I moved in April from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, so that took up a lot of time in my life, and I did not maintain keeping up with these blog posts. Well, I am back now, for better or for worse, depending on how much you love me. I saw a handful of movies during the Spring, so let’s rapid-fire these out.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
I feel bad for this movie. There was absolutely no hype. The DCEU was about to be wiped clean with James Gunn taking over. The movie predictably bombed. And it just was nowhere near as good as the first one. I like director David F. Sandberg, who seems to really love the art of filmmaking, and his first Shazam! film was one of the strongest DCEU films. But this sequel just did not have the fun, exciting energy that the first one had. At worst, it is a bland and generic superhero action movie. At best, there are some genuine heartfelt moments (that immediately get undone), and I guess Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu are having a lot of fun as the villains. I do not dislike this movie as much as everyone else, but this is not a stirring endorsement either.
Scream VI
It is surprising how solid this 26-year-old franchise has been, given that this is the sixth movie. This time around, when you want your movie to feel grittier and dirtier, you take your characters to the grungiest place in the world: New York City baby. I like the characters. I like the slasher scenes. I liked that I was in New York watching this movie. There are some brutal moments where characters should definitely be dead or incapacitated, but, you know, movie. If you like the Scream movies, you will like this one. If you don’t like the Scream movies, this one will not change your mind. Also, Jenna Ortega is looking much more Wednesday Addams this time around.
John Wick: Chapter 4
This is simply the action movies to rule all action movies. Director Chad Stahelski has crafted the ultimate action film, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in this genre, and it clocks in at an epic three-hour runtime. With an expanded cast of characters, the action is ramped up to a whole new level, featuring an abundance of blood, guns, swords, and bone-crunching punches, all executed flawlessly. What sets this film apart from typical action movies is that Keanu Reeves himself performs most of the stunts, creating a genuine connection between the audience and the protagonist. The climactic overhead tracking action sequence left me in awe, with the entire theater silenced by its intensity. The cinematography throughout the movie is breathtaking, adding an extra layer of visual splendor. Easily among my favorite releases of the year.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
This movie is a delightful surprise that delivers a thoroughly enjoyable experience. It excels at crafting a whimsical and entertaining world, filled with endearing characters. The film wisely focuses on its strengths without overreaching. Chris Pine’s undeniable charm and charisma shine through, making him a captivating presence on screen. It also helps that he is the most handsome man in the world. With a mix of humor, charm, excitement, and heartfelt moments, this movie hits all the right notes. There isn’t much more to add except to say that it is worth watching for a fun movie night.
Air
This was a movie made for me. A dramatized historical underdog 80s story of how Nike was able to sign Michael Jordan, played by an all-star cast of Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Viola Davis, Jason Bateman, and Chris Tucker? Yeah, sign me up. I’ve seen this movie three times already, once in theaters, a second time with my dad when it went on streaming on Amazon Prime, and a third time with some friends in LA. And every time, the movie was captivating from beginning to end. Of course, with the duo of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, you would expect a well-written, charismatic, entertaining movie. But, for me, what this movie does best is make Nike feel like the underdog. And everyone loves a great underdog story.
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spidey man ?
Part 2 🙂