CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR REVIEW

"Captain America: Civil War" was not only one of my most anticipated films of 2016, It was easily in the top 3 films i have waited for all year. The comic book is one of my favorites and I was very excited to see all these heroes clash. So is it as great as everyone says? Heres the story.

"Civil War," is about how the governments of the world, have decided that the Avengers must be handled by Rules and Regulations, and are prohibited rom going out and "Avenging" on their own. Ironman, guilty over the invention of Ultron, and his killing spree, feels it important that the Avengers have a check system that can prevent more senseless deaths. Captain America, sure that this is the wrong thing, (And sure because whats to prevent governments from getting too powerful? Cap has had to go up against governments before,) refuses to go along with it. Enter the Winter Solider, Bucky Barnes, who has stayed quietly hidden until now. Along with Daniel Bruhl, as the movies villain Zemo, sends the Avengers on a path to chosing sides. Team Cap, or Team Ironman? Which do you chose? This film is everything I wanted. From the soryline, to the acting to the action sequences. Everything is first rate. It also has the introduction of Black Panther, played by Chadwick Boseman, and a brand new Spiderman played by Tom Holland, who without a doubt, has reinvigorated that story in such incredible ways! I would say Boseman and Holland are welcome additions to the group.  We love all these characters and its very cool to see them reunite again but this time clash at each other. It amazes me how much fun it is. 

                                                                THE VERDICT

"Captain America: Civil War" is a thrill ride of a film, with a great story, terrific acting, and spectacular action. I give it an A+. 

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE REVIEW

Batman VS Superman is finally here!!!! After 3 years of waiting we finally have the movie we wanted. So its it good? Is it bad? Is it just okay? Well let me tell you about the story first.

"Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice," is about how Batman thinks that Superman is too powerful. He is witness to the fight between Superman and General Zog, (Scene in the previous Superman movie "Man of Steel") and the end result is Wayne Enterprises employees getting killed or maimed, and he feels justified in trying to stop him. While he preps for that, Superman deals with a severe backlash against him. Bad press and congressional hearings aside, he struggles and wonders, does the world need him? Are they really ready for him and all that he includes?  Lastly, a young Lex Luther comes into view, with a plan all his own. And needless to say, its not a good one.

I will be honest and say, while I didn't love the film, I didn't hate it. In fact I will go as far as to say, I liked it. BUT, I do have some cons.
1.) The film is too long. It can have easily 20 minutes cut from it. The Batman and Superman fight is not as exciting as you think it is. And literally goes on for about 5 minutes more than it should, and ends abruptly, which, after what you are just witness too, seems wrong.
2.)   Holly Hunter and Scoot McNairy, are just two actors who are wasted in the film. And their waste eats up about 20 minutes in the film, so... you know, back to reason 1.
3.) There are story line issues, and character points that made me nuts. For instance, the way they wrote Lois Lane in this movie makes her look like an idiot. She was better written in "Man Of Steel." Amy Adams does a fine job but her character is so dumb.  Also the way Batman and Superman become friends is bad because after forty five minutes of fighting, suddenly they are on the same side. Happened way too quick. Lastly, I defended Jessie Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, but man,  he does not work. He is more of a Riddler character than Lex Luthor. I blame it on lack of story and direction for him. And when I say lack of story, I mean they wrote him something so broad and crazy, it just was too cartoonish for the movie,

Now for the Pros, Ben Affleck proves they didn't make a mistake hiring him. He brings a layer to the performance that puts him next to Bale in the best performances of the character. Henry Cavill and Jeremy Irons turn in solid work.  I did like Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, and Laurence Fishburne, Diane Lane also do great work.   The action is good, although their editor was a little choppy. And for the most point, and I was on the edge of my seat at times. It  has gotten me excited for "The Suicide Squad," and "Wonder Woman." And the thought that Affleck will be bringing his own directing talents to a stand alone "Batman," makes me think that this is going to be a terrific 10 years for the Justice League. Fair warning to parents though. Its pretty violent. Be warned, its not really for kids under 12.

THE VERDICT

Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice Might not be what we exactly wanted due to its over hype, and some of its screenplay, but it has a lot of  really great performances and action. I give it a B+. 

LONDON HAS FALLEN REVIEW

"London has Fallen," is the sequel to " Olympus has fallen." A crazy ride of a shoot movie that has Gerard Butler as  Mike Banning, the best secret service agent ever.  I enjoyed the first one so much, I decided I had to give the second one a try. Lets talk about the story first though. 

"London Has Fallen," is about how the British prime minster has died, and so all the heads of state of forty different countries, are about to descend onto London for his funeral.  So that means, President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart back in the role) and Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) go to London. This time however, Mike is getting ready for the birth of his first child, so he's a little distracted. The President lets him know though that he needs him to come along, and when he does, he does it in only the way he can. He makes sure he does things differently than expected, and when different heads of state are being murdered all over the city due to a terrorist plot, Mike looks like a genius, and starts taking actions to protect the President at all costs.

So first let me say, this film is no where as good as the first. The dialogue is not always good. There were a few out loud laughs, and not in that good way. And its the king of movie cameos. Melissa Leo, and Jackie Earle Haley are in it, and you could almost cut the  out completely and it wouldn't matter.

 Some of the action is quite good. Butler knows how to play these scenes well, and the President has become his partner in their survival. I enjoyed the Chemistry between the two of them. Its what made it a decent action film. 

                                                               THE VERDICT

"London has Fallen," has some decent action, and some elements to the story that work. It tends to over shadow the bad. So as a result, I am giving "London has fallen," a B-

GODS OF EGYPT REVIEW

Ah, Gods of Egypt. I actually had a little hope for this film. It looked silly, but fun. Is it as awful as everyone says it is? Ya it is, but there is something different to it. Lets talk about the story. 

Gods of Egypt stars Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Brenton Thwaites, Gerald Butler, Elodie Yung, Courtney Eaton, Rufus Sewell, and Geoffery Rush, and its about  a God/king  who is murdered by his brother, and how his son, also a god, with the help of a thief, go on a quest to stop the brother. This film, is, terrible. But in the best way possible. Its outrageous dialogue, crazy story line  made me laugh and laugh. And in that way, perhaps its the best, worst movie I have ever seen.   It's entertainingly awful. Nikolaj Coster- Waldau, Brenton Thwaites, Elodie Yung, and Courtney Eaton give decent performances in a horrific movie.  All others are over the top, and wasted. Gerard Butler better get a new agent. I have now seen him play the same part multiple times. 

                                                                    THE VERDICT

Gods Of Egypt is awful but entertaining at the same time, It may have 4 decent performances but that doesn't excuse this  awful movie it is. I give Gods Of Egypt an F+. The plus is for my laughter. 

EDDIE THE EAGLE REVIEW

"Eddie The Eagle!" One of my most anticipated films of the new year! Its got a good cast and great story possibilities. "How is it," you ask? Well let me tell you!

"Eddie the Eagle" tells the story of real life ski jumper Michael "Eddie" Edwards,  who made a name for himself in the Calgary Winter Olympics. It starts out with Eddie having issues with his knees as a child, and as a result, he spends much of his youth in a brace. Once he is freed from it, he longs to be an athlete and go to the Olympics, but  he shows little aptitude for it. He finally figures out that winter sports is where he can shine and becomes a down hill skier. Then when he finds out that the British Olympic team has no ski jumpers. He decides that's the sport for him. Along his practices he meets a man named Bronson Piery, an ex champion jumper,  who agrees to help him learn how to properly train to be a ski jumper.
I love this film! With its good small cast, ( Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman and 2 cameos I don't want to give away) it is funny, heartwarming, and entertaining. My only complaint is the villains are  sort of cliche villains. Big emotions spout out of them like they are in a cartoon. But other then that, its terrific. One of them, who is the head of the Olympic committee, looks as though at any moment, he might twirl his fake mustache. 

                                                           THE VERDICT

 "Eddie the Eagle" Is heart warming and entertaining. I put it in the top films I have seen so far this year. Well worth the trip, and a movie for the whole family! I give it an A -

DEADPOOL REVIEW

Deadpool!!!!!!! An anti hero comic book character I love.  I could not wait for this movie. The first R rated comic book movie I've seen in theaters! With a good cast and decent story is it great? Is it better than "X:Men Wolverine Orgins"? Well first I gotta tell you the story! 

"Deadpool," is about how a mercenary named Wade Wilson is diagnosed with terminal cancer. He is given a second chance by volunteering to be transformed into a mutant with special abilities.  The process deforms his face, and makes him resentful, and he loses his girlfriend in the process. His new mission becomes getting the guy who destroyed his life and stole his girl. The cast includes Ryan Reynolds, TJ Miller, and Ed Skrien. Miller especially gives a comedic turn. They need to use him more cause he understands how to play off a straight man very well. 

This was an entertaining ride from start to finish.  I was invested in all the characters with a first rate hysterical script, and great action and direction. Reynolds has totally made up for his first turn as this character in WOLVERINE ORGINS. 

THE VERDICT

Overall, its a terrific film and as an R rated comic book film, its everything you could want. I give it an A+

Top 10 BEST/WORST OF 2015

BEST:
 1. STAR WARS EPISODE 7: THE FORCE AWAKENS
 2. CREED
 3. THE MARTIAN
 4. STEVE JOBS
5. SPOTLIGHT
6. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
7. THE HATEFUL EIGHT
8. KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE
9. SPY
10. BLACK MASS


WORST:
1. JUPITER ASSCENDING
2. THE LOFT
3. THE TRANSPORTER REFULED
4. HOT PURSUIT
5. PIXELS
6. FANTASTIC FOUR
7. TERMINATOR: GENYSIS
8. CHAPPIE
9. THE GUNMAN
10. TAKEN 3