Skip to content

CategoryMovie Reviews

Sonic (2019) trailer review

Jim Carrey should hold a special place in everyone’s heart! He single-handedly made me want to see the Sonic film and I was initially not interested.

When the first images of Sonic’s CGI were released I basically knew it was going to be all bad and I wrote a whole opinion piece based on this film not needing to be live action to thrive.
Opinion: Did Sonic the Hedgehog need a live action movie?

I think I under estimated Jim Carrey. But, I appreciate what he’s going to do with this film.

I will look past all of the terrible CGI and enjoy the cheeky acting because Carrey already stole the show.

By the way, can we talk about Coolio’s Gangsters Paradise playing over the trailer?

I liked it.

I honestly know it’s going to be cheeky, but I am ready for it.

Take a look at the trailer and tell me what you think.

Gemini Man (2019) – trailer review

I’m actually interested. I saw the partial trailer on Instagram and it cut off halfway through. My immediate thought was, “Okay, so is this like Looper”?

You might remember the Bruce Willis film about time travel with Joseph Gordon-Levitt playing the younger Bruce Willis character. It came out in 2012.

BUT THEN..

I watched the full trailer in complete silence, I realized Gemini Man is not Looper. Instead of being about time travel, it’s seems to be about clones and science!

I’m interested in seeing how the visual effects come out in the final version. I’m also intrigued to see Will Smith act against himself. I mean he did an amazing job acting against no one in I Am Legend so I have high hopes!

Trailer below:


Child’s Play 2019 (trailer review)

Just when I thought I was over my childhood terrors of Charles Lee Ray, here comes a Child’s Play remake.

I just watched the trailer and it is safe to say I will be sleeping with the light on and my hands and feet will be under the covers for the foreseeable future.

The worst part about watching the new trailer, is that the Chucky doll is now connected to all the technology. Why can  he connect to smart technology? 

Why the heck would you buy a doll like that?

But the thing that really creeped me out was Mark Hamills’ voice as Chucky.

It’s so creepy!

I’m going to have to torture myself this summer and go watch it just because I’m curious at how far this will go.

I’ve linked the trailer below:

Unlimited Power! Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (trailer review)

There were no real secrets exposed in the trailer at the beginning. We saw Princess Leia hugging a tearful Rey and shots of the crew on their adventure! The trailer is narrated by Luke Skywalker, but we don’t see him in the images.

But the biggest surprise was the laughter at the end of the trailer!

Unlimited power!

Emperor Palpatine is in this episode officially titled Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker.

After the trailer played at the Star Wars celebration, the hype continued as Ian McDiarmid showed up on stage and said, “Play it again”.

I wasn’t hype. But now, I’m hype!

Check out the trailer below. Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker comes out December 20, 2019.

Also, read my thoughts on Star Wars Episode IX and the panel today.

Star Wars Episode IX: Thoughts after panel

Prior to the Star Wars Episode IX Panel today we found out that the Star Wars Saga will take a hiatus. Walt Disney’s CEO Bob Iger spoke with Bloomberg about shifting his focus to the newly announced Disney Plus streaming service.

Iger also dropped the bomb that the Skywalker saga in these films will come to a conclusion by the end of Episode IX due out December 20, 2019. I’m actually okay with this hiatus.

After watching the celebration stream, I’m looking forward to seeing Episode IX. All of the cast that spoke at the panel held JJ Abrams in such high regard, and I think that will shine through in the movies. Plus it’s really exciting that Billie Dee Williams will reprise he role as Lando Calrissian and Ian McDiarmid will bring back unlimited power as Emperor Palpatine as well!

It was nice to have a resurgence of the Star Wars franchise and meet knew characters. As much as it may hurt to let the Skywalkers go, perhaps new stories along the lines of Rogue One are best for the future of the Star Wars Franchise. I’m not suggesting a load of prequels, but stories being told from other perspectives and brand new character introductions as leads without nostalgia characters to boost the story.

Even though I screamed very loud when I heard Emperor Palpatine laugh at the end of the trailer. I also gasped when Ian McDiarmid showed up on the stage after the initial tearser to say, “Play it again”.

I’m a fan.

Read my trailer review by clicking here.


Opinion: Aquaman is the best DCEU character

I have watched all the recent DCEU (DC extended universe) movies. I got through Man of Steel, limped through Batman vs. Superman, Wonder Woman was okay, and I actually tried to watch Justice League twice and didn’t stand out to me.

That is not me knocking DC characters. Batman will always be one of the best superheroes of all time.

This isn’t an argument about whether DC heroes are inferior. However, the DCEU is lacking. It may just be me, but I find the CW’s iteration of Flash as one of the better things in DC now.

However, if we are thinking about the movies only then I’d have to say that Aquaman is the best DC movie character now! His movie is far more captivating than any of the other releases.

Why?

Jason Momoa’s portrayal of Arthur Curry/ Aquaman is refreshing. He’s upbeat, he’s sort of funny, and likeable. His solo film introduction was cool. I don’t know much about Aquaman, but he was super strong without rubbing me the wrong way like Superman.

Superman has always rubbed me the wrong way because I never understood why he has so many powers, but he is always fighting from underneath. You can’t have every single power ever thought of and expect me to believe you are an underdog.

I’m just saying.

But back to Aquaman, when we catch up with him after Justice League, he’s not brooding or depressed and the local news broadcasters aren’t calling him a vigilante. He’s a bonafide hero that fisherman want to take selfies with. He is immediately painted as someone you want to like.

Even the moments in the film that are supposed to make you feel down, like when he finds out about his mother being sacrificed. He doesn’t go on a rebellious rampage. He still wants to learn about his people and insists that he’s not king material.

He only seriously considers becoming king and retrieving the Trident of Atlan when Mera tells him that King Orm is trying to become Ocean Master and destroy the world. His character comes off genuine. I can’t say that for the other DC cinematic characters at this point.

Maybe Batman and Superman have been overdone at this point and that’s why seeing their stories redone hasn’t been entertaining to me. But, I think that DC should learn from this. There is a reason his movie was the highest grossing film.

In my opinion, Aquaman should spearhead the DCEU. Forget about re-inventing the wheel for the 20th time with Batman and Superman. Make them supporting characters and push someone new this time.



The Addams Family 2019 (trailer review)

I just watched the new trailer teaser for ‘The Addams Family’ (2019).

I have mixed feelings about this remake. The Addams Family has been around for a very long time. It started as an animated series in the 1960’s, became a live action television show in the 1970’s, went back to it’s cartoon roots in the 1990’s and had Fox Family did us all a favor when it release two new Addams Family moves in the late 90’s .

Those were great movies.

Now we have an animated movie being released in October of this year and I’m not sure I’m ready for another iteration of the Addams Family.

From the trailer, the characters seem true to themselves. No major differences for me to point out. For some reason I thought Gomez should be a bit more handsome. Morticia and Gomez Addams always have such a sensual relationship without it coming across as sexual. So, I do look forward to seeing Charlize Theron and Oscar Isaac’s chemistry in this film.

Also, there is a fun call back to IT in the trailer. I’ll let you see it for yourself.

A new generation is about to fall in love with the quirk of the Addams Family. So maybe we can just sit back and mindlessly enjoy this one.

Opinion: Who’s not invited to the X-Men Reboot with Disney and Marvel

I read an article on CBR.com. It just reported on an interview with James Marsden with ComicBook.com.

James Marsden played Cyclops from the first cinematic iteration of X-men in the early 2000’s with 20th Century Fox. In my opinion, it was a better time before this new class took over and the less than thrilling films came out. The new X-men films haven’t done justice to the franchise, if I’m being honest.

Besides Logan and Deadpool, those were works of art. Plus, they aren’t X-men films per-say even though they live in the same universe.

In the interview, Marsden basically said that he is open to reprising his role as Cyclops.

I’d like to see this.

The early 2000’s was a budding time for super hero movies. When you think of X-men, Spider-man, Fantastic Four, and even The Incredible Hulk, you can remember them fondly. They started a new action packed era of cinema.

Hopefully, now that Disney has required the rights to the X-men franchise, they will consider bringing back some of the X-men 2000 characters, especially the actors that really did a great job on their characters.

Maybe in a flashback or reprise… what do you think?

However, seeing the latest films leads me to believe one of two things. Either the actors don’t have a grasp on the character or they don’t have good direction to help them portray the character.

Because of that, I’m looking forward to a complete reboot of X-men in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). I’m sorry, but X-men: Apocolypse was not what I expected and a lot of the characters fell flat.

That’s what leads me to believe the actors need different direction. How was Sophia Turner able to be perfect in Game of Thrones? How was Jennifer Lawrence able to be inspiring in Hunger Games? How was Oscar Isaac so likeable in Star Wars: The Force Awakens?

I’ll leave that question to you.

James McAvoy as Professor X, Michael Fassbender as Magneto, and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine were great. The other characters in the new class just left something to be desired.

No offense.

What are your thoughts? Would you like to see James Marsden, Hugh Jackman and other X-men from the early 2000’s reprise there roles?

Do you want to keep going with the current class?

Would you like a complete wiped slate?

Opinion: Did Sonic the Hedgehog need a live action movie?

I wasn’t going to say anything about this. However, after further review I’ve decided that this poster image needs to be addressed.

This silhouette of Sonic the Hedgehog proves one thing…

Some characters do not need a live action movie.

I can’t assume what this character will look like in the final imaging. But, if the leaked photos are anything to go by, it’s not going good.

leaked image

Why couldn’t the producers go for a fully CGI movie? Would that have kept it out of theaters?

I’m not doubting how successful this film can be. I’m just wondering if maybe keeping Sonic in his realm would have been a better choice. It would have been just like watching the video game, but better!

Now there’s an idea!

Having Jim Carrey in this movie would have been enough to push it to theaters. I’m sure his portrayal of Dr. Robotnik will be hilarious. But with Carrey being such a power house, even he can’t make terrible CGI on top of real world scenes great.

I still remember playing Sega with Sonic and all of his friends. I watched his cartoon and thought the chili dogs were the best food ever, even though I never had one. I really do not want a part of my childhood ruined by this movie.

I’ll reserve judgement until after the movie is released in November.

Until then, join me in viewing a picture of the OG Sonic below and his friends in the slide below.

Also, did you watch Sonic as a child? What’s your favorite character?

Movie Review | My Hero Academia: Two Heroes

I finally watched My Hero Academia: Two Heroes! It was must see movie for me because I love the anime series and I do highly recommend you watch it. This movie pumped me up even more for the start of season 4 coming in October 2019.

My first impression of the movie is absolutely positive. It was a little too convenient how all of Midoriya classmates ended up on the island for the expo, even though he and All Might were taking a special trip. But I didn’t mind it. It shows that though Izuku Midoriya is the chosen one, his friends still play a huge part in his story.

I also felt at times this movie had pieces of a love letter to All Might. We finally spend some time with young All Might and his friends. We also see him put full trust in Deku and the other heroes in training when he is unable to save the day on his own. Midoriya, true to his character, motivates his team and makes them believe in themselves so that they save the day.

Everything beyond this paragraph is spoiler territory. But before you continue to read, I have a question. Did you see My Hero Academia: Two Heroes? If so, what did you like most?

I want to say I was entirely surprised by everything that happened in the movie. However, I can’t say that. As soon as Melissa Shield and her father David were introduced I thought, okay which one of you are working with the villains?

I was right!

Turns out David Shield, who doesn’t know that Izuku Midoriya has inherited ‘One For All’ from All Might, believed his quirk restoration research could help save All Might.

All Might never told David about his ‘One For All’ quirk and how it’s passed down from person to person. Therefore, all David is thinking about is saving his friend from dying and leaving the planet without its symbol of justice.

David says that Japans crime rate is 6% all because of All Might. So basically David is thinking of the bigger picture, but still acting selfishly because no one asked him to do that.

The entire second act of the movie is based around Midoriya and friends trying to take back the security system and free the citizens and heroes on the island where the expo is being held.

As a result of David’s plan we meet a villain named Wolfram who was hired to fake a hijacking. His goons lock down a special ceremony where All Might and a few other heroes are captured and lock down the entire island as well.

The heroes in training eventually have to fight and it is great! The action and comedy was perfect. If you’ve watched the anime series, you will especially enjoy the comedy aspects.

In the final sequence things get serious. Everyone finds out that David and his assistant staged this hijacking with the villains.

Wolfram, the villain leader, takes the research for himself, the plan backfires and David needs to be saved.

In my opinion, even though he staged the hijacking, David never was a bad guy. Not once did he come off as a mad scientist that needed to be stopped. I actually felt bad for him.

Even during the times when Wolfram tells him that he will forever be tainted by working with the villains, I still thought of him as a victim.

All Might and Midoriya save the day, destroy Wolfram who was infected by ‘All For One’ and rescue David Shield after a double Detroit Smash Plus Ultra.

Spotlight on Bakugou, Todoroki, Uraraka, Melissa Shield, and Lida who played a big part in the battle just before the climax.

I really suggest this movie to anyone. It’s friendly enough with flashbacks and information so that you won’t be completely lost just because it is attached to season 3 of My Hero Academia.

It’s available on DVD via Funimation or for digital streaming on Vudu and Amazon Prime.

Feel free to share your favorite moments of the movie in the comment section below.

-ABD


Joker (trailer review)

What did I just watch?

I thought I knew the Joker after watching the Batman: The Killing Joke a few years ago. But after watching all two minutes and thirty seconds of the Joker trailer, I’m stumped.

I’m both disturbed and delighted at this fresh take on the Joker written and directed by Todd Phillips. Especially after DC’s Suicide Squad from a few years ago, no offense.

Joaquin Phoenix, at least from the trailer, is really giving me Heath Ledger vibes from his rendition in The Dark Knight. In my opinion, The Dark Knight is the best movie of the Christopher Nolan series. And, even though this movie is set in 1981, I wouldn’t be surprised if this fresh portrayal of the Joker has some resemblance to the one Heath Ledger played as well.

Moments that stood out to me in this trailer include the scenes where the Jokers body looks contorted. And also, when the Joker gets beat up. Why does he keep getting bullied?


The Joker comes out in October 2019. I’ve linked the trailer below for your viewing.

Is this movie going to make me feel uncomfortable?

The trailer already has. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.

What are your immediate feelings after watching the trailer?

-ABD

Best 3 moments in the Avengers: Endgame special look (trailer review)

The entire new trailer opens up the window to what could possibly be the first act of Avengers: Endgame. I assume it’s the first act because I refuse to believe the Russo brothers would waste all the hype of the last year just to put out a trailer. In all honestly, Marvel Studios didn’t even need to release anything else. I’m already invested.

But against my better judgement, I watched the new special look trailer for Avengers: Endgame. There were a few things that hit me my bucket of feelings and I’ve listed them below.

By the way, everything that I mention in this blog is based on the trailer linked below. So feel free to watch it first and then come back to my writing.

If you agree with me, please leave a comment below with the date April 26. Also, if you see something I didn’t catch comment that too!

1: Tony Stark looks at a picture of Peter Parker

At this point, I’ve already cried every time I’ve watched Avengers Infinity War and (spoiler alert) Spidey turns to dust in the arms of Stark. But showing Tony obviously still broken up about the events and the fate of his young protege made me let out a sad sigh.

2: War Machine stating the obvious

Bruce Banner, Thor and War Machine are having a conversation about what to do in response to the Thanos snap. Bruce Banner states the team is short handed and War Machine states the heartbreaking truth when he says all of their friends are dead. I immediately said, “Ouch”. That’s a hard hitting truth.

3: Iron Man vs. Captain America

I assumed from the first trailer that Tony Stark was going to make it back to earth. However, I could have done without seeing the full reconciliation of Captain America and Iron Man. That is a huge plot point isn’t it?

Maybe it’s just the tip of the iceberg so the Russo brothers decided, eh why not.

Either way, I’m pumped and there’s less than a month until the movie hits theaters!

Movie Review: US (Spoilers)

So, I got to see Jordan Peele’s Us over the weekend and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. A few things to note, Gabe (the husband) made my skin crawl with his antics. He was so oblivious and he did grasp the severity of the situation at all. That frustrated me the most. It didn’t surprise me when Adelaide took matters into her own hands.

When Adelaide decided to take things into her own hands and start getting rid of the doppelgangers and other threats herself, it made sense because Gabe was pretty much being counter productive the whole time.

But then when I found out the twist at the end of the movie, I was like it makes even more sense.

Spoilers below this line…

A young Adelaide wondered off from her father after her mom went to use the rest room. Her mother clearly asked him to watch her. Granted, young Adelaide was old enough to stay put. But her dad should have paid attention and she wouldn’t have had an opportunity to walk off. But then again if he had paid attention, there would be no movie, at least not in this capacity.

Again men in this movie are depicted as oblivious and and unhelpful. What a stressful mess.

Anyway, young Adelaide makes her way to a house of mirrors where she runs into evil young Adelaide and there is when the twist happens.

Evil young Adelaide ends up abducting the real Adelaide and taking her place in the sun. So now Evil Adelaide is above ground and the real Adelaide is below ground. Effectively turning the real Adelaide into Red and taking her place.

She legitimately lives out her entire life and comes back to her childhood home with her husband and children for a summer vacation in Santa Cruz.

Here’s where I start to get confused. The real Adelaide, Red and her doppelganger family come from underground, attack and hold the above ground family hostage.

Red never says, hey I remember when you choked me out and took me into the catacombs or whatever. She starts to talk about being her exact shadow and points out specific benchmarks in Adelaide’s life.

These milestones included getting married versus having to settle just because the husbands had the same face. And also their tragic differences in child birth. How above ground Adelaide needed a c-section, and underground Adelaide, Red needed one too, but had to do it herself.

This makes it seem like a spiritual connection in the outer realm, one being in the shadows and having to live through the above grounds choices on the dark side, plagued to only have terrible outcomes.

But then you find out it was a government operation gone array that was shutdown.

I’ll bypass the random questions I have like…

  • When did the program shutdown?
  • How many people were cloned?
  • How did Red even find out what was going on?
  • Who gathered the supplies for the revolution?

Because that’s besides the point, right.

My real confusion is, why wasn’t Red able to control above ground Adelaide because she was in fact the real one? Just because they swapped places doesn’t mean the chain of command changes. Does it?

Other questions I have include:

Does the tether get weaker the farther away you go from your clone? And if they share a brain bond, why wasn’t above ground Adelaide able to sense the revolution?

Confusion aside, this movie is deep and urges US to take a deeper look at ourselves, our values, and the things we take for granted because we could easily be in a terrible place and circumstance.

It’s a great movie and I’d recommend seeing the movie even if you’ve spoiled yourself. There are so many over arching themes that my head is still spinning.

And that is a good thing.

-ABD


Avengers: Endgame | Is it April 26 yet?

If you weren’t pumped for the climax to the last 10 years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) before, you should be now. Marvel Studios released new posters of the survivors and the fallen from Avengers: Infinity War.

I can’t lie, I cried a bit during the happening of the previous installation and I was in my feelings when I realized I had to wait a full year to find out it’s conclusion. I’m honestly not thinking past Endgame even though Spider-man: Far From Home comes out in July. I’m just not there yet.

Are you feeling as excited as I am to see the climactic ending? Maybe Endgame will act as a true beginning to the next saga. Perhaps it’ll be a love letter to the past decade while still putting over the next generation.

There will be a full review up on this blog when the time comes. Until then, feel free to keep dropping photos and trailers Marvel. I’m all for it!

Avengers: Endgame comes out April 26. There’s 1 month left. Take a look at this feature released by Marvel Studios on twitter (click the tweet below) and view these awesome posters to hold you over.

%d