"Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials"

Just like the first one in the series, "Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" is better than it looks.  Director Wes Ball brings back Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) and his Glader friends (Ki Hong Lee, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster) for another awesome adventure in the post-apocalyptic world.

Following their escape from the Glade and the Maze and mysterious organization called W.K.C.D. (read: wicked), the Gladers are initially grateful for having been rescued.  They're taken by their rescuers to a heavily guarded facility and meet the other escapees, provided shower, clean clothes, food and bed.  Amidst the secured environment and assurance by the head of the facility (Aiden Gillen), something is off, however.

A loner, Aris (Jacob Lofland) flags Thomas and together they make an unsavory discovery.  They are not safe after all.  The kids are being kept alive temporarily for a reason.  The Gladers, joined Ares and a few new kids (Dexter Draden, Alexander Flores) make a run for the outside world in the nick of time.

That outside world is the scorch, a ruined city surrounded and partially immersed in sands.  The group seeks shelter in a dark and dilapidated structure.  They scour the building for things they could equip themselves to make their desolate trek to the mountains in the hopes of joining the Right Arm, a resistance movement, and finding a safe haven.  The light switches on, but before they could breathe a sigh of relief, some things are coming out of the woodwork.  The undead.  If "The Maze Runner" has Grievers, "The Scorch Trials" has Cranks, which are just as terrifying.  They escape, but not without one of their own infected with the Flare virus.

Daylight breaks and the Gladers make their perilous journey across an arid, then unpredictably stormy desert.  They run into a compound filled with another cluster of survivors, find themselves in another trouble, make allies (Rosa Salazar, Giancario Esposito) and barely make it out alive after the compound is attacked.  The group gets separated before eventually reunited.  But not without more trials and twists, physically and emotionally.

The set pieces are vast and varied.  Actions relentless.  Sprinting, sliding, falling, climbing, leaping and dangling for dear lives, navigating rubbles and tunnels.  Not to mention getting bitten, shot at and strung up.  There's one particularly thrilling sequence involving a pursuit and struggle with a Crank on a precarious glass piece of a crumbled skyscraper hundreds of feet in the air.  Another one is the vines-covered Cranks.  The jump scares are used effectively.

O'Brien shows charisma and commitment to the role.  Thomas is smart, curious and quick on his feet.  A natural-born leader with a combination of instinct and ferocity.  Even as he's unsure of  what's to come, he moves forward with determination.

While "Scorch Trials" is mostly an action movie, it maintains the underlying theme of clash of ideals.  In the first installment, between safety and comfort versus risk and freedom.  Here we're faced with a moral dilemma as well.  At what point human sacrifice is no longer worth it?  What about if you truly believe it's for the greater good?

I look forward to the next round of scares and thrills.  The third installment in the trilogy, "The Death Cure" will be released on February 17, 2017.  It should be worth the long wait.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-maze-runner-the-scorch-trials/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/scorchtrialsvideo
Book: http://tinyurl.com/mazerunnerbook

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Upcoming Movies: December 2015

[Originally posted on 11/29/15]

December 4
"Macbeth" (http://www.macbeth-movie.com/) - Macbeth, a Thane of Scotland, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself.

"Youth" - A retired orchestra conductor is on holiday with his daughter and his film director best friend in the Alps when he receives an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to perform for Prince Philip's birthday.

December 11
"In the Heart of the Sea" (http://www.intheheartoftheseamovie.com/) - Based on the 1820 event, a whaling ship is preyed upon by a sperm whale, stranding its crew at sea for 90 days, thousands of miles from home.

"The Big Short" (http://www.thebigshortmovie.com/) - Four outsiders in the world of high-finance who predicted the credit and housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000s decide to take on the big banks for their lack of foresight and greed.

December 18
"Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" (http://www.starwars.com/the-force-awakens/) - A continuation of the saga created by George Lucas and set thirty years after Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983).

December 25 
"Joy" - Joy is the story of a family across four generations and the woman who rises to become founder and matriarch of a powerful family business dynasty.

"Point Break" (http://pointbreakmovie.com/) - A young FBI agent infiltrates an extraordinary team of extreme sports athletes he suspects of masterminding a string of unprecedented, sophisticated corporate heists. "Point Break" is inspired by the classic 1991 hit.

"The Revenant" (http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/the-revenanthttp://www.foxmovies.com/movies/the-revenant) - In the 1820s, a frontiersman, Hugh Glass, sets out on a path of vengeance against those who left him for dead after a bear mauling.

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"Pawn Sacrifice"

From 9/09/15 press screening: 
(The Coast News 9/25/15 print edition)

I dig biopics.  They inform, inspire, enlighten and entertain.  And they put actors to the test and boast some of the best acting.  Consider in recent years, "The Imitation Game" (father of modern computing Alan Turing), "The Theory of Everything" (astrophysicist Stephen Hawking), "The Wolf of Wall Street" (stockbroker Jordan Belfort), "Rush" (Formula One race car drivers, James Hunt and Niki Lauda), "Lincoln" (President Abraham Lincoln), "The King's Speech" (King George VI).   "Pawn Sacrifice," directed by Edward Zwick, is no different.

A paranoid Bobby Fischer (Tobey Maguire, "The Amazing Spider-Man," "The Great Gatsby") is shown frantically tearing his room apart for bugs, fearing that he's being watched and listened to by the Soviets.  Flashing back to his boyhood, we see a troubled kid from Brooklyn with a hostile relationship with his mother, Regina (Robin Weigert).  A single confrontation so intense reveals a deep-seated anger for being kept in the dark about the identity of his father.  His childhood scenes also show his neurotic tendencies, including being severely bothered by the slightest noise.  Every sound is grandly amplified.  

Singularly obsessed with chess, Bobby is self-taught.  He continues to play and beats his rivals in one  match after another, gaining prominence by becoming the youngest U.S. chess champion at the age of 14.  A child prodigy,  he pretty much raises himself.  He maintains an arm's-length relationship with his sister, Joan (Lily Rabe).

With his star rising, Bobby attracts the attention of a big-name lawyer, Paul Marshall (Michael Stuhlbarg), who offers his services pro-bono so that he could help Bobby navigating terms for competitions around the world.  A priest who once beat Bobby, Father Bill Lombardy (Peter Saarsgard), tags along to provide mental support and assist in strategic preparations prior to each match  With each movement, there are so many possibilities and risks.  

Paul and Father Bill both play a role in keeping Bobby, often manic with paranoia and delusions, focused and in check.  Although it's inevitable that when Bobby's behavior grows more erratic and demands more outrageous, they become more of an enabler, particularly Paul.  At one point he has the toughest task of all, making sure that Bobby actually shows up for a high-profile match.  Highly volatile and combustible, Bobby has no qualm of pulling out at the last minute or walking out of a match.  

Facing the press and the cameras, there's narcissistic sarcasm in Bobby's responses, as far as his perception about himself and his opponents.  Humorous as they may sound, he truly believes those twisted views as reality.  

Bobby eventually faces Boris Spassky (Liev Schreiber), the Russian grandmaster, first in California and later in Iceland.  In contrast with his hot-mess and anxious persona, Boris sports a cool look and silent confidence.  A man of a few words, he's always surrounded by an entourage and gets the best amenities, to the utter dismay of Bobby.  

The world championship in 1972 in Iceland is the focus of all championships and it is as tense as it can get.  The scenes are optimally shot, zooming in on the chess clock, maneuvers of pieces on the board, facial reactions and body gestures of the actors.  News footage from the past are interspersed with the games.  You don't necessarily need to know the rules of the game in order to become absorbed in the film.  Maguire personifies the polarizing figure and does it in spades.  And kudos to the filmmaker, as chess, unlike a physical sport, is not easy to translate to the big screen,

The championship is held at a time where America needs a public boost the most, amidst the Cold War, Vietnam and Watergate.  Bobby delivers that and chess mania sweeps the nation and the world.  As controversial as he is, he becomes an idol.  

The closing scenes show the real Bobby onscreen and flashes of his life events, deteriorating post winning.   In the end,  the greatest opponent of the greatest chess player in history is not Spassky or any other grandmaster.  It's Bobby Fischer himself.  He's a pawn of his own inner demon.  

Brisk and blistering, "Pawn Sacrifice" is a captivating character study about a prodigy, player,  champion and pawn.  

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Comic-Con 2015: Fall TV Pilots

[Updated 9/13/15]

[For a blast from the past, check out:

http://sdmoviemaven.blogspot.com/p/comiccon-wondercon.html]

[For 2015 feature film highlights, check out:

http://www.sdmoviemaven.blogspot.com/2015/07/comic-con-2015-feature-film-highlights.html]

Daytime excitement continued through the night.  Like the inaugural year in 2014, DC Entertainment put on a grand show for fans. 

Ian Somerhalder emceed the superhero panels.  Last year's emcee and star of "Arrow," Stephen Amell, stole the stage by appearing the Arrow himself, in a newly tweaked costume for season 4.  The costume has more of an 'armored' look, more in line with the Green Arrow outfit in the comics  The show that catapulted CW into superhero stratosphere is still going strong after three years.  Next up was "The Flash."  The highest-rated CW show will return for a sophomore year.  I was awestruck last year by the premiere and am psyched to see it continue this fall.  Another show premiering last year that got renewed was "Gotham." Cast and crew from the shows appeared on their respective panel, talking about their characters and developments for the upcoming season.

If Marvel has the Avengers on the movie front, CW will showcase a superhero ensemble show with "Legends of Tomorrow." Rip Hunter, a time-traveler who has seen the future, assembles a legendary team consisting of an eclectic mix or heroes and anti-heroes - Dr. Martin Stein (the other half of Firestorm), Atom, White Canary (resurrected from Black Canary), Jay Jackson, Hawkgirl, Hawkman, Heat Wave and Captain Cold.   Several of them have appeared in either "Arrow" or "The Flash").  It would be interesting to see how the stories might intertwine in the CW multi-verse.  In its debut, the team's first order of business is to stop Vandall Savage, a 6,000-year old immortal, from dominating the world. 

Last but not least, the highly anticipated new show, "Supergirl" soared with a lovely pilot. 

"Supergirl" (CBS; October 26, 2015)

Making a show about Supergirl carries an inherent challenge, which is how to create stories that do away with her famous cousin, Superman/Kal-El.  The show's solution is to mention him as a distant background story and have him appear in a shadow as an acknowledgement of his existence.  But this is clearly a Supergirl/Kara Zor-El story. 

Right before Krypton imploded, 12-year old Kara was sent to Earth following baby Kal-El's pod to help care for  him in the new planet.  The explosion sent Kara's pod off course and had her trapped in the Phantom Zone for years.  By the time she arrived, Kal-El has grown up and no longer needs her care.  He placed her with a scientist family, the Danvers, so that she could grow up with a normal childhood as he did. 

Kara did, along with her adopted sister, Alex.  For as long as she could remember, Kara has always tried her best to suppress her superpowers and blended in as an ordinary girl, if not socially awkward and quirky.  Now 24, Kara works as a personal assistant for a media mogul, a Devil-Wears-Prada figure like.  A completely unassuming life, having a demanding boss and dealing with a crush from a colleague and crushing on a new co-worker, James Olsen (the Jimmy Olsen from the Daily Planet). 

When Alex's plane is in danger of crashing, Kara makes a major life-saving decision (an outstanding action sequence) and shows her true color to the world.  A mysterious female hero is born and capturing the interest of the public and the media.

Melissa Benoist is adorably on point with the scenes following her emergence as an involuntary, yet enthusiastic newly minted superhero.  There are supporters and doubters in her inner circle.  Riddled with doubt and enthusiasm, Kara is both strong and exposed. With an honest desire to help people, she's learning to utilize her powers and embrace her higher purpose in life. 

Kara's life becomes more complicated when her movement is tracked by DEO (Department of Extra-Normal Operations), an organization that keeps tabs on extraterrestrial forces.  At the same time, an enemy that followed her from the Phantom Zone, made himself known.  And he's not alone. Kara will have her hands full in no time.

If "Arrow" is dark and gritty and "The Flash" flashy and light (although not without dramatic  moments), "Supergirl" is a league of its own, brimming with bright optimism and mirth, featuring a big-hearted superhero that emanates innocent charm and wholesome goodness.  Somehow, the cheery, comedy aspect works.      

The year of "The Flash" went fast and fabulous.  I hope "Supergirl" will fly high and I look forward to it being on my weekly viewing schedule. 

***

"Blindspot" (NBC; September 21, 2015)

Stepping out of superhero central, I was pretty enthralled with "Blind Spot," a primetime pilot of mystery, crime procedural drama and action. 

The opening scene is nothing short of intriguing.  A naked amnesiac found inside of a duffle bag in the middle of Times Square.  Her whole body is covered in fresh tattoos, including a tattoo of a name of an FBI agent on her back. Mind erased, her body is full of clues.  Images, numbers, symbols and words as puzzle pieces that would help the FBI to map their steps to solve crimes, or perhaps lead them to something bigger. 

What makes it the more intriguing is the mysterious woman herself.  Naturally looking and feeling lost, scared and vulnerable, it's quickly revealed through a series of incidents that Jane Doe is a force to be reckoned with.  Strong, sharp, determined with surprising capabilities that would make her a treasured asset to the agency.  Her burgeoning connection to the FBI agent in question merits further exploration.  A glimpse of her backstory ends the pilot on a curious note that would make you wanting more. 

There's a lot to be explored and discovered here, which should earn "Blindspot" a regular viewing spot.  Hopefully the show can maintain the intrigue and momentum by balancing crime-of-the-week episodes with its underlying mystery.   

***

Another show I'm excited about is "Limitless" (CBS, September 22, 2015).  The story revolves around one man who gains the full capacity of his brain and extends his capabilities beyond imagination. Yep, it's based on the thrilling "Limitless" movie (what would it be like to become the perfect version of ourselves?) in 2011 and co-produced by its star, Bradley Cooper.

It's going to be an amazing autumn!

http://www.sdentertainer.com/tv/from-comic-con-2015-preview-of-fall-tv-pilots/

[click to enlarge pictures]

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"The Man from U.N.C.L.E"

From 8/03/15 press screening:

Coming into the screening of "The Man from U.N.C.L.E," I didn't know what to expect.  Unlike "Mission Impossible," I never saw the original TV series in the 1960s and the only recollection I had of a Guy Ritchie's film was "Sherlock Holmes."  That was fun, so at least that was my hope for this movie.  As it turns out, "The Man from U.N.C.L.E" was beyond that.

Henry Cavill ("Man of Steel") and Armie Hammer ("J. Edgar," "The Social Network") play former adversaries-turned-buddy spies to the hilt.  It started out on the rough side.  While both have colorful backgrounds and special talents, they're polar-opposites.  Cavill is Napoleon Solo, a former art thief turned CIA agent, charming and cavalier in his ways.  Hammer is Illya Kuryakin, a volatile yet steadfast KGB operative.

The American agent and Russian operative, when introduced by their respective handler that they would be working together as partners, make it clear that they're only doing this for the greater good.  Sizing each other up, they try to kill each other on their first day of working together.  Their joint mission is to infiltrate a criminal network and dismantle its plan to misuse technology and propagate nuclear weapons, subverting the power balance during the Cold War period.

Their link to the mysterious network is an East German auto mechanic, Gaby Teller (Alicia Vikander, "Ex-Machina"), the estranged daughter of a vanished Nazi rocket scientist.  Gaby reaches out to her  uncle, Rudi (Sylvester Groth), at a splashy event under the pretense that she would like to find her father and see him since she's getting married.  Illya is the groom-to-be, pretending to be a Russian architect in love.  The uncle is connected to a power-hungry couple in the nuclear venture, Victoria (Elizabeth Debicki) and Alexander Vinciguerra (Luca Calvani).  Between the two, Victoria makes an impression as the brain behind the operations.  Napoleon crashes the event, casts his eyes on the icy villainess, and gains her interest through his sleight of hand tricks and debonair manner.  

A gleeful spy game ensues.  Playing hide-and-seek and racing against time, there are hidden agenda, deception and double-crosses.  Sparks also fly among the trio.  The tough and whip-smart Gaby clashes with Illya, although there may be a different kind of spark there.  Flamboyant Napoleon and intense Illya butt head over methods and tricks to get the upper hand over their enemy.  What makes this slyly funny is the glut of dark, situational humor, including quick-witted banters and deadpan dialogues with hilarious happenings in the background.  Irony at its best.  All acted well by the principal actors.

Speaking of happenings, it's got plenty of actions.  A riotous sequence that opens the film with a bang, involving an elaborate street chase, spin and shootouts,  narrow alleys and narrower escape in the dark of the night.  Electrifying torture chair.  Speedboat trailing, truck crash-landing and boat sinking.  Off-roading pursuit with a vintage motorbike, modified jeep and ATV.

The movie glossily captures the vibe of the era with flair.  Old-fashioned elegance in couture, art and architecture against contrasting color palettes, cool in Berlin and  warm in Italy.  Music that is distinctively impactful, dramatically enhancing the ambiance and action, often dominant in silent and split-screen scenes.

The film ends with a boom, an official team formation, and a potential for a sequel.  It looks like U.N.C.L.E. (United Network Command of Law and Enforcement) is in business.  This period espionage is filled with comedic beats, intrigue and style.  "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." is stylish, flashy and fun.

https://www.thecoastnews.com/film-review-the-man-from-u-n-c-l-e-is-flashy-stylish-and-fun/

http://tinyurl.com/themanuncle

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Upcoming Movies: November 2015

[Originally published on 10/31/15]

November 6
"Spectre" (http://www.007.com/) - A cryptic message from Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind Spectre.

"The Peanuts Movie" (http://www.peanutsmovie.com/) - Snoopy embarks upon his greatest mission as he and his team take to the skies to pursue their arch-nemesis, while his best pal Charlie Brown begins his own epic quest back home.

November 13
"By the Sea" - Set in France during the mid-1970s, a former dancer and her American writer husband travel the country together. They seem to be growing apart, but when they linger in one quiet, seaside town they begin to draw close to some of its more vibrant inhabitants, such as a local bar/café-keeper and a hotel owner.

"The 33" - Based on the real-life event, when a gold and copper mine collapses, it traps 33 miners underground for 69 days.

November 20
"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2" (https://www.lionsgate.com/movies/mockingjaypart2/) - After being symbolized as the "Mockingjay", Katniss Everdeen and District 13 engage in an all-out revolution against the autocratic Capitol.

"Secret in Their Eyes" (http://secretintheireyes.movie/) - A tight-knit team of rising investigators, along with their supervisor, is suddenly torn apart when they discover that one of their own teenage daughters has been brutally murdered.

November 27
"The Good Dinosaur" (http://movies.disney.com/the-good-dinosaur) - An epic journey into the world of dinosaurs where an Apatosaurus makes an unlikely human friend.

"The Danish Girl" (https://www.workingtitlefilms.com/films/view/film/124) - The remarkable love story inspired by the lives of artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. Lili and Gerda's marriage and work evolve as they navigate Lili's groundbreaking journey as a transgender pioneer.

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"The Gift"

Great psychological thrillers ("Black Swan," "Shutter Island") are hard to come by these days.  So when one comes along, it knocks your socks off. 

Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall, "Transcendence," "Iron Man 3," "The Town") are a married couple recently moved to Los Angeles from Chicago for a new start.  One day they run into an old high school friend of Simon, Gordo (Joel Edgerton, "The Great Gatsby").  Soon Gordo begins to get obsessed with the couple, starting with an innocuous gift at the front door step.  But the gifts keep on coming and things get weirder.  It's no slasher, but you'd feel a sense of dread creeping up even when you don't see him onscreen. 

As the movie progresses, Robyn discovers an unsavory history between Gordo and her husband.  And that her husband may not be the Mr. Nice Guy she's married to.  As they say, revenge is best served cold.  Go in cold; steer clear of anything resembling spoilers.  

Along the lines of the crazy sick twist in "Old Boy," prepare for a wicked ending that will haunt your mind. 

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"Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation"

After an incredibly accomplished mission in "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol," Tom Cruise ("Edge of Tomorrow," "Oblivion," "Jack Reacher") returns to accept another impossible mission as agent Ethan Hunt.  Or rather, forced to accept.

Ethan is on the run from the CIA (Alec Baldwin, "To Rome With Love"), and on the hunt for the Syndicate, a shadowy organization consisting of rogue agents, missing or presumed dead, that has been disrupting governmental structures around the world under the guise of global catastrophes.  It looks like IMF (Impossible Mission Force) might have met its match.

IMF faces the oversight committee for its unorthodox tactics, unnecessarily reckless and leaving international chaos behind.  The CIA also believes that the Syndicate is a figment of Ethan's imagination. The IMF is dismantled and lead agent William Brandt (Jeremy Renner, "The Avengers: Age of Ultron"," "American Hustle," "The Bourne Legacy") and tech sidekick Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) are folded into the CIA.  The timing couldn't be worse, as the Syndicate is yet again successful in its elaborate attempts in assassinating a world leader.

A cold-blooded face represents the Syndicate, Solomon Lane (Sean Harris).  Solomon is after a ledger containing crucial information about the organization's operations.  Eventually, Ethan reunites with his team, and also joined by long-time operative Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), trailing and putting together clues from Vienna, Casablanca and London.  The veteran team gels well, with occasional humorous interactions.

The presence of a new superspy, Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) brings a fresh dynamic.  A female version of Ethan Hunt, not only she capably holds her own in every fight, run or chase, she also manages to save Ethan's life.  Yet, she purposely leaves him behind each time.  Friend or foe, she's elusive and sophisticated, a mysterious piece of the puzzle.  Paula Patton was great in 'Ghost Protocol,' but a lot can be explored with Ferguson's character and hopefully she returns for another mission.

Directed and written by Christopher McQuarrie ("The Tourist"), 'Rogue Nation' is chocked full of show-stopping set pieces and action sequences from start to finish.  As if scaling Burj Khalifa wasn't enough, Cruise leaps and clings onto the side of an Airbus taking off before parachuting with a secret cargo.  And diving deep into an abyss of water, holding his breath and gets spun around.  Other standout sequences include sharpshooting, rooftop running and rappelling down an opera house, and high-speed motorcycle chase through a desert highway and hairpin turns.

It's not all death-defying stunts, however.  The movie piles on twist after twist almost to the point of being overplotted.  But it wraps itself satisfyingly in the end.

Following its big, bold and breathtaking predecessor, the perils and intrigues in "Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation" makes this latest entry impossibly thrilling.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-mission-impossible-rogue-nation/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/roguenationvideo
DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/roguenationdvd

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Upcoming Movies: October 2015

[Originally posted on 10/01/15]

October 2
"The Martian" (http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/the-martian) - During a manned mission to Mars, an astronaut is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But he has survived and finds himself stranded and alone.  He must find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.

October 9
"Pan" (http://www.panmovie.com/) - 12-year-old orphan Peter is spirited away to the magical world of Neverland, where he finds both fun and dangers, and ultimately discovers his destiny -- to become the hero who will be forever known as Peter Pan.

"The Walk" (http://thewalkmovie.tumblr.com/) - In 1974, high-wire artist Philippe Petit recruits a team of people to help him realize his dream: to walk the the immense void between the World Trade Center towers.

"Steve Jobs" (http://www.stevejobsthefilm.com/) - Set backstage at three iconic product launches and ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac, the movie takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution to paint a portrait of the man at its epicenter.

October 16
"Crimson Peak" (http://www.legendary.com/film/crimsonpeak/) - In the aftermath of a family tragedy, an aspiring author is torn between love for her childhood friend and the temptation of a mysterious outsider. Trying to escape the ghosts of her past, she is swept away to a house that breathes, bleeds and remembers.

"Bridge of Spies" (http://bridgeofspies.com/) - An American lawyer is recruited by the CIA during the Cold War to help rescue a pilot detained in the Soviet Union.

October 23
"Suffragate" - The foot soldiers of the early feminist movement, women who were forced underground to pursue a dangerous game of cat and mouse with an increasingly brutal State.

"Burnt" - a chef destroyed his career with drugs and diva behavior. He cleans up and returns to London, determined to redeem himself by spearheading a top restaurant that can gain three Michelin stars.

October 31
"Our Brand is Crisis" - A feature film based on a documentary focusing on the use of American political campaign strategies in South America.

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"Pan"

[Originally posted on 10/16/15]

I know "Pan" has been panned (pardon the pun) for its mess of a story by critics, but I enjoyed it. It's a reimagining (who knew Peter Pan and Captain Hook are friends?), amped-up tale of children's imagination, about an orphan boy who learns about his past, conquers his fear, believes in himself and fulfills his destiny.  Highly energetic swashbuckling and flying adventures in fantasy lands.  Enjoy the lush visuals awash in colors and fairies.

Poster: http://tinyurl.com/panposter

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"Ant-Man"

You may never have heard of Ant-Man.  A superhero with the power of shrinking and controlling ants is as silly as it could get.  But following "Guardians of the Galaxy" last year, Marvel has brought another lesser-known superhero into the big screen and become a part of its universe post-Avengers.

Paul Rudd is Scott Lang, an affable everyman, ex-thief trying to do the right thing after a life of crimes to get back into his little daughter's (Abby Ryder Fortson) life.  When the going gets tough again, he resorts to one last heist with his crew (Michael Pena, T.I., David Dasmaltchian); inept-looking,  but does get things done.  Little did he know what lies ahead when he tries to rob a retired CEO and scientist's home,  Hank Pym (Michael Douglas, "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps," "Haywire"). 

The first time Scott finds the suit and accidentally shrinks himself, having to dodge things and running for his life, is bewilderingly hilarious. Eventually he's recruited by Hank, who's impressed by his ingenuous breaking, entering and stealing skills, which includes bypassing an elaborate security system, fingerprinting lifting method and infiltrating a safe room.  

Hank needs Scott to be Ant-Man in order to stop his former protege and current chief of Pym Technologies, Darren Cross (Corey Stoll, "Non-Stop," "Midnight in Paris") from proceeding with his ominous plan.  Darren has finally figured out the formula of the revolutionary technology of Pym Particle (you'd shudder to see what happened to his test subjects) and realized it in the form of Yellowjacket suit.  He intends to sell this to the highest bidder. 

Darren is seemingly supported by his colleague, Hank's estranged daughter, Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly).  Although you'll find out soon enough that blood is thicker than water.  A martial artist who understands the inner workings of the technology, she helps train Scott to learn how to fight, control the suit's shrinking power and exponential strength (like a bullet with the strength of a 200 lbs. man), and command an army of ants.  And apparently, there are different kinds of ants; crazy ants, carpenter ants, bullet ants and fire ants.  The final act is action-packed, including ground and air pursuits by the aforementioned ants and miniature-sized duels in a toy train set.  These look much better onscreen that they sound! 

The unique visuals take advantage of the novelty factor of things shrinking and growing in scale, juxtaposing the varying impacts between what take place in the shrunken universe and in the real world.

Douglas brings a strong presence of a world-weary mentor and father. Rudd is so likeable in this laidback, 'aw-shucks' role that you can't help but root for him.  Pena is a comical sidekick with  his hysterical storytelling and mannerism.  Lilly is believable enough to have a central role as a female protagonist than merely a supporting character.  Stay for the post-credit scenes, which may give you a hint about Ant-Man's and Hope's future.  And yes, there are cameos by well-known figures here as well. 

Ant-Man may not be Iron Man, Thor or Captain America, but good things do come in small packages.  This is a straightforward story with nifty special effects and high doses of comedic elements.  No complicated plot, serious emotions or grimness.  It's one of those breezy adventures serving up plenty of laughter.  Tons of fun!  Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.  

http://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-ant-man-marvel/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/antmandvd

[Ant-Man at 2015 Comic-Con]

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Comic-Con 2015: Feature Film Highlights

[For a blast from the past, check out:

http://sdmoviemaven.blogspot.com/p/comiccon-wondercon.html]

[For preview night, check out:

http://sdmoviemaven.blogspot.com/2015/07/comic-con-2015-preview.html]

Last year was an epic year where I attended multiple daytime film panels at Hall H and press conferences, capped with a night of television superheroes.   Benedict Cumberbatch, John Malkovich, Jeff Bridges, Megan Fox, Matthew McConaughey, Dylan O'Brien, Zachary Quinto, Channing Tatum, Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson are among the many stars who were present, not to mention the 33 stars assembled on stage for the nighttime panel. 

This year, with Marvel, Sony and Paramount skipping Comic-Con and no press conferences, it was looking to be a lighter year for me, but as it turns out, there's plenty to marvel and celebrate.

Here are some of the memorable highlights: (please note that TV-pilots will be covered in a separate article later) 

"Rock the Kasbah" (October 23, 2015)

In attendance: writer Mitch Glazer and star Bill Murray

Bill Murray rocked the room in character as Richie Lanz, unexpectedly walking through the aisles with rock-and-roll music playing in the background. 

While this was Murray's first-ever appearance at the convention, he mentioned about how comfortable he was as he felt the passion and excitement from the fans.  He briefly talked about his experience filming in Morocco, showered praises on his co-stars (Bruce Willis, Kate Hudson), and made a point about the importance of being (completely) present onscreen and making others feel good.

Mitch Glazer mentioned that he spent a lifetime being around rock-and-roll promoters and that the movie was based on a true story, with a message of empowerment for women and the ability of culture to change. 

***

"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2" (November 20, 2015)

In attendance: producer Nina Jacobson, director Francis Lawrence, stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth and Willow Shields

One of the most anticipated panels, stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth represented Katniss, Peeta and Gale for the last time as the last installment of the series will conclude this November.  Elevating the excitement, Conan O'Brien, who's hosting the late night talk show from San Diego for the duration of the convention, showed up to moderate the panel. 

The presentation started off with the drumbeats of war.  Live; with performers appeared on stage and in the middle aisle.  Then the room went dark and a teaser rolled with soldiers dressed in white from head-to-toe conducting a military drill formation.  Among a sea of whites, a shadowy figure comes into focus, and when the cape falls open, Katniss emerges in a striking red outfit.  A blazing message accompanies, "Freedom is worth fighting for.  Stand with us."  It's followed by a sizzle reel of an all-out war; all 13 districts, inspired and led by Katniss, rising up and uniting against the Capital and its tyrannical leader, President Snow.  The intense scenes are intercut with lovely celebratory moments, which include dancing. 

After getting sidelined in 'Mockingjay Part 1,' Katniss would be back in action in this last installment, taking control and making decisions to set her own course and no longer decided by other parties. 

The panel discussed how strenuous the filming of the movie was, how emotional the last day of the shooting, and how the experience of being in the series had changed their lives. There's a lot of love and camaraderie among the cast. Lawrence made a humorous admission about holding one another "like puppies" the last night of the shooting.

I continued the "The Hunger Games" ride by attending the live taping of the Conan O'Brien show at the historic Spreckles Theater.  I had attended the Jimmy Kimmel show in Hollywood and I must say this was decidedly a more relaxed experience.  As far as audience responses go, no written signs held up with different kinds of expected reactions, and better yet, cameras and cell phones were allowed. 

For a late night show, the stars glammed up and were ready to roll with abandon.  Lawrence took up the challenge of continuously swearing with O'Brien dropping cash into a "swearing jar" for charity because "swearing is caring."  The actress also belted out a rendition of Cher's "Believe."  There's possibly an inadvertent moment of revelation when Hutcherson replied without hesitancy that there would be more movie(s) after 'Mockingjay Part II," but then tried to backtrack and cover up the response with his co-stars looking on. 

Among the funniest acts during the show was a spoof of the "origin story" of Conan.  One was mimicking Kal-El/Superman and the other Bruce Wayne/Batman. 

***

"Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" (September 18, 2015)

In attendance: author James Dashner, director Wes Ball, stars Dylan O'Bryan, Ki Hong Lee, Thomas Brody-Sangster, Rosa Salazar and Giancarlo Esposito

"The Maze Runner" is one of those movies that turned out much better than expected.  The footage of 'Scorch Trial,' which features even more terrifying creatures, more running and hanging-on-for-dear-life scenes, showed a conflicted Thomas.  As the "Chosen One," he was the motivator to get them out of the trap maze of a world, but now he feels responsible for personal losses suffered at the end of the last movie, and feels unsure if he has led the group of survivors to the right place. The panel promises that the second movie will be filled with humanity, guts and glory and that there's a realness and grounded feeling to it.

***

"Fantastic Four" (August 7, 2015)

In attendance: producer Simon Kinsberg, writer-director Josh Trank, stars Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Bell and Toby Kebbell

The panel discussed that the movie took a different route than the previous two movies.  It's grounded, emotional, dramatic, character-driven story and more 'science' than science-fiction.  We would get to know the characters before their life-changing transformations and how they would react thereafter.  The core of the movie is about a family torn apart and pushed to the brink, how far apart they're torn, and how they would come back together.  While the past couldn't be  changed, they could change the future.  The villain, led by ego, is Dr. Doom. 

***

"Deadpool" (February 12, 2016)

In attendance: director Tim Miller, stars Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Gina Carano, Brianna Hildebrand, Ed Skrein and T.J. Miller

Having been stalled for years and almost didn't get made, it was still a shocker that "Deadpool" was a surprise hit.  Ryan Reynolds poked fun at himself for only having played a (not) proper superhero (referring to the derided "Green Lantern").  The crowd ate up what the raunchy and raucous panel dished out and grew wild after the sneak preview was shown.  It's said to be the most faithful adaptation.  The panel was genuinely taken aback by the chanting from the audience, "One more time!  One more time!"  It's a no-holds-barred trailer, hitting all the marks for an R-rated, antihero movie.  Insanely irreverent, profane and violent, the preview showed slice-and-dice, headshots and foul-mouthed humor.  It's a lot more "Kickass" than your usual Marvel superheroes. 

***

"X-Men: Apocalypse" (May 27, 2016)

In attendance: writer-producer Simon Kinberg, director Bryan Singer, stars Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Nicholas Hoult, Olivia Munn, Lana Confor, Ben Hardy, Evan Peters, Kody Smit-McPhee, Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp, Lucas Till and Sophie Turner

"X-Men" is where the rise of superheroes began.  This mega-panel is one that die-hard fans camped out for.

Hugh Jackman took center stage for a heartfelt farewell to fans for his longtime role as Wolverine.  The upcoming "Wolverine" movie would be the last time he'd ever put on the claws.  The star of the seven movies of the franchise was quick to admit that Wolverine had been the greatest part of his life.  He remarked how much he had aged when his audition tape in 1999 played onscreen and made a reference to "Old Man Logan."  A montage of "X-Men" scenes were thrown in for good measure. 

Then the stars came out in full force, both from "X-Men: FirstClass" and "X-Men: Days of Future Past" and the next movie, "X-Men: Apocalypse."  James McAvoy came back after his previous appearance with Daniel Radcliff for the "Victor Frankenstein" panel.

'First Class' was phenomenal and DOFP successfully restarted the series, thanks to the magic of time-travel.  The  original characters getting the reboot include Cyclops, Jean Gray and Storm. 

In the next installment, Professor X is finally sporting a dome-head and Magneto is letting go of his evil ways and trying to live a normal life, falling in love and having a family. Professor X, wearing a helmet and his eyes turning solid black, exclaims that he has never felt power like that before.  10 years after the event of DOFP, mutants are accepted and embraced, yet, Jean Gray has nightmares about a future filled with death and destruction, and Mystique voicing her concern about mutants getting hunted.  CIA is tracking down a mutant who's lived for thousands of years, Apocalypse.  One of Apocalypse's powers is persuasion, as he's able to enlist Angel, Psylocke, Storm and Magneto to join his team.

***

Other hits coming out of the convention include a lengthy trailer of "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" and behind-the-scenes look of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."  'Batman v. Superman'  explains a great deal about the reason behind the battle between Batman and Superman, which is linked to "Man of Steel" (the collapse of Wayne Tower and the loss of lives during Superman's duel with General Zod).  The trailer also provides glimpses of Wonder Woman during the superhero war, along with appearances from her alter ego, Diana Prince.  'Star Wars' was among one of the most talked-about panels, which concluded with a star-studded outdoor concert and fireworks. 

***

Part of what Comic-Con such an experience is because of the whole package.  Exclusive previews and pilots, stars and star-struck fans, comics and cosplays, games and exhibits, and a decked out downtown. 

Among the exhibits were life-sized figures of Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman from the upcoming "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" and CW network's Arrow, Arsenal, Ra's Al Ghul and Canary. 

Continuing the trend from last year, virtual reality (VR) was all the rage.  Legendary offered a mobile VR experience in a "to-go" cardbox, which can be used with any VR app from a smartphone.

I also tried my hand on Star Wars Force Trainer, a toy-machine that senses brain signals where your "power of concentration" could command hologram images.

Among the varied offsite attractions, "Heroes Reborn" and "Point Break" stood out.  "Heroes Reborn" was an interactive VR where you could steer a game through body movements, with the "human scanning" feature showing a superhuman ability of shooting flames.  At the end of the game, they took your picture and converted it into the show's animated poster.  You're standing with flames shooting out of your hands and feet surrounded by fire.  It's a cool-looking poster. 

"Point Break" had a giant trailer converted into a mobile cinema with 91 seating, showing a preview of the upcoming remake.  The second part of the preview was in 3-D; a sequence where the characters jump off a cliff, fly with wingsuits, navigate mountainous terrains, and land safely on their feet.  One impressive fact - instead of CGI or stuntmen, the extreme sport activities in the movie were performed by the world's top athletes.  You could get your picture taken skydiving or surfing with the a scene from the movie as a backdrop, which made a memorable souvenir.

It's hard to believe that we'd have to wait for another year for Comic-Con.  What an experience and looking forward to 2016!

Stay tuned for TV panels!

http://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/comic-con-2015-feature-film-highlights-2/

[click to enlarge pictures]

 

 

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