Category: Blockbuster

“Expendables 4”

5.7

Megan Fox is the best actor involved here… I never thought I’d say that. Especially regarding an ensemble cast. There’s a first time for everything. And it’s not just because of the translucent tank top and attractive anger throughout. She carries this thing for a lot of the run time.

Jason Statham does Jason Statham things. Randy Couture explains at least 4 separate times what cauliflower ear is… why? No clue. But he does. And 50 Cent’s here. Again… why? Your guess is as good as mine.

They should have stopped at 3, but what’s a good thing if you don’t indulge in too much of it to confirm the limit? This one’s dialogue makes the first 3 look Oscar worthy. It’s rough. There are far better action flicks to bide your time with.

“Oppenheimer”

8.9

In one word – haunting.

It was everything and nothing I expected at the same time. After listening to the source material, “American Prometheus,” (which I highly recommend) every second of this three hour runtime had an amplified impact for me. The message, the nuance, the attention to detail. All incredible.

The film is perfectly cast, and everyone turns in a career best performance. No matter how small the part, everyone brought their A-game.

The beauty contained in each frame was awe inspiring. Of course, I saw this in IMAX, on film. It’s a true blessing to have Celebration! Cinema in your backyard here in West Michigan. For this, and many other reasons. The place was packed, and I don’t think most were ready for what they were about to experience. Nolan at the height of his powers, and everyone glued to the edge of their seat.

Strap in, and enjoy the complex tale of brilliance, guilt, politics, and scientific discovery. They went a lot of places I didn’t expect them to, and ended on a much more powerful note than I anticipated. Well worth the hype!

“The Flash”

7.5

I went in with low expectations. This film blew them away, ending up being far better than it had any right to be.

Ezra Miller’s performance is good in small doses, but is more than made up for by the Bruce Wayne’s and Sasha Calle as Supergirl. She is one of the castings I hope carries over into the new DCEU because of how fantastic she is in the role. Seeing Keaton suit up again as the caped crusader was like he never left somehow.

A very strange end to this phase of the DCEU, while also being a better multiverse movie than Marvel. Again. Marvel needs to stop trying to make the multiverse happen. It’s so not fetch.

Not the best superhero movie ever made, but I’ll be damned if it didn’t get me misty eyed a couple times and leave me thoroughly entertained. A sign of hope for things to come over at Warner Bros.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”

8.4

First off – NOT a film for children. Rocket’s backstory is HEART-WRENCHING and hard to watch, especially if you love animals. That being said, the pain is… purposeful, as it makes the impact of the story all the more powerful. James Gunn’s finale before bidding Marvel adieu is his masterpiece, and the strongest entry of the trilogy, in my opinion. Unlike many in Marvel, the crew get their full arcs. Not since “I love you 3000” have I felt this sense of calm closure was over me in the closing of the third act. It’s truly a beautiful thing, and not at all common in today’s cinematic landscape. Easily the best of Phase 4, but also one of the best in the MCU overall. Who woulda thunk it? These guys? Carrying the MCU…