Oscar Thoughts / Predictions 2022

 Oscar Thoughts / Predictions 2022

  Time for the Academy Awards again and back in March again... it will be interesting to see what is what with a season that has been both the samey for some picks but with more dark horses than ever so anything can happen if kind of middling overall.  

Best Picture

•  Belfast 
• CODA
• Don’t Look Up 
• Drive My Car
• Dune
• King Richard 
• Licorice Pizza 
• Nightmare Alley 
• The Power of the Dog
• West Side Story

Who Will Win:  Every year going in there's a film that is "the one" that wins this across shows whether it deserves it or not and this year it's been Power Of The Dog so that's the biggest contender. However CODA has been a big dark horse lately so it could be that or something more traditional like West Side Story or even Nightmare Alley Or Dune based on past praise. 

Who Should Win: Dune is to my tastes and is probably the best movie on this list ... or Don't Look up , or Licorice Pizza, or Nightmare Alley...all of the more spicier picks that won't win! Power Of The Dog is FINE, I get it ...but we'll see

Best Director

•  Paul Thomas Anderson (Licorice Pizza)
• Kenneth Branagh (Belfast)
• Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog)
• Ryûsuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car)
• Steven Spielberg (West Side Story)

Who Will Win: Another case of Best Picture + Best Director nearly locked in Power Of The Dog. Belfast is possible too... or a Parasite-esque and deserved Drive My Car. 

Who Should Win: To me this would be more Pizza vs Belfast vs Drive My Car over Power of the dog but all makes sense; it's hard to say

Best Actor

•  Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos)
• Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog)
• Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick … Boom!)
• Will Smith (King Richard)
• Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth)

Who Will Win: Pre-season indicates this will finally be Will Smith's first Oscar but Best Picture trends could continue with the fantastic Cumberbatch or the buzz for Andrew Garfield

Who Should Win: I would pick Garfield, Washington, or Bardem of these. 

Best Actress

•  Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)
• Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter)
• Penélope Cruz (Parallel Mothers)
• Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos)
• Kristen Stewart (Spencer)

Who Will Win: Once again and so gladly Chastain has been sweeping because it just makes sense. Stewart could get what she deserves and I feel Colman or Cruz are dark horses

Who Should Win: Chastain indeed! Or Stewart with both being so amazing and originally underappreciated at release. 

Best Supporting Actor

•  Ciarán Hinds (Belfast)
• Troy Kotsur (CODA)
• Jesse Plemons (The Power of the Dog)
• J.K. Simmons (Being the Ricardos)
• Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog)

Who Will Win: Kotsur has been  sweeping the pre-season which is so nice to see. It's a tough category that could go to one of the many others especially the Plemons vs Smit-McPhee Dog duo. 

Who Should Win: No complaints for Kotsur what an underdog story yet also Hinds was fantastic. 

Best Supporting Actress

•   Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter)
• Ariana DeBose (West Side Story)
• Judi Dench (Belfast)
• Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog)
• Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard)

Who Will Win: DeBose has been strong in the pre-season but once again Power Of The Dog's Dunst may sweep it all. 

Who Should Win: It's hard to take a guess here but Dench again since I think Belfast should win some. DeBose is fine too.

Best Original Screenplay

•  Belfast 
• Don’t Look Up 
• King Richard 
• Licorice Pizza 
• The Worst Person in the World (written by Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier)

Who Will Win: This could be where Licorice Pizza actually wins or something like Belfast or Don't Look Up does. 

Who Should Win: Licorice Pizza or Don't Look Up please for being so original and different it's the name of the award. 

Best Adapted Screenplay

•  CODA
• Drive My Car 
• Dune 
• The Lost Daughter 
• The Power of the Dog 

Who Will Win: Potential sweepers CODA vs Power Of The Dog faceoff here but Dune was such a strong adaptation. There's a Lost Daughter vibe somewhere at this show .

Who Should Win:  DUNE PLEASE although fine with CODA, Dog, or Drive My Car. 

Best Animated Feature

•  Encanto 
• Flee 
• Luca 
• The Mitchells vs. the Machines 
• Raya and the Last Dragon  

Who Will Win: Disney has this category on lock with 3 of 5 however as for which it's hard to say. Encanto and Raya seem to have more substance than the lowkey Luca and each with their own cultural representation significance making them most likely. In the public consciousness Encanto is more traditionally Disney so that may be the winner even if Raya is far better. 

Who Should Win: MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINES IS THE BEST ON THIS LIST! So that even if the odds are low but it may be a slight dark horse. Of the Disney releases please Raya or Luca but perhaps in a way cheering for Flee to disrupt the system. 

Best Visual Effects

•  Dune 
• Free Guy 
• No Time to Die 
• Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 
• Spider-Man: No Way Home  

Who Will Win: Aside the unlisted other categories on this list (cinematography etc) which are more clear locks Dune is both the best film on this list and has some of the best effects however MCU could win another Oscar here for the popularity of Spidey or Shang-Chi or veneration for James Bond

Who Should Win: DUNE as always but would be happy for Spidey to get the Oscars it deserved more of.

Best Costume Design

•  Cruella 
• Cyrano 
• Dune 
• Nightmare Alley  
• West Side Story  

Who Will Win: Dune could if it pulls a Mad Max Fury Road style sweep of everything but Cruella has some of the most outrageous fashion. 

Who Should Win: While of course Dune again please give Cyrano the award it deserves! Also Nightmare Alley should win at least one somewhere 

Best Score

•  Don’t Look Up 
• Dune 
• Encanto 
• Parallel Mothers 
• The Power of the Dog
  

Who Will Win:  This seems like something where something boring such as Power Of The Dog gets it if it sweeps but hopefully it's a truthful Dune sweep.  Encanto also has that Lin-Manuel Miranda + cultural bonus going on

Who Should Win: DUNE please but wouldn't mind Encanto since it's jamming 

We'll see what happens!

Top Ten Films, Video Games, and Music Albums Of 2021

 Top Ten Films, Video Games, and Music Albums Of 2021

It's that time again (a little belated as this all is) for the top movies / games / music albums notated here from 2021 "this" / last year. See below and as always if something obvious is missing I probably didn't have the chance to experience through / play it but happy to catch up or debate its absence wherever relevant. Bring on the next one! 

My Top Films 2021:

1. and thus Movie Of The Year: Dune (For its incredible attention to detail, cast, music, set pieces, epic scope.. EVERYTHING!) 

2. The Green Knight (For its surreal artistic metaphorical narrative, Dev Patel performance,  and gorgeous cinematography / music for such an ambiance) 

3. Spider-Man: No Way Home (For its masterful blend of old and new to make both the best Holland / MCU era climax alongside a nostalgic trip down villian / hero memory lane)

4. The Suicide Squad (2)/ (Gunn's) (For showing the DCEU can make a MCU movie just as good as the MCU can when it steals one of its directors allowing for a R-rated bloody funny time) 

5. Don't Look Up (For bringing up some very important points in well done by McKay's comedy return alongside terrific hilarious performances from Leo DiCap, Jlaws, Jonah Hill, etc) 

6. Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings (For its majestic scope, fight scenes, special effects, music,  and yet again important representation) 

7. The Last Duel (For its directorial attention to detail and action scenes alongside intense performances in a tragically dark tale)

8. James Bond No Time To Die (For a fitting end to the Daniel Craig era with exciting action and beautiful scenery)

9. Last Night In Soho (For something different from Edgar Wright and its spooky / music-filled retro ambiance in a twisty plot)

10. Nightmare Alley (For the usual Del Toro attention to detail in set design , music, and direction alongside many great performances)

Honorable 11-13:

11. Raya and the Last Dragon (For being perhaps the most darkly epic and mature Disney itself animated film in years while being gorgeously colorful and fun at the same time)  

12. I Care A Lot (For such a unique and exciting plot of evil vs evil with great Rosamund Pike and Peter Dinklage hamming-it-up roles) 

13. The Mitchells vs the Machines (For being the surprise no one expected for a straight to Netflix Sony Animated piece with tons of heart and laughs)

(Honorable Not Sure How'd They'd Count: Justice League: The Snyder Cut (For delivering an epic dark superhero saga as it was meant to be scene with so much backstory and lore that fits)

, Bo Burnham's Inside Special (For being not just a movie or a comedy special or a music album but excellling at all of the above with important COVID-era lessons and therapy.."BEZOOSSS") 

Overall: Really good year with the re-opening of the movie theaters felt for the largest blockbusters as well as the smallest of indie / A24 oscar bait; if anything a prolonged Oscar season led to so much

stuff total on both ends (this was at 30ish "top" true contenders!).. of course there was some mistakes but the media is healing and franchises are getting more exciting than ever.

My Top Video Games 2021:

1. and thus Game Of The Year: Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart (For showing once again Sony makes gorgeous cinematic game experiences like no other truly being next gen more than anything else)

2. Metroid Dread (For a long awaited return to 2d platforming feeling just as ambient and hardcore as back in the day)

3. Psychonauts 2 (For its hilarious writing and unique level design being just like back in the day)

4. (Square's) Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy (For being spot on to the Gunn movies with wild set pieces and humor making up for ok same-y yet flashy combat) 

5. Halo (6): Infinite (For having a return to form gameplay especially in (free as a surprise!) multiplayer with a cool open world take on campaign I still haven't seen all of yet)

6. WarioWare: Get It Together (For silly fast multiplayer modes of various types and bringing action to the main game fusing old and new so well) 

7. Deathloop (For a unique take on the roguelike formula into FPS with so much style in setting / narrative / music)

8. Mario Golf: Super Rush (For its free DLC update season and so many modes with the fun speed / arena modes)

9. Knockout City (For its simple dodgeball chaotic fun that has so many layers)

10. Mario Party Superstars (For bringing back a bunch of classics in a new way; so many mini-games!)

Honorable 11-13:

11. Super Meat Boy Forever (For having an interesting new take on the Meat Boy hardness with just as good narrative and music)) 

12. Back 4 Blood (For scratching that co-op Left 4 Dead itch and kicking off a new wave of the genre with newfound intensity)

13. Destruction Allstars (For simple shiny smashing fun on the next gen)

(Honorable Mention Of A Port: Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury(For this content stuff showing how open world and linear mario can be fused together!)) 

Overall: Hmm some solid gems and long awaited returns but hard to say that next gen truly kicked off with some of the same reveals being shown; there's much I missed too making assembling this list a struggle

with some almost embarrasing almost-here's. The future is starting to be known but yet also some of the same old wheels are being spun and oof not a year to be Activision Blizzard, Ubisoft, or others for

shady practices both moral and commercial it feels like a true new era is hopefully approaching. 

My Top Albums 2021 : 

1. and thus Album Of The Year: Willow Smith : Lately I Feel Everything (Highlight Song: Transparent Soulllll) 

2. Kanye West : Donda ( Original Mix Highlight Song: Jesus Lord , Deluxe Shoutout Song: Life 

Of The Party) 

3. Genghis Tron : Dream Weapon(Highlight Song: Ritual Circle) 

4. Fitz : Head Up High (Highlight Song: House Party) 

5. Weezer : Van Weezer (Highlight Song: 1 More Hit) 

6. Modest Mouse : The Golden Casket  (Highlight Song: Japanese Trees)

7. Adele : 30 (Highlight Song: My Little Love)

8. Of Montreal : I Feel Safe With You , Trash (Highlight Song: Extract the Masculine Germ from

Remote Memory)

9. Garbage : No Gods No Masters  (Highlight Song: No Horses)

10. Tyler the Creator : Call Me If You Get Lost (Highlight Song: Sweet / I Thought You Wanted

To Dance)

Honorable 11-13: 

11. AFI : Bodies (Highlight Song: On Your Back) 

12. Rob Zombie : The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Conspiracy (Highlight Song: Triumph

Of King Freak)

13. Limp Bizkit : Still Sucks (Highlight Song: Goodbye)

Honorable 3 EP's :

- Gorillaz : Meanwhile (Highlight Song: Deja Vu)

- Yves Tumor : The Asymptomatical World(Highlight Song: Jackie)

- Oliver Tree : Welcome To The Internet (Highlight Song: Rampampam)

Overall: Such a fantastic year of long waited albums across genres at one point this list was a top 50-60+!! A return of releases, Kanye ruckus, and concerts / fests too...wild. 

Spider-Man: No Way Home Review

 Spider-Man: No Way Home

Director: Jon Watts
Cast Headliners: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Benedict Cumberbatch, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Alfred Molina, Willem Dafoe, surprises that have to be seen
Original Release Date : December 17th, 2021 


  Tom Holland's era in the MCU has been mostly a hit but at times a mixed bag. He has more time in ensemble pieces like Captain America: Civil War and Avengers Infinity War / Endgame than within his own world but whether it was in those or in solo outings like Homecoming and Far From Home he has delivered quite well on his high school version.  Spider-Man: No Way Home is the most ambitious and darkest yet making it the absolute best yet due to its advertised inclusion of old Sony franchises but it must be seen to be believed. 

  Interestingly the film picks up exactly after the 2019 Far From Home second sequel. Peter Parker / Spider-Man (Tom Holland)'s secret identity has been revealed to the world by the late con-man Mysterio from that film.  Very quickly things become both dramatic and humorous as accusations and fandomship fly.   It is just the first example of stakes being raised thricefold as Peter has always wanted a normal life and now that can never be the case. This leads to situations both humorous and dramatic with supporting cast of sarcastic girlfriend Michelle Jones Watson "MJ" (Zendaya), easily excited best friend Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon), or caring parent figures in Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) and ex-Stark bodyguard Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) who would make the film enjoyable on its own if it weren't for the new elements being so good along the old. 

 A major new element is Peter's quest to invoke the reality changing magic of fellow Avenger Dr.Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) stepping in for this movie's Iron Man / Nick Fury equivalent like the last two solo Spidey outings. Cumberbatch is as entertainingly funny and wise as ever with the element of magical trippy wonder giving this film a uniquely colorful slant compared to the more mundane prior films (of course with Thanos shenangins aside).  Important questions are asked and stakes are raised. 

 

    Reasonings must be seen by oneself but as advertised soon classic Tobey Macguire-era villians Doctor "Ock" Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina) and Norman Osborn / Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) invade this MCU realm. Each are so incredibly spot on to their old selves that it feels as if one has plopped in a DVD of Raimi's films to see deleted scenes. Molina's Ock is cartoonishly fun and vile with his spouting of zingers and Dafoe's Norman possibly even surpasses his prior take with a mix of dastardly-ness , strength, and even a bit of surprising sincerity.  The old and new casts go together so well with top notch writing.    As for the Andrew Garfield era's Electro (Jamie Foxx), Lizard (Rhys Ifans) , and maybe some other friends and foes the, as Stan Lee once told,  "'nuff said" but they manage to redeem themselves from the weaker films of the trilogy.  

  Watts provides some excellent action spectacle with the film looking the best in the series with the second half being a non-stop ride of battles , laughs, and nostalgia lessons. Michael Giacchino adds to things with his memorable score (especially in anything Dr.Strange-related) which is rare for the MCU.    

Everything fires on all cylinders for the ultimate Spider-Man mashup. Perhaps at times the movie relays too much on its cameos (while not having enough of the great JK Simmons as J Jonah Jameson again!)  to be its own identity and of course some token slight cheese and lengthy-ness but this is nearly perfect. It both pays tribute to the legacy while leaving things in such an exciting place for the future. With its great responsibility of continuing the franchise (multiple even) it has great cinematic power.  9.05 out of 10 

2021 ReviewMontageMania: DUNE!! / Don't Look Up / Matrix 4 / Nightmare Alley / Finch / The Harder They Fall / Eternals / The Last Duel / Lamb / Last Night In Soho / Halloween Kills / No Time To Die / Venom 2 / Candyman Remake / etc

 2021 ReviewMontageMania: DUNE!! / Don't Look Up / Matrix 4: Resurrections / Nightmare Alley / Finch / The Harder They Fall / Eternals / The Last Duel / Lamb /  Last Night In Soho / Halloween Kills / No Time To Die / Venom 2 / Candyman Remake / etc


2021 last year (let's pretend it's this year ) has been.... a bit wonky for me for many reasons .... It's my resolution in this year to be better about this website. However there's some cinematic wonders I want to mention!  Rapid fire: 


- Dune (Originally Release October 2021): Absolutely worth the hype and yet another Denis Villeneuve masterpiece!!!! Incredible attention to detail and accuracy to novel...  the music the score the action scenes yet also the slowness..... what a cast praise to Timothee Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Stellan Skarsgard, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Jason Mamoa  and less so to Zendaya and Batista but maybe in the next ones.... a long beautiful burn.  9.1 out of 10 

- Don't Look Up (Originally Released December 2021 On Netflix) : So great to have Adam McKay return to a bit more of a comedy but very unique feeling and pretty darn political. Here too the music and effects and sense of dread are on point for direction. Enormous praise to its stellar leading duo of Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence bringing their best with Meryl Streep , Jonah Hill, and Mark Rylance providing some comedic / villainous foils aside from some other lesser used actors. .  It's all global warming., spoilers... or insert anything  important but ignored whether its an asteroid or not. 8.01 out of 10 

- The Matrix 4: Resurrections (Originally Released December 2021 on HBO Max): Oh no why does this exist?!?!  Somehow both the most back to roots yet craziest yet;  Keanu Reeves in a bit of a Nicolas Cage level of self aware shlock (or at least I hope so because then it's just bad otherwise).. not enough Carrie Anne Moss and the new cast doesn't impress aside Neil Patrick Harris (sorry the usually good Yahya A-M). Visuals that should have stayed in the 90s besides some interesting lore expositions. 6.95 out of 10 


- Nightmare Alley (Originally Released December 2021): Guillermo Del Toro back in the director's chair is always of interest and here he brings his usual directorial expertise for some beautiful carnival scenery. Solid Bradley Cooper although it drags in the back half with Cate Blanchett's role (despite her skills) and not enough Willem Dafoe but everyone in bit parts brings their a-game (Rooney Mara, Ron Perlman, David S, etc).   A long slow mysterious burn that is thought provoking and exciting by the end. 8.05 out of 10 

- Finch (Originally Released November 2021 on Apple TV+): A perfect blend of I Am Legend's dog portions with Wall-E ambiance and robots. A warm Tom Hanks in some desire situations; shiny and emotion packed. 8 out of 10 

- The Harder They Fall (Originally Released November 2021 on Netflix): If one likes Django Unchained this will fit right at home in a world where western and racial tension meet; this time however it's more of a slightly upbeat swashbuckling fantasy alternate history despite plenty gore. A slow middle but some awesome action and so much style; great performances from Idris Elba, Regina King, Jonathan Majors, and more. 8 out of 10

- Eternals (Originally Released November 2021):  Not sure what my fellow critics felt irked by in this as its far from terrible. In fact its a strongly unique part of the MCU with its own majestic eons spanning saga of romance and betrayal. There's some absolutely incredible visuals and action with some of the usual nice jokes (this time scenery even better). It's just drawn back by the fact there is some pacing issues.  Cast highlights in this family in Richard Madden's Ikaris, Barry Keoghan's Druig, Kumail Nanjiani's Kingo, and more. Go see this in a few weeks when it's free. 7.95 out of 10 


- The Last Duel (Originally Released October 2021): A hidden gem with trademark gorgeously gory / intense dark Ridley war / action scenes (especially the climax!) . Great performances from saddened Matt Damon, vile Adam Driver, struggled Jodie Comer, and too (despite his silly haircut) Ben Affleck. A long slow pretty medieval burn 8 out of 10 

- Lamb (Originally Released October 2021): Another A24 joint but with some deceiving trailers. Noomi Rapace leads a minimalist dialogued cast mainly of lambs. Beautiful Icelanding scenery and an odd ambiance but less so much a horror like the trailers lead one to believe than it is an introspection .  7.3 out of 10 

- Last Night In Soho (Originally Released October 2021): Edgar Wright dives into a new genre though his quality directorial touch is felt; the music choices and neon create such a retro ambiance. Solid turns from leading girls Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy, less so key but creepy effective Matt Smith and Terrance Stamp that need to be seen and this is especially true for the late Diana Rigg. 8.2 out of 10 

- Halloween Kills (Originally Released October 2021): David Gordon Green / Danny McBride followup the great 2018 film with something that tries some new things to mixed but mostly effective results. This is less so much of a Strode family movie (especially for the injured Jamie Lee Curtis' Laurie) than it is a tale of Anthony Michael Hall leading the townspeople as a grown up Tommy Doyle. The spooky hallo gore is felt although its attempts to have darker social themes are a mixed landing but fans will be happy for this more-of-the-same. 7.6 out of 10 

- No Time To Die (Originally Released October 2021): The final ever Daniel Craig James Bond movie an end of an era ... pack one's feels.  Really brings the whole series together with multiple old faces. Rami Malek is an effective  new villain though and there's some awesome action. 8.4 out of 10 

- Venom 2: Let There Be Carnage (Originally Released October 2021): Much better than the first one with everything improving whether it's Tom Hardy's grasp of the internal bromance or the visuals / action / plot / overall experience. Woody Harrelson's Cletus Kasady / titular Carnage cheeses it up but is on point with it going very hard PG-13. A fun refined ride with some silly moments and attempted otherwise universal connections. Cheese is the secret ingredient to the taste of the recipe. 7.25 out of 10


- Candyman (Remake/ Sequel) (Originally Released August 2021):   Nia Dacosta (perhaps with just a bit of Jordan Peele's production touch) captures masterfully as director the spooky reflective ambiance of the 90s original as well as some surprising other elements. The vibe and scores are immaculate as are the trippy kills. Colman Domingo astound as ever with  Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Teyonah Parris doing the best with what they are given with there of course being some horror movie  slight shlock but its hidden deep. The important themes are masterfully told through flashbacks and other experimentations. 7.9 out of 10 

Shang-Chi and the Legend Of the Ten Rings Review

Shang-Chi and the Legend Of the Ten Rings

Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Cast Headliners: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung, Meng'er Zhang, Florian Munteanu, Michelle Yeoh, surprises
Original Release Date : September 3rd, 2021 Theatrical-Only until Disney + Later

  It feels like a long time since the Marvel MCU got an entirely NEW hero. Sure we had Captain Marvel in 2019 and Black Panther in 2018 both special in their own ways but their iconic nature was well known / foreshadowed / previously introduced. It really then is since 2015's Ant-Man since we have met someone entirely new and fresh. This absence makes Shang-Chi and the Legend Of The Ten Rings so welcome and the good news is that it's perhaps the best thing of 'Phase 4” to date in its triumphant return to the theatrical-only big screens.

There's various flashbacks to times ancient and less-so but primarily like so many Phase 4 MCU products this takes place sometime shortly after the events of Infinity War / Endgame in a new corner of San Francisco. “Shaun” / Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) lives a simple life of  a valet driver by day with his will-they, won't-they high school friend / potential love Katy (Awkwafina). Their lives are soon interrupted in an incredible bus-set action sequence by evil minions of the 10 Rings organization (they of Iron Man 1 and 3!) triggering an epic fantastical quest across the states, world, and far beyond. 

Because it turns out Shang is something far more than he a simple 20something. He's heir to the very same criminal empire hunting him which makes for a fascinating plot and premise. His own father Wenwu / “The Real Mandarin” (Tony Leung) after the Stark years were posers in-lore: sorry Guy Pearce and Ben Kingsley although there's an amazing film top highlight must-be-seen surprise relating to the later) has left Shang and his estranged sister Xialing (Meng'er Zhang) behind but now wants to take them back by force to unlock secrets of the long lost dimension of Ta Lo for evil yet tragically personal reasons.

As with most Marvel superhero (although this often pushes that definition of genre feel into something freshly new) films a highlight is the warm humor of the core cast.  More on this in a bit but aside being fiercely capable in combat Liu's Shang-Chi is a charming and fun lead. He brings to the performance a bit of that classic “everyman” take with a dual role of a haunted feels-laced past. His banter is especially great with Awkwafina's Katy. Katy brings some of the most laughs being even moreso the common view of the film with some great sassy comeback and unique perspective.  Meng'er Zhang's role in the plot takes a while to appear but she is just as cool and confident as her brother with some slight quips mixed in. Other late-game allies like Ying Nan (Michelle Yeoh) and even briefly wizard MCU alumni Wong (Benedict Wong) aside others add to the fun crew dynamic that's going on.

What is a hero without their villains and in that Wenwu is an absolute highlight. The very best villains are dense and with such accuracy to say that Leung brings his a-game in the performance. The seemingly ageless, thousand-year old Wenwu is fearsome with his titular ten-rings magical artifacts letting him brutal magic in combat and that's not entirely without some fun quips himself. The best villains have a mix of an evil plan and a sympathetic angle that brings some emotional feels to what's going on so Wenwu strongly delivers on that as his quest relates to the death  of the siblings' mother Jiang Li(Fala Chen).  By all account he's an iconic evil overlord for the record books. Unfortunately as cool as they may appear more henchman level foes like Razorfist (Florian Munteanu) and Death Dealer (Andy Le) serve better as obstacles in action set pieces than dialogue drivers trending towards generic however that's just how martial arts flicks can go.

Possibly more than anything that point is what is the great part of Shang-Chi: the action!! Director Destin Daniel Cretton (an Asian-American which is great for a movie so important for its representation within superhero cinema) brings to life some exhilarating sequences. The movie brings two forms of great martial arts / kung-fu hi-jinx unique amongst all others on the big screen so far. There's gritty, Bruce Lee style frenetic kinetic action such as the bus sequences and others on earth. Then there's parts that should not be spoiled (aside some beautiful trailer glimpses) of more “wuxia” high-fantasy style influences that are perhaps more epic than anything else in the MCU to date they of supernatural elements, creatures , and more. Perhaps it's CGI overload at times and it keeps going and going and going but the climax is something surprisingly wild. Music by composer Joel P.West and many licensed / original pop and rap songs add to the unique ambiance. 

This is a really strong debut and a gem of Phase 4 so far. It may be a bit long and suffer from usual Act 3 CGI fireworks / other minor character flaws but the journey, laughs, and action are worth it. Marvel has once again brought an obscure comic character into mainstream blockbuster excellence in a distinctly new way which one should be glad for. Now one can't wait to see where these characters go next...make sure to stay through both credits scenes!  8.3 out of 10 

The Suicide Squad Review

The Suicide Squad

Director: James Gunn
Cast Headliners: Idris Elba, Margot Robbie, John Cena, Sylvester Stallone, Daniela Melchior, Michael Rooker, Peter Capaldi, David Demastachlian, many many amazing more  
Original Release Date : August 6th, 2021 (Theatrical and for-now-free on HBO Max digital certain tiers)


       The Suicide Squad is such an incredibly interesting combination of histories in its mix of the old DCEU, the new DCEU, and even...the Marvel MCU?  The 2016 original was an underwhelming, overly edgy film that notably actually marked the very first major non-Batman / Superman film for DC Comics. It's ambitions to cram a multitude of villains together sounded great on paper but was dragged down by the cheese. The DCEU too has had new installments and sequels which have varied in quality and tone. Lastly , James Gunn within the past few years was temporarily fired by his employer for behind the scenes drama which heavily delayed Guardians of The Galaxy but also gave us the idea for this. We have a win-win for that to deal with later but most importantly this nexus of happenings has created an R-Rated Gunn Dream fans will love. 

While there are a few returning characters from the first movie and a same general concept The Suicide Squad may as well be a reboot (yet also due to some of those could have fit a number 2 on the logo as well). Mysterious government agent Amanda Waller(Violas Davis just as fearsome / morally vile-y gray as ever) offers super-powered villainous criminals a chance to be out of prison as part of the titular Suicide Squad.  Multiple teams are called to the South American (or potentially Caribbean) fictitious island nation of Corto Maltese to stop a violent coup and potentially get involved in other shenanigans along the way. 

It's an understandably large cast spread across not just one but two teams of agents. Clown princess of crime Harley Quinn(Margot Robbie) draws the main connective threads to the past DCEU (especially after her character growth seen in 2020's Birds Of Prey) but for some moderate parts of the film takes a backseat / her own path; Robbie is as entertainingly perfect as ever with sassy lines and stand-out action. Unfortunately for being more of what audiences would want it's contrasted in that the other returners in army colonel leader Rick Flagg (Joel Kinnaman) and even moreso in is-what-he-sounds-like “Captain Boomerang” (Jai Courtney) not doing much at all. 

The amazing thing is that the new characters are so worthy of the legends. As a bit of the new team leader and deutragonist is Robert DuBois / “Bloodsport” (Idris Elba) who's awesome armored exoskeleton / suite of nano-weapons would make Boba Fett and the Mandalorian proud. Elba brings a nice mix of mostly fierceness and funny quips with bits of emotion / some surprising insecurities. He's especially best pitted in banter against the film's equally memorable Christopher Smith / “Peacemaker” (John Cena) being one of the roles of the latter's career with an ironic name and peculiar personality. 

Of course director James Gunn's oddness is great here because it's what he did in Guardians of the Galaxy by helping with the story / script so deeply like all good directors do. Once again he makes weird deep lore characters like the wholesome cute yet deadly hybrid god King Shark (a perfect Sylvester Stallone), rat-using Ratcatcher II(Daniela Melchior who brings some of the other main emotion of the film along with a contender for most-adorable versus King Shark in Sebastian the rat), grotesque awkward energy using Abner Krill / “Polka-Dot Man” (David Dastmalchian), Weasel (Sean Gunn), and more work so digest-ably fun together.  Everyone gets at least one or sometimes much more memorable moments which is a credit (And truly MCU-esque aspect) of this ensemble cast.   Smaller parts in various friends / foes like mercenary allies Savant(Michael Rooker), Blackguard(Pete Davidson), T.D.K (Nathan Fillion), Milton (Julio Ruiz), John (Steve Agee), and many more bring edgy joy.

  It's almost like a dark version of GoTG where every character had the peculiar banter of Drax , Groot , and Mantis at once to zany extremes never thought possible. Unfortunately antagonists such as dictator (Juan Diego Botto), his General ally (Joaquin Cosio), and super-intelligence brain-spiked The Thinker (Peter Capaldi, a couple quips aside)  do not make much impact or trend towards token-generic but the writing lifts all and has plenty of twists, turns, factions ,and more. 

What amazing bloody darkness that is. James Gunn always brings a magical touch to his work and this film is no different. Action sequences are big, bombastic, and CGI shiny (nigh-perfectly) this time with the blood and gore he was never allowed to do at Marvel. When one is laughing very often one will go “ooooh” at the kills achieved or intricate sets made or surreal colorful pieces of art created via motion or clever use of songs or...ahh, it's a Gunn movie through and through.  Original score by composer John Murphy adds to the ambiance as well although when it isn't whimsical it can be generic but once again like some of the other characters it feels like a clever use of satire. 

There really isn't any problem at all with this film and it's everything the fans would want.  Perhaps only sometimes it bends reality a bit too much for an even further tonal whiplash, wastes some lesser-used but potential-packed characters, or has confusing lore connections. Otherwise this is an amazing , hilarious, bloody , feels-inducing thrill ride that's a must see on any screen big or small. Can't wait to see what James Gunn does next no matter what superhero team it's for, or otherwise. 8.8 out of 10 

The Green Knight Review

The Green Knight

Director: David Lowery
Cast Headliners: Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Sean Harris, Ralph Ineson, misc others
Original Release Date : July 30th, 2021 (Theatrical Only) 

Does destiny exist? Can we change who we're meant to be and can we ever escape our fates whether victory or doom?  For being thousands of years old Arthurian legend has some surprisingly important lessons for any era. Maybe it's because of these timeless lessons that the tiles of them are still fresh, timeless, and enjoyable in the modern day. The Green Knight is A24 / director David Lowery's attempt of turning the original art into something old yet new and it works for the most part astoundingly. 

No exact era is given other than some time in (a very fantastical-touched) Medieval England where we find our main plot for Sir Gawain (Dev Patel ) living in a castle. Here he serves the legendary King Arthur (Sean Harris) as well as his mysterious Mother (Sarita Choudhury who doesn't say much at all ). That's when he's not seeing a prostitute / lover Essel (Alicia Vikander).  It's a literally drab cycle of debauchery and secularism  until the fearsome, grassy titular demon Green Knight (a fearsome brogued Ralph Ineson) arrives on one Christmas day that begins a metaphysical and gorgeous journey. 

This opening sequence, not too far into the film, is an absolute standout. Flames and air flicker ominously and the audio is impeccable. The movie perhaps slows down or becomes confusing at times so brief moments of action or tension are welcome. It's more of a battle of the soul than of the flesh but there's some light unnerving blood that begins the journey.

What an incredible journey it is. Words cannot easily describe the surreal aesthetic and ambiance of the film. While it often is just mundane forests / mountains / castles everything is shot with such beatiful direction and cinematography from Lowery.  Each shot hums with quality whether near or far or real vs dreaming. It feels like a journey into a page of an illustrated bible or its own dark fever state. The sparseness of encounters with the supernatural (like the Green Knight) make their impact that much more impressive. Stellar music, whether period or modern-esque, by composer Daniel Hart adds to the proceedings as well. 

The acting is stellar for the most part. Patel's Gawain struggles with bravery and adequacy. It's a tenacity not seen since Leonardo DiCaprio in the Revenant as he is in transit to his goals. Emotional feels, some jokes, romance, planning...a solid turn. His scenes with Vikander's Essell are some good romantic moments. Meanwhile Harris' King brings (sometimes too) soft-spoken words of encouragement and wisdom.     More bit parts by Barry Keoghan, Erin Kellyman, and Joel Edgerton are good as well aside the unnamed or less-involved.  The dialogues give things a Greek myth-like quality that varies from humor to spooky. 

While it's achievements in acting and audio-visuals of course should be praised what makes this film so excellent is it's morality and sense of time. So many things have hidden meanings or foreshadowing...this is pure art with many ways to interepret. Cool logo and chapter effects on text offer more literal art as well and hints to what it all means. Time must be seen firsthand but results in one of the most amazing sequences in films in recent memory.  

That's what this film is overall: a lot. It can be an overwhelming avalanche of brain-thinking and metaphor amidst slower periods so don't come in expecting a swashbuckling blockbuster that's easy to understand. However for those willing to ponder deep themes and have their mind / soul filled with wonder it's a great achievement bringing that A24 film one knows and loves . 9 out of 10