Spider-Man: No Way Home

 

After what felt like an eternity of hype, speculation, and anticipation Spider-Man: No Way Home has finally hit the big screen.  Billed as the End Game of the Tom Holland led Spider-Man "home" trilogy SNWH marks the first MCU trilogy directed by the same director, Jon Watts, clocks in at 2 hours and 28 minutes and ushers in the multiverse in spectacular fashion. Quite a lot to live up to without a doubt and for my money, largely delivers.

The fan service aspect pays off big time for Spidey fans, but brings with it some drawbacks. I laughed, I cheered and was thrilled by it, but at the same time was left feeling underwhelmed by the emotional component and under-development of the characters and storyline. I'm an admitted big time crier, however, even at its saddest I never went  beyond thinking, "very sad...anyway".  There's a shallowness in the  characters making connection a hit and miss proposition.

Speaking of which the pacing for the first 30 to 40 minutes is rough. A herky-jerkiness that kept bringing me in and out of the story with its tone and jumping from one idea to another. I hate to admit, a few times it got to the point of making the film border on boring.  

Maybe it's just a "me" thing...I dunno. Kinda like Dr. Strange. Was it just me or is there something a little "off" about him in this film?

Anyway, moving on.

Even with these "issues" Spider-Man: No Way Home still delivers. Terrific music score. Fantastic, heart racing action. Loads of humor. First-rate performances. Thrilling special effects and cinematography.  Eye candy at some of its finest.  Nostalgia, fun, and surprises definitely make for an entertaining movie going experience.  

While SNWH fell short of End Game satisfaction for me, it's still a solid and enjoyable film with some truly shinning moments. Well worth venturing to the movie theater to enjoy a group watch party.  And yes, once again a reminder to stay ALL the way through the credits.  

I'm giving Spider-Man: No Way Home a 7/8.

Encanto

Movie Review: Encanto

First and foremost to those about to celebrate Thanksgiving, I wish you and yours a happy

and safe holiday. And I thank you for taking time to read my review.  I'll keep this one short 

and sweet so you can get back to your holiday.

Run, don't walk to your nearest theater to see Encanto on the big screen. Starting off you’re

treated to the wonderful short Far From the Tree that sets the perfect tone for the main 

feature so don't be late to your seat.

Speaking of the feature film, Disney has once again struck animation gold with this story about

the extraordinary Madrigal family who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia. The

animation is incredible (not surprising), the textures and colors leap off the screen, and to do

Lin-Manuel Miranda's original soundtrack the justice it so richly deserves, nothing will beat the

theater sound system.  Just be warned, if you're anything like me, you'll have a hard time

remaining seated.  Surface Pressure alone had me desperate to shake what my mama gave

me, bad knees be damned.

Encanto's story is engaging and gratifying with an exciting and emotional journey that keeps

you hooked the entire hour thirty-nine minutes .  Maybe a little too much.  Thankfully there

were no kids around me to hear my less tan G rated comments at moments.   Yes, I was

definitely into this movie. The characters are well developed and as fun and individualized

as their special gifts.   Plenty of laughs, thrills, action, and surprises.  For younger kids that

are a bit sensitive some of the action may be a bit intense.

I loved this film! As soon as it was over I wanted to watch it again.  I’ll certainly be adding

Encanto to my personal film library as soon as it’s available.  In the interim, I may have to

head back to the theater to see it to tide me over. Encanto delivers for the entire family and

needs to be seen at least once in all its glory on a movie screen.  

It’s a solid 10 from me.

 

Ghostbusters Afterlife

 

There's a lot to be said for nostalgia and "the good old days" particularly when it comes to

our entertainment.  It brings up memories and stirs feelings that make you all warm and gushy. 

One of those for me is the original Ghostbusters.  37 years later and it's still a favorite that I

find myself watching at least once a year.  After the last go round with the franchise (shudder)

I was more than prepared to write off any further attempts to continue these films.  Then

writer/director Jason Reitman (son of original director Ivan) decided to throw his hat into the

ring.  If anyone could deliver on the promise of resurrecting  the franchise, who better than

the kid that grew up around the original films?

The promise has been kept and exceeded in Ghostbusters Afterlife.  The hook of original 

Ghostbuster Egon Spengler's (the late Harold Ramis) grandkids picking up and running

with the torch feels organic and lends itself to the many homages to the first films while

keeping the story fresh and engaging. Reitman has created a tribute/legacy film to be

proud of.

Casting is wonderful.  Something that can be a bit dodgy when it comes to kids.  But,

Finn Wolfhard and Mckenna Grace have acting chops to spare. Relative newcomer

Logan Kim as Podcast is adorable and more than holds his own.  Paul Rudd delivers the

charm and funny, naturally. Carrie Coon (Proxima Midnight anyone?) as the bitter, hurt, and

angry abandoned child is the perfect hot mess of a mom. And with one notable and not

surprising exception the special appearances are exciting and bring the warm fuzzies.  

Ghostbusters Afterlife is a 2 hour 4 minute entertaining trip down memory lane, filled with

excitement, thrills, laughs, and heart.  I confess I enjoyed the hell out of this one.  

The special effects, cinematography, and direction are solid.  The soundtrack is on point

and the finale? Damn! It delivers, and delivers hard. Suspense, emotion, drama,

laughs...a fitting and wonderful end to this film and worthy of being the exclamation

point on the first two films.

This is how a throwback film should be made. Plenty to offer long time fans without

alienating new ones and delighting  both. Not an easy thing to pull off.  If you can, I say

check this one out at the theater.  And be sure to stay all the way through the credits,

you won't want to miss the two bonus scenes. 

I'm giving Ghostbusters Afterlife a 9.5.

No Time to Die

Almost 18 months past the original release date Daniel Craig returns to the big screen in his fifth and final outing as the storied Bond, James Bond in No Time to Die.  Side note, if you haven’t watched the first four films or need a refresher I highly recommend doing so prior to viewing.  At the very least, check out/rewatch Spectre. 

Over the course of his run as the titular character Craig has seemingly had a love/hate relationship with the films, but has nonetheless gone all in each time.  Being the last go round, “Go big or go home” is the battle cry.  And go big they did. 

WOW. Just wow!

No Time to Die wraps up the through line of the Craig lead Bond era in a truly satisfactory manner.  Thrilling action, twists, turns, and surprises.  Solid story, beautiful/stylish cinematography, exotic locales, all the 007 trappings you expect and want.

Speaking of trappings, favorite actors make their return and continue to do justice to their characters.  Thank you Naomie Harris/Moneypenny, Ralph Fiennes/M, Ben Whishaw/Q, Rory Kinnear/Tanner, and Jeffrey Wright/Felix.  Your service has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.  As for the newbies Lashana Lynch/Nomi and Ana de Armas/Paloma, welcome aboard ladies and thank you for being more than eye candy.  Hoping these two badasses have an extended stay in the franchise.

With a two hour 43 minute runtime No Time to Die is the longest Bond film ever made.  Pacing with the drinking is a must, however, I never “felt” the movie was long.  The films’ pacing is spot on and the length doesn’t feel overinflated given the story. The film works and is damn near perfect.

If I have one complaint it’s Rami Malek’s Lyutsifer Safin, the film’s villain.  As far as villains go he’s rather underdefined and meh.  In terms of a Bond villain, he’s creepy, but not much else sadly.  Even with that, the film’s still entertaining.

No Time to Die is well worth a trip to the theater and is quite the ride.  Give it a look and let me know what you think.  It’s a 9.5 for me.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage

In this sequel, Tom Hardy returns as Eddie Brock, loser and host to Venom.  The first film

was enjoyable, but drags in places, making me nervous for round two since VLTBC has a

surprising run time of only 90 minutes.  Fortunately, director Andy Serkis and writers Tom

Hardy and Kelly Marcel take full advantage of the time constraint and waste no time

getting things popping and keeping the pacing on target.

Picking up where the original film left off (if you haven’t seen it or need a refresher, I

recommend you give that one a look prior to seeing this, no time is spent catching you up

on anything) we’re thrown into the world of insane serial killer Cletus Kasady/Carnage

(Woody Harrelson) and the stage is set for the ultimate symbiote showdown.

Once again, Tom Hardy shines as he acts against himself, the ebb and flow and resulting chaos delights.  Venom brings the funny as well as a surprising amount of vulnerability, insight, and heart.  The budding bromance between the two is fun.  Woody Harrelson is just plain creepy fun.  Bonus, they improved his wig so I didn’t waste time thinking about how jacked up and ridiculous his hair was (I’m still not over Pedro Pascal’s don’t in “Wonder Woman 1984”). The rest of the cast is solid, but largely underutilized.  

In terms of plot, it’s pretty basic.  Just enough to get from point A to point B and the resulting battle.  There’s enough to tie everything together and keep things progressing, but it’s far from deep or expansive. Yet, it works as far as it goes, so…

There are fewer action sequences this go around, but what there is solid and pretty exciting. With a PG-13 rating there’s only so far they could push things, so it’s not terribly graphic or overly violent for what it is.  

When all is said and done, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” is an entertaining hour and a half that’s worth a look on the big screen.  Fair warning as always, be sure to stay for the mid credit sequence. It's intriguing to say the least.  

I’m giving this one a solid 8.

Free Guy

Not being a gamer, video game films are extremely hit and miss with me. So gamers you may want to take this with the proverbial grain of salt. 

But Free Guy, starring the affable Ryan Reynolds has been touted to be the feel good film of the summer.  A tall order for sure, but one I decided was worth the risk, so I again masked up and headed to my local theater.  Hoping against hope I wasn't left bored and regretting my decision.

Keeping it short and sweet I'll get straight to the point, I didn't.  

Free Guy while not a laugh riot is a solid, entertaining comedy that runs unexpectedly deep.  It's a fresh take on the typical gamer film that allows us non-gamers to go for a thrill ride without gamers feeling disappointed.  There are plenty of references, inside jokes, and Easter eggs for all to enjoy.  

In addition, the film kicks things up a level by being sweet, emotional, thought provoking, and heartwarming.  I loved every minute of it and couldn't help being invested in the characters, their relationships and the story.  I laughed, got weepy, stressed out, and left the theater with a big smile on my face.

The film's direction is terrific, the acting/chemistry spot on, the soundtrack kills, and the special effects are perfect.  Free Guy Some of the best use of cameos that are a pure delight.  

Free Guy is one of those rare films that is authentic, satisfying and leaves you wanting more.  Definitely worth a trip to the theater to see this one on the big screen.  

I'm gonna give it a 10. 

 

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 

Once again, I've ventured forth to check out the latest Marvel Studios movie offering. "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" a 2 hour 12 minute origin film. Knowing basically nothing about the subject (beyond the brief references in "Ironman" and "Ironman III") I went in with no expectations beyond the hope of seeing an entertaining film.

A low bar to be sure, but one that was not only met but exceeded exponentially.

"Shang-Chi" is an entertaining, visually stunning (eye candy galore), thrilling cinematic ride from start to finish wrapped in an amazing soundtrack. Wonderfully directed, with an amazing cast (sadly, most of whom I'm unfamiliar with) solid plot filled with heart, humor and angst.

Marvel has delivered amazing action sequences in the past and takes it to the next level with "Shang-Chi". Mind blowing, fast paced hand-to-hand combat has you ducking and dodging in your seat and leaves you breathless.

In a few places the pacing is a bit choppy, but never causes tedium or restlessness.

Awkwafina once again delights and is the film's secret weapon. Her relationship/chemistry with Simu Liu's Shaun holds, molds, moves the film together perfectly. Friend goals! A necessity as you have to work a bit with this one to see the "big picture" .

"Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" ushers in Phase 4 of the MCU with a bang and creates excitement for what's next for these characters as well as the MCU as a whole. Speaking of which, the film includes 2 must see credit sequences (one mid credit, one post) so stay until the very end.

And yes, I'm saying this is a film that begs to be seen in a movie theater and is well worth the trip. I'm giving this one an 8.5