Review: Spider-Man Into The Spider-Verse is Dope, Fresh, Fun!

The Trailer:

SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE Video Review:

 The Good:
Let's start off by talking about the animation in this movie. It's a pretty slick 3D-like style that almost has the movement of old school claymation. Despite not being the most traditional style of animation many people may be accustomed to, it definitely works exceptionally well for the movie. This animation helps accentuate different aspects to the movie from a visual standpoint. More specifically, the movie flows in and out of different kinds of animation styles but in a very subtle way. What I appreciated the most was how at different times the film would just turn into a motion comic book. Adding the literal comic book elements really helps to add that unique touch that comic book readers are very familiar with.

As a matter of fact, the animation serves to be more of a practical method for this film to deliver some heavy concepts. If this weren't cartoonized, it would be really hard to imagine some of the more sci-fi elements this film working in a live action setting. So rather than having to watch a live actors in a movie full of crazy CGI, it becomes a lot easier for the audiences to buy into more psychedelic special effects that this film has to offer. Plus, it definitely compliments the more comic-centric, sci-concepts that are explored too.

Another surprising win for this movie was the exciting action sequences that it displayed. If you happened to see the post credit scene in "Venom", then you'll already know what I'm referring to. If you haven't, then just be ready to fasten the seat belts for your eyeballs, because the incredibly fast paced chase scenes will definitely take you for a ride. They were so good that during some scenes you may actually feel the intensity rise up within yourself as the suspense builds in some the really thrilling moments of the film.

As for drama, this movie does have its fair share of the feels too. As a comic book fan, I really appreciated how this Spider-Man film was able to tap into the core elements that make the Spider-Man character so rich and deep. Even if you happen to know the outcome of certain situations for some characters, it won't matter. It doesn't take much to feel the pain, loss, and other emotions of the characters as they endure various challenges.

Thankfully this movie isn't a total downer. That's because it is so incredibly funny. I suppose that's is to be expected given the fact that Lord and Miller (22 Jump Street and The Lego Movie) had a hand in making this film. If you're a fan of the past Spider-Man movies, then get ready to laugh your butt off as this film pokes fun at the franchise, and drops a number of funny callback references. Don't laugh too hard though, because you may miss out on some things. Even the lyrics to the credits are pretty funny.

The soundtrack throughout the movie is simply perfect.  The music transitions seamlessly at different moments to amplify the setting or mood during scenes. Better yet, every song sounds like something that Miles Morales would listen to. As a result, both the music the main character become a bit more relatable. 

Besides having the comedy, drama and action, the overall cast is definitely the backbone for this film. Shameik Moore was perfectly cast as Miles Morales and Jake Johnson was an ideal fit for the version of Peter Parker that he portrays. I think the potential fan favorites, that literally got me to laugh out loud, will come from from Nicolas Cage's and and John Mulaney's Spider-Man characters.
Cameos are great and fun. Nice surprises if you don't watch the trailers and go in cold.
Supporting cast is really solid. Nick cage and the pig are hilarious.

The Bad:
The only issue that came to mind actually stemmed from the same animation that I praised earlier. While it is vibrant and colorful, there's a bit of blurriness that occurs throughout the movie. The best way to describe it would be like if you had ever walked into a 3D movie, and forgot to put on your 3D glasses. I think this blurriness was done intentionally, even though it does maintain the main character on screen to be in full focus. Either way, it was just a bit  distracting at times. 

Reason:
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is hands down the best Spider-man movie we have to date. I heard people mention that before going into my screening, and in my mind I was like "No way this could top Spider-Man 2". However, I think it did. Spider-Man: Inter the Spider-Verse just does so many things well that it's incredibly hard to deny it's awesomeness.

I'm so happy that this movie represented Miles Morales in an authentic and positive way. I think this film helped his character live up to be positive, diverse representation that he was created to be. This movie has everything a Spider-Man movie should have, it will only leave you wanting to see more. I suppose Sony knew that going in because even before the movie's release, they already greenlit the sequel. (Which at this point I cannot wait to see!)

So if you're a Spider-Man fan, comic book reader, or just interested in seeing a great coming of age story for a hero, then Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is definitely the movie you'll want to see. This is nothing short of a must-watch in theaters. Also, be sure to stay until the very end for a fun post-credit scene.

Rating: 8.5/10

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Review: Creed 2 Uppercuts You Right In The Feels

Creed 2 Video Review:


Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family’s past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what’s worth fighting for, and discover that nothing’s more important than family. Creed 2 is about going back to basics to rediscover what made you a champion in the first place, and remembering that, no matter where you go, you can’t escape your history. ... [Read The Full Review Here]


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Review: Green Book Is The Racially Safe Feel Good Movie Sure Not To Trigger

Green Book Video Review:

Green Book Trailer:


The Good:
Green Book doesn't waste any time to setup audiences for the level of racial tensions within the characters and setting of the film. Despite being a bit obvious, I liked the way Viggo Mortensen's character's mentality is initially portrayed with embedded racist views. You'll get the picture fairly quickly in the early kitchen scene.

With all that setup, I think it works and ties in nicely with the strongest element of this film which lies in the development of the relationship between the two main characters. Both Mortensen and Mahershala Ali's characters have their own positive and negative qualities that make their characters unique and compelling. What keeps you interested throughout the movie is just how much both characters learn and grow from one another. I appreciated how they were able to compliment one another in very unconventional ways.  Despite being a cliche "Odd Couple" story, you can't help but to relate to their struggles and triumphs. The dynamic of their relationship is certainly one to be desired, and that's just one other reason this movie works.

It also helps that Ali and Mortensen have great onscreen chemistry together. They both dive deeply into their characters and make it all very believable. Their banter in the film is certainly entertaining. You'll get a kick whenever they argue or school one another about certain things. I think the "fried chicken" scene was easily one of the best scenes in the film.

One thing that caught me off guard was that this movie was genuinely funny. I appreciated how Green Book didn't feel as though it had to go out of its way to be funnier than it needed to be. However, the humor was nicely transitioned into the film, and served as a nice chaser to ease the racially tense moments in the film. The drama that stems from those racial scenes does get pretty thick and overt. As a matter of fact, as an audience viewer, you can't help but feel the tension build the closer the main characters travel further down south. That feeling of tread you most likely will experience, however, is exactly what will keep you engaged even though you know the characters are about to deal with some BS.

The Bad:
I suppose my only issue with Green Book is that it almost comes off as being a little too good to be true. It feels cookie cutter, and a little too perfectly gift wrapped at times. I know that this movie is based on a true story, but it also feels as though it's got a bit too much of that Hollywood spin. For instance, there are some pretty racist situations that happen in the movie. That's to be expected with the movie's setting being in the early 60s before the Civil Rights movement. However, there are some moments in the film that almost feel a bit too progressive for that time frame. To see "2018 progressive mindsets" exhibited back then makes the movie feel a bit too disingenuous at times. To be clear, that's not to say that people weren't progressive and everyone was just racist in the 60s. I'm just saying that what was PC or progressive in the 60s is nowhere near to that of today's society, and it's offsetting to see it displayed in this movie.

The Reason:
Green Book is definitely the feel good movie of season. It looks like a reverse "Driving Miss Daisy" while having a similar vibe to that of "The Help" or even "Hidden Figures". Given the Hollywood spin that I mentioned earlier, this movie won't make people feel uncomfortable with the racism it portrays. It's really safe in that regard because it kind of displays a bit of a fantasy and ideal relationship we all should strive for. It reminds us that if we took the time to actually get to know people who are different than us, rather than just assuming what we think we know, then maybe we can make this world a truly better place one relationship at a time.

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Green Book received some Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Actor and Supporting Actor. It's an overall really good movie that definitely is worth your time and money in theaters.

Rating: 8.5/10

My [Loosely based] Ratings scale
10-9 = A Must watch at any cost. 
8.5- 7.5 = Theater worthy 
7-6.5 = Matinee/rental worthy at best
6 = Watchable (If it's free)
5 - below = Avoid at all costs

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Widows Movie Review

From Academy Award®-winning director Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave“) and co-writer and bestselling author Gillian Flynn (“Gone Girl”) comes a blistering, modern-day thriller set against the backdrop of crime, passion and corruption. “Widows” is the story of four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands’ criminal activities. Set in contemporary Chicago, amid a time of turmoil, tensions build when Veronica (Oscar® winner Viola Davis), Linda (Michelle Rodriguez), Alice (Elizabeth Debicki) and Belle (Cynthia Erivo) take their fate into their own hands and conspire to forge a future on their own terms. “Widows” also stars Liam Neeson, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall, Daniel Kaluuya, Lukas Haas and Brian Tyree Henry.

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE

Widows Video Review: 

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Review: Fantastic Beasts 2 Is Magically Meh

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is the second of five all new adventures in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World™. At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of ... [Read The Full Review]

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald Video Review:

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Review: Venom Is A Romantic Comedy That's Not Total Trash

The Trailer:

Video Review: 

The Good:

Let's jump right into Venom itself. I thought that the CGI for Venom was done well enough for the sake of this film. While it wasn't perfect, I thought it was a smart decision to mask the CGI in darker settings. Also, given the fact that Spider-Man could legally not be mentioned or involved in this movie, I thought this film did a good job of working around that. Venom's origin is still preserved as much as possible given the fact that it is an alien, but more importantly, it doesn't try to mimic or copy Spider-Man's abilities. I appreciated the fact that they allowed Venom to have his own set of abilities that are a bit more grounded and practical. Probably one of my favorite scenes are the San Francisco motorcycle chase scene.

I think it's fair to say that Tom Hardy stepped into this role and delivered a satisfying performance. I think his best moments have to be when he interacts with the symbiote Venom. For those of you who didn't know, Hardy also voiced the alien Venom too. The relationship between Hardy's Eddie Brock character and Venom have some funny moments throughout the film. In a sense they almost have an Odd Couple type of relationship except Hardy's body is the place of residence.

The Bad:

Well there's a lot to cover here so let's start with the biggest issue first. I think the main problem with Venom is the fact that it has very little consistency with the direction and tone. It's almost like the movie can't make up its mind as to whether it wants to be a horror, action flick or a slapstick comedy. I think a lot of this inconsistency comes in with what seemed like a lot of forced humor. At some points of the movie, you'd think you were watching a remake of Jim Carrey's the Mask or something. Don't get me wrong though. Some of the "crazy" moments between Brock and Venom are entertaining, but in regards to the movie as a whole, they simply didn't always gel very well. In my opinion, that falls on the shoulders of the director Ruben Fleischer. He was the director of Zombieland, and if you've seen that movie, then you can see a lot of similarities in Venom as well.

Now let me go back to the comedy in this movie. I understand that everyone will have their own sense of humor when it comes to comedy, but I'm just of the belief that timing and frequency matters when it comes to humor. For Venom, I thought that one of the weaknesses of the comedy was that they had Venom, the symbiote, talk a little too much. Venom acted like the comic relief in this film rather than being that terrifying alien menace he's typically been portrayed as. Just think of like when you go see a stand up comedian, and they say a funny joke, but then they keep running the same joke into the ground.

One thing that I also found troublesome was the character building in this movie. Eddie Brock's character felt rushed and under developed. I don't blame Tom Hardy for this at all, and instead I think this was more of a problem with the writing in this movie. Brock's character goes from being scared, to happy, to terrified, to mad, to whatever other emotional spectrum they wanted to randomly put him on. Basically, the problem is that his development didn't transition well given the many different situations he was put in. Brock isn't the only victim of the writing either; Venom is too. The symbiote goes through its own changes that also feel rushed and not properly earned.

Overall the CGI in this film isn't terrible, except for when you get to the final act of the film. Unfortunately this film commits the same problem that the Michael Bay Transformers movies did time and time again. The main villain in the film essentially looks exactly like Venom except slightly grayer. Not to mention, the fact that most of the movie is done with a night time setting, which makes it even harder to make out who's who during some big fight scenes.

One last thing, and I'll fully admit this is more of my own personal issue. I'm not a fan of the shift of direction in terms of the relationship that Brock has with the symbiote. For those of you familiar with the comic source material, we know that Brock and Venom bond through their hatred of Spider-Man. In this film, they take Brock and Venom's relationship down a different path. Just going off of what the film itself tries to setup with their relationship, it felt like I was watching some romantic comedy. That's not to imply that that there's anything sexual between Brock and Venom, but the way they act so buddy-buddy was just off given the character's traditional background. Again, since they can't use Spider-Man or any references to him, they replace that mutual bond with another commonality that Brock and Venom both share. Personally, I thought it was a cheap "Martha" moment, and I thought it was a pretty corny way to have these character connect. It was a very "lose-lose" situation.

The Reason:

Venom is going to be a lot of different things for different people. When people ask me what was this movie like, there's a couple of different ways I'd like to describe it. In one sense, it reminds me of Blade 3. You have some things in the movie that are entertaining, and then you're hit some with corny stuff that are kinda cringe worthy. In another sense, if we were to about the feel of the movie, I'd say its closest comparison has to be Suicide Squad. Take however you felt about Suicide Squad, and that's Venom. I used that as a comparison mainly because Suicide Squad was supposed to, and felt like it should've been rated R. However, both Suicide Squad and Venom pulled their punches and it's very noticeable. Also, both movies felt some unnecessary pressure to make their movies have that good ol' "Marvel fun" and forced comedy into the film when it wasn't necessary at all.

Now in terms of how this movie looks and works, I'd probably have to say that this film is a perfect combination of the movie Upgrade, Life, and a little bit of The Incredible Hulk. If you've seen Upgrade, then you've already seen 70% of Venom. Especially since Logan Marshall Green looks exactly like Tom Hardy.

I know the other question on many people's mind is whether or not this was better or worse than Spider-Man 3. I'll say that this version of Venom was way better than the Venom we saw in Spider-Man 3. I'll also say that Venom was a better movie than Spider-Man 3 too. But just keep in mind that that's a low bar.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Venom is not trash. It's not comparable to the most recent Fantastic Four or Catwoman as some have said on the internet. It does have a lot of problems, but even despite all that, there's still something there that can be appreciated in the film. There's still some entertainment that some people will enjoy. So with that, I recommend watching this more so as a matinee watch, and go in with low expectations too. By the way there are two post credit scenes so be sure to stay to the very end. I think I'd have to say that the last post credit scene was the best part of Venom, mainly because it had nothing to do with Venom. 

Are you excited to go see Venom? Let me know what you think about the movie when you get a chance to see it later. If enough people want to talk about it, maybe we can do a live video chat about it, and get into spoilers too. I'll see if I can get around to doing that maybe around this Sunday. Anyway let me know your thoughts on Venom in the comments below. I've got more reviews and videos to do for you all and until next time ill see you guys later. 

The Rating: 6.5/10

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Hotel Artemis Movie Review

The Trailer:

You can read my review by clicking on the link below:

REVIEW LINK HERE

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Ocean's 8 Movie Review

The Trailer:

You can read my review by clicking on the link below:

REVIEW LINK HERE

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Upgrade Movie Review

The Trailer:

You can read my review by clicking on the link below:

REVIEW LINK HERE

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Pacific Rim Uprising Movie Review

The Trailer:

Video Review: 

You can read my review by clicking on the link below:

Pacific Rim Uprising Review

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Tomb Raider (2018) Movie Review

The Trailer:

Video Review: 

You can read my review by clicking on the link below:

Tomb Raider Review

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A Wrinkle In Time Movie Review

The Trailer:

You can read my review by clicking on the link below:

A Wrinkle In Time Movie Review

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Black Panther Movie Review

The Trailer:

Video Review: 

You can read my review by clicking on the link below:

MOVIE LINK HERE

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