That a movie can intelligently reflect big picture racial politics and simultaneously have me turn to my wife mid-battle and squeal “THEY BROUGHT RHINOS” is nothing short of miraculous. Nonetheless, that in a nutshell is Marvel’s Black Panther from director Ryan Coogler, the third straight perfect game in his cinematic ascent (following Fruitvale Station and Creed), and the third straight gem released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. [Read more…] about Black Panther Review! All The Stars Are Gold
Comic Book Movies
Justice League Movie Review: I Believe In Justice
If you’ve invested years into Justice League comics and Justice League Unlimited (the animated series), it’s hard not to feel like 2017’s Justice League is designed directly for you.
Unlike Marvel Studio’s (declining) obsession with overlaying their movies with “true” film styles (Winter Soldier is a “political spy thriller”; Thor: Ragnarok is a pure comedy), DC’s Justice League is a Comic Book Movie heart, mind and soul. [Read more…] about Justice League Movie Review: I Believe In Justice
Thor Ragnarok Review: Hey Man, It’s The Best Marvel Movie This Year
Thor wastes absolutely no time in teaching you how to watch.
Whereas most action movies would spend a full two hours building to a confrontation between the God of Thunder and Surtur (aka Asgard’s DOOM!), Ragnarok barely wastes five minutes. Even then, Surtur’s realm-conquering monologing is record-scratched over and over by some semi-predictable gags.
At the end of the day, that’s the magic of Thor: Ragnarok. Even in a land replete with gods, absolutely nothing is sacred. [Read more…] about Thor Ragnarok Review: Hey Man, It’s The Best Marvel Movie This Year
My Favorite Spider-Man Movie Review – Where Does Homecoming Rank in the MCU?
When I was but a wee spider-lad, my roving gang of pre-teen friends thought it would be fun to sit front row for the opening of Spider-Man, the new film by Sam Raimi starring Toby Maguire. I knew nothing of Maguire, and even less of Raimi, but I knew I loved the 90’s Spider-Man Animated Series, and was thrilled to find that movie Spider-Man brought some semblance of that action, melodrama, and Peter Parker to the screen. As I craned my neck skyward and nearly went blind, I remember thinking “We will have good Spider-Man movies for the rest of my life!” [Read more…] about My Favorite Spider-Man Movie Review – Where Does Homecoming Rank in the MCU?
Guardians of the Galaxy 2 Movie Review!
Guardians of the Galaxy 2 is not for the cynical. Nonetheless, I couldn’t shake a disapppointed cynicism for the movie’s first two minutes.
The baby Groot opening dance number feels like fan-service of the most extreme degree, with corporate overlords counting the toy sale dollars to the tune of Electric Light Orchestra’s “Mr. Blue Sky.” The tiny dancing tree reeked so strongly of “Oh you liked Groot’s post credits dance? Well then you’ll love this!!” [Read more…] about Guardians of the Galaxy 2 Movie Review!