'Captain America: Brave New World'-A Brave Success

Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America in "Captain America: Brave New World." Courtesy of Marvel.

Star-spangled butt-kicking by Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez acting like Goose from "Top Gun", running like one was in "Three Days of the Condor", alien-like make-up on Tim Blake Nelson, a suave bad guy played by Giancarlo Esposito, and Harrison Ford going from a gruff grandpa to an angry Red Hulk are all the things that emphasize the brave in "Captain America: Brave New World." Contrary to the mixed reviews from others, I enjoyed watching Brave New World because of the impressive character development of Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson/Captain America, more people of color in the cast, SFX in the case of Captain America and the Red Hulk, costuming, and musical scoring by Laura Karpman. Sam Wilson had to live up to the Captain America mantle the hard way, and he did great.

Taking place a few years after The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson/Captain America, played by Anthony Mackie, is caught in the middle when a former Super Soldier named Isaiah Bradley, played by Carl Lumbly, whom you may recognize as the voice of Martin Manhunter from the DC Animated Universe, is brainwashed into attacking newly-elected President Thaddeus Ross, now played by Harrison Ford of Han Solo/Indiana Jones fame. While investigating, Wilson must train a new Falcon, Joaquin Torres, played by Danny Ramirez from Top Gun: Maverick, and contend with new villains, played by Tim Blake Nelson and Giancarlo Esposito, who plan to put him, Ross, and the world into anarchy.

Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, and Carl Lumbly as Sam Wilson/Captain America, Joaquin Torres/Falcon, and Isaiah Bradley, respectively, in "Captain America: Brave New World." Courtesy of Marvel.

When Mackie as Captain America was re-introduced, I enjoyed how he showed up looking flashy like Apollo Creed from "Rocky" and took on members of the Serpent Society with impressive choreography. Next, a perp said "The Captain America I wanted to fight was bigger than you," and Wilson said "Sorry to disappoint" and beat him down. That's also when I saw Giancarlo Esposito as a man known as Sidewinder. Esposito didn't look like his prior role as Buggin' Out in Do the Right Thing, but he looked fierce while he shot at Captain.

Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres/Falcon was a grand addition, too. He flew in battles dressed like Boba Fett and acted like Goose from Top Gun with his enthusiasm for working with Wilson and Bradley. Comic relief aside, Torres proved to be a capable fellow soldier. He made a great case that Wilson was the right man for Captain America's mantle when he said, "I wanted to be Sam Wilson because that guy won't ever give up."

Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres/Falcon and Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America in "Captain America: Brave New World." Courtesy of Marvel.

As for Harrison Ford as Thaddeus Ross, I didn't really like him. His character didn't beam with pride while in the office, and it took him the whole film to change his gruff ways. Regardless, I extend a great job to the people at Imaginarium and Technoprops for their role in Ford's motion capture performance as Red Hulk.

Harrison Ford as Thaddeus Ross and Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America in "Captain America: Brave New World." Courtesy of Marvel.

Harrison Ford as Thaddeus Ross/Red Hulk in "Captain America: Brave New World." Courtesy of Marvel.

I give "Captain America: Brave New World" a 9.5/10. Great job to the cast and crew, specifically Mackie for his performance and producing part of the film, Danny Ramirez, Giancarlo Esposito, and Tim Blake Nelson, production designer Ramsey Avery, costume designer Gersha Phillips, and composer Laura Karpman for scoring similar to the music from Jaws along with great electronic beats. In addition to Karpman's score, check out the song "I" performed by Kendrick Lamar featuring "That Lady" by The Isley Brothers. See what Marvel cooked up in "Captain America: Brave New World."

'A Complete Unknown'-The Complex Tale of Bob Dylan

Poster of ‘A Complete Unknown.’ Taken by William Beavers. Copyright ©️ 2024, Searchlight Pictures.

Before watching Timothée Chalamet as iconic singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, I didn’t know much about the man aside from his birth name or his being an icon of the 60s counterculture era. While it seemed like director James Mangold retold the story of 'Walk the Line' with more R-rated language and folk music as opposed to rockabilly and country, ‘A Complete Unknown’ still had some good powerful moments. Not only did it show Bob Dylan wanting to prove he wasn’t some nobody; other famous singers such as Pete Seeger or Joan Baez, played by Edward Norton and Monica Barbaro, were helping people cope with 60's troubles such as JFK’s death or the March on Washington, through the power of heart and music.

Beginning in 1961, ‘A Complete Unknown’ chronicles Dylan’s adulthood from meeting folk legend and his idol, Woody Guthrie, played by Scoot McNairy, at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital to his success in folk music to his complex love triangle with Sylvie Russo, played by Elle Fanning, and Joan Baez, played by Monica Barbaro. Despite the turmoil in the country, Chalamet as Dylan was able to lighten things with a lovely singing voice in classics such as "Song to Woody" or "Times They Are A-Changin'". Dylan’s energetic yet rude manager Albert Grossman, played by Dan Fogler, was right about his beginnings; he did look like “a cross between a choir boy and a beatnik.” Thank you, costume designer Arianne Phillips. Chalamet did well with copying Dylan’s great guitar and harmonica playing, even when his character broke from the folk genre at some point later.

Aside from the good singing, Chalamet’s portrayal reminded me of Joaquin Phoenix’s iteration of Johnny Cash. He had Cash’s love affair trouble and began dressing like the Man in Black and acting erratic. Despite his great harmonies with Baez, Dylan was like the main character in ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’, wandering into trouble before he does something about it. But, in a way, that shows people like Dylan are flawed characters instead of larger-than-life celebrities.

Back to the bright side, Fanning’s portrayal of Sylvie Russo was great. What she lacked in singing with Dylan, she made up for with her profound mind about current events and forcing Bob to be real with himself and his music, namely opening up about who he was before his career and where he's going now. If nothing else, at least they had a cute first date watching a Bette Davis movie. 

Though Russo didn’t carry a tune, Barbaro as Joan Baez certainly could with songs such as ‘House of the Rising Sun’ and despite somber tunes or world events, Barbaro sang beautifully. Barbaro's character also makes Dylan focus on his ego. Norton as Pete Seeger was great not only in singing songs like "This Land is Your Land" or "Wimoweh (Mbube)," but was a voice of reason for Dylan in and out of the music business. He was a sweet man even when the critics were bashing him, and he was a man who, despite his celebrity status, lived for the simple things such as family.

‘A Complete Unknown’ may be geared towards fans of Bob Dylan or 20^th-century folk music. I give it a 7.5 out of 10 because it needs a happier ending for Dylan and his acquaintances. It also needs scenes of Dylan’s upbringing. Nevertheless, great job to the cast, crew, and musicians. Watch ‘A Complete Unknown’ and tell me your take at https://cnmtcrvwvers.blogspot.com.

Sonic 3-Dark Turn, But Still Shined Brightly

'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' poster. Copyright 2024, Paramount Pictures and Sega of America.

"Start with the great fireball," Tails, voiced by Collen O'Shaughnessey, 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3.'

When I saw 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' on New Year's Eve '24, it was like a cross between 'The Empire Strikes Back' and 'Spider-Man: No Way Home.' It was like those two particular films given that Sonic the Hedgehog, voiced by Ben Schwartz, took a dark character turn while trying to ferret out Shadow the Hedgehog, voiced by Keanu Reeves. Fortunately, Blue Justice snapped out of it to save the day and hang with his friends and family. 'Sonic 3' brings back the usual lovable antics of Team Sonic and Jim Carrey, this time playing Doctor Eggman and his grandfather, and shows some emotional journeys that make Sonic mature and Eggman and Shadow less one-dimensional villains.

Taking place after 'Sonic 2', Shadow the Hedgehog, voiced by Reeves, breaks out of a military facility to get revenge on the people who locked him up. Despite assistance from Tails, voiced by Collen O'Shaughnessey, who you might remember as voicing Jazz Fenton from 'Danny Phantom', and the Thor-like might of Knuckles, voiced by Idris Elba, Sonic is no match for Shadow's brute force and teleportation powers. Reluctantly, the boys have to work with Eggman, played by Carrey, and stop Shadow from wreaking havoc on the rest of the world.

The film starts with some heavy electronic and string music as Reeves' character brings back some of Reeves' previous role of  Neo with his kung fu prowess against armed soldiers, then transitions to Sonic having a fun moment in the woods with Tails, Knuckles, and Tom "Donut Lord" and Maddie "Pretzel Lady" Wachowski, played by James Marsden and Tika Sumpter. Shadow is like Electro from 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' with the menacing power and background music. But something good about Shadow is that a human from years ago didn't see him as a monster, and he took time to enjoy the beauty of the stars at night. But all that changed when the human died, and Shadow only acts this way now to get the pain away from him. So, he makes a convincing villain, strong enough to beat Knuckles, spoiler alert, but he's down-to-earth, too.

As for Eggman, the crew established that his conceited and harebrained personality stems from a lack of a comforting parental figure growing up. Next thing we know, he meets his grandfather. They bond like Dr. Doofenshmirtz and his dimensional counterpart in Phineas and Ferb, with The Beach Boys highlighting their buddy nature. They also outsmart a laser security system by dancing around in suits that remind me of 'The Incredibles.'

Back to the humans, Tom and Maddie Wachowski looked like they were enjoying retirement while staying behind at home during Sonic's mission. But it's funny how they realized it was boring without Sonic and the boys' action. Once they joined the team in England, Sonic looked like his classic light blue self in the sunlight.

As the collision course with Shadow led to some angering moments, Sonic was like Tony Stark and Peter Parker looking for vengeance. That threw me off most of the time, but going through that darkness made Sonic realize how much he needed his team and family.

I liked Sonic's maturity, Shadow's fighting, and the usual antics of Eggman, the humans, and Team Sonic. I give the film an 8 out of 10; it just needs a backstory for who/what brought Shadow to Earth and why, and maybe a little more screen time for Krysten Ritter, showing her making Sonic a part-time agent or giving him a statue like Rocky's or something.  

‘Here’ Movie: Zemeckis Meets ‘Wonderful Life’

 

'Here' poster. Taken by William Beavers, copyright 2024, Sony Pictures Entertainment.

In Robert Zmeckis' latest directing vehicle with Tom Hanks leading the cast, 'Here' talks about a house whose land had importance from the Jurassic era to the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically being the area where Indigenous people, Benjamin Franklin's family, or Hanks' and Robin Wright's family lived and/or died. It was based on a graphic novel of the same name by Richard McGuire. 

Though there were times I was thrown off by the nonlinear storytelling, the film not moving the camera away from the one spot till the end, and that it was mostly a retelling of 'Forrest Gump' (most of the same cast and crew), I actually liked the movie. It was sweet, sentimental, and poignant, and it was good to redo 'Forrest Gump' to show Hanks and Wright's characters still being peas and carrots after over 30 years.

Paul Bettany (from the back), Robin Wright, and Tom Hanks in 'Here.' Courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

While Hanks and Wright's characters of husband and wife Richard and Margaret take up most of the screen time, some other good parts came in the form of the La-Z-Boy recliner being invented, (despite thinking he slipped from American to British from time to time) Paul Bettany as Richard's father Al being a funny drunk and reminding me of Stephen Merchant, and nods to 80s pop culture such as Richard's daughter dancing to The Runaways on her cassette player or following an aerobics video. It may have been AI and some other usual Zemeckis magic, but nevertheless, it was great that the crew made Hanks look like he came back as Josh from 'Big.' It was also cool when some people thought his childhood self could've been the next Ringo Starr when he got a drum set for Christmas.

Tom Hanks and Robin Wright when they played young Richard and Margaret in 'Here.' Courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

'Here' director Robert Zemeckis chatting with Robin Wright and Tom Hanks. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

In the end, elderly Richard and Margaret reminded me of old Noah and Allie from 'The Notebook.' It was nice to see that despite the drama from Richard's happiness with employment and Margaret trying to find happiness of her own, they did the best they could with the house and family. The camera zooming out of the house reminded me of the opening and closing of Forrest Gump when the feather blew to and away from Forrest's book. Perhaps the message of 'Here' is that no matter what good or bad happens in life, just be 'here' for the people you love.

In addition, there was great scoring by Alan Silvestri, and great job to the make-up department, set decorators, and the cast and crew, as well. I would give 'Here' a 7 out of 10. 

‘Transformers One’-Best I’ve Seen In 2024

‘Transformers One’ poster. Taken by William Beavers. Copyright 2024, Paramount Pictures.

 “What defines a Transformer is not the cog in its chest, but the spark in its core.”

Josh Cooley of Toy Story 4 fame directed Transformers One, an epic, tragic, funny origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron and their factions, the Autobots and the Decepticons, respectively. Watching Transformers One felt like watching Marvel Studios films and Disney animated classics all rolled into one, and it was the best film I’ve seen in 2024 and the best portrayal of Transformers.

Chris Hemsworth voices Orion Pax/Optimus Prime in 'Transformers One.' Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

Brian Tyree Henry is the voice of D-16/Megatron in 'Transformers One.' Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

Transformers One was an origin story of Orion Pax and D-16, voiced by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry, as brother-in-arms before becoming Optimus Prime and Megatron. As the young automatons sought their purposes while mining for Energon reserves during a war between Cybertron and the Quintessons, they chanced upon a mission in the surface world that changed their lives forever in good and bad ways. Joining them were excitable B-127/Bumblebee, voiced by Keegan-Michael Key, and their feisty mining supervisor Elita-1, voiced by Scarlett Johansson. 

It was amusing how young Orion Pax and D-16 had a role reversal, with Orion being a renegade and D being the voice of reason. Also funny were the personality clashes with Bee's energetic behavior and Elita's sassy and distant outlook. Hemsworth, Henry, Key, and Johansson sure brought some fun to their voice roles.

Scarlett Johansson voices Elita-1 in 'Transformers One.' Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

Keegan-Michael Key voices B-127/Bumblebee in 'Transformers One.' Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

The landscape of Cybertron gave nostalgic views of Asgard from the Thor movies, Haven City from Daxter, and some parts of Star Wars Episode I-II. For a moment, the surface above Cybertron looked like the beautiful aurora borealis lights you could see in the Arctic areas. The animation also made it look like The Lego Movie.

Jon Hamm voiced Sentinel Prime, and his character brought Apollo Creed-level flamboyance acting like a big shot in his role in the war between Cybertron and the Quintessons.

It took a minute to recognize that the musical score was from Brian Tyler because it echoed parts of Steve Jablonsky's scoring from Michael Bay's live-action Transformers movie. Nevertheless, it was powerful music, and you should all feel free to bob your heads to the cool song "If I Fall" written by Tyler and performed by Quavo and Ty Dolla Sign.

As the main Autobots continued their trek, it was funny how it took them a minute to master transforming into their alternate vehicle modes, such as Orion feeling he lost his head while turning into a truck. But they made up for it with excellent mecha action, Autobots and Decepticons, e.g. Bee showing off his knife hands.

As I said, Transformers One talked about Megatron before he became Optimus Prime's archenemy. But the nice thing about it was this film kind of humanized him; gave him a reason why he became a tyrant. Something heavy and comical was when he started sounding like The Rock as he became more arrogant. 

And though Orion was running around like Aladdin before learning to be the man of valor he is today, with guidance from Alpha Trion, voiced by Laurence Fishburne, and his teammates, he learned transforming isn't just about morphing into cool vehicles, but about transforming one's world for the better./

Fishburne sounded like a wise sensei as his character helped Orion and his friends save Cybertron.

Great voice acting, story, animation, and scoring were all why I loved Transformers One. I hope the same cast and crew can bring the great vibes to another animated power tale. 10/10!

‘Speak No Evil’ Has Laughter, Chills, and Thrills

On Saturday morning, September 14, 2024, I had the funny, chilling, and thrilling pleasure of watching James McAvoy steal the show in the latest Blumhouse production, Speak No Evil. McAvoy began as an uninhibited hipster, then brought out his inner monster on the family led by Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy. Then Davis and McNairy brought the thunder in protecting their kids similar to Fox's The Gifted TV series, and let’s just say it’s awesome that both the adults and their kids went toe-to-toe with James McAvoy.

James McAvoy and Aisling Franciosi as Paddy and Ciara in 'Speak No Evil.' Courtesy of Universal Pictures.

While on vacation in Italy, the Dalton family, consisting of Louise, Ben, and their daughter Agnes, played by Davis, McNairy, and Alix West Lefler, respectively, met Paddy, Ciara, and their son Ant, played by McAvoy, Aisling Franciosi, and Dan Hough. The interaction went well, despite the Dalton parents being put off by Paddy's unhinged friendly demeanor. When they met again at Paddy's farmhouse, Paddy's aggressive behavior and secrets about it began to unfold.

James McAvoy as Paddy in 'Speak No Evil.' Courtesy of Universal Pictures.

For a psychological horror, it was jocular from McAvoy's character of Paddy borrowing and dragging a chair from the Daltons at their hotel to his and Franciosi's characters showing more affection than them. McAvoy may have had some of the young Charles Xavier charm return to him. Then, once he began to let out his inner thriller character,  it was like watching a repeat of his prior role as Wesley Gibson from Wanted. 

Back to the humor, it was funny when Paddy sang along to 'Eternal Flame' by The Bangles in a driving scene early on, then sang it again as he was wreaking havoc on the farm. He also appeared to be in great physical shape for the role, so great job for that, Mr. McAvoy.

The praise should also go to Mackenzie Davis as Louise Dalton. Despite occasional marriage, parental, and personal trials, she brought out her warrior instincts and fiercely fought off Paddy to save her husband and child.

From left to right: Alix West Lefler as Agnes Dalton, Mackenzie Davis as Louise Dalton, and Scoot McNairy as Ben Dalton in 'Speak No Evil.' Courtesy of Universal Pictures.

As for the kids, I don't have much to say about the performance of Lefler as Agnes Dalton or Hough as Ant, but more about their characters. Throughout the film, Ben is annoyed with Agnes' attachment to her bunny, Hoppy, and wants her to grow up. It was crazy that for Agnes to mature, she had to spend a weekend on a farm owned by a countercultural psycho. The same thing goes for Ant, who like Ferb from Phineas and Ferb, made up in action what he lacked in speaking. The other thing to appreciate besides that was the scene where the kids danced to 'Cotton Eye Joe' by Rednex. 

This was my first time watching a psychological horror starring James McAvoy, and I was impressed that he went from pacifist Professor X to amiable yet crazy Paddy. In addition to McAvoy, Davis, Lefler, and Hough, great work to Jessie Harrison, the Hair and Makeup Supervisor, Nicole Stafford, the Hair and Makeup Designer, and Jason Evans, the Visual Effects Supervisor, on-set.

I give 'Speak No Evil' a 7.5/10. Keep up the good work, cast and crew. And though it was filmed in Canada for a bit, it was nice to see the English countryside in the final result. And it turned out to be a remake of a film from 2022 with the same name. Check it out if you can.   

Beetlejuice 2: Not Necessary, But Still Funny

Michael Keaton returns as the lead in Tim Burton's 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.' Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

Despite some good undead makeup and laughs brought back by returning Michael Keaton, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was not a sequel that needed to happen. Most of the cast was funny and goodhearted, the new addition Willem Dafoe, in particular, but the problems were Beetlejuice being stuck in his old ways instead of evolving, and the plot was confusing. It wasn't better than the first film.

Taking place almost 40 years after the original Beetlejuice, a now-grown Lydia Deetz (played by Winona Ryder) has a daughter, Astrid, played by Jenna Ortega, Wednesday. And though not as big with the undead as in her teenage years, she is still haunted by Beetlejuice, played by Keaton. And Beetlejuice has his own hauntings to deal with now that a soul-sucking ghost, played by Monica Bellucci, has a bone to pick with him.

Catherine O'Hara, Jenna Ortega, Winona Ryder, and Justin Theroux as Delia Deetz, Astrid Deetz, Lydia Deetz, and Rory, respectively in 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.' Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

The good parts of the film were Justin Theroux as Rory, Lydia's boyfriend, trying to be the hip, yet awkward father figure to Astrid, Willem Dafoe as Det. Wolf Jackson trying to be a macho cop like Clint Eastwood in the undead police department, and a romance blooming between Astrid and Jeremy, played by Arthur Conti, who seemed like a young doppelgänger of Evan Peters from X-Men: Days of Future Past. 

Willem Dafoe as Detective Wolf Jackson in 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.' Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

Other good parts were when Beetlejuice acted like a couples therapist, there was pop or blues music played during the treacherous scenes, such as Beetlejuice lip-syncing to Richard Marx, and there were some occasional gags such as "Ouija board curfew."

It was funny watching Lydia get panicky when overwhelmed by Beetlejuice's tricks, given how she used to be so dark. And Rory dressed like Shakespeare and John Travolta at the same time while trying to fit in with the Deetz family curse. Another funny part was seeing dead people looking so calm in the waiting room in the afterlife, namely a dead surfer.

It was ironic how Ortega seemed so tame to all this horror and fantasy given her scream queen status. But once she dressed as Madame Curie, teased her hair, and entered the afterlife, her character was like Lydia reincarnated. And as for entering the afterlife, how's that for radiation, Madame Curie?

Despite the zany throwbacks to the original film and good new additions, one problem for me was Beetlejuice was up to his old tricks with the Deetz family and was more a villain than a hero. And the subplots threw me off sometimes, meaning I couldn't tell if it was just about the Deetzes.

Having said all this, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is not something you need to see, and it didn't have to happen. There was good joking and music, on the upside. Good job on the makeup and hair design, Christine Blundell, and the visual consulting work, Bo Welch. 

I give Beetlejuice Beetlejuice a 7/10.