The X-Men are back on the big screen with Game of Thrones alum, Sophie Turner in the lead role as Jean Grey in X-Men: Dark Phoenix
Critics aren’t too happy with the finished product.
The film is just a disappointingly average superhero flick, with a familiar story, disinterested actors, cool sequences, and a whole lot of missed opportunities. With the build-up of this film and having Sophie Turner as the lead role, high expectations were set for this film.
Unfortunately, the film fell a little flat at boring. Although, the film does do the job by giving us a wild ride to complete the mutant adventures.
SPOILER FREE Captain Marvel hits theaters this weekend it is the 21st movie from Marvel Universe. Can you believe that?!
This film brings out the first female director for the Marvel Universe and first female character to get her own origins film. It’s the perfect film to entice Marvel fans right before the release of the Avengers: Endgame.
Marvel fans will be happy to know that this film gives the standard Marvel Comic Universe movie vibes as you will get an origins story about Captain Marvel. The humor and visual effects are up to par just like all the other Marvel films.
Fans are going to love the fact that she is the first female superhero and does it well. You’ll get excited to see all the history and references tied in to this film referring to the other Marvel films. If you’re the casual movie viewer will and don’t care to follow the previous movies, you will definitely this film. Just keep in mind, it’s not up there with Black Panther or Winter Soldier but it does leave you satisfied.
Brie Larson being an Academy Award winner gives us a fresh take on the origins story and definitely plays the part. For someone who’s trying to figure out her place in the world and find her emotions, her humor and actions made her such a badass and it did not disappoint. It’s so refreshing to see this superhero role who cares about people and comes to accept herself and own her powers.
As for the scrolls, they are awesome villains and get the right introduction to see what they’re all about. You will be very pleased with Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson’s perfect on-screen chemistry together, it made us want more.
Last but not least, make sure you stay for two post-credit scenes. All we can say is it will you goosebumps and make you even more anxious to see Avengers: Endgame.
In Theaters March 8th, 2019 Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck Starring: Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Samuel L Jackson (Nick Fury), Ben Mendelsohn (Talos), Clark Gregg (Phil Coulson), and Lashana Lynch (Maria Rambeau). Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes
The much anticipated “Ocean’s 8” hits theater this week.
Many were excited to know the spin-off from the “Ocean’s Trilogy” was in the works. The most excitement came when we learned of the all-female cast which included, Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Sarah Paulson, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Awkwafina and Anne Hathaway. Don’t worry the film honors the previous films and carries on the Ocean’s legacy.
You can’t really walk in to this film, with as high expectations as you had for the previous films. You would expect to film to be a hilarious flick throughout the entire duration, but it actually lacked it. Also, at time you would feel the pacing was a tad slow. Perhaps the surprises is what will keep you on your toes and make up for the pacing.
Remember in the 2001 “Ocean’s Eleven” movie that grabbed our attention for this adventure, started with an Ocean getting out of prison and already masterminding another heist. Well, ‘Ocean’s 8’ kicks off just the same. This time, the Ocean being liberated is Debbie Ocean after 5 years, the sister we never saw in any of the other films. She’s ready to go and hit the jackpot, by robbing the Met Gala.
In order to pull of the heist of her life, she enlists a team of women who all have a different skill needed in order for the heist to go off without a glitch. Of course, there’s always bumps in the road and things don’t go according to plan, but Debbie like Danny is prepared for everything.
We can’t really say much more, without ruining the film for you. You won’t be disappointed but you will leave the movie asking yourself ONE QUESTION! But we can’t tell you what that question even is!
Get prepared to continuously gasp and say ‘Oh my God’!
Following the release of ‘Black Panther’, Marvel has orchestrated a new level of excitement and emotions with ‘Avengers: Infinity War’; as it fulfills the build up over a decade of all the Marvel Films leading up to this one.
This film will not be a disappointment to to any fan and will leave you wanting more. The only downfall is that you will be left eagerly waiting for the next installment a year away.
“Avengers: Infinity War” is the first time we see all of our favorite super heroes together from ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, ‘Doctor Strange’, ‘Spider-Man’, ‘Black Panther’ and those from the ‘Avengers’ films. They’re brought together for one purpose and that’s to go up against that one enemy, Thanos (Josh Brolin), a vain warlord who will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants.
This enemy’s sole goal is acquire the six Infinity Stones, which will wipe out half of the living beings in the Universe. The stones all hold a special power that helps balance the Universe, Power, Space, Reality, Mind, Time, and Soul. Put in the wrong hands, you possess the power to alter anything and everything.
These heroes we have come to love over the decade have the Universe on their shoulders and are willing the fight the battle to defend it, but will it be enough to stop Thanos?
Who will survive the fight and will they succeed in saving the living beings in the Universe?
All that we know is that they won’t give up and will surely give us a good show while doing so.
Expect many surprises, because you will have a few questions answered in this film. You won’t see them coming, but you will have plenty of those ‘oh my god’ and ‘A-ha’ moments. Not only will you get those surprises but you will also experience gut-wrenching moments, the title doesn’t have the word ‘WAR’ in it for no reason.
EPIC is an understatement for ‘Avengers: Infinity War’.
Avengers: Infinity War
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Zoe Saldana, Karen Gillen, Tom Hiddleston, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Idris Elba, Danai Gurira, Benedict Wong, Pom Klementieff, Dave Bautista, featuring Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper, Gwyneth Paltrow, Benecio Del Toro, Josh Brolin, and Chris Pratt. Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo. Running time: 149 minutes Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, language and some crude references.
If you’re hoping to take the kiddos to see ‘A Wrinkle in Time’, it’ll be a treat for them.
The film is beautifully put together, taking you on an adventure you could only dream of. It’ll remind you of the another Disney film, Avatar while you’re soaring through this film, reminding you of the Disney theme parks.
It’s obvious, the film wants to inspire the younger generations. In these troubling times, the film’s release comes at a good time; giving the message of hope, love and acceptance.
Even with all these inspiring messages, it still lacked the WOW factor. Pacing problems and some of the cast performance don’t live up to expectations. It’s sad because you walk into this film with high hopes.
All that said, it is a Disney film, so why wouldn’t you want to see it. If you’ve read the film, you’ll point out the obvious points where the film deviated from the film. Either way the kiddos will enjoy the film, but not too young and not too old.
A Wrinkle in Time Starring Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Storm Reid, Levi Miller, Deric McCabe, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Michael Peña, with Zach Galifianakis and Chris Pine. Directed by Ava DuVernay. Running time: 109 minutes Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and some peril.
If you’re looking to watch a film full of suspense and thrill, you’re picked the right one.
Red Sparrow stars Jennifer Lawrence and it’s safe to say we see her in a completely different light with this film. The film will have you on a crazy emotional roller coaster trying to piece things together throughout it. At times it becomes brutal and gut-wrenching but is sure to give you the thrill you seek. Lawrence surely does not disappoint in this film and seems to take on any task in order for her character to be portrayed in the right light.
Jennifer Lawrence takes on the role of Dominika Egorova, who is a prima ballerina of the Bolshoi, who entertains those who are the wealthiest and powerful of Russia.
Dominika’s personal life is very homey and based on family. She looks after her sick mother in an apartment which is all paid by the ballet company and government, along with medical bills. Dominika encounters a major bump in the road and is robbed of her way of life, follwing this incident she is offered a new way to support herself and her mother, which she is forced to accept despite what it entails.
She takes on training to become a “Sparrow” – a specialized agent trained how to seduce and emotionally manipulate those they encounters. Sparrows know how to identify needs in their targets and transform themselves to meet whatever need in order to complete their missions.
Her first target becomes Nate, played by Joel Edgerton, he is a CIA agent that Moscow believes is working with a mole within the Russian government. The mission is a simple conquest – get close to Nate and learn the identity of the mole. But Nate is obviously a smart and experienced man and knows who Dominika is and her purpose, so this is where the film starts to get even more interesting.
This is where the film starts to play games with your mind, because you start to think one thing about Dominika and her relationship with Nate, but then you think vice versa. Up until the very end of the film, you will be teased and mind-blown and you won’t see the endgame coming!
Red Sparrow
Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Charlotte Rampling, and Jeremy Irons. Directed by Francis Lawrence. Running time: 139 minutes Rated R for for strong violence, torture, sexual content, language and some graphic nudity.
So much anticipation was built up for the long awaited film, Black Panther and thank goodness it did not disappoint. This film has to be one of the best stand alone superhero films recently released by Marvel Studios. Many would argue Iron Man is perhaps the best, but Black Panther sure does come in very close to it.
The cast, the plot, the script, the action, the CGI… everything was perfectly well balanced to produce an exquisite and revolutionary film to please Marvel fans. It’s a true film that represents heroism and challenging characters and the audience to always do what’s right despite what may be at risk.
If you recall, we met T’Challa known as the Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), in Captain America: Civil War that was released in 2016; where his father, King T’Chaka (John Kani) of Wakanda was killed. This film picks up after his father’s death, where now T’Challa is to take the throne.
With power and ruling over Wakanda, comes bumps in the road and that’s just what T’Challa encountered when an old enemy reappeared, Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) along with a new enemy, American mercenary (Michael B. Jordan) also known as the “Killmonger”. This new enemy appears with a a grand purpose and that is to take over the throne and everything that Wakanda has to offer.
Seeing Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and the American mercenary (Michael B. Jordan) on screen together will definitely give fans a thrilling adventure and even have you clenching your seat through the film. Lets not forget about the women who empowered this film and most definitely left a lasting impression, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, and Letitia Wright each stood out in their own ways in Black Panther.
If you haven’t gotten your tickets to see this film yet, good luck! This film is sure to be sold out the first weekend. Marvel fan or not, you’re going to greatly enjoy this film.
Black Panther
Starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Sterling K. Brown, with Angela Bassett, Andy Serkis, and Forest Whitaker. Directed by Ryan Coogler. Running time: 134 minutes Rated PG-13 for prolonged sequences of action violence, and a brief rude gesture.
When we heard there was a remake of the classic, ‘Jumanji’ coming out, we were a little nervous. Most remakes fall short of even comparing to the original.
But, in this case, ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’ put it’s own twist on the story giving a nod to the original. So much that it made it’s own film.
The film starts off in 1996 with a father finding infamous board game that wreaked such havoc on the four players in the 1995 film with Robin Williams. The father bring home the game and gives it to his teenage son who ignores it. Without paying any mind to it that night, the board game somehow converts into a video game cartridge. The teen awakens and inserts it into his video game console, something strange happens. You already know what it is… He gets sucked into the game!
The film then proceeds to present day and introduces four completely opposite and full of themselves teens. You’ve got the smart and awkward nerd, his former best friend who is now a high school football star, the selfie-obsessed popular girl, and the smart and angry anti-social girl. Of course, these four end up detention together and one thing leads to the other, they come in contact with the infamous video game. Little do they know they’re about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime risking their lives.
Now meeting these four teenager, you’re trying to figure out how Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Kevin Hart and Jack Black come into play in the film. Well, when they get sucked in to the game is where the fun and comedy starts because enter your favorite comedic duo, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Kevin Hart, along with Jack Black. The chemistry the work up on screen is hilariously good! There was not a dull moment in the film with these characters. Let’s not forget about Karen Gillan, who plays the sexy bombshell version of Scooby Doo’s Selma, she played a hilarious role of an angry teen trying to be the sexy chick in the video game.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Director Jake Kasdan Writers Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Scott Rosenberg, Jeff Pinkner Stars Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Rhys Darby Rating PG-13 Running Time 1h 59m Genres Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Shani is a writer and social media guru known for covering local topics. Catch her reviews on trending films and some of the biggest shows to invade Tampa Bay. She’s also into topics in hip-hop, fashion and the latest celebrity news. Follow @shanivalencia on Twitter
As you may remember, we first met the Bellas when they were all embarking on the quirky fun college life. Then we continued to see them in their college live and graduating in the second film. But, this time around for the third and final film, we follow the Bellas into their supposed successful lives.
We come to find out that adult life isn’t what it seems for the Bellas, while they try to grasp tightly to their younger years. We see Beca played by Anna Kendrick, she starts the film off by quitting her dream yet demeaning record label job. Then there’s Chloe, played by Brittany Snow who is trying to get into veterinary school. We finally see Fat Amy played by Rebel Wilson, working on her her Fat Amy Winehouse impersonations throughout New York City. When life is going that bad, what better thing to do than reunite and join a U.S.O. tour, where they perform and compete for a spot to open up for DJ Khaled, played by no one better than DJ Khaled himself.
Casting someone as big as DJ Khaled can be a somewhat challenging thing when it comes to scripting the movie and even choosing the songs, they Bellas would sing. It almost just did fit, with songs and performances just falling flat. Not only did the acapella performances not engage our little ears and fulfill what we’ve been missing from the Bellas since they graduated but a twisted plot was added that the film just could’ve done without.
It almost felt like a cheaper version of Charlie’s Angels when Fat Amy was reunited with her father played by John Lithgow, a man she ran away from without a word. We come to find out Amy’s family was loaded and her father has come back into the picture because Amy has a bank account in the Cayman Islands that her mother left her with $180 million dollars. Amy doesn’t know about this account until she finds out her father is trying to con her into going to the Cayman Islands so he can retrieve the funds.
The only entertaining part of this reunion is when Amy is on a mission to rescue her friends, after her father has kidnapped them. She battles his security with the most random objects, such as using link sausages as nunchucks and using a sandwich in tinfoil as as an explosive.
Perhaps the best park and lesson the film portray is that no matter where you are in life, you can always count on that special group of friends that have been there through thick and thin.
Pitch Perfect 3 Director Trish Sie Writers Kay Cannon, Mike White Stars Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Hailee Steinfeld Rating PG-13 Running Time 1h 33m Genres Comedy, Music
Shani is a writer and social media guru known for covering local topics. Catch her reviews on trending films and some of the biggest shows to invade Tampa Bay. She’s also into topics in hip-hop, fashion and the latest celebrity news. Follow @shanivalencia on Twitter
SPOILERS “Thor: Ragnarok” turned out to be everything Marvel fans were expecting from the epic superhero. Whether you’re a Marvel fan or not, you will still enjoy this film as it combines everything to meet the entertaining movie requirements.
The story line and the comedy combined with the action sequences turned the film into exactly what fans want to see with the God of Thunder. Not to mention, Chris Hemsworth spends quite some time without a shirt on… So Ladies, you’re welcome!
If you recall, the last time we saw the hunky, Chris Hemsworth who plays the role of Thor, was in 2015 film, “Avengers: Age of Ultron”. At the time he was trying to figure out the meaning behind the vision he saw of the destruction of his home, Asgard. Ragnarok picks up right after, 2 years later when he’s forced confront his long lost sister, Hela, played by the phenomenal Cate Blanchett.
The plot twist of finding out about his long lost sister takes you on a wild roller coaster ride with both Thor and Loki. At first they try to be welcoming with their long lost sister thinking there can be some type of peace. But little did they know she was coming back with a vengeance to take over the throne as the rightful heir after being banned by their father. The self-proclaimed Goddess of Death has such an immense power that even rivals that of Odin, her father.
During this confrontation, the beloved brothers are transported to a planet that is covered in waste and people on the other side of the galaxy. During this time, Thor and Loki become separated and Thor is captured and sold to the Grandmaster, played by the incomparable, Jeff Goldbum. Thor demands he be released and he agrees to it only if he ins in his ‘Contest of Champions’.
It’s pretty much clear who his champion is from the looks of the trailer. When the battle commences, it’s a pretty hilarious reunion. But, that’s wall we will say about that scene.
Trying to keep this one spoilers free because it is one of the most anticipated Marvel films this year. So if you’re trying to decide whether to watch this film or not, don’t think about it. You won’t be disappointed. It absolutely tops the previous Thor films with the witty humor and action sequences.
Thor: Ragnarok
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, with Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Hopkins. Directed by Taika Waititi. Running time: 130 minutes Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief suggestive material.
Shani is a writer and social media guru known for covering local topics. Catch her reviews on trending films and some of the biggest shows to invade Tampa Bay. She’s also into topics in hip-hop, fashion and the latest celebrity news. Follow @shanivalencia on Twitter
moviepixie.com 