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Friday, February 16, 2024
Review: Hysteria Aside, "MADAME WEB" is Quite Enjoyable
Friday, August 18, 2023
Review: "BLUE BEETLE" is a Family Affair
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Review: "NAUSICAA IN THE VALLEY OF THE WIND" Soars to the Animation Heavens
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Review: Miyazaki's "THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO" is Something Else Entirely
Monday, March 20, 2023
Review: SHAZAM! Fury of the Gods" is Fun for the Entire Shazamily
Friday, February 17, 2023
Review: "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" Takes Us on a Fantastic Voyage
Friday, November 11, 2022
Review: "BLACK PANTHER: Wakanda Forever" is the Best Marvel Movie in Years
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 69 of 2022 (No. 1881) by Leroy Douresseaux
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Running time: 161 minutes
MPA – PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, action and some language
DIRECTOR: Ryan Coogler
WRITERS: Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole; from a story by Ryan Coogler (based on the Marvel Comics)
PRODUCERS: Kevin Feige and Nate Moore
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Autumn Durald Arkapaw (D.o.P.)
EDITORS: Kelley Dixon, Jennifer Lame, and Michael P. Shawver
COMPOSER: Ludwig Göransson
SUPERHERO/ACTION/SCI-FI/DRAMA
Starring: Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Tenoch Huerta, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Martin Freeman, Dominique Thorne, Florence Kasumba, Michaela Cole, Alex Livinalli, Mabel Cadena, Richard Schiff, Robert John Burke, Lake Bell, Manuel Chavez, Maria Mercedes Coroy, Divine Love Konadu-Sun, Trevor Noah (voice), Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Michael B. Jordan
[Emotionally super-charged and possessing some of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's greatest battles, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is Marvel Studios' best film in over three years.]
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a 2022 superhero, fantasy-drama, science fiction, and action movie directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Marvel Studios. The film is a direct sequel to the 2018 film, Black Panther, and is the 30th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is based on the Marvel Comics character, Black Panther, that first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 (cover dated: July 1966) and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. Wakanda Forever finds Wakanda in mourning following the death of its king while also facing a threatening world and a mysterious new adversary.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever opens in the African nation of Wakanda as King T'Challa/Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) dies from a mysterious illness. One year later, his mother, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), must face the United Nations, as world powers demand access to Wakanda's most precious resource, the metal Vibranium. One particular nation even hires mercenaries to invade a Wakandan outpost in order to steal its vibranium, but they are foiled by Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje, the King of Wakanda's personal guard.
However, the American CIA's attempt to find vibranium on its own draws the attention of a mysterious new adversary, known by many names, but is called “Namor” (Tenoch Huerta) by his enemies. Namor leads the forces of his kingdom, Talokan, in a strike against the Americans. He confronts Ramonda and Shuri (Letitia Wright), Ramonda's daughter and T'Challa's younger sister, as they grieve. He demands that they find the scientist who created the Americans' vibranium detecting device and kill him. The him turns out to be a her, a Chicago-based teen named Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne). Now, Shuri and Ramonda must gather allies, including T'Challa's ex-lover, Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o), and M'Baku (Winston Duke), leader of the Wakandan border tribe, the Jibari, in order to fight off the forces of Namor, which are more than capable of destroying Wakanda and perhaps, the world. Can Wakanda survive without its champion, the Black Panther, or must another arise?...
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a triumphant – a poignant triumphant and a superhero action movie triumph. It is much better than I expected and that I could have hoped for. Wakanda Forever is the most emotionally honest, genuine, and heartfelt Marvel Studios film since Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. The fight scenes are some of the best outside of martial arts films, and the action and battles scenes are Avengers-level.
Angela Bassett stands astride this film, which is both a eulogy to Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa/Black Panther and also a powerful and successful attempt to forge ahead with the franchise. Bassett, as regal and as dramatically potent as she has ever been, is glorious, and it time for her to receive the Oscar win she should have had ages ago. She exemplifies the grief in the film for half its narrative.
Letitia Wright exemplifies that grief the rest of the way. Wright also shows impressive range – playing Shuri as obstinate and angry in the face of her brother's death. [That death is depicted in Wakanda Forever's opening moments, and the audience with which I saw this film was stunned into silence.] Wright plays Shuri's turn to the “dark side” with the depth of performance that usually earns actors some award season notice. She is truly the lead in Wakanda Forever, and she carries it with the flair of a veteran, accomplished actor.
I also had high hopes for Tenoch Huerta as Namor, and he easily surpasses them. Huerta makes Namor seem so real that his murderous inclinations come across as entirely appropriate for that which Namor is fighting and defending. Huerta's performance also works to uplift the other actors playing denizens of the kingdom of Talokan.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is filled so much good stuff. The costumes, art direction, make-up and hair, cinematography, and editing are all … well, Oscar-worthy. Ludwig Göransson's score is a masterpiece of tones both subtle and tremendous and is easily on the level of Hans Zimmer's award-winning score for Dune: Part One (2021).
I don't want this review to run-on too long... If I could speak to Ryan Coogler, I would tell him that already loved him for his film, Fruitvale Station, and that he made me love him even more after the first Black Panther. I don't have the words to describe how great an accomplishment Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is. Coogler honored his friend and partner, Chadwick Boseman, as well as he could, and he made a truly great and magnificent film. It honors Boseman and reveals how much respect Coogler has for his audience via the film art he creates. I am giving Black Panther: Wakanda Forever my highest recommendation.
10 of 10
Friday, November 11, 2022
The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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Thursday, November 10, 2022
Review: "NEXT AVENGERS: Heroes of Tomorrow" - Average Story; Really Good Characters
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 68 of 2022 (No. 1880) by Leroy Douresseaux
Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow (2008) – video/animation
Running time: 78 minutes (1 hour, 28 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sci-fi action violence and some mild language
DIRECTORS: Jay Oliva and Gary Hartle
WRITERS: Christopher Yost; from a screen story by Greg Johnson and Craig Kyle (based on the Marvel Comics characters)
PRODUCER: Gary Hartle
EDITOR: George P. Rizkallah
COMPOSER: Guy Michaelmore
ANIMATION STUDIO: The Answerstudio Col, Ltd.
ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/SCI-FI/ACTION with elements of drama
Starring: (voices) Noah Crawford, Brenna O'Brien, Aidan Drummond, Dempsey Pappion, Adrian Petriw, Tom Kane, Shawn Macdonald, Ken Kramer, Nicole Oliver, Michael Adamthwaite, and Fred Tatasciore
“Marvel Animated Features” was a line of eight direct-to-DVD animated superhero films made by MLG Productions. MLG was a joint venture between Marvel Animation (then called Marvel Studios) and Lions Gate Entertainment to produce direct-to-DVD animated films for the home entertainment market. The first film in the series was Ultimate Avengers: The Movie, which was released to DVD in February 2006.
Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow is a 2008 straight-to-video animated superhero film directed by Jay Oliva and Gary Hartle. It was the fifth entry in the “Marvel Animated Features” line. The film is based on the classic Marvel Comics franchise, the Avengers, which debuted in 1963 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Next Avengers focuses on the children of the Avengers as they hone their powers and face the enemy that was responsible for their parents' demise.
Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow is set on a world in which its mightiest superheroes: Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Giant Man, Wasp, Black Panther, Hawkeye, and Vision came together to protect Earth from its greatest threats. They were “The Avengers.” But one day, the Avengers fell before the might of the maniacal, mechanical foe, Ultron (Tom Kane), a robot.
Before they were defeated, the Avengers sent billionaire bachelor Tony Stark (Tom Kane) into hiding their children. Twelve years later, at a hidden location, the son of Steve Rogers/Captain America, James Rogers (Noah Crawford); the daughter of Thor, Torunn (Brenna O'Brien); the son of Black Panther, Azari (Dempsey Pappion); and the son of Giant Man and the Wasp, Pym (Aidan Drummond); train under the tutelage of Tony. The children, however, are growing restless, and their curiosity causes them to do something that brings them to Ultron's attention.
With their new ally, Hawkeye/Francis Baron (Adrian Petriw), the son of the original Hawkeye, these children of the Avengers will take on their parents' greatest adversary. But will the children fall before this robot menace as their parents did?
Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow is an entertaining superhero action-fantasy. The action is engaging, and the plot is good, although it is not as well executed as it could be. The resolution undersells the potential of the characters, as if the main purpose of this movie is just to quickly as possible wrap up the story even if it wastes the potential of both the children and the story.
The animation is good, not great. The character design, especially the children, looks good and recalls the work of animation legends such as Bruce Timm and Don Bluth. Not all the character are well designed; for instance, the Hulk (Fred Tatasciore) looks awful. The environments are well designed, especially Ultron's city, “Ultra City.”
The best things about Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow are the children, the “Next Avengers.” They are especially well written and their personalities, doubts, struggles, conflicts, desires, and goals all seem genuine. James Rogers' desire to know his father, Captain America, and Torunn's prayerful pleas for the return of her father, Thor, are powerful and poignant. Azari's cautiousness belies the fierce fighting spirit that dwells within him, and Pym's playful nature provides good comic relief. Hawkeye is brave and bold and witty; he could carry his own film. Obviously, the voice actors sell the dimensions of the character drama, and like the young characters, the actors keep Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow from being mediocre.
Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow isn't great, but the children of the Avengers are great characters. Thus, it is a shame that this animated film is, after 14 years (as of this writing), the only film in which they appear. I recommend that fans of animated superhero films and television series that feature Marvel Comics characters try Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow.
6 of 10
B
★★★ out of 4 stars
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
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Friday, October 21, 2022
Review: Uneven, Bombastic "BLACK ADAM" is Strictly for Fans
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 63 of 2022 (No. 1875) by Leroy Douresseaux
Black Adam (2022)
Running time: 124 minutes (2 hours, 4 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, intense action and some language.
DIRECTOR: Jaume Collet-Serra
WRITERS: Adam Sztykiel, Rory Haines, and Sohrab Noshirvani (based on characters created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck)
PRODUCERS: Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, and Beau Flynn
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Lawrence Sher (D.o.P.)
EDITORS: John Lee and Michael L. Sale
COMPOSER: Lorne Balfe
SUPERHERO/FANTASY/ACTION
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Aldis Hodge, Pierce Brosnan, Noah Centineo, Sarah Shahi, Quintessa Swindell, Marwan Kenzari, Bodhi Sabongui, Mohammed Amer, Jalon Christian, Henry Winkler, and Djimon Hounsou with Viola Davis and Henry Cavill
Black Adam is a 2022 superhero and action-fantasy film from director Jaume Collet-Serra. The film is based on characters created by writers Bill Parker and Otto Binder and artist C.C. Beck originally for defunct publisher, Fawcett Comics, and now owned by DC Comics. Black Adam the movie focuses on a legendary hero who returns to life after nearly 5000 years, bringing his unique form of justice to his besieged homeland.
Black Adam opens in 2600 BC. In the city of Kahndaq, there is a legend that the tyrannical king, Anh-Kot (Marwan Kenzari), intended to create an object of dark magic, the Crown of Sabbac, which is known to give the wearer great power. He enslaves his own people and forces them to dig in the mountains for “Eternium,” the magical crystal Anh-Kot will use to make the crown. A legendary hero, Teth-Adam (Dwayne Johnson), arises and kills Anh-Kot before the hero himself is buried somewhere in the ruins of the Anh-Kot's castle – so the legends say.
Present day Kahndaq is oppressed by members of the international crime syndicate known as “Intergang.” They are searching for university professor and resistance fighter, Adrianna Tomaz (Sarah Shahi). She is trying to locate the Crown of Sabbac, with the help of her brother, Karim (Mohammed Amer), and some of his colleagues. Ambushed after finding the crown, Adrianna revives Teth-Adam, and although he kills her assailants, the risen hero proves to be something much less than a hero.
Meanwhile, from the United States, the superhero Hawkman/Carter Hall (Aldis Hodge) leads a group of heroes, the Justice Society: Doctor Fate/Kent Nelson (Pierce Brosnan), Cyclone/Maxine Hunkel (Quintessa Swindell), and newcomer Atom Smasher/Albert “Al” Rothstein (Noah Centineo), into Kahndaq to take Teth-Adam into custody. While Adrianna and her son, Amon (Bodhi Sabongui), watch, Teth-Adam battles the Justice Society throughout the city. However, Teth-Adam will be forced to confront the truth about himself and about his past if he and the Justice Society are going to stop a great evil from ruling Kahndaq again.
In case you are wondering, Teth-Adam does not become “Black Adam” until the end of the film. He is neither hero nor villain. Black Adam, in the case of this film, is not so much an anti-hero as he is simply Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The movie only exists because Johnson willed it into existence. Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Films' original plan was apparently to make Black Adam a supporting character/villain in the movie Shazam that was released in 2019. Johnson wanted more for the character than to be a mere lackey, and truthfully, had he appeared in Shazam as Black Adam, Johnson, as an international movie star with a huge personality, would have dominated the film in ways that probably would have been bad for it.
In the case of Black Adam the movie, it is Johnson's will that holds this film together, otherwise, it would fall apart. The screenplay is a disaster with a plot that is a patchwork of clumsy sub-plots. The film's pace is uneven, being a mixture of tedious action sequences and unnecessary fighting. The characters are either barely likable or are ridiculous. The kid character, Amon Tomaz, is actually quite nice, but his mother, Adrianna, is really irritating.
Don't get me started on the Justice Society. As Hawkman, actor Aldis Hodge is so intense that it makes a lot of his performance seem like overacting. [Actor Michael B. Jordan also has a problem with being too intense.] Pierce Brosnan is embarrassing as Doctor Fate, but Brosnan's problems could be a poorly written character and crappy dialogue. The superhero Cyclone is … tragic. So is Atom Smasher, but actor Noah Centineo delivers Smasher's bad dialogue in a way that sounds funny.
Twice while watching Black Adam, I wanted to walk out of the film, but I was seeing it with a friend. Black Adam seems much longer than its 124-minute running time. At one point, I thought the film was over, so I checked my phone and discovered that there was more than a half-hour left. I can only recommend this films to die hard fans of superhero movies and to fans of Dwayne Johnson. I could not recommend this film to anyone else. I'm only giving this film a “C” grade because I am a fan of Johnson and an admirer of what he has built for himself; if not for him, I don't know how much lower I would go. I am not sure that I could watch Black Adam again, even in bits and pieces when it becomes a cable TV staple.
4 of 10
C
★★ out of 4 stars
Friday, October 21, 2022
The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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Thursday, October 13, 2022
Review: "DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS" is an Amusing Diversion ... for Children
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 60 of 2022 (No. 1872) by Leroy Douresseaux
DC League of Super-Pets (2022) - animated
Running time: 105 minutes (1 hour, 45 minutes)
MPAA – PG for action, mild violence, language and rude humor
DIRECTOR: Jared Stern
WRITERS: Jared Stern and John Whittington (based on characters appearing in DC Comics)
PRODUCERS: Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Patricia Hicks, and Jared Stern
EDITORS: David Egan and Jhoanne Reyes
COMPOSER: Steve Jablonsky
ANIMATION STUDIO: Warner Animation Group/Animal Logic
ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/FANTASY
Starring: (voices) Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kevin Hart, Kate McKinnon, John Krasinski, Vanessa Bayer, Natasha Lyonne, Diego Luna, Thomas Middleditch, Ben Schwartz, Keanu Reeves, Marc Maron, Olivia Wilde, Jameela Jamil, Jemaine Clement, John Early, Daveed Diggs, Dascha Polanco, Maya Erskine, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alfred Molina, Lena Headey, Winona Bradshaw, and Keith David
DC League of Super-Pets is a 2022 3D computer-animated, superhero fantasy and action-comedy film directed by Jared Stern with CGI animation produced by Animal Logic. The film is based on characters and concepts appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. DC League of Super-Pets focuses on Superman's dog and a group newly super-powered shelter animals who must stop a conspiracy hatched by a guinea pig that is an evil genius.
DC League of Super-Pets opens with the story of how baby Kal-El and a Labrador Retriever-like pup left the planet Krypton, as it was in the throes of destruction, in a space ship headed to Earth. Decades later, the baby is now Superman/Clark Kent (John Krasinski) and his pet, Krypto the Superdog (Dwayne Johnson). All is well between Superman and his super-best friend until Clark decides to take his relationship with Lois Lane (Olivia Wilde), a fellow reporter at “The Daily Planet,” to the next level. Krypto suddenly feels that his relationship with Superman is threatened.
Meanwhile, LexCorp CEO and Superman's enemy, Lex Luthor (Marc Maron), has hatched a plot to bring a meteorite of “orange kryptonite” to Earth. Superman and Krypto easily stop the plot with the aid of the Justice League: Wonder Woman (Jameela Jamil), Aquaman (Jemaine Clement), Flash (John Early), Green Lantern (Dascha Polanco), Cyborg (Daveed Diggs), and the Batman (Keanu Reeves).
At LexCorp, Lex used guinea pigs as test subjects. One of them, Lulu (Kate McKinnon), is also an evil genius. She has reeled in her own piece of orange kryptonite, having discovered that it gives super-powers to animals. Now empowered by flight and telekinesis, Lulu is determined to free the now imprisoned Lex Luthor and to destroy Superman and the Justice League. Now, only Krypto and a ragtag band of shelter animals: Ace a boxer dog (Kevin Hart), PB the potbellied pig (Vanessa Bayer), Merton the slider turtle (Natasha Lyonne), and Chip the squirrel (Diego Luna), are left to stop Lulu's plot and save Superman.
DC League of Super-Pets is cute, and I imagine that it may be a hit with certain young viewers. While watching it, I couldn't wait for it to be over. The first 56 minutes of the film is formulaic superhero movie drivel, except for a moment here and there, such as the baby Kal-El and puppy Krypto's exodus from a dying Krypton. The film does not have another emotional moment that feels real until Kevin Hart's Ace tells his tragic story. When the other shelter pets tell their story, those stories don't work as well as Ace's. Also, I wasn't crazy with the design and art direction for this film. Everything looks like second-rate retro and draw-by-number art deco.
Perhaps, I have mixed feelings about this movie because I have mixed feelings about the voice performances. Dwayne Johnson is okay as Krypto; to me, his personality seems wrong for Krypto. Keanu Reeves is good as Batman, mainly because he captures the humorous angle written for the character. Kevin Hart is quite good as Ace; actually, Hart's Ace would have been a better lead character. [Maybe, we can get an “Ace the Bat-Hound” movie.] Kate McKinnon is also really good as Lulu, and she makes a character that probably shouldn't work dominate much of this movie. No other voice performances in this film really move me.
The last act of DC League of Super-Pets offers a satisfying superhero battle with a victory for the heroes. McKinnon is so good at making Lulu evil that I cheered when she receives her comeuppance. I can recommend this movie to fans of superhero films, especially fans of films based on DC Comics characters, and to young audiences. For the most part, it is like the average DreamWorks Animation or Illumination Entertainment anthropomorphic animal movie. There are many superhero films that I watch repeatedly, but I doubt DC League of Super-Pets will be one of them.
[This film includes an end credits scene featuring Black Adam, his dog (Anubis), Superman, and Krypto.]
5 of 10
C+
★★½ out of 4 stars
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
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Friday, July 8, 2022
Review: "THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER" is Full of Love and Thunder
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Running time: 119 minutes (1 hour, 59 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, language, some suggestive material and partial nudity
DIRECTOR: Taika Waititi
WRITERS: Taiki Waititi and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson; from a story by Taika Waititi (based on the Marvel Comics)
PRODUCERS: Kevin Feige and Brad Winderbaum
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Barry Idoine (D.o.P.)
EDITORS: Peter S. Elliot, Tim Roche, Matthew Schmidt, and Jennifer Vecchiarello
COMPOSERS: Michael Giacchino and Nami Melumad
SUPERHERO/FANTASY/ACTION and COMEDY/DRAMA
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Christian Bale, Tessa Thompson, Taika Waititi (voice) Jaimie Alexander, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel (voice), Bradley Cooper (voice), Kieron L. Dyer, Idris Elba, Brett Goldstein, and Russell Crowe and Natalie Portman
Thor: Love and Thunder is a 2022 superhero fantasy and action-comedy directed by Taika Waititi and produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the fourth film in Marvel's Thor film series, which began with Thor (2011). Thor is a Marvel Comics character that first appeared in the comic book, Journey into Mystery #83 (cover dated: August 1962), and is based on the Norse mythological deity of the same name. In Love and Thunder, Thor reunites with his ex-girlfriend to fight a being who plans to make the gods extinct.
Thor: Love and Thunder finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth), using his second enchanted hammer, “Stormbreaker,” is fighting the bad guys of the galaxy with the Guardians of the Galaxy: Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Groot (voice of Vin Diesel), and Rocket (voice of Bradley Cooper). Thor is at a crossroads in his life and is unsure of what to do next.
Back on Earth, Thor's ex-girlfriend, the astrophysicist Dr. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), is battling stage four cancer. Seeking medical treatment, Jane travels to New Asgard. There, she has a strange encounter with Thor's broken hammer, Mjolnir.
Meanwhile, Thor has answered a distress signal from one of Asgard's warriors, Sif (Jaimie Alexander). She warns him of Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), a being who possesses the god-killing weapon, “the Necrosword.” When Gorr attacks New Asgard, Thor returns to join the battle. Much to his shock, he discovers that Mjolnir has reforged and bonded with Jane Foster, transforming her into another Thor.
Now, Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), King of Asgard, and Korg (voice of Taika Waititi), the rocky Kronan warrior, join Thor and Thor on a journey to fight Gorr. But are they enough to fight a being that has already killed many gods?
The last year's worth of Marvel Studios films, five including Thor: Love and Thunder, have been different, even offbeat, much to the chagrin of some critics and fans. People complained that Marvel's films were too much alike, and now that the studio has given us five films that are quite different from the first 11 years of films, they still aren't happy.
Anyway, I want to make it clear that there is plenty of “thunder” in Thor: Love and Thunder. Director Taika Waititi offers some action set pieces that are either unusual or have an unusual angle to them. As Gorr, Christian Bale gives a multi-layered performance full of pathos, humor, and maniacal glee. It is a seemingly effortless performance from one of the best actors of the last quarter-century. So, this superhero movie has a great villain, one who can match both Thors and is genuinely vengeful, a vengeance grounded in love.
Still, Waititi wants Thor to be something really different. The films trades in themes of love, death, and change. Thor Odinson and Jane Foster-Thor are both in crisis. The Odinson is having a sort of mid-life crisis. If he is no longer the rascally young heir to the throne of Asgard or the Avenger's lightning, thunder, and muscle, then, what is he? Jane Foster is facing an existential crisis; her cancer is really terminal. Should she quietly accept her fate or should she go out with a bang and some thunder as Thor, fighting their enemy to death, if need be?
Thor: Love and Thunder is a perfect film for this time. It chooses love over despair. It is a post-breakup movie in which Thor and Jane Foster find their way back to one another. Although death is an end, it can also mean change, and that is what can be in store for Thor and Thor and for King Valkyrie, Korg, and a few other characters.
I love what director Taika Waititi has created in his two Thor films, this and the earlier Thor: Ragnarok (2017). Thor: Love and Thunder finds the humor in every situation, even the dark and dangerous ones, which might put off some of its audience. However, I like that Thor: Love and Thunder is a film made of joy, color, and wonder that travels across the galaxy and into different realms. But no matter where it goes, Thor: Love and Thunder full of thunderous sounds and furious love.
[This film as two scenes that occur during the credits, one in the middle and one at the end.]
8 of 10
A
★★★★ out of 4 stars
Friday, July 8, 2022
The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.
Friday, May 6, 2022
Review: "DOCTOR STRANGE" Sequel is Pure Sam Raimi Goodness
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 28 of 2022 (No. 1840) by Leroy Douresseaux
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Running time: 126 minutes (2 hours, six minutes)
MPA – PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, frightening images and some language
DIRECTOR: Sam Raimi
WRITER: Michael Waldron (based on the Marvel Comics)
PRODUCER: Kevin Feige
CINEMATOGRAPHER: John Mathieson
EDITORS: Bob Murawski and Tia Nolan
COMPOSER: Danny Elfman
SUPERHERO/FANTASY/HORROR/ACTION
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez; Rachel McAdams, Michael Stuhlbarg, Julian Hilliard, Jett Klyne, Sheila Atim; Ako Mitchll, John Krasinski, Anson Mount, Hayley Atwell, Lashana Lynch, Charlize Theron, and Patrick Stewart
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a 2022 superhero, action, and horror-fantasy film directed by Sam Raimi and produced by Marvel Studios. It is the 28th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and is also a sequel to the 2016 superhero movie, Doctor Strange. Both films focus on the Marvel Comics character, Doctor Strange, who first appeared in the comic book, Strange Tales #10 (cover dated: July 1963), and who was created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee. In the new film, Doctor Strange battles to protect the Multiverse and a young woman who can travel through it.
As Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness opens, Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is plagued by dreams in which he finds himself involved with a mysterious young woman. But life goes on. Wong (Benedict Wong), Strange's friend and mentor, is now Earth's Sorcerer Supreme. Also, Stephen's former lover, Dr. Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams), is getting married, and he is attending the wedding.
During the wedding, an octopus demon wreaks havoc in the neighborhood, and Stephen meets the young woman again. Her name is America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), and she can travel through the Multiverse by punching doorways through dimensions. Demonic forces are tracking her, and Strange believes that only the Book of Vishanti can stop these demons. Dr. Strange turns to an expert for help, the former Avenger, Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen). However, the mastermind behind the attacks on America is quite powerful, and the identity of this attacker is quite surprising.
And things only get worse. Dr. Strange must face his old adversary, Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) … something called “the Illuminati” … and multiple versions of himself.
I have come across complaints that Marvel Studios' films are formulaic and complaints that the studios' films are not “director-driven” (whatever that means). Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is not like other Marvel films, and at least to me, it seems “director-driven.”
The director of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is Sam Raimi, who is best known for directing Sony/Columbia Picture's first trilogy of Spider-Man films (2002-07). Before then, Raimi's best known work was the “Evil Dead” trilogy, comprised of Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), and Army of Darkness (1993). And Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness seems like a superhero film built on the aesthetic or, at least, the sensibilities of the “Evil Dead” trilogy. In fact, this Doctor Strange film is like an Evil Dead movie with the budget of a … well, Marvel Studios movie. Even more than his Spider-Man films, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is the truest Sam Raimi superhero movie to date.
I don't want to spoil much more than I already have, but I can say that the VFX in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is not only superb, but also inventive and imaginative. Of course, the productions values are quite good; once again, I must say that everything looks like it would in a Raimi Evil Dead movie with mega-event, tent-pole film's budget. Also, Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen give superb performances, especially Olsen.
In spite of what Marvel Studios and Disney may say, however, I am not sure what the impact of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness actually is. I really like this movie because it really IS a Sam Raimi movie, and I love his movies. But, is this Doctor Strange film as consequential to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Spider-Man: No Way Home seems to be...?
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness seems most important because of what it promises – new tomorrows, new worlds, new heroes, new movies … and hopefully more Sam Raimi Marvel movies. I am thankful that Marvel Studios allowed him to make this movie. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is better than the original film, and it is Marvel's weirdest movie to date – a thrill ride of delightful and inspired wackiness. Plus, it gives some of us what we hoped that the original would – a true dark fantasy/horror Doctor Strange movie.
[Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has one mid-credit scene and one end-credit scene.]
8 of 10
A
★★★★ out of 4 stars
Friday, May 6, 2022
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Saturday, April 23, 2022
TRAILER: The First Official Teaser Trailer for "THOR: Love and Thunder" is Here
The first official teaser for Marvel Studios’ THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER has arrived. The film reportedly finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced — a quest for inner peace. However, his retirement is interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), who seeks the extinction of the gods. To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi), and ex-girlfriend, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who — to Thor’s surprise — inexplicably wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, as the Mighty Thor.
Together, they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.
Marvel Studios’ THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER stars Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Natalie Portman and Christian Bale. Directed by Taika Waititi. In theaters July 8, 2022.
The teaser trailer is below:
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