Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) Written by:George Lucas Directed by:Rian Johnson

   

     This was a hard movie to watch. It was fantastic, but a real tear jerker. This was the first time, in a very long time, that I actually sobbed in a theater. Trust me, spend the money on this one.

      Rian Johnsoncontinues the new trilogy with the same level of shock and awe that "The Force Awakens" left us with. This director can really pull the feels. Panning close ups of Carrie Fisher was enough to cause most to search for their hankies. Johnson is a relatively unheard of director with his biggest credits being the modern noir "Brick" and his sci-fi drama "Looper".  This film really showed his range and talent. Great, dramatic angles and emphasis on meaningful moments that will resonate throughout this film and the next. Visionary.

     This time we actually get to focus a lot on Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and what he has been doing since episode VI. We get into his relationship with Rey (Daisy Ridley), Kylo Ren/Ben Solo (Adam Driver), and the force itself. The range of Hamill is unbelievable in this chapter, and probably better displayed than in any other performance of his career.

     Leia (Carrie Fisher) shows that she really has total control over the Rebellion. The knowing that Carrie Fisher has since died really makes you pay close attention to every second she has on screen. Sometimes the dialog is  bit slurred, but the emotion is clear in her eyes. The power and respect that everyone has for Leia is so great to experience on the big screen. An end credit in memoriam to Carrie is the best way for us all to say goodbye.

     We do honestly get great performances from every character we already know, and at least two new ones. Rose, played by Kelly Marie Tran, really makes a splash from her introduction until the end of the film while teaming up with Finn (John Boyega). Adam Driver as Kylo Ren shows real emotion and demonstrates what its like to be torn internally. Benicio Del Toro plays a thief/code breaker named DJ. He has a very instrumental role in the new mission and has a very convincing stutter that may go unnoticed. All of the droids are so great and at times comical. We get C3-PO, R2-D2, and BB8 back for more. The best, unsung role, was Chewbacca, played this time by Joonas Suotamo. Chewie gives some serious comic relief and the proves again that he's the best pilot in the galaxy!

     This will go down in history as one of the best sequels since episode V. There is some sci-fi violence, but I would still recommend this film for fans of all ages. This film took me back to my childhood watching Luke and Leia for the first time. Remembering Luke standing in the desert looking up at the two moons, and feeling a way that I haven't felt since I saw that longing in Luke's eyes. I say, spend the money, wait in line if you have to, but see this in the theater. Experience this film the way it was supposed to be. Justifies everything.

R.I.P.

Carrie Fisher

forever our Princess Leia

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) Writers:Johnathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley Directed By:Jon Watts

   

     I have to say that this is the Spider-Man film I've been waiting for. And they have finally found an actor that plays a great Peter Parker. The writing, directing, and acting all culminate in a great representation of the character.

     Director Jon Watts, who also directed the indie great "Cop Car", blends all of the best stuff from the last two franchises into a wonderful, eye popping film. We get to skip a retelling of Peters origin story, which is great because everyone and their mother should know this by now! Instead we get to pick up right after the "Avengers: Civil War".

     Tom Holland plays the perfect mix of both Peter Parker and Spider-Man. It's so great to see Spider-Man stopping a bicycle thief, and helping an old lady with directions. We finally get to see our "Friendly Neighborhood, Spider-Man". We also see an inexperienced hero, just starting to come to terms with himself, his powers, and his responsibilities. Tom Holland to be the perfect choice to bring all of these aspects of our hero to life.

     In addition to Tom Holland, we get two great casting surprises in Marisa Tomei as Aunt May and Jacob Batalon as Peter's best friend Ned. The surprise, younger version of Aunt May is a great twist to the old lore. This gives Marvel the opportunity to keep her around longer and to get the character more involved. Ned gives us some great comic relief and a different take than the usual Harry Osbourne best friend, which we've seen in two separate franchises now. The ever curious and excited Ned can almost bring you to tears laughing. I loved him!

     Then we have the genius of Michael Keaton as Adrian Toomes/ The Vulture. Watts tries to give us the "normal guy driven to evil means", but he doesn't go all the way with Toomes. You get the feeling that he may have been underhanded from the beginning, but was driven overboard when he looses his city contract to clean up after the alien invasion of New York. You always know that you're going to get a great performance from Keaton, and this role is no different! He absolutely nails it! I really love seeing him play the bad guy.

     I would recommend this movie for anyone and everyone who enjoys comic book movies, or just underdog movies. Hell, I'll leave my recommendation open to everyone!

Ray (2004) Written by:Taylor Hackford & James L. White Directed by:Taylor Hackford

   

     So I've recently re-watched this movie and I must say that I dislike it just as much now as when it first came out. The story is fine, the direction is amateurish, but the acting is terrible! I hate this film.

     It's hard to mess up a bio-pic when the subject is still alive. Well, never mind, it's not. Either way, I have no issue with the story by Taylor Hackford, who also directs, and James L. White. It tells of the young life of Ray Charles, a famously blind piano-blues musician, and his hardships growing up with his handicap. We follow him as his career begins, his battle with drugs, his addiction and abuse of women, and his success. It is a real shame this film couldn't find a better director and actors, it could have been almost great.

     Taylor Hackford, husband to Helen Mirren, has also directed film like "An Officer and a Gentlemen", and "Dolores Claiborne". I think Hackford has hints of directorial mediocrity, but always seem to fall short of a whole picture. I'm continuously thrown by the shots and angles he chooses, although his lighting choices are sometimes very good. This simply was not a suitable films for his limited abilities.

     Now the portion that will anger many who read this.Jamie Foxx is NOT a good actor!!! He does fair impersonations of people, but that does not transfer over into acting. My favorite scene he has ever done is when he is impaled in "Baby Driver". I really would have loved to have seen a really talented actor in this role. Picture if you will Denzel Washington as Ray Charles. They could have used the same CG that they used in X-Men to make Patrick Stewart look younger. Denzel could have even made Hackford look like a genius. I so wish that Jamie Foxx would have disappeared with the rest of "In Living Color"!

     I would not suggest this film to anyone. It is a colossal waste of time for any self respecting film fan. Again, the writing is it's only redeeming quality!

Lost Highway (1997) Written and Directed by:David Lynch

   

     In my opinion, this is David Lynch's masterpiece. A truly mind bending story, written by Lynch, combined with a mesmerizing soundtrack, this film takes you a ride that you'll never forget.

     This twisted tale follows jazz musician Fred Madison (Bill Pullman) and his wife Renee (Patricia Arquette) as they start to experience strange happenings after they attend a party where they meet a very mysterious and sinister man (Robert Blake).

     After a few "break ins", Fred wakes to find his wife dead and he soon becomes convicted of her murder. Then, while in prison, Fred awakes in the body of Pete, a much younger mechanic played by Balthazar Getty. When the prison guards find Pete in Freds cell, they have no choice but to set him free. Shortly there after, Pete starts to become entangled in a web of mystery, mobsters, and the mysterious man from the party.

     Pete also finds a doppelgänger of Renee, Alice, girlfriend to the aforementioned gangster, Mr. Eddy played by Robert Loggia. The strange mystery builds behind the identity of the voluptuous Alice and her relationship to Renee, and what's the story for the creepy mystery man?

     This film is a blast and total mind-f*ck from beginning to end. David Lynch forces you to think and refuses to spooned you the plot to any story. Many questions will remain after the film has ended. I would recommend this to anyone over the age of 15. There is some strong sexuality and mild violence. Have fun!!!

The Elephant Man (1980) Written by:Christopher DeVore & Eric Bergren Directed by:Davis Lynch

   

     The touching true story of John Merrick, a man born with a horrible disease that caused cartilage to harden into deforming tumors all over his body.

      Directed by the incomparable David Lynch, this follows the story of John (Joseph) Merrick (John Hurt)who lived as a side show freak until he was found by Dr. Frederick Treves ( Anthony Hopkins). When Treves finds Merrick he finds that he is very kind and intelligent. That's when Treves decides to bring Merrick out of the shadows in an attempt to show the world that John is not a monster at all.

     Joseph Merrick was born in August of 1862 in London England. His deformities began to show at a very young age and Joseph left home at 17. He spent about 4 years in a London workhouse before joining the circus where he gained the moniker of the Elephant Man.

     After being robbed by his stage managers and left penniless, police found Merrick and took him to the London Hospital with Dr. Treves. Merrick lived out his days in the hospital until his death in April of 1890.

     This film will move you, and if it doesn't you are a psychopath will no emotions. Merrick is played wonderfully by John Hurt. Possibly in the performance of his career. Anthony Hopkins, as Treves, is superb. Be prepared to be enlightened by Lynch showing us that we are not all that different from one another. Heavily suggested for all ages.

Crisis On Earth-X (2017) CW Television

   

     I am already a huge fan of the comic book television series' that are airing all over cable these days. Everything from the Walking Dead, to Gotham, to the Netflix series', to Green Arrow, and the Flash. However, the CW have really outdone themselves with this huge cross0over event call Crisis on Earth-X! Four hours of what felt like watching a comic book come to life not he small screen!

     The CW took a big event like the Flash (Grant Gustin) marrying his lifelong love, Iris West (Candice Patton) to create what really feels like a comic book arch, to give us this two day-four hour event.

     In the DC comics we basically learned that there are 52 earths. Well, in the Flash series we just learned of the 53rd. This is an earth where the Nazi party ruled and was lead by Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell). Queen has a group of allies that have vowed to help him take over all of the multiverse. The strongest of which is his wife, Overgirl (Melissa Benoist), our worlds Supergirl (also Melissa Benoist).

     We come to learn that Overgirl has a degenerative disease and the only hope for her survival is a heart transplant from Supergirl! The only way to save Supergirl, and our Earth from being over taken by Nazis is to assemble the most powerful league they can. We get the full casts from Supergirl, the Flash, Arrow, and the Legends of Tomorrow in a story for the ages.

     I really can't believe that the CW can give us a story this epic and totally show up the WB's Justice League. I think this may have been the CW showing the WB that they really messed up by not incorporating the television heroes into the film world. I really Marvel decides to take not and bring the Netflix heroes into the second chapter of the Infinity War.

     I hope everyone caught this, but for those that weren't able to, there is always next year on Netflix or home video. You can almost bet that the CW will release this in some form, soon. I definitely recommend this for all ages and all fans of comic books. Well done CW, well done.