Marvel’s Captin America: Civil War wasn’t as good as I thought it could be. Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo and starring Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr, the movie felt like an Avengers reject project with the exception of Ironman’s storyline. I’m not going to give too much away, but the battle between Ironman and Captain America was highly overrated and uneventful. The storytelling process was way off for me and it took production two in a half hours just to reveal the truth behind Tony Stark’s past. I don’t understand why they couldn’t tell the important part of Stark’s story within his own movie and just let CA’S story be enough. I realize that stories will overlap within the Marvel Universe, but it just wasn’t enough for me to be satisfied this time. Some of the characters I really liked but I felt that there were just way too many at one time. The amount of characters just tried to overshadow the lack of storytelling. I don’t like the idea of good guys battling each other, but now that seems to be the norm within the superhero comic world.
Everything else was fine, the special effects were good and the action was ok. I just can’t remember what the initial mission was for the Avengers. If they make another CA movie, I will wait for it to come out on Dvd.
Norman Reedus, star of AMC’S hit zombie apocalypse show, The Walking Dead, graced fans this past weekend with a live Q and A session at the Montclair Film Festival. The event was hosted by Joel Stillerman, AMC’S president of Original Programming. Stillerman asked Norman a series of questions that allowed fans to get an in-depth and personal look at the Boondock Saints actor. Norman’s down to earth attitude was infections as the crowd listened to stories about Norman not being the “cool kid in school.” He talked about how his life has been impacted by fame, and how it hasn’t changed him as a person within. We all shared a sympathetic “awww” when he talked about having cameras in his face all the time and deciding to eat his lunch in the bathroom on a plane. Stillerman mentioned some of Norman ‘s earlier work and revealed that he loves photography. He showed two of Norman ‘s published photo books and openly discussed his passion for “capturing dark moments, but seeing a light within that darkness.” He discussed the close relationship he had with his mom and he talked about his new venture with his friends, expressing his love for motorcycles and the open road on his new show “Ride with Norman.” TWD was mentioned several times, along with his close and loving relationship with cast-mates Andy Lincoln and Steven Yeun, but he could not discuss the fate of his character Daryl Dixon. Norman made it known that he has not read the comics and when filming, he just asks some of the cast where the timeline rolls into the story. Toward the end, a few people got up and asked questions. Two became very emotional and Norman got up to give them some official TWD memorabilia.
Overall the event was very exciting and it was so nice to see Norman live, up close and personal. I hope that he and some of the other cast members make an appearance at a future Montclair Film Festival event.
The Walking Dead season 6 finale excited, shocked, and made us crave for more. The episode answered lots of questions, but also left us asking more questions. The Roller coaster ride continues to go up. Things haven’t been quiet for sometime now. Rick has fully assumed position as leader of Alexandria since Deanna’s death during the mid-season. He has fallen in love and started a romantic relationship with Michone, met Jesus from the Hilltop and has come face to face with arch nemesis Negan. Rick is stronger now than ever, but I fear that his strength will soon weaken once he witnesses the full wrath of Negan.
The people of Alexandria are on the verge of loosing everything they have built and tried to maintain within the walls. Daryl started the war against Negan and his group, which was initiated when he blew up the bikers with the rocket launcher.
While at the Hilltop Rick learns about Negan. He and the group take on the challenge to get rid of him and his group so that he and Alexandria can trade with the Hilltop. That decision leads the group to Negan’s compound where Glenn makes his first kill and Maggie and Carol are captured. The group does some damage but not enough. They come out victorious, but soon run into a new band of problems as they settle back home. Carol leaves, and Rick sends a group out to find her. Daryl sets out on his own to find Dwight, the sleaze that shot an arrow and killed Denise on a run. He is filled with loss and revenge, but then soon finds himself in hot water just as he stumbles on a captured Glenn and Michone.
Something goes terribly wrong with Maggie, as she experiences possible miscarriage pain. Rick and the group gather a few things and set off to take Maggie to the Hilltop where she can get medical attention. On the way, Rick encounters Negan’s group on the road. They are stopped several times and are eventually led into a major trap where a large number of Negan’s men have ambushed Rick and the group. Meanwhile Morgan finds Carol and she confesses that she is ready to die, but Morgan refuses to let her go. She slips away from him injured from her battle with the Saviors. On her travels alone one of the survivors catches up to her and shoots her twice. Morgan finds her again and finally kills the guy to save her. They are recruited by a two men dressed in armor, one of them is the man who lost his horse in episode 15. Those people are from another community called the Kingdom, as it is known in the comic books. Eventually the Hilltop, Alexandria, and The Kingdom join forces to battle Negan’s group.
After plan to dodge Negan goes wrong, Rick and the group are all brought to their knees, and are reunited with Michone, Daryl, Glenn, Rosita, and Eugene. Negan finally makes himself known along with his precious bat Lucille. The fear in everyone’s eyes is practically haunting as they all take in the air of death upon their necks. He proposes an offer for Rick-for them to give half of all they have to him in order to stay alive. Negan is dead set on punishing Rick for killing so many of his men. One by one he tries to choose which person to kill. He makes a choice and bashes the head in of someone who we will have wait until October to find out who lost This episode was directed by Greg Nicotero , who by which is an awesome director, but this episode had to be one of the most disappointing episodes I’ve seen in a while. I had a problem with the 90 minutes, and half of a season of building up to such an epic point just to be let down by the end. Jeffrey Dean Morgan had to be on camera for about a whole five minutes, then it ended and we have no clue who was killed. At this point I don’t even think the writers know who they want to kill off. Most of the episode was spent on the group going in circles, and Carol and Morgan’s to die or not die story-line.
The special effects were great and there is always something new to see visually. I will spend this time reading the books which will include the new book.
Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice was not as bad as most of the reviews claim. Directed by Zack Snyder and starring Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck, the movie merges Metropolis and Gotham City in a way that helped to possibly introduce a future that fans of the DC comic world has been anticipating for years.
Without giving too much away basically Bruce Wayne aka Batman believes that Superman is a major threat to the world and sets off on a personal vendetta to put an end to the extraterrestrial hero. Superman does everything he can to try to clear his name as a killer. His intentions were misunderstood, but no matter what he does to help,the people just can’t fully put their trust in him. In this movie Batman is more of a villain than a hero. Another villain soon surfaces, Lex Luther played by Jesse Eisenberg. Lex does all he can to try to destroy Superman once he gets his hands on Kryptonite.
Some interesting characters make an appearance like, Aquaman, The Flash and Cyborg, which I think will set the stage for future movies.
Overall the movie was very interesting. The action scenes were done in a manner that was exciting, but I just think that the some of the casting choices muddled the story-line and brought down the overall mood of the film. First and foremost I just can’t get over why Christian Bale declined the original offer. Aside from Michael Keaton, Bale is by far the best Batman and that is why I just cannot accept Ben Affleck in this role. Batman appears to be aging, and the fact that he still hasn’t come to grips with the death of his parents just makes him even more distant as a character. It is clear that this is not the crime fighting Justice seeking individual that we have seen and grown to love in the past. We have struggled with Bruce and seen him in ways that made him more identifiable than any other hero we have seen. Affleck was unconnected and cold on so many levels. This role was not meant for him and it was clear that his on-screen delivery expressed that. Another problem I had with the casting was with The Social Network star Jessie Eisenberg. He just did not channel a serious Lex Luther character. His comical air,seemed to be a better fit to play the Joker. It was as if his character was trapped in the body of another character. He was not a good fit.
Henry Cavill was great as Superman. He gave the same passion and energy he did in the Man of Steel which was a great movie. Another Character that I really loved was the new Wonder Woman played by Gal Gadot. The only problem I had with her was that I wanted to see more of her and know more of her backstory. I hope they get her to do her own movie before Dawn of Justice 2 comes out. I’m not talking about the 1980’s Wonderwoman version.
I won’t spoil the end, but the movie was very interesting and it seems as if some characters have to go through a deeper transition, which will shape who they will become in the future of this adventure.
I give this movie 3 in a half stars. It would have been 5 but for obvious reasons I just couldn’t do it.
If you are a fan please go see it. Check out the trailer below.
TWD is back and bigger than ever. The season six episode 9 opened on Valentine’s Day and I must say it did not disappoint. Directed by special effects genus Greg Nicotero, “No way out” picked up right where the last episode ended.
Alexandria was overrun with walkers, while Carol and Morgan fought over “the wolf.” Rick, Michone, Carl and Jessie, along with her family try to escape the house and head for the armory, while Daryl, Sasha and Abraham face Negan’s men and Glenn does his best to save Maggie who is trapped.
Everything panned out in this episode, but it didn’t pan out without casualties. While no major characters died in this episode, there were major shockers and explosive moments that kept us on the edge of our seats.
Let’s begin with Daryl and his group as they face Negan’s men. The main biker does his best to shake up things by threatening the group and taking their weapons. Soon Daryl is taken behind the truck by one of the men to give up more supplies, then suddenly without warning Negan’s men explode as their body parts scatter all over. The man of the hour- Daryl Dixon comes out holding a rocket launcher and that was before the official opening of the show. By this time I’m already jumping out of my seat.
Now we are brought back to Rick and the group’s attempt to escape the house. Covered in walker guts, they head out, then suddenly Rick changes his plan and decides to try and lead the walkers out. Gabriel takes Judith to safety while the others go. The group slowly moves about within the herd. “The wolf” takes Denise as a hostage out in the commotion while Rosita, Eugine, Carol, Morgan and Tara come together. Enid and Glenn try to make it to Maggie while Daryl and the group make their way back to Alexandria.
Now darkness has fallen as Rick and his group slither their way through the walkers. Sam is suddenly spooked by the walkers as he hears Carl’s voice in his head. He can’t go on and everyone tries to convince him to go on. He is bitten and so is Jessie. She refuses to let Carl’s hand go and Rick is forced to chop it off with the ax. Ron witnesses his mother and brother’s deaths and turns the gun in his hand on Carl. Carl is shot in the eye and Ron is killed. Rick scoops up Carl in his arms and heads over to Denise’s place. Carol eventually kills “the wolf” and Morgan is left to finish the job. Denise is left with trying to save Carl as Rick truly believes that this is it for Carl. Rick goes on a killing rampage, as he makes an attempt to save what is left of Alexandria. Everyone battles the walkers with the hope of reclaiming the town. Daryl, Sasha and Abraham show up as they lead the walkers into a lake of fire created by Daryl. Carl makes it through the night and the town is reclaimed as the corpses of the dead line the streets.
This episode was filled with excitement and thrilling scenes. The cinematography techniques were great and one of the best scenes was when the camera got a shot of everyone taking a swing at a walker, then ending it with Rick taking the final blow. What a great episode, I must say that this way one of the best TWD episodes ever. I just wish this was a 90 minutes.The special effects were awesome even though I knew Greg used a combination of CG and make up to create Carl’s eye. The show doesn’t feel like it’s in the same season, it feels so fresh and that why this show is the best show on television. Stay tuned because the war with Negan hasn’t even started yet. READ THE COMIC BOOKS, THEY ARE AWESOME!
David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are back reprising their roles as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. This special edition, season 10 will focus on a new major investigation that questions the US government’s involvement with alien abduction. A new speculation arises as Mulder and Scully learn that what they already knew about alien abduction in the past could change the future of what it really means to be human. While Mulder and Scully uncover the truth, they will undergo a series of strange investigations that will lead them on a new journey into the world of the paranormal. So far, my love and excitement for this show has grown even more. It it bigger and better then ever. The story-line did not disappoint. The effects were great and I love the on screen chemistry that Duchovny and Anderson share. Another aspect that I really like is the open window that Carter creates for the audience which gives us a chance to see the past life that Mulder and Scully had as a family.
The new season will only feature six episodes and is back by popular demand. I am hoping that Fox will be ready to sign on to future seasons of the show. After 13 years of being off the air, the show’s ambiance feels as though it never went off. As we embark upon the new age of paranormal and extraterrestrial intrigue, the XFiles does nothing but open the doors to the real possibility that the subject matter is no longer considered science fiction but instead should be considered science fact.
The New Carl Grimes
The World According to LaTaeya 