"Captain Marvel"

“Captain Marvel,” one of the most anticipated movies of the year, bridges last year's “Avengers: Infinity War” with the ending of the Avengers founding members' stories, “Avengers: Endgame,” set to premiere on April 26, 2019.

Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the first Marvel's female-led movie is curiously set in the 1990s, more than 10 years after “Iron Man” birthed the interconnected superheroes universe.  The main question is of course Captain Marvel's whereabouts.  Where has the most powerful superhero been in the last two decades, and especially when all could really use a lending superhand before Thanos decimated half of the universe's population?  MCU gives an explanation that makes sense in this origin story.

Speaking of origin story, in addition to traveling into the past, the movie adds a fresh spin by opening the story in the middle of a hero's journey.  Living in Planet Hala, Brie Larson is Vers, a noble warrior of a humanoid alien race Kree.  She's a part of an elite squad Starforce, led by Commander Yon-Rogg (Jude Law, “Sherlock Holmes”).  The Krees have been locked in battles against shape-shifting aliens, Skrulls, with Talos (Ben Mendelshon) as their leader.  The Skrulls appear to have been gallivanting across galaxies, taking the forms of native inhabitants and invading planets.

Vers has had recurring nightmares, flashes of images that she couldn't understand.  Yon-Rogg teaches her to control her emotions and impulses in order to be the best version of herself.  While escaping from a space battle with the Skrulls, Vers crash lands on Planet C-53, or Earth as we know it.  Los Angeles, 1995 is chock full of nostalgia.  Blockbuster videos, Radio Shack outlet, Pacific Bell pay phone, Alta Vista web browser, paper map, and all the retro style and music.

Vers runs into fresh-faced, two-eyed Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.S., Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson, "Kingsman: The Secret Service," "Oldboy") and Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg).  The digitized de-aging of the two are surprisingly believable.  Not the hardened agent we know, Fury here has more of a laid-back attitude and humor.  He's never seen a superpowered being prior to Vers.  The duo quickly and comfortably fall into buddy cop roles in their effort to thwart the Skrulls who follow Vers to Earth.

The Skrulls are after a light speed engine created by a Kree scientist, Mar-Vell, or also as known as Dr. Wendy Lawson (Annette Bening) of the United States Air Force.  The device is said to have a vital role in ending wars.  Dr. Lawson has a connection to Vers' past life as a USAF test pilot, Carol Danvers.

Vers and Fury trace Carol's life back to the last person who saw her alive six years ago, fellow pilot and best friend Maria Rambeau (Lashana Lynch).  Carol's close bond with Maria adds dimensions to Vers' character, reminding her of who she is, her humanity and indefatigable spirit as strength.  Carol discovers how fierily powerful she truly is when she sees the truth and frees herself from what's holding her back.  Having ties to the Air Force and the space inevitably take the action higher, further and faster into the skies. 

If the story seems straightforward, it's not.  A phenomenal twist flips everything on its head.  Larson's Carol is very low-key, defying a typical portrayal of a hotshot pilot.  She's more reserved than brash, placid than cool, wistful than cheerful.  Law's Yon-Rogg may be more than meets the eye.  Mendelshon's Talos is one-of-a-kind foe, utterly sympathetic and humorous.  The future is not black or white.  An adorable fury friend named Goose steals the scenes with her hilariously indescribable power.  The post-credits pick up where 'Infinity War' ends and a prequel to how a certain cosmic cube appears on Earth.

The movie has all the familiarity of a Marvel movie and is cleverly tied to the cohesive and expansive Marvel Universe.  Yet from a storytelling perspective, it's refreshingly different, which is quite a feat for being the 21st movie.  "Captain Marvel" is an entertaining blast from the past and marvelously empowering.

https://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-captain-marvel/

Video: https://amzn.to/2VrI4zc

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"On the Basis of Sex"

“The word ‘woman’ does not appear even once in the U.S. Constitution,” a judge tells Ruth Bader Ginsburg.  “Nor does the word ‘freedom,’ Your Honor,” she replies.

Director Mimi Leder opens the film with a classic contrast of a scene, a lone woman marches and steps into the esteemed institution among a sea of men in suits.  In 1959, bright-eyed Ruth (Felicity Jones, “The Theory of Everything”) is one of the nine women admitted to Harvard Law School.  Her husband, cordial Marty (Armie Hammer, “The Man for U.N.C.L.E.”), is a second-year student.  When he is stricken with cancer, Ruth steps up by attending his classes in addition to hers, and caring for him and their toddler, Jane.

The film depicts the incomprehensible discrimination that women endured at that time.  From the moment of the dean's dinner where female students are asked why they think they're worthy in place of a worthier man, ignored in class or not taken seriously by their peers or superiors, rejected by law firms for sexist reasons even after graduating the top of the class from Harvard and Columbia, taking a backseat to men in career and social circles. Women are expected to stay home and men to go to work.  If women choose to work, they can only be secretaries, teachers or nurses.  It's just a natural order of things.

Ruth ends up teaching about sex discrimination at a university whereas Marty is on a fast track to become the youngest partner of a major firm specializing in tax laws.  The relationship between Ruth and Marty is illustrated wonderfully.  Marty is admirably supportive and progressive. Their marriage is a truly egalitarian in all aspects of life – education, career, household chores, childcare and parenting – serving as role models for their growing kids, Jane and James (Callum Shoniker).  It's no surprise that, Jane (Cailee Spaeny), now in her teens, grows up to be fearless and foward-looking.

Ruth and Marty jointly take a pro-bono case about a man, Charles Moritz (Chris Mulkey), who is denied by the tax courts caregiver deductions.  He is an unmarried man paying for a nurse to care for her ailing mother at home. Caregiver deductions are handily given to women, widowers or men whose wives are incapacitated because women are presumed to be caretakers.  In an era where discrimination on the basis of sex is legal, this case has a transformational potential to topple the systemically discriminatory legal system and open the doors to gender equality.

Ruth makes an alliance with the head of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Mel Wulf  (Justin Theroux), convincing him to add ACLU's name to the legal brief, essentially backing it.  While being undermined at every turn by various parties, Ruth is undaunted.  Constant challenges and setbacks do not deter her from moving forward with conviction, even as she's not without doubt.  Armed with a brilliant legal mind and passion for doing what's right, she is an epitome of resilience, persistence and determination.  Jones turns in a formidable performance.

When the government responds with a brief that lists all the federal laws that discriminate against women, the plan is to focus on winning this one case, and then tackle these laws one by one.  Far easier than done when the law is not on your side.  Asking judges to enforce or uphold the law is not the same as making or changing it.  This case could set a legal precedent and result in a far-reaching impact that would touch generations to come.

The courtroom showdown is one of the best aspects of the film.  Dramatic oral arguments against ticking timers.  Plan to deflect probing questions and redirect into the tax deduction aspect for one man derails, Ruth doesn't yield.  When backed into a silent corner, she stands up and turns it into an impassioned speech about radical social change that resonates.  Times are changing.  In order for the country's culture and lives to change for the better, the laws have to change first.  With her utterly compelling closing argument, soft-spoken Ruth sets the future on a different course and leaves a lasting legacy towards equal rights.

Glass-shaterring figure Associate Supreme Court of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg didn't get nicknamed 'Notorious RBG' overnight.  “On the Basis of Sex” is one poignant, remarkable story on how it all began.  Full of fascinating insights, it is trailblazingly engaging and inspiring.

https://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-on-the-basis-of-sex/

DVD: https://amzn.to/2w2EW2p
Blu-ray: https://amzn.to/2YzJREd
Video: https://amzn.to/2EflYKu
Book: https://amzn.to/2JHyvcZ

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"Mary Poppins Returns"

"Mary Poppins Returns" begins with the now grown-up Banks siblings in the Great Depression era, Michael (Ben Wishaw; "The Danish Girl," "Skyfall," "Cloud Atlas") and Jane (Emily Mortimer).  Ben is a widower with three small children; John (Nathanael Saleh), Georgie (Joel Dawson) and Annabel (Pixie Davies).

A painter at heart, Ben has another job as a bank teller to make ends meet.  Jane is a labor organizer.  Ben has fallen into hard times, having to take care for his kids and their family home is going to be foreclosed.  The only way to save his home is to find his father's share certificate of the bank that he works at.  Meanwhile, the ruthless bank's chairman Wilkins (Colin Firth, "Kingsman" series, "The King's Speech") is doing everything he can to repossess the  house.

To the surprise of the Banks siblings, their former nanny Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt; "The Girl on the Train," "Edge of Tomorrow," "The Adjustment Bureau") arrives just in time to sprinkle some magic back into their lives.

Blunt brings blunt attitude and polish patina into the role.  She gracefully ascends, glides or descends using a kite, umbrella or balloon and sing and dance with nary a hair out of place.  Another standout is Lin-Manuel Miranda as Jack, the energetic lamplighter and partner-in-adventure.

None of the tunes is memorable except the closing song 'Nowhere To Go But Up.'  A couple of musical sequences are overextended to the level of tedium.  At times it feels like a musical number is just there for the sake of it, which prolongs the pacing and doesn't move the story along as it should be.  These lessen the time that could have been used to build more warmth into the characters' connections.  And of course, there's always an inherent hole with magic; the racing-against-the clock dilemma towards the end could have been easily solved by Mary Poppins.

The production is a lavish affair as scenes after scenes are filled with elaborate musical numbers, gorgeous compositions and colors, including a blend of live action and hand-drawn animation.  Bubble bath-plunging, bowl-spinning, lamp-lighting, bike-riding, tower clock-climbing and time-turning, balloon-floating.  Seasonal change from the cold cloudy winter into sunny spring blooms caps the story on a joyous hope for a better future.

There is something merry about watching musicals around the holidays ("The Greatest Showman," "La La Land," "Into the Woods," "Les Miserables").  "The Greatest Showman" was so successful that it leads to live show tours around the world next year.  "La La Land" won the Golden Globes.  "Mary Poppins Returns" is this year's end-of-year mirth that will put a bright smile on your face.

Book: https://tinyurl.com/marypoppinsreturnsbook

Soundtrack: https://tinyurl.com/marypoppinsreturnscd

Video: https://tinyurl.com/marypoppinsreturnsvideo

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"Aquaman"

After the critical acclaim and popularity of "Wonder Woman," a lot was riding on "Aquaman."   Aquaman (Jason Momoa) was first seen in "Justice League."  DC, playing catch-up with Marvel, has had its rushed shared universe misfired or resulted in mixed reviews.  It needed another strong, standalone superhero movie.

One stormy night a lighthouse keeper (Tom Curry, Temeura Morrison) spotted a wounded woman ashore, which turns out to be Atlanna (Nicole Kidman), an ocean queen who fled an arranged marriage.  A cute, fish-out-of-water scene follows.  They soon fell in love and had a son, Arthur (Jason Momoa).  An incursion into their peaceful life made Atlanna realize that she would have to return to Atlantis in order to keep her family safe.

Arthur is raised among humans but secretly trained on land by Vulko (Willem Dafoe), a royal adviser.  As a boy, Arthur learns that he can breathe underwater and communicate with fish.  A grown-up Arthur uses his abilities to do impressive rescue at sea.  The beer-chugging chap prefers to work alone, although fame finds him after his submarine-saving act makes news.  Momoa has the imposing physicality and laidback dude persona that makes the lighthearted character work.

Beneath the sea, battles are brewing. King Orm (Patrick Wilson), Arthur's ambitious half-brother seeks power over the other realms and intends to wage war against humans, in return for their polluting the ocean.  If he succeeds with his alliances, war would rage on and mankind would be in peril.

Mera (Amber Heard), a hydrokinetic-powered princess betrothed to Orm, seeks out Arthur and asks him to return to Atlantis to take his rightful place on the throne.  He's the firstborn son of Queen Atlanna and the only one who could unite the seven seas and prevent the war between the ocean denizens and surface dwellers.  Orm doesn't take kindly to Arthur's intention and challenge him into a duel.  When it appears clear that Arthur is out of his element, Mera takes matters into her own hand and shows that she's every bit a heroine.

An averse hero, Arthur doubts that he would be able to do what's required.  For one, his identity as a half-breed would not allow Atlanteans to accept him as their king.  Moreover, he admits that he doesn't typically lead or work well with others.  Mera believes otherwise; he's precisely the connection between land and ocean.

A key for Arthur to show Atlanteans that he's the rightful ruler is to obtain the hidden Trident of Neptune, thought to be held by the first king of Atlantis and lost when the society submerged ages ago.  Arthur and Mera team up to find the mythical weapon and save both worlds.

Atlantis' ancient architecture, futuristic tech, and ocean occupants such as armored shark, warrior sea horses and war drum-playing octopus are richly rendered and luminously lit.  Its citizens are regally dressed befitting the colorful underwater environment and movements are fluid as liquid.

The nearly 2.5 hours of running time does feel long and the all-CGI epic battle scenes could be cut back a bit.  Also, for those who don't read the comics, a second villain feels unnecessary, although it seems that this subplot would carry on in a sequel.

All in all, director James Wan has created an over-the-top world-building that is distinctly different from other superhero movies.  "Aquaman" is a superhero origin story with an aquatic Avatar, Star Wars war and Indiana Jones treasure-hunt adventure rolled into one.  It's got a surprisingly touching love story, family-bonding and kingdom unity.

"Aquaman" makes a seaworthy splash amidst all the superhero fares.  It's a swimmingly rollicking, action-packed fantasy adventure.

https://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-aquaman/

DVD: https://tinyurl.com/aquamandvd
Blu-ray: https://tinyurl.com/aquamanbluray

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"First Man"

"That's one step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

"First Man" film takes place during the age of the space race, chronicling Neil Armstrong's (Ryan Gosling; "Blade Runner 2049," "La La Land," "The Big Short" "The Ides of March," "Drive") life from being a civilian test pilot to a NASA astronaut and the first man landing on the moon on July 20, 1969.

It is more of a character study and the story is seen from the lens of one man, Neil.  It also zooms into his family life.  When Neil loses his daughter, a mere two year old, to brain tumor, a part of him dies too.  It steely steers him towards NASA and put him on a sole path towards space.

The film gives a realistic look into the gruelingly dizzying training of astronauts.  It's truly a feat of physical endurance, as well as intellectual and mental capacity.  The training introduces Neil to his superiors, Deke Slayton (Kyle Chandler, "The Wolf of Wall Street," "Zero Dark Thirty," "Argo,"  "Super 8") and Robert Gilruth (Ciaran Hinds, "The Debt"), and colleagues such as Buzz Aldrin (Corey Stoll, "Ant-Man"), Ed White (Jason Clarke, "Everest"), David Scott (Christopher Abbott), Pete Conrad (Ethan Embry) and Elliott See (Patrick Fugit).

While not all the astronauts survive the test missions and Neil personally feels the impact of the losses, it doesn't deter him from dedicating himself to his hazardous work and eventual goal of going to the moon.  It does take a toll on his relationships with his wife, Janet (Claire Foy), and their young children - from cohesive and supportive to apprehensive and cold.

At one point, his wife puts her foot down and insists on Neil explaining to their boys that he may never return alive from his moon mission.  Stoically, Neil explains the highly risky situation to them matter-of-factly, like speaking at a press conference.  Meanwhile, outside of NASA and his family, there are press and politics to deal with.  Not everyone is onboard with space explorations; they cost lives and money and the outcome is unknown.

All these elements provide a human perspective into space travel.  But nothing compares to the way "First Man" is filmed when it comes to traveling to and being in space.  Space travel has typically been portrayed in movies as an alluring adventure, almost with a mystique to it.  Filmed from a distance, astronauts coolly stroll in, then a rocket soaring into the skies and gliding gracefully in space.  While "First Man" has these depictions, it shatters the over the moon image.

Director Damien Chazelle ("La La Land") takes a decidedly different approach.  "First Man" is the closest you can feel to being strapped inside a spacecraft.  Many closeups of Neil's face in a helmet show his internal emotions of severe disorientation, fear, relief, calm and awe.  Gosling excels in portraying a wide range of expressions with minimalism.

There's nothing glamorous about being inside a rocket cockpit; it's cramped chamber and a potential death trap.  And wait until it's airborne - it shakes, rattles, rolls and spins so turbulently.  You'll feel the terrorizing intensity, velocity, vibration and sound.  It's a wonder how the human body could survive such perilous voyage.

In space,  the sight of a sliver of light and earth surface provide needed respite and tranquility.  When the spacecraft finally hovers over the lunar landscape and Neil steps foot on the powdery surface, it's a hard-earned triumph.  The lone human figure and silver moonscape mesmerizingly stand out against the backdrop of the black vastness of the space.  The awe-inspiring music that accompanies the journey stops in stark contrast to the soundless of the deep space.

"First Man" is an immersive experience, a technical marvel with a poignant payoff.

https://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-first-man/

Video: https://tinyurl.com/firstmanvideo
Book: https://tinyurl.com/firstmanbook

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"A Star is Born"

In “A Star Is Born,” an Academy Award-nominated actor (Bradley Cooper, “American Sniper,” “American Hustle,” “Limitless”) and a singer superstar (Lady Gaga) come together to make music.

Grizzled country rock star Jack (Cooper) stumbles drunk into a bar and discovers an aspiring artist, Ally (Gaga), belting out a classic tune.  The two connect on the spot and at one point end up in a parking lot of a grocery store, learning a bit about each other and start singing in the quiet of the night.

For all his success, Jack is a drug addict and alcoholic, growing up with a damaged childhood.  Ally is a waitress and singer-songwriter, hiding herself behind self-doubt on the music front, insecure about her looks and abilities.  Beyond talent, showbiz is also about persona and what people want to see.  The glitzy dress, daring hair and bold makeup, blaring lights and choreographed dancers.

Smitten by Ally, Jack rolls out the red carpet by flying her to his concert and providing her with a backstage pass.  When Jack sees Ally, he compels her to join him for a duet.  Mousey Ally surprises herself and everyone when she sings her heart out on stage.  In this age of social media, her performance goes viral.  Soon she's scooped up by a producer, gets jazzed up and becomes a sensation.

While Ally's star is soaring, Jack's spiraling downward.  Even so, their emotional, co-dependent relationship keeps them together through the highest and lowest times.  Ally makes excuses for him, cares for but desperately wants him to clean up his messes, and eventually realizes even her love can't save him from himself.

Gaga and Cooper have authentic screen presence.  Gaga for appearing in such a non-Gaga like image and acting so wholeheartedly.  She's totally unassuming with her natural look and vulnerability.  Cooper for singing with his own voice in a rock star facade.  Also, as the film director, he directs the movie with taut frames, creating closeup portraits of Jack and Ally's relationship.  A quibble is Ally's transformation from good ol' Ally to worldly performer goes in a flash, but it doesn't lessen the heartfelt performance.  Both Gaga and Cooper are a revelation.

In “A Star Is Born," two stars and love songs shine. 

Soundtrack: https://tinyurl.com/astarisbornsoundtrack

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"A Simple Favor"

The trailer of "A Simple Favor" makes the movie appear like "Gone Girl" or "The Girl on the Train." In some ways, it is.  It's a female-lead, mystery thriller.  The movie differs in a surprising aspect; it's also a dark comedy.  It's got a similar vibe to a past TV show, "Desperate Housewives."

Emily Nelson (Blake Lively; "The Shallows," "The Age of Adaline," "The Town") and Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick; "Into the Woods," "Up in the Air") couldn't be more different.  Lively and Kendrick play their complicated characters and messy relationships with pitch perfection and a sense of  saucy self-awareness. 

Emily is elegant and nonchalant, coolly blase in her sleekly tailored suits and trendy shoes.  She has a high-powered career as a public relations director of a fashion house and lives in a modern mansion with her handsome husband, Sean Townsend (Henry Golding, "Crazy Rich Asians"), spellbound by her enigma.  Stephanie is a nerdy mommy vlogger who dolls out  lifestyle recipes online.  She's also an super volunteer at her son's school.  The two women strike an unlikely friendship through their sons.

The two bond over mid-day martinis at Emily's house and share personal secrets.  Emily's life is not so perfect after all.  The stylish house is a money pit and her professor husband is a novelist who hasn't written another book in a decade.  She may not be the person she represents to the world.  Stephanie has her own dark past, one that she carries with guilt.  Their rapid exchanges about life, women's roles and desires are flavored with frisky humor and snarkiness.

One afternoon Emily calls Stephanie to ask for a simple favor, picking up her son from school, as she has to deal with putting out fires at work.  Only one problem, Emily never returns home and she's gone missing.  Left with the fallout, Sean and Stephanie become involved and they live under the cloud of suspicions.

Stephanie is obsessed to find out about what happened to her friend, including gathering tips from her vlogger followers.  Her investigation helps uncover Emily's obscured past, connecting her to the warped present, and puts her in a hairy crossfire. The plot twists are better experienced totally unspoiled.

There's nothing simple about "A Simple Favor."  Piling on bizarre turns and deliriously aware of its own outlandishness, it is a wicked whodunit.

https://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-a-simple-favor/

Book: https://tinyurl.com/asimplefavorbook

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Upcoming Movies: January 2019

[Originally published on 12/31/18]

January 4
"Escape Room" (https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/escaperoom/) - Six strangers find themselves in circumstances beyond their control, and must use their wits to survive.

January 11
"The Upside" - A comedic look at the relationship between a wealthy man with quadriplegia and an unemployed man with a criminal record who's hired to help him.

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

January 18
"Glass" (https://www.glassmovie.com) - A security guard uses his supernatural abilities to track down a disturbed man who has 24 personalities.

January 25
"Serenity" - The mysterious past of a fishing boat captain comes back to haunt him when his ex-wife tracks him down with a desperate plea for help, ensnaring his life in a new reality that may not be all that it seems.

"The Kid Who Would Be King" (https://www.foxmovies.com/movies/the-kid-who-would-be-king) - A band of kids embark on an epic quest to thwart a medieval menace.

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"Crazy Rich Asians"

Romcoms are  typically cliche.  Boy meets girl, throw in some lightweight drama, comedic antics, predictable resolutions, and voila, all is good with the world.  "Crazy Rich Asians," a mainstream Hollywood romcom based on best-selling book by Kevin Kwan (part of a trilogy) puts a vibrant spin with all-Asian cast (the first since the "Joy Luck Club" in 1993), Singaporean backdrop, and fantasy-level wealth.

In this 'Meet the Family' story, Nick Young (Henry Golding) brings his girlfriend, Rachel Chu (Constance Wu), a Chinese-American and fellow NYU professor, to his home country Singapore to attend his best friend's wedding.  This is where Rachel realizes her boyfriend's true identity as Singapore's most eligible bachelor, the 'Prince Harry of Asia.'

Rachel is thrust into his extended family, old-money and part of the world's one percent.  As expected, the matriarch of the family, Eleanor Young (Michelle Yeoh),  doesn't approve of the relationship.  She doesn't see how Rachel, a nobody American outsider, would fit into the Asian culture, rich tradition and privileged lifestyle. 

It's easy to get starry-eyed with all the glut and glitter.  First-class intercontinental flight, helicopter trips to tropical islands, secluded beaches, over-the-top parties, sumptuous feasts, exclusive shopping spree, opulent mansions, extravagant fashions and lavish jewels.  This fish-out-of-water story has an added dimension of a culture and status clash.  Personal passion, self-freedom and pursuit of happiness stacked against individual sacrifice, traditional values and family fortune.

There's also a side story regarding  Nick's cousin, fashion icon and socialite, Astrid Teo (Gemma Chan), whose marriage is crumbling and not for the reason one may think.  Behind the perfect facade, there's a layer to her and arc to her character.

This is a movie with strong women who make their own choices.  Eleanor doesn't quite fit into an evil tiger mother or dragon lady mold.  She's got her own pathos.  Rachel is not a Cinderella who needs saving.  She has the strength to face her fears and makes unlikely decisions.  Her old college friend, Peik Lin Goh (Awkwafina, "Ocean 8"), beyond a comedic relief, provides unconditional support.

"Crazy Rich Asians" is a frothy and tiered feast, bursting with culture, glamour, color, humor and heart.

https://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-crazy-rich-asians/

Book: https://tinyurl.com/crazyrichasiansbook

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"Mission: Impossible - Fallout"

“Mission: Impossible” is a rare franchise that gets better with age.  The trilogy reboot during this decade easily surpasses the previous three.  The big, bold and breathtaking 'Ghost Protocol' and impossibly thrilling 'Rogue Nation' are now topped with 'Fallout.'

While each “Mission Impossible” is typically a standalone movie, 'Fallout' is a fallout of 'Rogue Nation.'  Villain Solomon Lane (Sean Harris) might have been captured and his Syndicate organization got dismantled, but his network isn't totally obliterated.  His associates have formed Apostles and proceeded with his mission of a new world order; disrupting government structures and creating anarchy through sabotage, strategic assassinations and mass-annihilation.

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise; "Edge of Tomorrow," "Oblivion," "Jack Reacher") failed a mission in Belfast because he refused to sacrifice his team, Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg).  Plutonium canisters are now in the hands of the bad guys, which will be used for nuclear bombs.  The CIA now gets involved, to the dismay of the secretary of IMF, Alan Hunley (Alec Baldwin).  Head Erica Sloan (Angela Bassett, “Black Panther”) assigns an agent, August Walker (Henry Cavill, “ Justice League,” "Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice", “The Man from U.N.C.L.E."), to accompany the IMF team to recover the canisters.

To say that things are not as straightforward is an understatement.  There's arms dealer White Widow (Vanessa Kirby) tangled in the web and she may or may not be what she seems to be.  British operative Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson, “The Greatest Showman”) shows up, and like in 'Rogue Nation,' her intention and allegiance is not always clear.  Even the CIA itself is fractured and there may be an enemy within.

Layers of twists and turns have always been the hallmark of the “Mission: Impossible” series and it's something that distinguishes the series from generic action movies.  This, and Cruise himself.  He may just be a superspy himself, defying age and limits of the human body.  He continually performs death-defying feats with incredible audacity, vitality and velocity.

After scaling the Burj Khalifa and clinging to the side of an airplane in past movies, he thrusts into a brutal brawl, skydives in a lightning storm, rides a motorcycle sans helmet against Paris traffic, sprints across London rooftops, leaps between buildings, climbs up a rope tied to flying helicopter and free falls onto its cargo, takes control of the cockpit and engages in a heli pursuit in Khasmir, barrels down inside the heli dangling from the mountaintop, and scales a rock face to get to a detonator.  See it in 3-D if you can.

Close-ups of Cruise doing daredevil acts and clear sweeping panorama make the scenes suspenseful and breathtaking to watch.  Christopher McQuarrie ("The Tourist"), the only director invited back a second time in the series, films the scenes with deft direction and precise execution.

'Fallout' has multiple crosses, switcheroos, surprises, old-fashioned stunts, relentless pace and total momentum.  It also manages to touch into Ethan's personal backstory and internal sacrifice he's made.  The personal sacrifice is what enables Ethan Hunt to continue to do what he does.  At this point in his life, his relationship with his ghost of a wife, Julia (Michelle Monaghan, “Source Code”) is in a good place and he may finally be ready to move on. 

“Mission: Impossible – Fallout” is a breathless blast of honest-to-goodness action and a visceral treat for thrill seekers.

https://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-mission-impossible-fallout/

Video: https://tinyurl.com/missionimpossiblefalloutvideo

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Year in Movies: 2018

[Originally posted on 12/13/18]

So long 2018... movies mashup in 6:49 minutes.

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Comic-Con 2018 Recap

[For a blast from the past, check out these recaps from years past! 
http://sdmoviemaven.blogspot.com/p/comiccon-wondercon.html]

Comic-Con has evolved greatly over the years. Comics might have been what started the phenomenon, but it's morphed into pop culture central; exhibits, movies, TVs, props, games, after hours parties, and so on.  In the last few years it has added talk shows and virtual reality (VR).  Interactive fan experiences continued to be elevated.  Massive sets are built around the convention center to facilitate experiential marketing (activations with chipped wristbands), providing badge-holders and general public alike immersive entertainment.

This year's notables were Jack Ryan, DC Universe, Marvel's Cloak and Dagger, FX American Horror Story and Legion, to name a few.  VR even had its own center, Future Tech Live.  Companies hosted their own activities, such as Overwatch, Hologate and Star Wars The Jedi Challenge.

Jack Ryan (premiering on Amazon Prime Video on August 31, 2018) undoubtedly took the top spot.  Amazon Prime Video went all out.  The set pieces included a Yemen bazaar (a bustling market displaying spices, snacks, fabrics and wares), a three-story building structure, a helicopter, a zip line and an escape room.  Jack Ryan is a CIA analyst tasked to retrieve key intelligence and thrust into the field.  He doesn't have a field operative training.  Visitors got to experience what's like to be Jack and learn how to survive.  Due to time constraint, I didn't get to do the escape room, but I had the privilege to do the best aspect of the Jack Ryan experience.

Jack Ryan took the experience to a whole new level.  Each visitor entered his or her personal information and received a personalized ID card as an operative.  The field training equipped visitors with harness, gloves, protective shoe covers and motion sensors. Atop the three-story structure, visitors were expected to repel down to the second level, cross a plank on the floor to the other side of the building, search for and retrieve clues inside the room, zip line to the ground, step into a hydraulic car, steer and get jerked around, and complete the mission.

I can tell you it's unlike anything I've ever experienced and I've done all kinds of VR activities and simulation rides.  What's unique about this is that it's 'hyper reality.'  Unlike simulator rides in amusement parks, I wasn't sitting down.  The physical aspects of what I was doing in the real life (walking, ducking, crawling, repelling, zip lining) were incredibly augmented through the VR goggle, giving a feeling as if I was a field operative in a combat zone or battlefield like in the virtual world.  What's most surprising is that the most nerve-wracking part wasn't the repelling or zip lining; it's the crossing of the plank. I heard other people feel the same way.

In my head,  I could see an image and movement of a wobbly, broken wooden plank suspended between two sides of the building in a hostile territory.  I was hearing noises all around me and was shot at.  The scary sensation felt inexplicably and utterly real.  My heart was beating so fast and I was sweating bullets.  Even cooler, the activity was live-streamed through Twitch, an interactive game where gamers around the world could throw obstacles at in real time.  It's a total heart-thumping, multi-sensory experience.  Afterwards, I received a sleek souvenir, one-of-a-kind video clip, consisting of bits and pieces of my 4D virtual and augmented reality experience. Jack Ryan was the unforgettable highlight of my Comic-Con experience.

DC Universe (DCU) provided an elaborate experience as well, albeit lower key.  There were multiple rooms - Titans, Dick Grayson's Loft, Young Justice, Swamp Thing, Harley Quinn, Doom Patrol's Chef Lab.  There were DC Legends and batmobile on display.  I got into a jump-scare room with mirrors and maze and phantom figures coming out, looked for clues as a detective trying to find the missing Grayson, posed as a Young Justice superhero for a photo opportunity, did a walkthrough of a swampy Swamp Thing forest, watch people in a bloody room release their rage and smash stuff around like Harley Quinn (I didn't have the time to do this myself), and tasted an oddly delish and refreshing liquid nitrogen-processed Doom Patrol's popcorn (chocolate, caramel, unicorn) served in a biohazard-marked cup.

DCU came out with a brand new app, content-rich subscription at $7.99/month or $74.99/year.  The content-rich subscription provides subscribers with mixed media, including comics that can be viewed via Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Cube, Android TV and Roku.

Marvel's Cloak and Dagger illustrated a scene from the TV show where Cloak sees Dagger and they both gets thrown off due to the powerful energy between them.  On the set, I wore a vest and tied into a harness.  Feeling the tension in my back, I leaned forward to face the other guest.  Pre-special effect - after a countdown, each of us extended our right hand (without touching) and got pulled back with a force.  Post-special effect - the scene appeared as if we're touching hands and a ball of white light exploding between us.  While brief, it's a neat experience.

FX American Horror Story had an exhibition titled Eccentric Collections.  A wealthy collector collects oddities from around the world.  Nothing as they seem though.  There are unseen spirits in the paranormal world.  I entered the museum-like room with strange objects, such as a sinister doll, statue, beast, bird cage, covered deceased body, tree trunks.  There were people acting as docents guiding visitors from viewing one object to another.  In the physical world, these objects were static.  However, once I brought up my FX tablet in front of each plague on the wall and the object, each object became rattled or alive and spirits came out of the woodwork.  The ambiance was enhanced with the sound from the personal headset.  It was a fantastically creepy experience.

FX Legion gathered a small group of people in a cold, circular room with a rotating, 360 degree kaleidoscope of images and colors from the show.  The rotating movement gave visitors an ascension sensation.

Outside of these experiences, it's worth mentioning that Netflix has some competition from Tubi.  A free streaming service, Tubi uses ad-supported model and has partnered with a number of major studios. Tubi offers more than 7,500 titles per month, with varied contents such as movies, TVs and animes.

Courtesy of CBS Studios, I had the pleasure of attending their press photo lines for the upcoming reboots (premiering this fall), "Charmed," "Magnum PI" and "Tell Me A Story."  They also screened the TV pilots for the first two.

"Charmed" (in attendance: executive producers Jennie Snyder Urman and Jessica O'Toole; stars Sarah Jeffery, Madeleine Mantock and Melonie Diaz) promised to honor the original and respectful of the mythology but with a modern twist, especially in this (#MeToo) day and age.  It's a coming-of-age story where audience could expect to see sisterhood, female empowerment, LQBTQ representation, humor, witchcraft and demons.  The pilot showed a new sister bonding in; having conflicting beliefs - believing, doubting, rejecting, embracing and uniting in the magical power of three; discovering and battling demons in human bodies; and humorous interactions with their mentor and advisor to witches whom may or may not be trustworthy.

"Magnum PI" (in attendance: executive producer Peter Lenkov; stars Jay Hernandez, Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton, Stephen Hill) reminded me of "Hawaii Five-0," with its scenic setting in Hawaii, over-the-top action and investigative work, and comedic dynamic.  They've got a team of Navy Seal, two former Marines and a former MI:6 agent.  There's a diversity touch in this reboot.  Magnum is Mexican-American and the property master is now a woman.  The PI team often buttheads with the Hawaii Police Department trying to solve a case. 

The pilot deals with the team looking into the kidnapping and death of Magnum's friend from the Navy, which is connected to the release of two ex-Marines from prison after looting Iraqi villages. Magnum parachutes from space into enemy territory for a rescue mission, drives backwards in high speed and shoots nonstop, pulls a 'Fast and Furious' move over a car roof and doubles it up by clinging into a helicopter.  This looks like an entertaining reboot.  The panel mentioned that the show wouldn't t rule out the possibility of the original Magnum, Tom Selleck, from making an appearance.

While "Tell Me A Story" (in attendance: executive producer and writer Kevin Williamson; stars Paul Wesley, James Wolk) didn't have a screening, the panel mentioned that the story was about a fairy tale adaptations in modern New York; Hansel and Gretel intertwined with Little Red Riding Hood and Three Little Pig.  Audience could expect to be surprised of who they would be rooting for and who's the bad guy or the good guy, as it's not always obvious.  There's no supernatural aspect; it's an edgy, serialized drama and suspense thriller.

"BumbleBee" (in attendance: director Travis Knight; stars Hailee Steinfeld, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., John Cena) was a rock-and-roll experience, opening with Stan Bush singing "The Touch" live.  Once the panel got started, Cena made a blaring entrance through the aisles high-fiving fans with "Fight to Survive" song playing in the background.  Before the "Transformers" series, there's BumbleBee.  This movie returns to its origin in the 1980s.  BumbleBee has always had the greatest affinity for humanity.  Expect to see Cybertron, triple-charger Decepticon (Blitzwing), as well as an appearance by Optimus Prime.

It's also a coming-of-age story, a friendship between a girl and a robot.  The girl has experienced a major loss in her life.  She wants to move away from negativity, craves for a sense of freedom, finds a sense of discovery, and becomes her own person.  She experiences this life journey with BumbleBee.  There's also a friendship with her neighbor, a geeky boy.

The footage showed the girl's discovery of the loveable robot, Decepticons that could turn into a jet and a helicopter (Shatter and Dropkick), a fierce fight leaving BumbleBee's life hanging in the balance, and a funny scene of a clumsy BumbleBee inside a living room and kitchen.

"Venom" (in attendance: director Ruben Fleischer; stars Tom Hardy, Riz Ahmed) brought in a brutal trailer with Hardy transforming into the black liquidy symbiote with monstrous teeth,  ferocious attacks and car crashes. Venom would be battling a powerful symbiote, Riot.  The antagonist is a billionaire inventor (a.k.a. Riot) who experiments on humans with symbiote.  He believes our ecosystem is in the brink of collapse and is convinced that his experiment's result is the future of human evolution. 

There are no heroes in this world.  Definitely darker than Marvel, grittier and grounded with a more violent character.  Eddie Brock is a lethal protector, investigative journalist that falls into hard times.  An 'anti-hero,' his ethical standards and moral codes are off, even if he has a noble heart.  With Venom in him, it's like having two different beings living in himself, but  no one believes him.

I attended other panels partially; "Glass" (in attendance: director M. Knight Shyamalan; stars Samuel Jackson, Bruce Willis, Sarah Paulson, Anya Taylor-Joy), "Halloween" (in attendance: director David Gordon Green, producers Jason Blum and Malek Akkad; star Jamie Lee Curtis), and animation "Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse" (in attendance: directors Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman; writers and producers Phil Lord, Chris Miller; stars Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld).

"Glass" is a sequel of psychological and horror thrillers "Unbreakable" (1999) and "Split" (2016).  The movie brings together Willis, Jackson and McAvoy.  Their characters are patients of a psychiatrist who specializes in treatments for those who believe they have superpowers.  "Halloween" showed a gory sneak peek, with masked serial killer Michael Myers hacking his way through the neighborhood at Halloween night; a bona fide horror even 40 years later.  The animation "Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse" plays in an alternate dimension.  It  has a comic book style that translates into a distinctive look on the screen.

In other news, Warner Bros made a splashy debut with a trailer of "Aquaman" (now available online).  The FX-heavy movie looks more like a fantasy, action adventure sci-fi with an underwater metropolis and dual-battle between the surface world and the ocean occupants (including war seahorses).  "Wonder Woman 1984" was still very early in the shooting process and continued to keep the mystery of Steve Trevor's return to the 1980s after he's seen perished in the original movie.

While I missed the pilot screening of NBC's "Manifest" (premiering on September 24, 2018) due to time conflict, the premise sounds intriguing.  In 2013, an airplane with 191 passengers experience a turbulence and lands safely.  When these passengers land, they find that it's now 2018.  Their few hours of disturbance in the air translate into a missing five years.  A lot of potentials can be explored here.  The show has been described as a reversed "Lost" and a convergence of faith and science.

The panels and presentations have always been the staples of Comic-Con.  Having attended for many years  though, it's a nice change to spend extended time on other cool activities.  Cheers to creativity, technology innovations and new experiences!

https://www.sdentertainer.com/entertainment-events/comic-con-2018-recap/

[click to enlarge pictures]

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"Ant-Man and the Wasp"

Scott Lang (Paul Rudd, "Ant-Man") has been on house arrest for nearly two years, following the events of "Captain America: 'Civil War," where Scott sided with Captain America and violating the Sokovia Accords or Superhero Registration Act.   Confined at home, Scott spends his time with his young daughter, Cassie (Abby Rider Fortson), playing a game of trap, pulling card tricks and mastering musical drums.  His relationship with Cassie is authentically sweet.

Scott is also trying to run a security consultant business from home, partnering with his old pal, ex-con Luis (Michael Pena, "American Hustle") and two other associates (Bobby Canavale and T.I.).  Pena is quite a supporting character; his Luis' rap-storytelling style is truly hysterical.

In three days, Scott will have completed his sentence.  Finishing these last few days turns out to be a sizable challenge.  Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly, "Ant-Man") and her scientist father Hank Pym (Michael Douglas, "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps") reach out to him with the hopes of saving their long-lost mother and wife, the original Wasp, Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer, "Murder at the Orient Express").  They're not on exactly friendly terms with Scott, considering their association with him through the Ant-Man suit technology put them on the other side of the law.

Thirty years ago, Janet had to shrink herself into a subatomic level in order to disarm a nuclear missle, and as a result, she fell into the quantum realm.  She's been presumed dead in this abyss.  When Scott was able to return from the realm in the first installment, it shows a possibility that Janet may just be trapped in there and still be alive.  In the last couple of years, Hank and Hope have been working on a technology that could open a portal to the quantum realm.  They need Scott's help to find and hopefully bring back Janet to the real world.

A tech black marketer, Sonny Burch (Walter Groggins), has a component part needed to perfect the technology.  As soon as Sonny knows what the technology can do, however, he wants Hank's shrinkable lab building.  He's not the only one.  A mysterious figure who can phase in and out of solid objects dubbed Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) is after it for her survival.  The reason why she became Ghost is painfully tied to Hank's past work with the S.H.I.E.L.D.  She's aided by Hank's disgruntled former colleague, Dr. Bill Foster (Laurence Fishburne).

How Scott manages to get out of house and back in the nick of time without triggering his ankle bracelet and thus beating the FBI is cleverly hilarious.  Hope, Hank, Scott and his associates must protect the mobile lab and finish the portal process, while dodging the authorities, the bad guys and Ghost.

This is where the movie shines differently than other superhero movies.  The nifty superpowers, which allow a play on miniature and massive sizes, add an additional pop of depth to the screen, especially when seen in 3-D.  Martial arts expert Hope is now a full-blown superhero herself, the Wasp.  It's like Ant-Man with wings and blaster.  The fights and car chases, utilizing suddenly shrinking and growing of ordinary objects, and also taking advantage of San Francisco's topography, are greatly choreographed.

A special shout to the Wasp, the first Marvel female superhero (Marvel Cinematic Universe's 20th movie since 2008) that shares a lead title with her counterpart.  Lilly stands out as an equal partner.  The Wasp is a fearless ally with graceful fighting moves.

Superhero movies have grown grander, heavier or more complex, dealing with the fate of the universe ("Avengers: Infinity War"), world domination ("Justice League"), World Wars ("Wonder Woman," "Captain America: First Avenger"), social commentary ("X-Men" series), political climate and global issues ("Black Panther," "Captain America: Civil War").  Even the superheroes themselves are tortured or conflicted souls ("Logan," "Man of Steel," "The Dark Knight").

Other than 'Infinity War'-related post-credit scene, none of these is found here.  Like its titular superhero, the movie scales way down.  It focuses on family and fun.  Lighthearted and humorous, "Ant-Man and the Wasp" is surprisingly refreshing.

https://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-ant-man-and-the-wasp/

Video: https://tinyurl.com/antmanwaspvideo

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"Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom"

“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” picks up three years after “Jurassic World.”  The fantasy-filled theme park is no more and dinosaurs are roaming in the wild as nature intended.  There's only one problem; Isla Nublar's dormant volcano is going to erupt.  Without human intervention, all the dinosaurs will soon cease to exist (again).

Here comes the moral dilemma.  Do these previously extinct prehistoric animals, revived by a private enterprise, deserve protection of the U.S. Government and at the expense of taxpayers like other endangered species? 

When the answer is no, a company connected to Jurassic Park's founder, Dr. John Hammond's former business partner, Benjamin Lockwood (James Cromwell), reaches out to a dinosaurs protection organization led by now conservationist Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas-Howard, “Hereafter”).

The plan is to rescue these animals by moving them into an island sanctuary nearby.  As the former operations manager of the park, Claire's expertise is needed to get into the old park's system and locate the dinosaurs.  She persuades her ex-boyfriend and raptor trainer, Owen Grady (Chris Pratt, “Avengers: Infinity War”) to go with her and her team, tech geek Franklin Webb (Justice Smith) and paleo-veterinarian Zia Rodriguez (Daniella Pineda).

It's no surprise that things do not go according to plan.  As a matter of fact, the plan is not what it seems.  Mercenaries and profiteers (Rafe Spall, Ted Levine, Toby Jones, B.D. Wong) want to save the dinosaurs for their own self-serving benefits.  These dinosaurs are worth millions and can be used for other purposes. 

Director J.A. Bayona sets up suspenseful set pieces and action sequences from the start.  Unlike the sun-lit wonder of “Jurassic World,” 'Fallen Kingdom' starts off with a harrowing underwater nighttime expedition in the rain. Once Claire and company arrive at the island, they are trapped in an underground bunker, cracking with shots of hot lava and a monstrous creature coming out of hiding.   Then out in the open, dinosaurs are running amok, trying to outrun shooting fire balls and engulfing smoke.  Chaos descends on land and in the ocean, with a rolling and sinking gyrosphere.

Once the dinosaurs are off the island, they are transported into the mainland, specifically an expansive estate in Northern California, the Lockwood Estate.  Caught in the mayhem is Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon), Benjamin's granddaughter.  Terror reigns in the manor.  Hide-and-seek and attack occur in confined spaces, lending a claustrophobic feel.  The filmmaker takes advantage of the Gothic setting with a play of light and shadow.

The film is shot beautifully for maximum chill.  A lone, gentle giant left behind on the shore, disappearing into a desperate silhouette in an ash cloud.  A ferocious hybrid creature roaring on the rooftop against the backdrop of a moonlit rainstorm.  A gigantic beast lurking beneath the sea surface dotted with surfers.  An intelligent dino roaming across rocky scape and looming steps away from civilization.

The kingdom may have fallen apart, but life finds a way.  There's also a twist that doesn't stop with loose dinosaurs.  The ending sets up for a sequel where humans would have no choice but face the consequences of their action. “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” is a tense and thrilling ride with a surprisingly thought-provoking message.

Video: https://tinyurl.com/fallenkingdomvideo

DVD: https://tinyurl.com/fallenkingdomdvd

Blu-ray: https://tinyurl.com/fallenkingdombluray

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"Incredibles 2"

After 14 years, “The Incredibles” made an incredible return. Led by the same director, Brad Bird (“Tomorrowland,” “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol”), it's as if the Incredibles family never left.

Things have changed a lot though. It's illegal now to be superheroes because they leave behind large collateral damage while doing their do-gooder work. Even the government has ended the program that protects them. As a result, the Incredibles family – Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) and his wife Helen (Elastigirl), and kids - teenager Violet, middle child Dashiel and baby Jack-Jack have been forced to live in a cheap motel. Mr. Incredible would soon have no choice but return to insurance work to make ends meet.

When a brother-sister team (Winston Deavor and Evelyn) of a tech company approaches them to change people's perception of superheroes, garner public support and eventually have the law overturned, they jump on it with reservations.

Elastigirl, who has a cleaner crime-fighting record, is the chosen one, leaving the proud Mr. Incredible the caretaker of their kids.  Elastigirl goes to work, wearing a body camera to show people first-hand accounts of saving the city.  Staking out, sneaking in and out, spying and fighting crimes.  The villain is Screenslaver, who hypnotizes people through computer monitors.  There's a larger master villain at work though, with a bigger purpose.

Meanwhile, sleep-deprived, stay-at-home dad Mr. Incredible is left dealing with Violet's first crush incident, Dashiel's math homework problems, and discovery of Jack-Jack multitude of superpowers (Edna Mode comes to the rescue!). Speaking of Jack-Jack, the superpowered baby is the source of many laugh outloud moments with the raccoon showdown as the highlight.

Action scenes are crisply rendered and cleanly cut.  Superheoic acts move at a breakneck speed, like stopping a runaway monorail, speeding mega-yacht or crashing jet.  "Incredibles 2" is an incredibly fun, action-packed family adventure.

Video: https://tinyurl.com/incredibles2video

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