The Cinematic Review-verse

Photo courtesy of imdb.com Coco was an excellent production by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and Pixar. With an all-star cast, upbeat music, extravagantly colorful animation, and a very heartwarming concept of family, it is a very powerful film for families and individuals to see. The plot surrounds a 12-year-old boy named Miguel Rivera who aspires to be a musician. What stands between him and his desires are a belief  by his family that music is a curse and should be banned. But through an accidental visit to the Land of the Dead on the celebration of  Dia de los Muertos , Miguel understands that one should never forget his or her family no matter what.  Through watching this cinematic piece, I have once again been told to be thankful for my family this Thursday. I have many ambitions, but none I'd be inspired to pursue without them and their blessings. By showing respect to Mexican culture and doing what they do best, Pixar has made Coco exciting and to...

Photo Courtesy of imdb.com Zack Snyder really put in his best effort in the fifth edition to the DCEU. Justice League was an excellent film reprising some roles from previous DC Comics films with some new ones to perform a great combination of humor, visual effects, and action. Starring Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher and Jason Momoa, it had such raw power, touching moments, and a great representation of diversity and teamwork. After the supposed death of Kal-El/Clark Kent/Superman, Bruce Wayne/Batman and Diana Prince/Wonder Woman summon Barry Allen/The Flash, Victor Stone/Cyborg, and Arthur Curry/Aquaman to unite against the threat of world domination posed by Steppenwolf. Steppenwolf plans to dominate the Earth with the unification of three Mother Boxes. By resurrecting Superman and combining their extraordinary abilities, metahuman or not, the Justice League shall show themselves ready to save mankind. I loved the  film's momen...

Photo Courtesy of imdb.com Chris Hemsworth really brought the thunder for the 3rd film in the  Thor  media franchise! With spectacular special effects, excessive humor, and ferocious fight sequences,  Thor: Ragnarok  was another excellent feat by Marvel Studios this year! Thor: Ragnarok  revolves around the fall of Asgard through the arrival of Odin's (Anthony Hopkins) first-born daughter Hela (Cate Blanchett). Once Odin finally passes, it is up to Thor and his nemesis and adoptive brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) to save what is left of their people. With assistance from estranged Avenger Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), hard-drinking lone warrior Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), and a slew of other quick-witted, comedic, and alien-like beings, Thor has a chance to conserve his father's legacy and save the world! Definitely an excellent direction by Taika Waititi.

Photo courtesy of fandango.com "We must dissent because America can do better, because America has no choice but to do better", quote courtesy of thurgoodmarshall.com Chadwick Boseman really brought honor to the famed first African-American Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in this direction by Reginald Hudlin!  Marshall really was an excellent film to see! Boseman played the role well because in this depiction, I saw a man who crossed bias and other racial differences to proclaim the innocence of a falsely accused man in front of a disrespectful courtroom in Connecticut. I think either Boseman or Hudlin has an NAACP Image  and an Academy Award nomination ahead of them. As for Josh Gad, I loved how his character Sam Friedman overcame two challenges. First, Friedman was an insurance lawyer before working with Marshall. The whole case was bigger than him. Second, some people beat him up because he was working with an African-American, who some people thin...

Courtesy of William Edward Beavers, V Lego and Warner Brothers have done it again. Their third collaboration, The Lego Ninjago Movie was an excellent combination of live-action, animation, and action. Starring an excellent ensemble voice cast ranging from Dave Franco to martial artist acting legend Jackie Chan, this is truly a great movie for family and friends to go and watch. In the film, Lloyd Garmadon (Franco) and his friends form a ninja team designated to protect the city of Ninjago from the threats of tyrant  and Lloyd's father, Lord Garmadon (voiced by Justin Theroux). Only through traveling through a dangerous jungle and navigating life one brick and ninja blade at a time can they find the ninja warriors within themselves and bring peace to their homeland. Great music by Mark Mothersbaugh, comedic effect, and wonderful computer-generated imagery add to the awesomeness that lies in this great adventure based on the original toy line created by the famous Lego company.

Photo courtesy of William Edward Beavers, V After seeing X-Men: First Class and the first Kingsman  movie, Matthew Vaughn has directed another amazing action film. It was so great to see the spy forces of United Kingdom and United States work together in this movie. With a wonderful reprisal of Colin Firth, Taron Edgerton, and Mark Strong, along with a new addition of Julianne Moore, Channing Tatum, Halle Berry, Jeff Bridges and even the great Elton John, Kingsman: The Golden Circle  was a combination of explosions, blasting 20th century music, and bashful fight sequences. Now a Kingsman agent, Eggsy (Edgerton) must reunite with his old mentor Harry Hart (Firth) and work with America to save the world from a diobolical plan by an elusive drug lord (Julianne Moore). I think someone deserves an Oscar, MTV or Empire Award in here. If you like people who get the girls, beat the bad guys, save the world, or any one of the above, then you can find all that in this piece by Mat...

Photo Courtesy of ca.movieposter.com While it was difficult to grasp its nonlinear narrative, Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk was an excellent war drama film. Using wonderful scoring by frequent collaborator Hans Zimmer, well-organized editing by Lee Smith, and a great ensemble cast, it truly was a fight to the finish. Discoursed through different perspectives, the film depicts the Dunkirk evacuation in France during World War II. Through all perspectives, it shows that many Allied soldiers will risk it all to survive against German enemies and return home heroes. The film should be commended for the retelling of how brave young men went on a perilous journey to make it past one of the world's darkest weeks.When we look beyond the small amount of cast members and not too much dialogue, we can see a film that shows true emotion and devotion to achieving victory. What should also be noted is this is the film debut of One Direction's Harry Styles, along with some of Nola...