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Sunday, April 29, 2018

"Avengers: Infinity War"


18 movies and 10 years in the making, Marvel's infinite superhero world-building culminates in an all-out war, “Avengers: Infinity War.”

The movie picks up right after the events in “Thor: Ragnarok,” where Asgardians fled their destructed planet. They may not be safe after all, as Thanos' (Josh Brolin, “Oldboy”) spaceship looming over them. The big, bald, intergalactic baddie that has been hinted and flashed in earlier movies is here in all his purplish menace.

Front and center with a backstory, Thanos is surprisingly a credible threat in a universe filled with superheroes. He's got his own motive and pathos. What makes him different is his purpose, singular-mindedness and methodicalness. Not a typical alien villain out for world domination, he's dangerous in all his righteousness.  He wants to erase half the universe to help ease overpopulation to allow the other half to live and thrive.  In his mind, it's that simple.

Traversing across the galaxy, our superheroes are doing everything they can to prevent Thanos to collect all Infinity Stones. These magical stones are the building blocks of the universe. Color-coded gems – power, reality, space, time, mind and soul – would allow Thanos to achieve his genocidal goal to twinedly balance the universe with a mere snap of his fingers. Super strengths, open up portals, twist time, bend reality, create mind illusions. These limitless powers are not without a soul-crushing price though, one that imbues Thanos with a sliver of vulnerability.

The Russo brothers (“Captain America: Civil War,” “Captain America: Winter Soldier”) deftly weave in multiple storylines and a sheer number of superheroes in 2.5 hours. Fractured and scattered following the ending of 'Civil War,' our superheroes find themselves in unlikely teams, fighting battles on all fronts; earth, space and planets.

Whilst darkness descends from the first frame and drapes the entire movie, there are rays of lightness in the humor that comes out of the interactions among these characters. Imagine the personalities and scenarios.

Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch, “The Imitation Game”) asking for Tony Stark/Iron Man's (Robert Downey, Jr., “The Judge”) help. Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland, “Spider Man: Homecoming”) tagging them along in a new supersuit aboard a spaceship. Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo, "Avengers: Age of Ultron") and Shuri (Letitia Wright, "Black Panther") having a science chat. The humorous Guardians of the Galaxy (Star-Lord/Chris Pratt, Gamora/Zoe Saldana, Drax/Dave Bautista, Rocket Raccoon and Groot/voices of Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel, Mantis/Pom Klementieff) encountering and rescuing Thor (Chris Hemsworth, “Rush”) in space. And speaking of GoG, the team divides itself intentionally and ends up teaming up with other superheroes.

There are heartbreaking moments. The fate of the Asgardians, evolved AI Vision (Paul Bettany) and Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch's (Elizabeth Olsen) doomed love, Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and Nebula's (Karen Gillan) tortured sisterly ties, Gamora and Thanos' complicated relationship. Gamora and Nebula are Thanos' adopted daughters.

Then there's the penultimate.  Wakanda becomes the last frontier. At the helm of King T'Challa/Black Panther, the formerly secretive society and technologically advanced country welcomes Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans, “The Avengers"), Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlet Johansson, “Her”), James Rhodes/War Machine (Don Cheadle), Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie), among others. They devise a desperate plan to keep Thanos from essentially playing God. An epic battle and extended hand-to-hand fights spread across sprawling fields.

“Avengers: Infinity War” works on a visual, narrative and emotional level. It's more than a visual marvel. Its cohesive narrative, mighty stakes and unpredictable twists carry real casualties. Far beyond nameless people, one-off characters or computer-generated aliens. The shocking, sobering ending literally leaves the world hanging in the balance.

Thanos will return. To say that the Avengers (or what's left of it) have the work cut out for them is an understatement. Although the post-credit scene beacons hope for a new kind of aid.  “Avengers 4” (currently untitled) is slated for May 3, 2019.

https://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-avengers-infinity-war/



Saturday, April 28, 2018

Upcoming Movies: August 2018


[Originally posted on 08/01/18]

August 3
"Christopher Robin" (https://movies.disney.com/christopher-robin) - A working-class family man, Christopher Robin, encounters his childhood friend Winnie-the-Pooh, who helps him to rediscover the joys of life.

"The Spy Who Dumped Me" - Audrey and Morgan are best friends who unwittingly become entangled in an international conspiracy when one of the women discovers the boyfriend who dumped her was actually a spy.

August 10
"The Meg" (http://www.themeg.movie) - After escaping an attack by what he claims was a 70-foot shark, a man must confront his fears to save those trapped in a sunken submersible.

"Slender Man" - A tall, thin, horrifying figure with unnaturally long arms and a featureless face called Slender Man is reputed to be responsible for the haunting and disappearance of countless children and teens.

August 17
"Mile 22" (http://mile22.movie) - An elite American intelligence officer, aided by a top-secret tactical command unit, tries to smuggle a mysterious police officer with sensitive information out of the country.

"Apha" - A story of survival set 20,000 years ago during the last Ice Age.

August 25
"A.X.L." (http://www.axlmovie.com) - A.X.L. is a top-secret, robotic dog who develops a special friendship with a human and will go to any length to protect his new companion.

"Replicas" - A scientist becomes obsessed with bringing back his family members who died in a traffic accident.

August 31
"Searching" - After his 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a desperate father breaks into her laptop to look for clues to find her.

"Destination Wedding" - Two miserable and unpleasant wedding guests develop a mutual affection despite of themselves.

Friday, April 27, 2018

Comic-Con 2018 Preview

[Originally posted on 07/19/18]

[For a blast from the past, check out these recaps from years past! 

Comic-Con has begun and it's going strong!  While preview night was super slim as far as TV pilots go, there are plenty of props and interactive fan attractions outside (scattered right across and behind the convention center, as well as Petco Park).  DC Universe, Marvel's Cloak and Dagger, FX, Jack Ryan, The Walking Dead, Mr. Mercedes, Amazon Fire Cube TV, etc.  

Inside the exhibit halls, life-sized legos, Thanos' Infinity Stone-covered glove and Aquaman make splashy displays.  Resident Evil has a horror-theme attraction inside.  Fox took advantage of a Deadpool-level humor by plastering the superhero's face on a toilet seat cover. 

Also, for a FREE streaming service for movies and TV, check out Tubi:

Stay tuned!













Thursday, April 26, 2018

Upcoming Movies: July 2018


[Originally posted on 07/06/18]

July 6
"Ant-Man and the Wasp" (http://marvel.com/antman) - As Scott Lang balances being both a superhero and a father, Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym present an urgent new mission that finds the Ant-Man fighting alongside The Wasp to uncover secrets from their past.

"The First Purge" - After the rise of a third political party, the New Founding Fathers of America, an experiment is conducted, no laws for 12 hours on Staten Island. No one must stay during the experiment yet there is $5,000 for anyone who does.

July 13 
"Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation" - While on a vacation with his family, Count Dracula makes a romantic connection.

"Skyscraper" (https://www.skyscrapermovie.com) - A father goes to great lengths to save his family from a burning skyscraper.

July 20
"Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" (https://www.mammamiamovie.com) - Sophie learns about her mother's past while being pregnant herself.

"The Equalizer 2" (http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/theequalizer/discanddigital/) - Robert McCall serves an unflinching justice for the exploited and oppressed, but how far will he go when that is someone he loves?

July 27
"Mission Impossible: Fallout" (http://www.paramount.com/movies/mission-impossible-fallout) - Ethan Hunt and his IMF team, along with some familiar allies, race against time after a mission gone wrong.

"Teen Titans Go! To the Movies" - A villain's maniacal plan for world domination sidetracks five teenage superheroes who dream of Hollywood stardom.