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Shadows (Lux, #0.5)
8.0
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The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life-form on Earth,...
Erika (17788 KP) rated Captain Marvel (2019) in Movies
Mar 9, 2019 (Updated Mar 9, 2019)
The Stan Lee Marvel opening title (1 more)
Ben Mendelsohn
Firstly, this was a typical, Marvel origin story movie. They didn't exactly reinvent the wheel. BUT, who really expected them to?
I've been a fan of Carol Danvers in the comics since she was Ms. Marvel. For one, I was glad they kept her personality close to the comics. I've seen complaints that Larson's delivery of some jokes was flat, but, Carol tells bad jokes all the time and no one laughs (or, she did, I'm not into the new teen-centric Capt Marvel comics). Honestly, a lot of the story wouldn't make sense straight away for people that have never read a comic about Danvers.
Ben Mendelsohn was absolutely fantastic as 'the villain', and completely had fun in the role. Also, thank you Marvel for allowing him to use his real accent. SLJ was fantastic as the younger Nick Fury, and his interactions with Chewie...sorry, Goose (dumb name change) were hilarious.
The Kree weren't really in the film much, and, of course, anyone who knows anything about the Kree can figure out what's going on.
The ONLY thing that was a bit of a groaner for me was the source of Carol's powers.
Definitely stay for the credit scenes, that mid-credit scene made me hyped for Endgame.
I've been a fan of Carol Danvers in the comics since she was Ms. Marvel. For one, I was glad they kept her personality close to the comics. I've seen complaints that Larson's delivery of some jokes was flat, but, Carol tells bad jokes all the time and no one laughs (or, she did, I'm not into the new teen-centric Capt Marvel comics). Honestly, a lot of the story wouldn't make sense straight away for people that have never read a comic about Danvers.
Ben Mendelsohn was absolutely fantastic as 'the villain', and completely had fun in the role. Also, thank you Marvel for allowing him to use his real accent. SLJ was fantastic as the younger Nick Fury, and his interactions with Chewie...sorry, Goose (dumb name change) were hilarious.
The Kree weren't really in the film much, and, of course, anyone who knows anything about the Kree can figure out what's going on.
The ONLY thing that was a bit of a groaner for me was the source of Carol's powers.
Definitely stay for the credit scenes, that mid-credit scene made me hyped for Endgame.
Erika (17788 KP) rated Tomb Raider (2018) in Movies
Mar 18, 2018 (Updated Mar 18, 2018)
So, the best advice I can give while watching this movie is to not compare it to the previous Lara Croft films.
I wasn't completely sold on Vikander as Lara, and she wasn't honestly that believable in the role. Maybe that can improve in the next films (if they're made), as this was essentially an origin story.
One thing that bothered my throughout was Lara's boots; it seems like a stupid thing to complain about, but the heel on them was ridiculous. Though, a positive thing on her costuming is that she was actually wearing a bra, unlike Jolie in the other films.
Walter Groggin's performance was a little pedestrian, I was expecting/hoping for a Django Unchained performance. But it wasn't, he seemed to be sleepwalking throughout the movie.
Now, the story: It was interesting, but a little clunky. They probably could have worked on that a little more. I was glad they took it out of the supernatural realm.
In the end, and right now, I'm really torn on whether or not I liked it. Maybe I need to see it again? I was entertained, at the very least.
**Also can we talk about Vikander's scary giraffe neck in the poster? CRAZY looking. In fact, I'm going to add the other poster so I don't have to look at it again.**
I wasn't completely sold on Vikander as Lara, and she wasn't honestly that believable in the role. Maybe that can improve in the next films (if they're made), as this was essentially an origin story.
One thing that bothered my throughout was Lara's boots; it seems like a stupid thing to complain about, but the heel on them was ridiculous. Though, a positive thing on her costuming is that she was actually wearing a bra, unlike Jolie in the other films.
Walter Groggin's performance was a little pedestrian, I was expecting/hoping for a Django Unchained performance. But it wasn't, he seemed to be sleepwalking throughout the movie.
Now, the story: It was interesting, but a little clunky. They probably could have worked on that a little more. I was glad they took it out of the supernatural realm.
In the end, and right now, I'm really torn on whether or not I liked it. Maybe I need to see it again? I was entertained, at the very least.
**Also can we talk about Vikander's scary giraffe neck in the poster? CRAZY looking. In fact, I'm going to add the other poster so I don't have to look at it again.**
Lock and Key: the Downward Spiral
10.0
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"Will leave you dying to know more." -Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series The New York...
David McK (3369 KP) rated Spider-Man (2002) in Movies
Oct 3, 2021
"Remember, Peter: with great power comes great responsibility"
2002.
So that's back before the Marvel Cinematic Universe was a thing (Iron Man was '08).
It's also not long after the twin Towers disaster, which - I believe - had to be edited out of this film.
This was also the first big-screen take on Spider-Man, with a mainly 20 something cast all playing characters in their late teens, headlined by Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and by Kirsten Dunst's redhead Mary-Jane Watson.
The early portions of this movie basically retells Spider-Mans origins story (although, here, Parker is bitten by a Genetically modified Spider instead of a Radioactive one and does not need web-shooters: they come out of his actual wrists), complete with the death of Uncle Ben who gets to utter the immortal lines to Parker that 'with great power comes great responsibility'.
Yes, Stan Lee makes a 'blink and you'll miss it' cameo.
Yes, the soundtrack owes a fair deal to that of 1989s 'Batman'
Yes, the Green Goblin costume does look a bit like a Power Rangers reject.
Yes, the film still holds up nearly 20 year later: there's a reason that 'upside-down' kiss is now iconic!
(Oh, and TK Simmons J Jonah Jameson? *Chef's Kiss*.)
So that's back before the Marvel Cinematic Universe was a thing (Iron Man was '08).
It's also not long after the twin Towers disaster, which - I believe - had to be edited out of this film.
This was also the first big-screen take on Spider-Man, with a mainly 20 something cast all playing characters in their late teens, headlined by Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and by Kirsten Dunst's redhead Mary-Jane Watson.
The early portions of this movie basically retells Spider-Mans origins story (although, here, Parker is bitten by a Genetically modified Spider instead of a Radioactive one and does not need web-shooters: they come out of his actual wrists), complete with the death of Uncle Ben who gets to utter the immortal lines to Parker that 'with great power comes great responsibility'.
Yes, Stan Lee makes a 'blink and you'll miss it' cameo.
Yes, the soundtrack owes a fair deal to that of 1989s 'Batman'
Yes, the Green Goblin costume does look a bit like a Power Rangers reject.
Yes, the film still holds up nearly 20 year later: there's a reason that 'upside-down' kiss is now iconic!
(Oh, and TK Simmons J Jonah Jameson? *Chef's Kiss*.)
Ross (3284 KP) rated Captain Marvel (2019) in Movies
Mar 11, 2019
Great, exciting fun and so much more than an origin film
I think Marvel have finally nailed an origin story. Lord knows they've had plenty of shots at it, but have finally delivered one that also works as a film in its own right.
We join Vers as she travels with her Kree companions doing their bit against the evil Skrull forces. She doesn't seem to know much of her own past and over the two hours she gradually pieces things together. We are treated to hints and teasers and but by bit they are all tied together to tell a twisting and turning tale of war, good vs evil, propaganda, power and self belief, all wrapped up with some science-y stuff.
I wouldn't say the plot is perfect but made a good attempt at it and it all hangs together. We are even treated to an old school Mar-vell character (albeit as a female rather than the cringey 60s negative zone-dweller).
There is humour galore and Sam Jackson gets the majority of the laughs, mainly through his interaction with Goose the cat (CHEWIE DAMMIT!). Brie Larson is somewhat po-faced and serious throughout but still a believable superhero (and if she is set to replace Captain America as head of the Avengers it makes sense if she isn't all that entertaining in her own right!).
There is a good, female-dominated soundtrack for the majority of the film (Garbage, Sheryl Crow, TLC, Hole etc).
A fun film and a good backstory for someone set to be a big deal in the next MCU release.
We join Vers as she travels with her Kree companions doing their bit against the evil Skrull forces. She doesn't seem to know much of her own past and over the two hours she gradually pieces things together. We are treated to hints and teasers and but by bit they are all tied together to tell a twisting and turning tale of war, good vs evil, propaganda, power and self belief, all wrapped up with some science-y stuff.
I wouldn't say the plot is perfect but made a good attempt at it and it all hangs together. We are even treated to an old school Mar-vell character (albeit as a female rather than the cringey 60s negative zone-dweller).
There is humour galore and Sam Jackson gets the majority of the laughs, mainly through his interaction with Goose the cat (CHEWIE DAMMIT!). Brie Larson is somewhat po-faced and serious throughout but still a believable superhero (and if she is set to replace Captain America as head of the Avengers it makes sense if she isn't all that entertaining in her own right!).
There is a good, female-dominated soundtrack for the majority of the film (Garbage, Sheryl Crow, TLC, Hole etc).
A fun film and a good backstory for someone set to be a big deal in the next MCU release.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Shazam! (2019) in Movies
May 14, 2019 (Updated Dec 15, 2019)
A refreshing, and often humourous entry into the otherwise troubled DCEU
Contains spoilers, click to show
I went into Shazam! with low expectations, after not being particularly taken with the majority of past DCEU films.
I left feeling pretty positive about the whole goofy experience.
As with most DC material, the film starts on a fairly dark note, introducing us to a young Dr Sivana (a truly old school super villain, dating all the way back to the late 30s).
After a bit of back story as to why he gets all villainy, the movie wastes no time introducing us to Billy Batson (Asher Angel) and the rest of his foster family, and the movie succeeds in making all of the younger characters likable.
After a bit of comic book magic, we're eventually acquainted with the true power of Shazam!
Zachary Levi absolutely shines as he clearly relishes in playing this goofy, excitable teenager trapped in the body of a God. He bounces back and forth with Jack Dylan Grazer pretty well, and for the most part the relentless stream of jokes land nicely.
The film starts to waiver slightly towards the end, as the story hurtles towards a standard comic book movie CGI showdown, with a by the numbers comic book movie performance from Mark Strong, and some sketchy CGI cloud monsters, but it's hard not to grin with the surprise introduction of the Shazam! family (something I would surely expect from a sequel).
Shazam! also struggles at times to balance it's humour with it's more serious beats, but for the most part is an enjoyable origin story that the whole family can enjoy.
I left feeling pretty positive about the whole goofy experience.
As with most DC material, the film starts on a fairly dark note, introducing us to a young Dr Sivana (a truly old school super villain, dating all the way back to the late 30s).
After a bit of back story as to why he gets all villainy, the movie wastes no time introducing us to Billy Batson (Asher Angel) and the rest of his foster family, and the movie succeeds in making all of the younger characters likable.
After a bit of comic book magic, we're eventually acquainted with the true power of Shazam!
Zachary Levi absolutely shines as he clearly relishes in playing this goofy, excitable teenager trapped in the body of a God. He bounces back and forth with Jack Dylan Grazer pretty well, and for the most part the relentless stream of jokes land nicely.
The film starts to waiver slightly towards the end, as the story hurtles towards a standard comic book movie CGI showdown, with a by the numbers comic book movie performance from Mark Strong, and some sketchy CGI cloud monsters, but it's hard not to grin with the surprise introduction of the Shazam! family (something I would surely expect from a sequel).
Shazam! also struggles at times to balance it's humour with it's more serious beats, but for the most part is an enjoyable origin story that the whole family can enjoy.
Dana (24 KP) rated Saga, Vol. 2 in Books
Mar 23, 2018
Here's another review that is 4.5 stars.
I love Alana's obsession with that book. I feel like that is me on the page because I do the same thing: push a book at people until they begrudgingly read it and then tell me to piss off. Well, except for Marco, he liked it, but everyone else was so exasperated with her, it was too real. I died laughing at the parts where she got over excited about it! And the backstory of how Marco and Alana met: so freaking cute, but still kinda scary in the fact that it's illegal as hell.
We get Marco's origin story! I loved seeing him as a wee little bab. SO adorable! I enjoyed getting to know Marco's past and his parents. They are very interesting because they show a lot more of the issues that are going on between the races in the war. It gives more insight into why the war is going on itself.
I also love Izabel. She is so sweet and sassy and cares about the trio. It was really cool that she got a lot more page time in this issue, which I appreciated.
I do like reading the other characters' story lines, but I'm not going to lie, I will always be more interested in the main characters, at least in this series. While everyone else is very compelling and have interesting aspects to their story, I felt like I was just trying to rush through their parts to be able to get to Hazel, Alana, and Marco.
I am still really excited to read more of the series!
I love Alana's obsession with that book. I feel like that is me on the page because I do the same thing: push a book at people until they begrudgingly read it and then tell me to piss off. Well, except for Marco, he liked it, but everyone else was so exasperated with her, it was too real. I died laughing at the parts where she got over excited about it! And the backstory of how Marco and Alana met: so freaking cute, but still kinda scary in the fact that it's illegal as hell.
We get Marco's origin story! I loved seeing him as a wee little bab. SO adorable! I enjoyed getting to know Marco's past and his parents. They are very interesting because they show a lot more of the issues that are going on between the races in the war. It gives more insight into why the war is going on itself.
I also love Izabel. She is so sweet and sassy and cares about the trio. It was really cool that she got a lot more page time in this issue, which I appreciated.
I do like reading the other characters' story lines, but I'm not going to lie, I will always be more interested in the main characters, at least in this series. While everyone else is very compelling and have interesting aspects to their story, I felt like I was just trying to rush through their parts to be able to get to Hazel, Alana, and Marco.
I am still really excited to read more of the series!
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Wonder Woman: Warbringer in Books
Jan 11, 2018
Quickly moving plot (2 more)
Minority Representation
Diana stays true to character
A new take on Diana's origin story
WONDER WOMAN YASSSS. I might like Wonder Woman just a little bit. And the novel is written by Leigh Bardugo, the creator of the Grishaverse! (I reviewed her Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom, and REALLY need to get my hands on the other trilogy!)
So this is basically a slightly different origin story for Wonder Woman - or at least the reason she leaves Themyscira is a little different for this book's plot. One thing I've always enjoyed about DC, and superheroes in general, is that it's not so much about the specific details of what they've done, so much as who they really are and what they believe in. And in that, Diana is very much true to herself in Warbringer. Given a choice between two outcomes, she opts for a third. Not "do I save these people, or those people" but "how do I save EVERYONE?"
I also really liked that The Warbringer - the girl Diana is trying to save - is no shrinking violet herself. She absorbs the knowledge of what she is in a bit of a shock, but once over that, she displays courage and competence as well, and is a fitting companion for Diana. Her friends were also fun characters, and I especially liked Nim.
Again we have representation, too! The Warbringer and Nim are both women of color. Diana mentions that her skin is brown, as well. Coming from Bardugo, I shouldn't have been surprised that sexuality was also addressed in the book, but not as a plot point, which is lovely to see. It just is a facet of a character. I especially loved the shoutout to Diana's bisexuality.
Bardugo has quickly become one of my favorite authors. She tells great stories, with complex characters, and includes minority characters, both racial and GLBT. Her plots rocket right along, with well-thought-out action scenes that are easy to follow and emotionally impactful.
I'm not sure Warbringer quite makes my Best of 2017 list, but it was really good.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
So this is basically a slightly different origin story for Wonder Woman - or at least the reason she leaves Themyscira is a little different for this book's plot. One thing I've always enjoyed about DC, and superheroes in general, is that it's not so much about the specific details of what they've done, so much as who they really are and what they believe in. And in that, Diana is very much true to herself in Warbringer. Given a choice between two outcomes, she opts for a third. Not "do I save these people, or those people" but "how do I save EVERYONE?"
I also really liked that The Warbringer - the girl Diana is trying to save - is no shrinking violet herself. She absorbs the knowledge of what she is in a bit of a shock, but once over that, she displays courage and competence as well, and is a fitting companion for Diana. Her friends were also fun characters, and I especially liked Nim.
Again we have representation, too! The Warbringer and Nim are both women of color. Diana mentions that her skin is brown, as well. Coming from Bardugo, I shouldn't have been surprised that sexuality was also addressed in the book, but not as a plot point, which is lovely to see. It just is a facet of a character. I especially loved the shoutout to Diana's bisexuality.
Bardugo has quickly become one of my favorite authors. She tells great stories, with complex characters, and includes minority characters, both racial and GLBT. Her plots rocket right along, with well-thought-out action scenes that are easy to follow and emotionally impactful.
I'm not sure Warbringer quite makes my Best of 2017 list, but it was really good.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Andy K (10821 KP) Mar 9, 2019
Kristy H (1252 KP) Mar 9, 2019