X-men: Return of Bryan Singer

Hey all, here's my review/thoughts on Days of Future Past.

This is a film that has long been in the need to be made. Ever since an appearance of sentinels first showed signs in X2 and a brief appearance in X3 we now finally get to see the future we have been waiting for.  The film acts as a continuation of First Class, a swan song for the original X-men cast and a retooling of the pieces.

The film starts off in the far off future set in New york city. Mutants are in concentration camps along with humans who tried to help them and humans who may birth future mutants. Its a dark beginning and alludes to the holocaust in a very potent way.

We are then off to Moscow and see the first of the new and old x-men at work. Bing's ability to teleport is an awesome trick, Iceman does his ice slide and we finally get to see Colosuss fight. We also see cameos of warpath, sunspot and the appearance of Bishop. He teams up with kitty as we soon learn of kitty's ability to transport one's mind a couple days into the past. It's interesting how we learn of her ability to use time travel.

The main xmen eventually show up ( storm, wolverine, Xavier, magneto) and it's decided that wolverine should go back in time, cause he's the only one who can survive the 50 plus year trip. When arriving in the past, 1973, it's amazing how Bryan got into all the little details. And for all you ladies out there we do see a backshot of naked Hugh as he gets out of bed.

It's Logan's mission to get Xavier and Eric together again in order to stop mystique from killing Boliver Trask, who is played to great effect by one of the greatest actors of our generation Game of throne's Peter Dinklage. Jennifer Lawrence returns as the transforming mutant mystique, who has a big influence on how the sentinels are created. In Firat Class I thought Jennifer was terrific in the part, with this one she is in her blue form a lot more and it's hard not to think of Rebecca Romijn in the role. It all comes down to the voice, Rebecca's Mystique seemed to have this Erie echo to her voice while Jennifer just sounds like sweet Jennifer and while it in no way compromises the films quality, it it just bothered me.

The film is such a grand welcome return for both Bryan Singer and John Ottman. John continues to use the themes he created in xmen united and Bryan starts to connect the threads as certain characters start to form into the ones we know and love from the original trilogy. There's some great twists and turns and the finale act is a nail biter. In the end Days of Future Past truly rewrites history and brings back characters once thought to be dead.

X-men Days of Future Past is by far the best X-men movie to date, and the best comic book adaptation within the franchise. All errors are fixed and the chess board is set anew. What some will love most is the tie in scene at the end of the credits that ties in with the upcoming 2016 sequel, X-men: apocalypse.

One more thing, for fans of the comic Nate Grey known as X-man does appear, he appears during the prologue and epilogue of the film and I do believe a young Jean Grey makes an appearance as well.

Rating: A

The Amazing Spiderman 2 Review

This is not Spider-man 3.

The film does the first smart thing, we finally find out what happened to Peter's parents. It was done brilliantly and kept me on the edge of my seat. And it did serve a purpose as Richard Parker was desperate to upload his findings to a secure site. I was so looking forward to the death of Peter's parents. It was done to excellent effect. The plane collides with the screen, fade to black and then the spider symbol pops up and the movie kicks off as Peter parker as Spider-man chases after pre-rhino played by Paul Giamatti.

I know how people have felt about his inclusion into the movie, what was the point. Truth, its to set up future instalments. Hate the suit? maybe they'll change it down the line. As for me, I'm the opposite. I never really hated the suit. The suit for me seemed to work for me and serve the purposes of the character. While he does not have a big role in the film, I loved how he opened and closed the film. He didn't say much, which I think was for the best so he can try to work on his accent. I liked it, was glad though for no long speeches. Some may say it could of just been anybody and I would say it couldn't. In Sam Raimi's films I think its okay to not make references to future films but with movies like The Avengers and X-men: Days of Future Past this is all Sony can do in order to set up a future evil group, The Sinister Six.

The story then heads off to Peter's graduation. I was happy to see Sally Field's aunt may there, but was saddened of the disappearance of Flash and the no show of Mary Jane. Sally Field is such a lovely actress, I love ever scene she is in. When she tries to talk to Peter, he tries to brush her off, as some of us can relate. I was amazed to see the entirety of Gwen's family was there, along with Peter's visions of Gwen's dead father. I was disappointed in that Gwen's father was not seen with his scars, but that could of earned the film a harder rating.

The love story in the sequel for Gwen and Peter is on the rocks but its Peter who makes the choice to break up with Gwen, much to Gwen's bitter surprise, "I break up with you" she cries. It does become a bit of an off again on again thing through out the movie but Andrew and Emma make it work. Their chemistry is spot on and the best thing about this movie.

We are introduced to the two major players, Max Dillion, and electrician who works for Oscorp and Harry Osborn, the new heir to the Osborn industry. Jamie Foxx plays Max Dillion. He's not bad as Max. He does come off as a bit of a stalker but you feel for him, how he is not respected. His boss, played by BJ Novak. He's good as the intimidating boss. There is a moment were Max attacks him, but its just in Max's head, which shows how desperate he is seeking some respect. How he becomes Electro is a little far fetched, more so as it is unrealistic. What he did, he should not have done and Oscorp should be held responsible for it. And when he becomes Electro, Jamie Foxx is electric. His character makes a steady uphill turn from good-loving fan to vengeful vigilante, he causes so much damage in Times Square. He did so rightfully deserve to do that as, how unintentionally so, Peter got the crowd riled up against Max, even when Max was just an innocent victim.

As an easter egg, Max's boss is Alistair Smythe. He is the eventual creator of the spider-slayers so it was a nice add.

The Osborns are reintroduced here as Harry comes back from being away at college to witness his father's death bed. He then goes on to take over the company, or so he may think. He's eventually framed for Max's accident by Norman's right hand man, Donald Menken, played with greatness by Colm Feore. I would love to see this guy have a bigger role down the road, supposedly he is going to play the part of the Vulture but with his revulsion of the osborns I wonder how that will work out. Other cameo actors who appear include Felicity Jones, she plays the part of Felicia, new secretary to Harry. She will eventually down the cat outfit as she will play the part of Black cat (a burglar of sorts)

This is a long review for a long film, it clocks in at 141 minutes (2 hours and 21 minutes) the longest Spiderman film to date. There is a lot of stuff jam-packed into this film and I LOVE IT!!!!

The visuals were spectacular and the way they worked on Electro was done very well. And Yes, I was not overly impressed by the green goblin but he was not terrible, he worked. And anyways, Harry turns back in the end so they have the chance to do a better version in the future.

The story is stuffed full but compared to the first film it is a necessary expansion. I enjoyed the interaction between Harry and Peter, there was that awkward tension between them. Dehanne is a great addition to the franchise. Peter's backstory of his parents is also expanded upon, what his and Harry's fathers were working on is also very well developed. We get solid explanation into his parents demise. I also loved how Aunt May's life was shown more (she's working as a nurse as a secondary job). There is no reveal of J Jonah Jameson but he is mentioned as Peter sends photos of spiderman to him through email.

I'll sum up my review. I loved this follow-up, I enjoyed what the Marc and his team did with the expansion with all the many story threads I felt they did a good job. The best part is the love story between Peter and Gwen. There is great tension put into the relationship and the theme of time is felt throughout the film as Peter's dad looked at his watch, the tick of the clock, knowing that time was ticking away. Its what Peter tried to stop when he tried to do something that will shock, it is tragic.

The Amazing Spiderman 2 is not for everyone. If you did not enjoy the previous film you may not feel much better about this instalment. I found it to be an epic, exhilarating follow-up that expands on the universe in a grand way.

Rating: A-

Non-Stop Review l

Liam Neeson, he redefined his carrier as an action hero. I loved him in Taken, and I actually liked him in the followup. With roles in Unknown and The Grey he makes himself out as a terrific action go-doer. 

Reteaming with his Unknown director Jaume Collet-Serra (director of horror hits House of Wax and Orphan) they bring back the airplane thriller. The last time I saw a movie similar to this was Flightplan with Jodi Foster. I plan on giving a review on that too and comparing films. 

With Non-stop we start out with Liam's character Bill getting ready for the flight, while he doesn't feel like boarding the London flight, he does so glumly. 

We soon find out of course the reason for him to being on that flight. Thinking of it now even this movie would have made for a better die hard than the recent die hard film. 

The casting is excellent here with a lot of well-known actors popping up. Julianne Moore, recently seen in Carrie and next in Mockingjay, plays Jen Summers who becomes friends with Bill during the flight and believes he is innocent once he starts to become framed. Other appearances are Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey) as flight attendant Nancy Hoffman. Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong'o also appears as a flight attendant named Gwen. Corey Stoll from Bourne Legacy and the first season of House of Cards plays an NY PD cop who is on the flight to his sister's wedding in London. 

Someone that blew me off guard, by way of I had no idea it was him was Anson Mount. He played the other air Marshall Jack Hammond. He most famously played a cowboy on the series Hell on Wheels. I could not recognize him without the beard. Even his accent was different. He was good, I liked him in this, I just realized while writing this who he was. 

The film is very entertaining and does keep you on the edge of your seat. But, I found now I am growing a little tired of Liam's aggressive approach. I've seen enough movies and I feel if he was just a bit more calmer and talked to the people better, like he did with the little girl on board (who clearly was holding a paddington bear). His aggressive nature I guess came from the fact he had a troubled past and he was an alcoholic. I have grown tired of the alcoholic hero, they need to come up with a hero with a different addiction, why does it always need to be alcohol. Why not something else, like smoking maybe? Or some kind of drug? Even, dare I say, there sexuality, porn addiction? Then again that gets a little R-rated. 

Non-stop is a non-stop thrill ride as it heads into the final act. While there is a moment of implausibility and is never really cleared up there are still some solid twists and turns which climax in an explosive finale with Liam doing a gun battle in mid air (as seen in the trailer). 

A thriller with a little implausibility but with a solid cast led by a grounded Liam Neeson, Non-stop is an entertaining time at the movies. 

Rating: B 

Part 2 on thrillers on a plane, Flightplan starring Jodie Foster, Sean Bean, Peter Sarsgaard, Matt Bomer and Brent Sexton. 

Next two Reviews

I am sorry to report but I will not be doing a review on the film Noah. I loved the movie, but its been too long a gap since I last saw it to write a good enough review.

Tomorrow, I will try to see Liam Neeson's new thriller Non-stop and then over the weekend I will defiantly see Transcendence.

Captain America: The Winter Solider

Of all superheros Captain America wasn't a character I had much knowledge on, for that matter even read. However, the new film has made me like the character even more so, now that I see the character in a new light.

The first Captain America movie introduced us to the character, now we get to see how he handles the world of today (like Ichabod does on Sleepy Hollow). I also liked the chemistry he had with fellow newbie Sam Wilson (The Falcon) played by Anthony Mackie (The Adjustment Bureau, The Hurt Locker) and the line "On your left" that Steve says every time he passes by Sam became an instant twitter tag.

Blake Widow interups Steve and Sam's run and takes Rogers on a mission run. The mission they go on gets very exciting and starts the plot off to a great suspenseful start as Cap finds Widow doing her own side mission.

He reports to Fury about it, saying he does not like dealing with secrets but Nick Fury says its easier to let people do what they are good at, and Widow is good at sneaking around and getting information.

Eventually the inevitable happens, Fury is assassinated by The Winter Solider, the mystery killer of the film. Fury and Rogers are given a moment before Fury hits the dust by Nick telling Cap not to trust anyone at SHIELD, he then hands him what Widow was assigned to obtain and gives it to Steve.

Everything kicks in after cap visits with director Alexander Pierce (played magnificently by Robert Redford). He has a fight with some old friends in an elevator and escapes via motorcycle. Rogers and Widow are then wanted by SHIELD and officially announced as threats to national security.

Steve and Widow soon discover and old enemy has been growing within SHIELD. Hydra, a once renowned army of Nazi-germany has taken over SHIELD and has been using an old friend of Steve's as a brainwashed solider (Barns as the Winter Solider) The two eventually seek out Sam's help. He offers to help Captain America and suits up (as the falcon). The plan, take down SHIELD.

The film climaxes with one of the best visual sequences ever, and supposedly what this whole movie had been riding on. There are still a lot of surprises before the film hits its finale notes but there is no denying the incredible work that went in to making 3 heli-carriers crash into each other.

Captain America: The Winter Soilder is a nifty political thriller, one of the best out of Marvel's recent sequels, the best of the three so far. And we even get a little tie in with Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Rating: A+

Reviews to come...

_ Noah

_ Captain America: The Winter Solider

_ Non-Stop

Writing Review

Hey all, sorry I seem to be on and off the site. I seem to see a movie and end up not writing a review until weeks later. For this weekend (namely today) I may write a review for Noah later instead. The review I will hopefully write for later today is for the new captain america movie. I've been so busy with other projects I have not had the time to go see a movie, besides Noah and the new 300. I'll see what I can do, so expect either a review for Noah or Captain America 2.