi_l5W2UPXyJisnehCAHgCLcB/s1600/Rogue-One-trailer-2-Darth-Vader-e1476365391788-1024x466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ko4t8Gxy_lE/WFmGZjqstUI/AAAAAAAADMg/btNrmYAXen0zLi_l5W2UPXyJisnehCAHgCLcB/s320/Rogue-One-trailer-2-Darth-Vader-e1476365391788-1024x466.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a preface
to my whole opinion—it is a must for you to watch this film before viewing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A New Hope</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After watching this film, I believe the
episodes should be renumbered—this movie being Episode IV, A New Hope as V,
Empire Strikes Back as VI, Return of the Jedi as VII and The Force Awakens as
Episode VIII…that’s how well <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rogue One </i></b>fits into the whole
series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the characters are likable
and create such great chemistry together; it’s hard to believe, especially
seeing as how they don’t have much time in the story to connect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overall, I was amazed and enthralled, and I
can’t wait to see this again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I highly
recommend that you all see this, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Star
Wars</i> fan or not.</span></div>
<br><br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks for
reading!</span></div>
<br><br>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cinema Bits
is on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4825229250308964843.post-7521745391734997632016-12-19T10:01:00.001-08:002016-12-19T10:01:19.855-08:00Coming Attractions of 2017
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NNsQdJKy5Qk/WFgd-5_UuTI/AAAAAAAADJ4/DxQk1qCt2ycuiwkKQFbWB-77B6Hv6t4eQCLcB/s1600/Coming%2BAttractions_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NNsQdJKy5Qk/WFgd-5_UuTI/AAAAAAAADJ4/DxQk1qCt2ycuiwkKQFbWB-77B6Hv6t4eQCLcB/s200/Coming%2BAttractions_0.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Coming
Attractions of 2017</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">As we near the end of 2016, per tradition, I
usually check out the exquisite internet web site of IMDb.com to peruse the
upcoming films that are slated for the forthcoming year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, going down the list, I’d noticed that
we’ve got some exciting titles that have many people chomping at the bit,
others that I personally want to see, and further films that will leave you
impartial in your feelings.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">To clarify, some of these movies on the list
are surprising to me and leave me doubtful that they’re actually going to be
released on the date listed, just for the fact that we haven’t seen a trailer
or any news regarding its production or release.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’ll make sure to indicate those films
when I get to them.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">So without further ado, let’s get right into
this long list.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E2OuUvWDRjk/WFgeA8aWZcI/AAAAAAAADKQ/Eyh-zkVxXeo0vZ8dG90sXwNXs_igHYFdQCEw/s1600/RES%2BEVIL%2BFINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E2OuUvWDRjk/WFgeA8aWZcI/AAAAAAAADKQ/Eyh-zkVxXeo0vZ8dG90sXwNXs_igHYFdQCEw/s200/RES%2BEVIL%2BFINAL.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">1.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Resident Evil: The Final Chapter </i>(Release
date: 01/27/2017)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Now, this franchise has seemed to be an
unrelenting series of films and I don’t know if I can take the title of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Resident
Evil: The Final Chapter</i></b> seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Is it going to be just like the earlier <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Friday the 13<sup>th</sup> </i>franchise or the more recent <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saw </i>series, where they announce a
finality only to continue at a later date?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Time will tell, but I’ll tell you right here and now that I’ll probably
skip this one and wait for it to show up on DVD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really haven’t been impressed with any of
the sequels that followed the excellent first film and I think this will just
fall in line with what we’ve seen already.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">2. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rings</i> (Release date: 02/03/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">I still can’t get the bad taste out of my
mouth that had been the sequel to the original <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Ring </i>movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That film
should’ve been the death of the franchise, yet here we are a few months away
from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rings</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A reboot…? Sequel…?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prequel…?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The trailer didn’t thrill me, the idea isn’t exciting, and I really have
no desire to see this when it arrives in theaters come February of 2017.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we’ll see…maybe it’ll reap some rave
reviews and I’ll give it a looksee.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">3.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> John Wick: Chapter 2</i> (Release date:
02/10/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Okay, so here we are with the first film on
this list that I’m excited to see—<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">John Wick: Chapter 2</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">John
Wick </i>was a pretty impressive movie that through me for a loop, due to the
title and the star of the film not rousing any interest from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After seeing it on home media, I’d really
wished I had witnessed this in a movie theater with loud sounds and a huge
screen to catch all the action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
looking forward to seeing Keanu Reeves kick some ass in this next chapter.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">4. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logan</i> (03/03/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Well, this is going to be a record set where I
don’t think any other actor will break any time soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hugh Jackman will play the character of
Wolverine for a ninth and final time (so he says—but I’m thinking he’d love to
go toe-to-toe with Deadpool if asked to do so).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A lot of comic book geeks (such as myself) were waiting for a Wolverine
film such as this one—an R-rated no-holds-barred depiction of the comic book
character based on a successful comic book run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If done right, this could be Jackman’s swan song of the Wolverine
character, having him go out perfectly and retiring him for good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trailer shown and the production photos
posted by the director (James Mangold) are great works of art…let’s hope the film
will be as awesome as it’s boasted to become.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">5. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kong: Skull Island</i> (03/10/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Continuing the rebooting trend we’ve been
witnessing for years, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kong: Skull Island </i></b>is just around
the corner and is another film I’m patiently waiting for its release.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple of years back it was announced that
we are going to see the pitting of two monumental monsters on screen—Godzilla
and King Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the success of
2014’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Godzilla</i>, proclamation of a
versus-type film came to be and it was exciting at first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then many fans began asking the question
whether this would be a fair fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Godzilla, in the 2014 American film, is approximately 350 feet tall; the
last depiction of King Kong had him at around 50 feet tall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing that was going to be problematic for
the upcoming versus film, this film was made to show him as a taller—yet still
smaller than Godzilla—incarnation of the King Kong legend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trailer, to me, seems like a modern
telling of the story, much like the 1976 film, but I think we’re going to get
something pretty terrific here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
stoked for this one. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">6. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2</i>
(05/05/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The surprise hit of all the Marvel Studios
movies was one that I hadn’t thought much about until I finally saw it in
2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t familiar with the source
material and had thought it was a weird choice to continue on with the universe
that had been going on with the run of superhero movies that led to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Avengers</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone knew what they were doing—maybe Joss
Whedon displaying some of his pull with the studio execs—but that movie was a
major hit and I’d agreed wholeheartedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m looking forward to seeing what other adventures these misfits find
themselves in and how it might fit into the whole string of films we’ve seen so
far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2</i></b>
is looking to be a big hit for the blockbuster season of 2017.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">7. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alien: Covenant</i> (05/19/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Though I wasn’t too thrilled with 2012’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prometheus</i>, I’ll give the sequel, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alien:
Covenant</i></b>, a chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whereas <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prometheus </i>seemed to be a standalone
movie by Ridley Scott (up until the end anyway), the sequel looks to welcome
the tie into the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alien </i>world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m very curious to see what had happened
after the events of the last movie and where it goes from here.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">8. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wonder Woman</i> (06/02/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Let’s be honest, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice </i>was sort of a disappointment,
right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the hype that we’d heard and
seen from Zack Snyder—the leaked photos especially—made all the fanboys drool
in anticipation only for it to be sort of a downer (with or without the
extended edition cut of the film).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
there <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">were </i>some winning aspects of
the film—two to be exact—and that was Ben Affleck’s portrayal of Bruce
Wayne/Batman and the inclusion of Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She seemed to have a lot of fun with the
character and it was nice to see the character finally making it to the big
screen, but it’ll be even better to see her in the standalone film, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wonder
Woman</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just wondering if
anyone will refer to her by that moniker.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">9. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Mummy</i> (06/09/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">As I write this, the world has already been
treated to a teaser trailer of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Mummy </i></b>just a couple of weeks
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t help but think of how the
last franchise went, sadly ending with the terrible <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor</i>, so seeing another film being
made doesn’t really float my boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
with the presence of Tom Cruise in this film, I don’t think it helps much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trailer actually feels more like a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mission: Impossible </i>film than a classic
horror remake, with Cruise inexplicitly surviving a plane crash waking up in a
morgue…weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Cruise usually can’t
do wrong in the parts that he chooses to play, so I’ll probably take a chance
on this.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">10. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">World War Z 2</i> (06/09/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Now we haven’t heard much about this film and,
at this point, I’m not sure if this is a solid date for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">World War Z 2</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No doubt, they’re going to make this film as
the first one was quite successful and left open for a sequel (as most zombie
films are apt to do), but I’m just a little leery as to the date posted in IMDb.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With only Brad Pitt listed in the cast and
seeing that there hasn’t been a teaser trailer or production news posted about
this film, I’m thinking we’re going to be waiting a little longer for this
sequel.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">11. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man: Homecoming</i> (07/07/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Without hesitation, I can say that this is the
film I’m most pumped about!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a
lifelong fan of all things Spidey, I’ll always slap down my money to see a
live-action movie based on my favorite comic book hero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I’d hated the two Andrew Garfield
turns as the wall crawler, Sony made things right by making a deal with Marvel
Studios to share the character in upcoming films.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, the trailer for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider-Man: Homecoming</i></b>
was pretty cool, giving us some awesome moments and heroic imagery, but it doesn’t
give too much detail on what the plot is going to be about—but that’s okay, I
want to have some surprises given to me when I go see this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Already teasing that they’re going to be
doing some special tweaks to the character (the webbing that attaches from his
arms to his sides), I’m just hoping we’ll get an entertaining film this summer.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">12. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">War for the Planet of the Apes</i>
(07/14/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">I’ve always been somewhat of a fan of the
whole <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Planet of the Apes </i>franchise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the first film—even as it’s reaching
50 years old—as well as its sequels, and even enjoyed the critically panned Tim
Burton film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had my doubts when they’d
announced (sometime in ’08 or ’09) that they were going to start up the
franchise again but would only be using CGI apes rendered with motion capture
technology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the final product
in 2011 that was given to us was superb, the sequel released in 2014 was
exciting, and now I’m looking forward to the continuation of the series with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">War
for the Planet of the Apes</i></b>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
trailer, just released not long ago, shows us just enough to get excited and
the ape rendering is even more detailed than before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This film is definitely on the top of my list
of films I am going to see in 2017.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">13. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dark Tower</i> (07/28/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Since high school, I have been an avid reader
of Stephen King books, buying every paperback and hardcover I can get my hands
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even before that, I’d been aware
of—and had seen—many films based on King’s works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Myself, I have a large collection of films
adapted from his books on DVD and Blu-Ray and will always watch anything new in
theaters, television, or straight-to-home-media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One journey I had taken a few years ago was
reading “The Dark Tower” series of books which had five books published when I
started and had two more published while I was into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There has been an eighth book published since
then and I’ve yet to crack open that one…but I will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve always thought the story would be tough to
get on screen as a movie since it’s such a long story, but it looks like it’s
going to finally happen next summer with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dark Tower</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the interesting casting choice of Idris
Elba to play “The Gunslinger” and Matthew McConaughey as “The Man in Black,”
I’ll be right there ready to take that journey all over again.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">14. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Annabelle 2</i> (08/11/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">All these haunted horror movies that seem to
blend all into each other (this film with the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Insidious </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Conjuring </i>franchises)
don’t really thrill me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me
wrong, there are some entertainment value to them and a few scares here and
there, but for the most part…eh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d
just finished <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Conjuring 2 </i>a few
weeks ago and it left me blank, not really moving me or scaring me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually a movie based on true events might
freak me out a bit, but from what I’d read about the real story, sounds like it
was a proven hoax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hollywood, however,
will film it anyway, adding crazy special effects and insane situations that’ll
earn the film some high ratings and garner quite a bankroll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it’s no surprise that we’re getting the
sequel, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Annabelle 2</i></b>, next August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Though I probably won’t see this in theaters, I’m sure this film will
bring in the teens to see it to try and get a good fright.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">15. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It</i> (09/08/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The other Stephen King adaptation is actually
a remake of sorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the original film
being a 1990 TV movie that cut back on gore and violence, only leaving it
implied as the film cut away from it, was still a creepy showing that earned
Tim Curry horror movie fame as Pennywise the Clown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new reboot, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It</i></b>, is looking good
however, already posting the first image of the new Pennywise as a gangly
creepy clown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though we’ve yet to see a
trailer as I write this, the movie’s already looking to be scary…man, I hope
so.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JmBIFtWsn1U/WFgeBIqRk5I/AAAAAAAADKY/NonbnUidSEM0jbzd9XdtQc8iSbXYdIhoACEw/s1600/friday_the_13th.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JmBIFtWsn1U/WFgeBIqRk5I/AAAAAAAADKY/NonbnUidSEM0jbzd9XdtQc8iSbXYdIhoACEw/s200/friday_the_13th.png" width="135" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">16. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Friday the 13<sup>th</sup></i> (10/13/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">I can easily say that the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Friday the 13<sup>th</sup></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>franchise is my favorite horror movie
series of films.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the commencement of
every summer season, I watch every single film in the series as a way to
celebrate the warming weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing as
that the films take place around a summer camp or vacation spot, I find they’re
the perfect films to watch on a warm night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So here they are again, looking to reboot the franchise once more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m hoping they get it right…even if they
don’t, I’ll be right there trying to enjoy it.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">17. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Insidious: Chapter 4</i> (10/20/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">I won’t say much about the release of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Insidious:
Chapter 4</i></b> except to say that my views of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Annabelle 2 </i>are just about the same as this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first, second and third one didn’t do
anything for me so I don’t see myself heading out to the theater for this
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually I’ll see it…but in the
comfort of my own home.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">18. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saw: Legacy</i> (10/27/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Well, this is not surprising at all…the only
thing surprising about <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saw: Legacy </i></b>is that it took this
long to get right back into another movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If horror movie history has taught us anything is that any movie that
has “the final chapter” in the title will definitely continue in sequels sooner
or later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard to believe that
nearly seven years have passed since we’ve seen a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saw </i>film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not much has been
said about this upcoming flick—no plot synopsis, no confirmed cast list, no
poster art…nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But guess what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll venture out for this one…I’m sure
there’s more story to tell.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">19. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thor: Ragnarok</i> (11/03/2017)</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Thor: Ragnarok </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">is a movie I’m exciting about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But…I’ll admit I wasn’t thrilled with the two
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thor </i>films we’d gotten before this
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not a fan of the mythical
aspect of the character and his world, nor had I been a collector of the comic books
that the franchise is based upon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
one aspect of this upcoming movie is the fact that it’s going to be a team-up
of Thor and Hulk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To add to that, there
may be some elements of “Planet Hulk” within this film, so that’s an exciting
possibility if you’re a comic book geek like me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, this is a big one, folks, so make sure
you’re all caught up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe before going out to see
this one.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">20. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Justice League</i> (11/17/2017)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Finally, we have <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Justice League </i></b>slated to
be released in mid-November.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though an
official trailer hasn’t been released, from what I see—only a small sizzle reel
that was put together for the San Diego Comic Con—I’m not impressed with
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ben Affleck’s interaction with Jason
Mamoa seems dumb, even the little jokey scenes with Gal Gadot seems forced, the
only saving grace is the part we see when Affleck’s character of Bruce Wayne
meets Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of it, however, seems silly and I’ll have
to reserve my judgment to when I finally see the finished product on
screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m not impressed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Well, that’s the twenty upcoming films of 2017
I’ve decided to comment and give my views on, based on their trailers and/or
hype.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I'm sure there are some I'd missed, namely the newest trailer for <strong><em>Bladerunner 2049 </em></strong>which looks pretty awesome. </span>I’ll be sure to return here to
give my views when I finally see the official releases in theaters or on home
media.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Cinema Bits is on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cinemabits" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span></div>
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