Captain America: Civil War Review (No Spoilers)

Love it or hate it, we are in a comic book movie Renaissance. Four decades ago, we had to wait at least five years for a major comic book movie, and even longer for a good one.

The comic book genre has come a long way since it was first launched with Richard Donner's Superman in 1978. There have been all kinds of comic book movies. They can be exciting and blood pumping (The Avengers), they can be dark and edgy (The Dark Knight), they can be quirky and different (Deadpool, Guardians of the Galaxy), they can be grand and epic, and sometimes they can be small and simple (Ant-Man).

Sure, we have our occasional Green Lantern or Fantastic Four. And movies like Batman v Superman can be very divisive. But there is no denying that when the genre excels, it excels.

Right now, when it comes to comic book movies, the studio that is the undisputed king right now is none other than Marvel Studios. And with their latest outing, Captain America: Civil War, they have only solidified their reign.

I had the privilege of seeing an early screening of Captain America: Civil War last night. And let me tell you, it is probably the best film that Marvel has ever made. Yes, I am including The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, and maybe even Captain America: The Winter Soldier (but just by a TINY margin)!

I do not know where to start with this one! It is a really long movie, at 2 hours and 27 minutes. But I was not bored for a second! The script might just be the best one Marvel has produced yet!

I will not go too much into detail, because the bless you know the better. If you have seen the trailers, you know that the Avengers have been split in two. One side is led by Tony Stark (played by the irreplaceable Robert Downy Jr.) which favors government interference with the Avengers, and the other side led by Captain America (the irreplaceable Chris Evans) which believes the Avengers should be independent.

This is not only the perfect superhero movie for right now. It might just be the perfect movie for right now, period. With the election just a few months away, our country has arguably never been more divided. There is so much fear and paranoia among the American people right now. The scene where they show all the damage the Avengers have caused while saving the world hits very close to home with what is happening in our world right now.

If there is one thing Marvel is known for, it's picking the right actors and actresses for their characters. And Civil War is no exception.

Just like Robert Downy Jr., Chris Evans has established himself as the only actor who can play Captain America. He takes a character who at first seems one dimensional, but gives hims depth and warmth. Captain America is told to cooperate with the new law, but he believes it is wrong. He has his values, and sticks to them. Even when his peers are against him. This is probably the best Chris Evans has ever been in the role! This might be the last time we'll see Chris Evans as Captain America. And let me just say he went out with a bang!

At this point, it's pretty much cliche to say that Robert Downy Jr. IS Iron Man. And to be fair, he is practically playing himself. But he is just too charismatic and witty. He has always shined as the genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist. He took a secondary comic book character, and made him iconic. He still cracks jokes, but he is also very concerned with how much damage the Avengers are causing, and believes they need government interference. You may agree with him, you may not agree with him. You are either with him or against him. I couldn't decide myself1 But I do know one thing for sure. I never want to see anyone else play Tony Stark. Just like how Harrison Ford made Indiana Jones his own character, so does Robert Downy Jr. with Iron Man.

Scarlett Johansson kicks so much a-- I mean butt as Black Widow! She's tough, brave, and never gives in to anyone. She never backs down from a fight. Even though she's a super human, Scarlett Johansson gives her so much warmth and makes her so relatable. She hates having to see her friends fight, and feels conflicted with which side she should choose. I am still holding out hope for that Black Widow stand alone film starring Scarlett Johansson. I will be first in line at the theater.

Paul Rudd adds much needed comic relief to this dark story. Paul Rudd is one of those actors who is hard to dislike. No matter what movie he is in, you just cannot help but root for him to achieve his goals. He was the right guy to play Ant-Man.

Chadwick Boseman could not be more perfect for Black Panther. I first saw him in the under-rated Jackie Robinson biopic 42, and I knew he had a bright future ahead of him. This seems like a ridiculous character, but he is given a tragic back story, and Boseman brings so much weight to him. I am even more hyped for the Black Panther movie in 2018.

But the character who steals the show is the web-slinger himself, Spider-Man/Peter Parker played by newcomer Tom Holland!

We have had two actors play Spider-Man/Peter Parker in five films. Tobey McGuire was the perfect Peter Parker, while Andrew Garfield was the perfect Spider-Man. Tom Holland combines the best aspects of both takes, and makes the character his own. He IS Spider-Man! He is so funny, relatable, and charismatic. He gives a star-making performance, and I know for a fact we will be seeing more of this kid!

And the best part of this Spider-Man? NO ORIGIN STORY REMAKES!

The movie is fully aware that we have all heard of Peter Parker's story at this point. We know how he got his powers, what made him decide to use them for good, with great power comes great responsibility, yada yada yada. His origin is briefly referenced in dialogue, but then we move on with the plot. We know everything there is to know about this character, and immediately feel invested in him.

The weakest part of this movie, as with most Marvel movies, is the villain Helmut Zemo played by Daniel Bruhl. It's not that he doesn't have a great plan. In fact, his plan is genius. He is the first villain to do what all the villains couldn't: he split up the Avengers. So for that, he deserves some evil points. But the character himself just isn't all that interesting or memorable, despite Daniel Bruhl giving it his all. I really hope Marvel gets better at villains soon. I have no doubt that Thanos will prove to be a great threat for our heroes.

However, in the case of Civil War, I will give Marvel a pass. This movie isn't about villains. Most superhero movies are about heroes fighting villains. But this is a movie where heroes fight EACH OTHER. That is the true villain of the movie: Rivalry.

Everybody is picking sides right now between Team Iron Man and Team Cap. I went in as Team Cap. But the movie did such a great job of making me see Tony Stark's view, I actually questioned if I made the right choice.

It is not a black and white movie. It is very grey. It reflects our own world. it shows that there really is no easy answer to figuring out what is best for the world. Is it better to have more Government interfere with us? Or should we be more independent? Are the Avengers really saving us, or causing us more harm? It's funny that a movie with a teenage boy with spider powers, a man in ahi-tech suit, and a man who can shrink down to the size of an ant can be this thought-provoking.

In conclusion, Captain America: Civil War represents the very best of Marvel. It's just as entertaining and fun as Marvel's other films, but it is way more intelligent and thought-provoking. The characters are all lovable and relatable, and the emotions feel genuine. This is The Empire Strikes Back of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Heck, they even reference that movie in the climax!)

There have been so many comic book movies, that there is no doubt we will get over-saturated someday. Even the once popular Western genre eventually died out. But as a certain Avenger, Vision, once said "A thing isn't beautiful because it lasts. It is a privilege to be among them."

We should enjoy this era while it lasts. It really is a privilege to live in a time where we have had a Batman v Superman movie (featuring Wonder Woman), a Deadpool movie, and a Civil War movie in the same year! And it won't always be like this.

But as long as the next comic book movies are as good as Captain America: Civil War, comic book movies won't be slowing down anytime soon.

The Jungle Book Review: A Disney Live Action Retelling You'll Go ApeFor!

If there’s one thing Disney is know for, it’s revisiting their most beloved work. Whether it’s re-release in theaters or Blu-Ray, sequels, TV Spin offs, or most recently remakes. From Alice In Wonderland to Maleficent to Cinderella. No matter how you feel about these adaptations, love them or hate them, there’s no denying they have been incredibly lucrative for the house Walt built, and why we will no doubt see more in the future.

Their latest attempt at bringing back a beloved classic of theirs is The Jungle Book. Directed by Jon Favreau, the director of Iron Man which helped kick off one of Disney’s most successful and profitable franchises to date the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has been given the difficult task of taking one of their most beloved and iconic films, which was also the last film Walt Disney himself had a hand in before his death, and introducing it to a new generation.

The 1967 original holds a special place in my family’s heart. It’s one of my personal favorite Disney movies. I love everything about it from the lovable characters, the atmosphere, the animation, the humor, and of course the music. "Bare Necessities" is one of my top 5 favorite Disney songs. And at the risk of offending people, not only do I like more than "Let It Go", but I might also prefer it over "Hakuna Mattata" (hides behind shield). My Mom tells me of how she saw it at the drive-in theater when she was younger.

When I first heard Disney was adapting this film into another live action remake, I didn’t know what to think. But I was optimistic when I found out that one of my favorite directors, Jon Favreau, would be at the helm. And with every new cast member announced, I just became more and more excited. Bill Murray as Balloo? Awesome! Ben Kingsley as Bagheera? Perfect! Scarlett Johansson as Kaa? Love it! Lupita Nyong’o as Raksha? Nice! Idris Elba as Shere Khan? BRILLIANT! Christopher Walken as King Louie?

And when I saw the footage at D23 back in August, with Jon Favreau, Lupita Nyong’o, and Neel Sethi on stage, the audience went bananas! (Pun very much intended).

The Jungle Book has been one of my most anticipated films of 2016 for a while. And in a year that includes Captain America: Civil War, Finding Dory, and Star Wars: Rogue One, that is saying a lot!

And after seeing it with my Mom on Friday, I can say that it definitely lives up to the hype!

I’m sure by now you’ve already read plenty of reviews all telling you it’s great. If you were hoping for a different opinion, sorry to disappoint. What can I say? I just adore this movie!

This is probably the most gorgeous looking live action film Disney has made! Never have I seen a film so gorgeous, so perfect for 3D, since Avatar! Half the time, I forgot the animals were CGI. And part of that has to do with the actors.

Neel Sethi gives a star making performance as Mowgli, the man cub raised by wolves. He has such innocence and wonder that not many child actors can pull off. He’s not a perfect person. He makes mistakes just like every kid does. He’s raised to do what other wolves do, and to not do his “tricks”. He is a good role model for kids. His imperfections are part of what make him so endearing and likable. His character encourages kids that it’s ok to be different from the crowd. I look forward to seeing Neel Sethi in more films in the future.

And what can I say about Bill Murray as Baloo? It’s as if he was born to play this character! Murray posses the dry wit, charisma, and laid back attitude needed for Baloo. He is every bit as good as Phil Harris was in the original. And hearing him sing "Bare Necessities" gave me such nostalgia!

Ben Kingsley, I’m convinced, cannot give a bad performance if he tried! He plays Bagheera with such intelligence and warmth. Even though he’s a panther, he looks like someone you can trust with children.

Scarlett Johansson kills it as Kaa! Where in the original, Kaa was more of a slapstick character played for laughs, Scarlett Johansson portrays Kaa as a Siren. Her voice is just so naturally seductive and hypnotic. It’s already hard enough for any man to resist her charms in real life.

Lupita Nyong'o fresh off from playing Maz Kanata in Star Wars: The Force Awakens,  plays Rakshi, Mowgli’s wolf mother with such warmth and love. She’s comforting, but can be upfront when she wants.

Idris Elba’s Shere Khan is probably the best villain I’ve seen in a while! He’s so menacing and frightening, but so full of charisma. In my acting class in college, we talked about what makes a good villain. My teacher says that best villains don’t think of themselves as villains. They still possess this kind of warmth that makes them syphathetic. Shere Khan wants Mowgli dead because he hates man, and what they do with their “red flower” (fire). You can almost see it from his point of view, and why he wants what he wants. Shere Khan is one of my favorite Disney villains of all time, and Idris Elba does him justice!

And of course, Chrisopher Walken as King Louie! Christopher Walken is one of the most entertaining people alive. Even when he’s in a bad movie, he’s just so fascinating to watch. And his “Cowbell” sketch from SNL is one of the funniest things I’ve  ever seen. Having Walken as as King Louie is like a dream come true! He’s scary, but also funny. And his version of “I Wanna Be Like You” is pure magic!

I could go on. This is some of the most fun I’ve had at the movies in a long time! It had an engaging narrative, gorgeous CGI, and a perfect cast! Not only does this make me more optimistic about future Disney live action adaptations such as Beauty and the Beast. But it also makes me excited for the idea of Jon Favreau directing an Obi-Wan Kenobi anthology trilogy starring Ewan McGregor! If it’s as good as The Jungle Book, we’re in for a treat!

Disney is so happy with how this film turned out, they’ve already free lit a sequel! I don’t know if Baloo will be a pilot just like in Tail Spin. But as long as Jon Favreau is on board, so am I!

This movie is already having a great weekend at the box office, so you might as well join the party! You’ve worked hard enough. You owe it toy yourself to have a fun time, and enjoy the Bare Necessities of Life!

Nerd Wars: Why DC Fans Are So Bitter

Since the dawn of time, long even before the internet, mankind has engaged in friendly rivalries.

Star Wars vs Star Trek. Lord of the Rings vs Harry Potter. Coke vs Pepsi. The Beatles vs The Rolling Stones. McDonald's vs Burger King.

But lately, the biggest rivalry is one that has torn families apart, turned brother against brother, and ended friendships. It's a rivalry that has been around since comic books became all the rage. I'm talking of course, about Marvel vs DC.

In arguably their most competitive year yet, both studios are releasing two movies each. Marvel is releasing Captain America: Civil War and Doctor Strange, and DC is releasing Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad.

But the two movies that are causing the most hostility between fans are Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Captain America: Civil War.

What do both movies have in common? Well, they're both superhero movies for starters. They're both part of a larger cinematic universe. And they're both about a Boy Scout dressed in blue and red and a Billionaire with a hi-tech suit clashing ideals and engaging in and all out war.

And ironically, both movies are about bitter rivalries and picking a side.

But the true war is happening online: between DC fans and Marvel fans.

However, the comparisons end at the reception both movies are receiving. Whereas Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice got panned by critics (causing even Ben Affleck some grief), Captain America: Civil War is receiving praise left and right from those who already saw it.

Jon Schnepp, comic book fan and the director of The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened?, said that the airport scene in Civil War is the single greatest action scene in any comic book movie ever!

Even though Batman v Superman has gotten panned by critics and has a depressing 30% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it is not without its defenders. The passion fans have for DC's characters should not be denied. And these aren't people who are like "Eh, it was ok. It wasn't THAT bad." These are people who honestly think it's on par with Citizen Kane. That it's a masterpiece that's too smart for critics and audiences. And just like Man of Steel and the Nolan Batman films, if you say anything and I mean ANYTHING remotely negative about Batman v Superman online, you better prepare for some harsh comments like "You're sucking Marvel's d***k!" or "You're BIASED! This movie is AMAZING!"

It's hard to tell if these fans honestly believe Batman v Superman is amazing, or if they are just burying their heads in the dirt and denying any legitimate criticism for it just like Star Wars fans did for The Phantom Menace back in 1999.

Some fans have started making theories that Disney, which owns Marvel, is paying critics to bash anything DC and praise anything Marvel.

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT...

Youtuber Grace Randolph (host of Beyond the Trailer) believes that critics have an "anti-DC agenda" and just want to see DC fail. She even got in a Twitter war with Andy Signore, the creator of Screen Junkies home of  Honest Trailers. Grace Randolph is one of the few critics I've heard call Batman v Superman a masterpiece. While Signore is the opposite.

There are four words that debunk Grace's theory: The. Dark. Knight. Trilogy.

The lowest rated one is Batman Begins at 85%. The Dark Knight has an amazing 94%. And even The Dark Knight Rises, as divisive as it is, still has an 87%.

Even Superman Returns, a DC film that many fans detest, has a solid 76%.

I mean no disrespect to Grace Randolph, and I enjoy watching her videos and hearing her thoughts. But it's ridiculous to claim that everyone has some type of agenda if they disagree with you.

Critics are just regular people who are doing their job. They are not being paid by ANY studio to give a good or bad review of something. Critics for the most part are professionals. Sure, there are a few critics out there who are unprofessional, and probably don't deserve their profession (looking at you Lights Camera Jackson!). But we should never just assume that every critic has an agenda towards a certain studio or filmmaker.

Just because you love a movie everybody else hates, or hate a movie everybody else loves, it doesn't make  you or them any less smart. It just means we all had a different experience watching it. You don't need to vilify anyone who disagrees with you.

How did I figure this out? Because I used to think just like the DC fans did a few years ago.

I mentioned The Phantom Menace, and how Star Wars fans lied to themselves that it was a perfect movie because they didn't want to face reality that it was disappointing. I was born in the mid 90s, and grew up in the '00s. I am part of the "Prequel era". But I truly love Star Wars. As much as I love DC and Marvel, Star Wars has always been my biggest passion. I just love the story, the characters, the world. And ever since I learned about George Lucas, and all his struggles he went through to make those movies, it made me feel inspired to become a filmmaker myself. It's been a lifelong dream of mine to meet Lucas and thank him for making my childhood awesome.

However, in 2012 I started reading these comments online from people claiming that he's a hack, and that he had nothing to do with the Original Trilogy being great, and that anyone who thinks otherwise is an idiot. I was so devastated by these comments. I had a hard time when people disagreed with me on something, especially something like Star Wars.

I was even bullied in person back in 2014 for defending George Lucas. This hurt me so much that it almost killed my excitement for The Force Awakens.

So how did I get over it? Simple: I talked about it TO people. I have learned to discuss my problems in person with reaonable people rather than complain online.

I have even gotten to meet some of these "critics" at conventions. People like Scott Mantz, Mark Ellis, Kristian Harloff, Amirose Eisenbach, Miri Jedeikin, John Campea, Dennis Tzeng, JimmyO, Jon Schnepp, Holly Payne, Krisily Kennedy, Clarke Wolfe, Grae Drake, Alicia Malone, Roth Cornet, Andy Sinore, Dan Murrel, Hal Rudnick, Jeremy Jahns, and so on are some of the nicest, smartest, most awesome people I ever met! They have a passion for film that's contagious, and a knowledge that's unmatched. Even when I disagree with their opinions, I still trust them and love to listen to them when they speak about movies. They have taught me to love what I love, and respect other people for things they love.

And last year at Star Wars Celebration, I made friends with someone who is also a huge Star Wars fan. She doesn't just rant and complain about things she hates. She's smart, intelligent, and reasonable. She loves to have long discussions about things she is very passionate about. She is one of the coolest people I know! She's a great example of being a fan the right way.

Having discussions about art is not about agreeing with people all the time, or having everybody agree with you. It's about discovering what makes you YOU and learning something about your values. And you even learn about other people as well. That in my opinion is the power of art, especially film. It not only distracts us. It helps us to learn more about our world, ourselves, and each other.

And at the end of the day, it's all entertainment. It's not something to stress out about. It's meant to help us escape the real problems of the world (like Donald Drumpf possibly becoming president).

If there is anything I want you to take away from this blog post, it's to stick with your passions. Whether you're a Marvel fan, a DC fan, a Star Wars fan, etc. You should embrace the things you are passionate about. It's what makes you YOU. Do not let ANYONE tell you different.

And if you come across someone who acts like a jerk and bullies you for your opinions like I did, just ignore them and move on. Life is way too short to spend it with bitter people, let alone have fights with them online.

And don't be a jerk yourself. If you don't like it when people attack you for your passions, you shouldn't do the same. You should treat others the way you should be treated.

I love Star Wars, and I love George Lucas. I have some friends that don't share my love for either of those. But we are still good friends, and have intelligent discussions. I respect their opinion, and they respect mine. Everyone wins.

If anyone tells you that you're an idiot or you're "biased" for your own opinion on something, that only makes them even more so. They should probably go drink some of Granny's Peach Tea.

"This Is A Rebellion, Isn't It? I Rebel." NEW STAR WARS: ROGUE ONE TEASER RELEASED!!!

"Star Wars! Nothing bus STAR WARS! Give me more STAR WARS! Don't let it end!"

- Bill Murray, Saturday Night Live

Couldn't have put it better myself. If there's anything that can break the internet as much as cats, it's Star Wars! (Sometimes, it's both combined)

After Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a movie that destroyed almost every box office record and brought back the beloved franchise, fans have been asking for one thing: MORE!

And we got our wish. This morning, a teaser was released for the next Star Wars movie!

No, it's not Episode VIII. The teaser for that was released a couple months ago.

I'm talking about Star Wars: Rogue One. A prequel that fills in the gaps of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: A New Hope, and finally reveals the story of how the plans to the Death Star were stolen by rebel spies, as the famous opening crawl described.

Many Bothans died to bring us this teaser.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wji-BZ0oCwg

I have seen this trailer a couple of times, so here are my general thoughts and impressions.

Star Wars generally doesn't have a good reputation with the word "prequel". But thankfully, there are no signs of Jar Jar Binks or Midichlorians in this teaser. What it does have is cool shots like this:

And this:

 

 

And this:

Just like The Force Awakens, Rogue One has a strong female protagonist. Her name is Gyn Erso.

From what the teaser tells us, she doesn't look like a rule following citizen. "Forgery of Imperial documents, possession of stolen property, aggravated assault, resisting arrest." says an officer reading her charges. "On your own since the age of 15, reckless, aggressive, and undisciplined." Says Mon Mothma. "This is a rebellion. I rebel." she proudly proclaims to Mon Mothma.

We then hear that the Empire is constructing a powerful weapon. The Rebels need to figure out what it is and how to destroy it. With her spunky attitude and her experience being a thief, Gyn seems like the perfect person to get the job done.

The trailer shows shots of action scenes with a classic alarm sound. Most people think this is just an attempt to copy the infamous Inception "BWAAAAAAAH" noise often heard in trailers. But for us hardcore Star Wars fans, we know that that's the famous alarm sound heard on the Death Star in the Original Trilogy. And I so want it as my ringtone!

The thing I loved the most about this trailer was the scope. There are shots that just feel so gigantic and gorgeous, I just want to hang them up on a wall and set as my Desktop! This is a movie I have to see in IMAX! Gareth Edwards seems like the perfect director for this story. No matter what you thought about Godzilla (2014), love it or hate it, we can all agree it was beautifully shot, and was the perfect IMAX experience. I expect nothing less from Rogue One.

The moment everyone is talking about is the return of Mon Mothma, played by Genevieve O'Reilly who was supposed to play her in Revenge of the Sith, but her scene was ultimately cut. It's funny how things work out. You think you're going to be in a Star Wars movie, your scene gets cut, but then you have to wait just ten more years to get the chance again. It's great to have you back Mon Mothma!

One classic character that did not make an appearance though was Darth Vader.

Of all the characters in Star Wars, Darth Vader is hands down my favorite. I was so excited to finally see him back on the big screen in all his glory. So I'll admit I was a little disappointed that he didn't make an appearance in the teaser as many had speculated. However, it does show that the filmmakers have a lot of confidence in the new characters, and that they're saving Darth Vader for a huge reveal. Let's just hope we don't have to wait until the third act to see him like Gareth Edwards' Godzilla.

Some fans have speculated if this shot could be Vader. I actually doubt it myself. For one thing, it looks nothing like Darth Vader from the back, unless he went through some hood phase. Perhaps it could be Emperor Palpatine. But what is he walking towards? Could it be Snoke? We'll just have to wait and see.

Just like the trailers for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the teaser for Rogue One has created countless speculations about the characters and possible plot points. One theory is that Gyn Erso could be the secret mother of Rey. I find this theory to be 40% likely. The timeline does seem to add up. Gyn looks to be around the same age as Luke Skywalker, Rey's possible father. And she does seem to possess some of the qualities of Rey, from her fighting skills to her bravery. I can't seem to think of reasons why she isn't. But I'm sure none of us saw the twist of Kylo Ren's relation to Han and Leia Solo, did we?

I may not know much about Gyn Erso, but what I do know is that I already want to see more of her! It's so exciting and refreshing to see Star Wars include more female protagonists in a male dominated genre. It still warms my heart to see little girls dress up as Rey.

If there is a Dark Side (see what I did there?) to this new teaser, it's that it has awakened sexist trolls on the internet. And if you think we had heard the last of "Mary Sue", think again. Just like how they unfairly gave Rey that title just because she was so good at everything, they give the same label to Gyn Erso, even though the movie's not out yet!

Seriously? How come we never hear anyone calling Luke Skywalker a Mary Sue? I mean, he learns about the Force for a few hours, and all of a sudden he can shoot down Stormtroopers, and destroy an entire space station in one shot? Why is it so hard for people to accept that fact that women can do things just as well as men can? How come when Batman can do everything just as well as Superman can without any powers, he's just cool. But if Rey can do everything as well as Luke Skywalker can, she's a "Mary Sue"?

And if you want to lose faith in humanity, you should have visited the comments on YouTube for the teaser earlier. There were nasty comments like "I'm so sick of female leads!" and "Feminism is ruining Hollywood!" Sometimes I feel like people forget it's 2016.

But, as Yoda would say, "Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering." It's always better to focus on the positives.

And there was definitely a lot more good than bad to come out of the Star Wars: Rogue One trailer! It may not have had Darth Vader as I was hoping, but I suspect we'll see him in the full length trailer. But it did give us a lot to talk about with glimpses of an intriguing narrative and great new characters, and the return of Mon Mothma! The fact that we are getting a new Star Wars movie every year indefinitely makes me happy to be alive right now! Christmas will not be the only reason to look forward to December anymore.

May the Force be with you!

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Soars... And Stumbles (Spoiler Alert)

On Thursday, I had the chance to see Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice on the big screen. And judging by its massive opening weekend, most of us have also. But if you're one of the few who still haven't seen it yet, this review contains spoilers! So wait until you've seen the movie to read it. Yo have been warned!

What can I say about this movie that hasn't been said? Ever since I was a kid, my two favorite super heroes were always Batman and Superman. They were both so similar, both wore a cape and both battled the forces of evil, and yet were so different. Superman was light and optimistic. Batman was dark and brooding. Superman believed in fighting for Truth, Justice, and the American Way. Batman believed in striking fear into the hearts of his enemies. There was just something about them that stayed in my mind for years.

And I'm not the only one. They are pop culture icons that have stayed in American culture the same way Mickey Mouse and Santa Claus have. Both Batman and Superman have managed to stand the test of time in comic books, TV shows, video games, and of course the movies. Superman I & II both remain timeless classics in my opinion, and The Dark Knight is still the comic book movie to beat. Sure, they may have their occasional Batman & Robin. And movies like Man of Steel are very divisive. But when both franchise soar, they really soar! Everyone has their own interpretations and their own beliefs on how these characters should act and be.

And let's face it. We have all asked the question at least once with out friends. Who would win in  fight? Batman or Superman? And we have all had our own arguments. Some believe that Superman could crush Batman in five seconds with his own hands, or throw him into the sun if he wanted to. Others argue that Batman can think his way out of any situation, and use his wits to outsmart Superman. (And let's not forget Kryptonite).

There has never really been a definitive answer of the question. The only way to see the outcome is if they both appeared on the big screen together.

Fans have prayed for years to see their favorite heroes on the big screen together. With the historic success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it has been proven that a movie with multiple superheroes together can work if done right. The Batman V Superman movie may have finally been announced at Comic Con back in 2013, but this movie's production history goes way back!

Throughout the 90s up to the mid 2000s, there were several ideas for Batman and Superman movies that were eventually scrapped. Including on that involved Nicolas Cage as Superman!

There was even a fake power for it in Warner Bros. own I Am Legend back in 2007!

After Warner Bros. second attempt at a Superman reboot in 2013, Man of Steel, which did fine at the box office with $600 Million worldwide but was almost as divisive to critics and audiences as Donald Trump, Warner Bros. put aside their planned sequel and decided to go for broke and put Batman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Auquaman, Flash, an pretty much any DC character and reference you can think of, in one movie to catch up with the Marvel machine.

This made many people worried. Could it work? Will it be a mess? Will it be a hit? Can this movie measure up to DECADES worth of hype?!?!?

After giving this movie a few days to settle, I can simply say... Yes!... And No.

Whether you love this movie or hate it, we can all agree it's a mess. It's like a Pinkberry Yogurt with too many toppings on it. Some people like their yogurt that way, others feel like it loses its flavor.

Let's start with what  I liked.

The action scenes were much better in my opinion than Man of Steel. They felt more flowing and more focused. I love the themes of immigration, war, and conflict. The opening scene of the film, which was the climax of Man of Steel seen from Bruce Wayne's perspective, was really well done, and hit very close to home with 9/11. Bruce Wayne sympathizes with the fear and paranoia many people feel towards terrorism these days. It's always refreshing to see a comic book move genre, which is usually geared towards family audiences, take on adult themes. After all, that is why The Dark Knight is still my favorite comic book movie. I actually found myself really intrigued with a lot of the movie. I didn't feel as bored as some people said they felt. I was actually really invested in what was going to happen to Superman, Batman, Martha Kent, and the world. The whole audience was into it in fact! The best way to see this movie is in a theater packed with DC fans. And the third act where Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman fight Doomsday is the stuff comic book fans dreams are made of!

The moment they announced Ben Affleck as Batman/Ben Affleck, fans were less than thrilled (putting it nicely). I for one had faith in him since Day 1. While most people pointed to Daredevil (2003) as proof that Ben Affleck can not play superheroes, I looked at Argo and saw a talented, smart actor who has clearly grown over the years. He went from a cold actor to an Academy Award winning force to be reckoned with in Hollywood! Plus, I remembered how fans hated the idea of Michael Keaton as Batman, Robert Downy Jr. as Iron Man, and Heath Ledger as the Joker. And we all know how those turned out.

And when I saw the trailer, I knew I was right. Ben Affleck is arguably the best Batman we have seen on the big screen! From the rage, the intensity, the dark, brooding presence. When he's beating up bad guys, it feels like the comic books and Arkham Knight games coming alive! We have never seen Batman this active before. My one complaint is that Batman kills in this movie. And I'm sorry, Batman DOES NOT KILL! That's one of the things I love about him. He tries to think of ways of stopping evil without killing people. He doesn't want to end his enemies, but strike fear in them. That's what makes him stand out from other heroes. I just feel like making him kill takes away something from his character. But other than that, Affleck proves once again that it's best to wait for the movie to judge a casting choice.

Another high point is Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman.

Unlike Ben Affleck, I wasn't totally on board with Gadot as Wonder Woman when it was first announced. But then I saw the poster, and started getting more optimistic. And then I saw the movie, I think she absolutely nailed the part! She's strong, confident, mysterious, and able to hold her own with Affleck and Cavill. When she first appeared on screen, I had not heard an applause that loud since seeing Han Solo and Chewbacca back in Star Wars: The Force Awakens! She may have felt a bit shoe-horned in the film (as were a lot of things as I'll get to later), but at least we can now say we have seen Wonder Woman on the big screen!  And I look forward to her own movie in 2017. Seriously, it's about damn time! (sorry for my language)

Henry Cavill is much better as Superman/Clark Kent here. He feels more comfortable and more natural here. Even though Christopher Reeve is still and will always be the definitive Superman/Clark Kent, Henry Cavill is a worthy successor.

Amy Adams does exceptionally well as Lois Lane. I think I enjoyed her character much more here than the last film. I love how she is trying to prove Superman's innocence and stands by her man, even when everyone else is against her.

A lot of the supporting cast was great. Jeremy Irons steals many scenes as Alfred, Diane Lane is very warm and nurturing as Martha Kent.

The weakest link, however, was Jesse Eienberg as Lex Luthor.

Where I had faith in Ben Affleck form day one, and was pleasantly surprised by Gal Gadot, I was skeptical of Jesse Eisenberg from the start. Even though he's a talented actor, and I loved him in The Social Network, I just couldn't see him as the criminal mastermind Lex Luthor. I wanted someone like Bryan Cranston take on the role. In fact, he was practically auditioning for that role in Breaking Bad! But I tried to give Eisenberg a chance. But based on the trailers, and now the movies, I still wish they got Cranston. He just seems so over the top. It's not that he gives a bad performance. In fact, if her were the Riddler, it would be perfect. But it's just not the right performance for Luthor, at least in my opinion. And yes, Gene Hackman was over the top in the original Superman films. But those movies came out in the 70s and 80s, where it was more acceptable. Eisenberg just comes across as awkward. Some people, like my parents, loved him and thought he played a very creepy, insane villain similar to Heath Ledger's Joker. And if you like his performance, I'm happy for you. I didn't hate his performance myself. I just don't feel like it fit with this  movie's tone.

That's another problem I have with this movie. The tone. When you think of the words "Batman v Superman", you expect something fun and exciting. But Batman v Superman is very dark and grim. Almost exhausting. It's also incredibly violent. It's not a movie I would recommend for kids. If you're a parent reading this, you're the only one who can judge what is ok for your kids to see. If they're dying to see it, and you think they can handle it, you can go ahead and see it with them. But if it is too violent, then I would recommend taking them to Deadp-- Uh, never mind!

And the plot can be very confusing at times. If you've never read a single comic, or seen any of the previous movies, you would be lost! You might still enjoy all the action and visuals, but will probably be scratching your head.

But the biggest problem I have with this movie is that it's just too much! They take elements from The Dark Knight Returns, The Death of Superman, Court of Owls, etc. and try to make this grand, epic comic book crossover to compete with The Avengers.

Which brings me to this point.  Some people complained that The Avengers' plot was too simple and too basic. But in my opinion, it needed to be simple. The idea alone is ambitious! Have four superheroes from four different franchises come together in the same movie? If that movie's plot was as complex as The Dark Knight, it would have been a mess! What gave the film its depth was the back stories shown in the previous films. And Batman V Superman tries so hard to connect all these story threads and character arcs, that it loses focus. Just like Amazing Spiderman 2, it's so focused on setting up for future films that it forgets to focus on itself.

The end of the movie feels a bit... unnecessary. Superman takes the Kryptonite staff and flies to stab Doomsday with it (who looks like a Troll from Lord of the Rings, except with worse CGI), only to have him self stabbed in the chest by Doomsday. Superman dies in Lois Lane's arms, and is given a funeral service. Lois throws a bit of dirt on Superman's coffin, and for a split second you can see the dirt rising. This lets the audience know that Superman may not be dead after all.

(Deep breath)

What is the point of this?!!??!? Why would you introduce Doomsday this early in the first place? Why would you kill Superman off when he has only been in two films so far, and only had one to himself? And if you're not actually killing him, but pulling an Empire Strikes Back on us and are saving him for the next movie, then why would you pretend to kill him off in first place?

Zack Snyder said the reason for this was because it would be more interesting if Bruce Wayne was founding the Justice League on his own with Wonder Woman. And he felt that if Superman was in the Justice League, they would be too unstoppable.

But how could you do the Justice League without Superman?!?! He's one of, if not the most, iconic member! And  you're going to exclude him because he's too invincible?!!?!?

The Hulk is pretty invincible. And did you see him excluded from The Avengers?

I'm not totally against killing a main character if it furthers the story or adds weight like The Force Awakens. I am however against killing a major character off too early in the story just for the sake of creating unearned drama.

Now with all my ranting, it sounds like I hate this movie, right? No, not at all. I still had a great time watching it in IMAX with a packed crowd of passionate fans. It was worth it to see Batman and Superman together, and to witness Wonder Woman's on screen debut. Could the movie have been better? Sure. Do I regret seeing it? Absolutely not. I'm definitely glad I saw it, and I may see it again sometime soon. But the DC Cinematic Universe still has a long way to go to catch up with Kevin Feige and co.

See it and judge for yourself!

"Lighten Up!" Are Audiences Getting Tired Of Dark Comic Book Movies?

Over the weekend, a movie was released that made headlines. A movie that fans had been anticipating for years, but almost lost hope it would never be. A movie with outrageous humor, a self aware tone, and a "we don't care who gets offended" attitude, that some found refreshing, and others found off-putting. That movie... Was Zoolander 2!

Oh yeah, and Deadpool made over $130 Million, breaking the Valentine's Day record (take that, Fifty Shades of Grey!), and the R-Rated Comic Book Movie Curse.

The success of Deadpool has left all of Hollywood, even Fox, in shock and awe. Studio execs are trying to figure out what it was about this little comic book movie that struck a chord with audiences. Was it the R-rating? Was it the breaking of the 4th wall? Was it Ryan Reynolds? Was it the fact that it was unique and nothing like it has been done before? (It's the last one. But studio executives might not figure that out. Shh!)

Meanwhile, the weekend contained good news and bad news for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The good news is that a new trailer was released online that got fans excited again after a lackluster trailer back in December. 

But the excitement quickly turned back to worry after the bad news, which was that according to Drew McWeeny on HitFix, Warner Bros. is actually WORRIED about how audiences would respond to Batman v Superman based on early screenings. McWeeny claims to have special connections to Warner Bros. 

This got fans worried if Batman V. Superman will be everything they feared: an over-stuffed, over crowded cash grab trying to catch up to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

But maybe it's not the quality of the film itself that Warner Bros. is worried about, but rather the audience's reaction to the film? 

But if the film itself is not the problem, why would Warner Bros. be worried about audience reactions? I mean, they're giving audiences what they want, right? A dark, brooding Batman fighting a dark, brooding Superman in a dark, brooding cinematic universe. That's what audiences want to see, right? Right? RIGHT?

Maybe not. Maybe the success of Deadpool is not only a testament of brilliant marketing, but also of the current taste of audiences. Maybe audiences crave more light-hearted, self aware comic book movies like Deadpool and Guardians of the Galaxy, and are starting to get fatigued of dark, gritty, Nolany superhero films like Man Of Steel. So the question: Are audiences getting tired of dark superhero moves?

It seems like yesterday, dark super hero movies were all the rage with Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy. Before Batman Begins, superhero movies were filled with colorful, fantastical action scenes, cheesy one liners, and cartoony villains.  They knew they were set in comic book worlds and were proud of it. The X-Men movies and the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies started asking big questions about super hero movies. If you have amazing powers, how should you use them? What is more important, your relationships or your responsibilities as a hero? They had deep philosophies, but still maintained their comic book movie identity. Batman Begins made it look like Batman took place in the real world. It made it seem like a billionaire could develop martial arts skills and design a high tech suit to fight crime. There were no more ice puns or Bat credit cards. This was Batman for adults. The Dark Knight elevated the universe of Begins and gave us a super hero saga like no other. Heath Ledger's Joker wasn't a typical one dimensional comic book villain. He was a demented, insane, sadist who challenged Batman's own values. It delve even deeper into the morality of a super hero, and made audiences think. It really captured America's fears and uncertainties post-9/11. It could almost be qualified more as a political drama than a comic book movie. It got so much acclaim from critics that it not only earned Heath Ledger a (much deserved) posthumous Oscar for Best Supportinng Actor, but also made people outraged that it wasn't nominated for Best Picture. So much that the Academy had to extend the Best Picture category to ten (soon nine) movies a year. 

Think about that for a minute. People were OUTRAGED that a BATMAN movie was not nominated for BEST PICTURE!!! 

Ten years ago, people would have laughed at such an idea. It shows not only how far the comic book movie genre has come, but also how audiences attitudes towards superhero movies have changed. 

Remember when everyone thought Iron Man looked silly? Now Robert Downy Jr. is the highest paid actor in Hollywood for playing him. Remember when nobody knew who Groot was? And now almost everyone wears his catchphrase on a T-Shirt.

But how did we go from being angry about The Dark Knight being snubbed for Best Picture, to people not really responding as highly to Man of Steel, and audiences potentially not responding well to Batman V. Superman?

 Man of Steel was the sixth installment of the Superman series, and was a dark, gritty origin story of the most iconic superhero in history. And it made a little over $600 Million worldwide. Which is fine, if not for the fact that we're in a post-Avatar world where if a sequel or reboot doesn't make over $1 Billion worldwide it's considered a disappointment to the studio. Compare that to Guardians of the Galaxy, a film based on an obscure Marvel comic about a team of outlaws (including a raccoon and a tree) protecting the Galaxy from evil, was the first in a series, and had a ton of comedy, and a soundtrack of songs from the 70s. It grossed over $700 Million worldwide and is already getting a sequel.

And we all remember the famous "Hooked On A Feeling" teaser for Guardians of the Galaxy. Before that, did you ever see a trailer for a super hero movie play an old song from the 60s or 70s? Now it seems like every trailer is trying to be like Guardians with Suicide Squad's second trailer playing "Bohemiam Rasphody" as opposed to its darker, more serious first trailer.

But how could Man of Steel not strike a chord with audiences like The Dark Knight, despite having the same tone?  Even Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice, despite all its hype, has some people more cautious than excited. Almost everyone in my social circle is not that excited for it. Every time I ask someone at my college their thoughts on Batman V. Superman, they almost all have the same reaction:

And when I ask them about Deadpool or Captain America: Civil War, their faces light up with excitement. And Deadpool is considerably more upbeat and fun than Batman V. Superman. 

And maybe there are more people like my friends out there than it seems. And Warner Bros. is probably becoming aware of that. They're becoming aware that maybe audiences just aren't as eager for dark super hero movies like they were in the late 2000s. 

And maybe that's why Batman V. Superman is not getting the reaction Warner Bros. wanted from early screenings. At first, it seemed like a great idea to have DC movies be dark and gritty as a counter act to Marvel's light hearted tone. But maybe audiences are just tired of seeing super hero movies trying to be dark and realistic. 

Or are they just tired of movies trying to be like The Dark Knight?

As I mentioned earlier, the main reason Deadpool is such a success is because it's unique. We've seen self aware comic book movies before. We've even seen movies where they break the fourth wall. We've just never seen them done like Deadpool before. And even before Batman Begins, we had seen dark, gritty super hero movies like Tim Burton's Batman. We've just never seen them done the way Christopher Nolan did it with his Dark Knight trilogy.

And maybe the reason Man of Steel wasn't the box office juggernaut Warner Bros. was hoping for wasn't because it was dark. But perhaps becuse they had seen that already with Batman Begins.

Marvel's Captain America: The Winter Soldier had a serious tone just like The Dark Knight. And just like The Dark Knight, it could be seen as more of a political drama than a comic book movie, asking big questions and delving deep into the morality of a hero. But it still had room for humerus moments like the banter between Captain America and Black Widow, and an upbeat ending. With the success of The Winter Soldier, Marvel proved that comic book movies can be serious and ask deep questions, but still manage to be fun and entertaining.

Maybe it's not that audiences are getting tired of dark super hero movies. They are just tired of the same dark super hero movies. 

Whenever a movie like The Dark Knight and Deadpool breaks records and strikes a chord with audiences, studios try so hard to copy their success by making copy cats that they miss the real reason why those movies were successful. They took risks, broke the mold, and gave us somethings we had never seen before. 

The trick is to not give audiences what they want. But to give them what they never knew they wanted. 

But at the end of the day, we won't really know how the audience will respond to Batman V. Superman until it comes out. Maybe Warner Bros. is worried for no reason, and it will be a phenomenal success. Maybe it will be a Fantastic Four like disaster and put the whole DC slate in jeapordy. 

But, one things for sure. We are all so fortunate to be in a time where an R-rated Deadpool movie is playing in theaters, and a movie with Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman will play in less than a month! 

Remembering Alan Rickman (1946 - 2016)

It's never a good week when we lose someone to cancer. But to lose TWO legends, David Bowie and Alan Rickman, to cancer? Near intolerable.

Last Thursday, just a couple days after learning about the death of rock legend David Bowie, the world was shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of world renowned thespian and actor Alan Rickman.

All across social media, Harry Potter fans have posted tributes raising their wands to Rickman. The most touching tribute came from Harry Potter himself, Daniele Radcliffe, on Google+ which you can read here: 

https://plus.google.com/+DanielRadcliffe/posts/BP3YwGbBsDC

So much has been said about Rickman, that I don't really know what else I can say. He was so talented and brought so much to his roles, I don't really know if I can do him justice. But it's worth a try.

Alan has played so many great roles from  Tybalt to Alexander Payne/Dr. Lazarus. But what many people don't know is that Hans Greuber, the greatest action movie villain of all time, was his first role.

Die Hard has been called the greatest Christmas movie of all time by many film fans and for good reasons. It has great action, a likable protagonist played by Bruce Willis, hilarious one liners, etc. But it's Rickman's chilling performance as Hans Greuber that really makes it stand out. His voice alone is so chilling that you can't stop listening to him. We know very little about his character, but the way Rickman plays him gives him so much depth. He's not your typical villain.

Another great role of his is Alexander Payne in the hilarious, criminally under rated Galaxy Quest. 

A thespian who's famous for playing an alien in a sci fi TV show, and sick of it. His famous catchphrase is "By Grathbar's Hammer, you shall be avenged." Rickman is almost playing a parody of himself, as well as Spock in Star Trek. He is in many of the film's funniest scenes, and his interactions with Tim Allen and the cast is so entertaining. It's a must for sci-fi fans. Especially Star Trek fans.

But the role he played that my generation will always remember him for is in Harry Potter as Severus Snape the Potion Master.

Harry Potter started out as a children's book series by J.K. Rowling, and became a cultural phenomenon. With seven books and eight movies, and a prequel coming out later this year, it's safe to say that the world of Hogwarts created by Rowlingg has more than left its mark on our culture. There were so many memorable characters from the smart beyond her years Hermione to the tough and loyal Hagrid, to the wise Dumblefore. But my favorite character, as well as for most people, is Snape. 

Snape started as a character you loved to hate. When we first meet him in The Sorceror's Stone (or The Philosopher's Stone as they call it in London), he seems cold, strict, judgmental, and controlling. At least that's how Harry and his friends see him. But as each book and movie comes out, the story progresses and we begin to see more layers to his character. We learn that, like most villains, he had a tragic backstory. He had strong feelings for Harry's mother Lilly, but she ended up marrying James Potter, which explains why he appears harsh to Harry. For years, fans had debated whether Snape was a friend or a foe. Could Harry trust him, or should he back off. Snape's most memorable moment was in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, when (SPOILER ALERT) Snape kills Dumbledore with the death spell. It shocked millions of readers and movie goers around the world. We all knew Snape appeared cold, but this made him seem downright evil. It seemed like the side of fans that believed Snape was a foe were vindicated.

That is, until The Deahtly Hallows, both the final book and the final two movies in the series. In Deathly Hallows, we learn that Snape killing Dumbledore was all part of a master plan by Dumbledore. Harry was a Horocrux, which meant he carried a bit of Voldemort's soul. So in order for Voldemort to truly be defeated, Dumbledore believed that Harry should perish. Snape feels outraged when he learns this, which makes Dumbledore realize that Snape has grown a soft spot for Harry. Or perhaps always had it.

"After all this time?"

"Always."

It was this moment that we learned that Snape truly was more than he appeared. He wasn't just a servant to the Dark Lord. He had a heart of gold. Snape taught me, as well as millions of readers and movie goers, that not all is what it seems. And heroes can come from anywhere. Snape grew from being a character we loved to hate, to a character we loved.

Harry Potter even named his own son, "Albus Severus Potter". Harry tells his son, "You were named for two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew."

So he was to us.

Farewell Alan Rickman. You were a brilliant actor, an amazing wizard, and a good friend. We lift our wands to you Rickman. We will continue to do so. Eventually. Even you may ask us, "After all this time?"

And we reply, "Always."