Tag: Samuel L. Jackson

The Marvels in AMC Dolby

The Marvels in AMC Dolby

I saw “The Marvels” on Friday Nov 10th, but I needed time to think about my review before I posted.

Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree Revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan, Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. Together with Nick Fury’s help, this unexpected trio must team-up and learn to work in together to save the Universe as “The Marvels.”

The Marvels is an at times vibrant addition to the Marvel Universe and at other times it appears to be a jumbled mess of a movie. Its chocked full of action, fantastic cinematography and well-timed special effects, but the story is disjointed. The movie does not come across as a sequel to the 2019 Captain Marvel. This causes confusion, because it’s not obvious where this installment should be in the saga. There is plenty of energy going with Captain Marvel (Brie), Ms. Marvel (Iman) and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah). The movie does have its entertaining moments.

The saving grace is that the movie is only 1 hour and 45 minutes running time. That was just long enough.

If you are a Marvel Universe Fan, then “The Marvels” should not be missed.

This is a 3 Star Movie!!

Spider-Man: Far from Home in AMC Dolby

“Spider-Man” is back!! He misses the guidance of “Iron Man”, but gets on with his life. Far from Home is the next installment of the Spider-Man Homecoming series.

Peter Parker and his high school pals, Ned, MJ and the rest of the gang go on a European vacation. Unfortunately peril is not far behind. Nick Fury shows up asking for Spider-Man’s help. Begrudgingly Spider-Man is forced to make an appearance several times during the vacation.
The story unfolds from there…

The action, entertainment and intrigue are non-stop. The cinematography and special effects are on point! All I can say about the camera angles are wow!!

The story is a bit long and at times drags a bit, but the movie is still very good. There is a bit of a surprise with the plot line. If you are a Spider-Man fan, this installment should not be missed.

This is a 5 Star Movie!!

Shaft

This next installment of Shaft find John Shaft Sr. (Samuel L. Jackson) with a son “JJ” (Jessie T. Usher) who is an MIT Graduate and works in Cyber Security with the FBI. When JJ’s best friend is found dead of an accidental drug overdose, JJ starts an investigation of his own, but soon finds he needs the help of his Dad who he has not seen in 25 years. The story unfolds from there…

The paid critics did not like this installment, but I found it to be pretty good. The movie has a time capsule backstory which helps to set the stage. There are some holes in the plot and the overall story is a bit disjointed, but it does all come together toward the end. There is some comic relief, but you have to pay close attention to get it.

There is some NOT SO great acting, but not from the headliners. Samuel L. Jackson plays a good Shaft.

This is a 3 Star Movie!!

Captain Marvel in AMC Dolby

“Captain Marvel” opening on International Women’s Day. I am sure that was well thought out. This is a very good first installment.

The back story for Captain Marvel was played out in bits and pieces that had to be pieced together more than 3 quarters of the way through the movie.

If you are a diehard Marvel Universe fan you will be engaged. If not…This may not be your movie!

The story is about Carol Danvers journey to become one of the most powerful heroes in the Marvel Universe. Earth gets catch up in the middle of a Galactic war between several Alien Nations. Captain Marvel comes to the rescue. This is a fresh new story never seen in the Marvel Universe before. The story unfolds from there…

Fantastic cinematography!! Great camera angles. HUGH sound and visual effects and lots of action. The movie is very enjoyable seen in IMAX or AMC Dolby.
This is a 4 Star Movie!!

Glass

Samuel L. Jackson and Bruce Willis reprise their “Unbreakable” roles Elijah Price also known as Mr. Glass and David Dunn. Joining them from “Split” is James McAvoy as Kevin Crumb and the multiple identities who reside within him. Also Anya Taylor-Joy joins “Glass” as Casey Cook who was the only person to survive an encounter with The Beast.

“Glass” picks up following the conclusion of “Split” where Crumb’s superhuman figure The Beast is being shadowed by David Dunn in a series of escalating encounters that lands them both in a mental hospital. Mr. Glass (Samuel L. Jackson) is already there. Once they all find out they are together again Elijah Price emerges as an orchestrator who holds secrets that are critical to both Crumb and Dunn. The story unfolds from there…

I am not sure what I expected, but this movie was just plain crazy. It’s almost like a deconstruction of a series of events that have happened in the lives of the three men, Dunn, Price and Crumb.
There are times of clarity and then there are times of confusion. There are a few interesting scenes and some interesting action and intrigue, but unfortunately that’s not enough to make “Glass” a good solid movie.
“Glass” is not the worst movie I have ever seen, but it certainly is not the best.

I am not sure that I would watch “Glass” at home on a Saturday night with a tub of popcorn…

This is a 2 Star Movie!!

The Hitman’s Bodyguard

“The Hitman’s Bodyguard” is a “quirky, funny and entertaining summer flick.”

Ryan Reynolds plays Michael Bryce, a top protection agent who has been summoned to protect a Notorious Assassin, Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson). Darius’s testimony is needed in criminal court case to put away a dictator who has been killing or ordering the killing of innocent people.

Michael Bryce and Darius Kincaid have a history. They don’t like each other, so when they are faced with each other and it dawns on Michael Bryce what he is getting into, dangerous sparks start flying. The story unfolds from there…

The paid critics did not like “The Hitman’s Bodyguard”. The movie is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s not bad. In fact it’s funny and entertaining. There is a story, a plot, intrigue, suspense and a couple of twists. It’s mindless entertaining.

Ryan Reynolds is an unlikely bodyguard, but he does a good job. Samuel L. Jackson is the perfect assassin. The movie is worth seeing if for no other reason than to see Salma Hayek. She kicks some serious butt!!

Check out “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” for some fun entertainment.

This is a 3 Star Movie!

Kong: Skull Island in 3D

“Kong: Skull Island” is “Crazy Stupid”, but it’s fast-paced, has lots of eye candy and tons of action.

Set in the post-Vietnam war era, a group of explorers/scientists and a team of military specialists are brought together to go on an exploration assignment to an uncharted island in the Pacific. It’s not really explained ahead of time what the group might be looking for, but it was made known that they needed to go before Russia went. At first glance the island looks to be a paradise, but the parties soon find out the island is as dangerous and treacherous as it is beautiful. The story unfolds from there…

The special effects are awesome. The action is non-stop. The 3D aspects will have you on the edge of your seat. It’s in your face violent.

“Kong: Skull Island” offers you another rendition of the King Kong saga. It’s the first creature-feature of the year.

This is a 3 Star Movie!

The Legend of Tarzan: The IMAX 3D Experience

“The Legend of Tarzan” was not on my original “Watch List”, but I decided to give it a look.

Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgard) became a modern man living as John Clayton III, Lord Greystoke with his lovely wife Jane (Margot Robbie). John has now been invited back to the Congo where he once called home to serve as a trade emissary of Parliament. John is unaware that he is the pawn in a crazy, deadly scheme of revenge and greed masterminded by Captain Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz). Unfortunately the people involved with Captain Leon Rom have no idea what’s in store for them when they try to take Tarzan or hurt anyone he loves. The story unfolds from there…

The story starts off painfully slow, in fact the first 40 minutes were useless. Once the story heats up and the action becomes lively, the movie becomes interesting. Samuel L. Jackson’s character does nothing more than provide comic relief. Christoph Waltz always gives his character in any movie he plays in everything he has. This installment is probably the best Tarzan movie of modern times.

There is plenty of action and lots of computer generated animals. You get that dark dank jungle locale and there are some stampeding scenes that remind me of one of the earlier Jurassic Park movies where the Dinosaurs are chasing after the Scientists.

In a lackluster summer of blockbusters thus far, Tarzan is probably the best movie ticket for the 4th of July Holiday weekend.

This is a 3 Star Movie!

The Hateful Eight

Quentin Tarantino really hones his craft in “The Hateful Eight”.

This installment from Quentin Tarantino is a western set in the Abraham Lincoln era. The story could actually be told in about 20 minutes, but in a Quentin Tarantino production it takes hours, literally.

It’s the dead of winter in Wyoming. Traveling by stage coach, a Bounty Hunter, his prisoner and 2 other passengers find shelter in a cabin known as “Minnie’s Haberdashery”. There are several customers already comfortable in the cabin. Once the horses are put up and everyone is settled in, things start to unravel quickly. The story unfolds from there…

“The Hateful Eight” is viciously bloody and violent, but it’s really entertaining and moves quickly. It’s a long running time at 2:47, but it was over before I realized it.

This is a Quentin Tarantino production. If you have previously seen his movies, then you know what to expect. His movies are over-the-top, but he will keep you engaged and entertained. If you can stand the bloodiness “The Hateful Eight” is worth a look.

This is a 3 1/2 Star Movie!

Avengers: The Age of Ultron – The IMAX 3D Experience

They are back!! “Avengers: The Age of Ultron” is a good sequel, but not great! It does not compare to its predecessor.
Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) activates a dormant peace keeping program, but somewhere along the way things go awry and the team finds themselves involved in an epic battle to save the planet. The story unfolds from there…
What would have made this installment great is a better plot. The plot is very underdeveloped. Saving the world has now become a hard working job for The Avengers. Their latest nemesis Ultron gives the team all they can handle and more. Ultron is like an energizer bunny, he just keeps coming and coming.
There is lots of non-stop action, edge of your seat thrills and constant mayhem. There is even reason to laugh a bit. “The Age of Ultron” is a definite must see in IMAX, but 3D is not necessary.
If you are a fan of the Avengers then “The Age of Ultron” is a must see.

This is a 3 1/2 Star Movie!!