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Another year has come and gone with more exciting movies worth seeing. In no particular order, here's my top ten movies of 2019. JOKER Heart-wrenching. Disturbing. Unsettling. Gripping. And Beautiful. The narrative is quite predictable with similarities to films such as Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. Joaquin Phoenix gives an enthralling, Oscar worthy performance in this beautifully shot, arthouse style film. More a character study than a comic book movie. I went out of the theater not really knowing how to feel, and that’s the beauty of it. Make no mistake, this is NOT a superhero movie. It’s rated R for good reason. So parents, keep your kids away. (Mild Spoiler Alert) Batman is NOT in the movie! AVENGERS: ENDGAME The culmination of everything Marvel has built up to at this point has paid off with a big bang. Avengers Endgame closes the door for some of our beloved characters we’ve known and loved for over ten years and opens the door for many new faces and story arcs to keep us coming back for more. Laughs were had, cheers were given and tears were shed. Endgame marks the end of an era. But I look forward to see what Kevein Feige and co. have in store for the next ten years or so. US After seeing Jordan Peele’s “Us”, I needed some time to process what I saw. It was definitely a lot to take in and will probably leave viewers asking more questions than getting answers. I couldn’t help but feel like I was watching a long episode of the Twilight Zone. The movie has some minor flaws and was somewhat predictable but it does not take away from its ultimate message. “Us” is a chilling tale of duality and a reflection of how we as a society can cross the lines between good and evil without even realizing it. Jordan Peele does a great job with metaphors and satire and leaves things to the audience’s imagination. It had a good blend of humor and a sense of dread at the same time. Lupita Nyong’o gave a great performance playing dual roles and at times was very creepy. In my opinion, “Get Out” was a far better film but I still enjoyed and appreciated “Us”. JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 Talk about action packed! John Wick Chapter 3 was on beast mode!!! The 87Eleven team have truly outdone themselves with the gruesome yet beautifully shot and masterfully designed action sequences. Also great was seeing Mark Dacascos back in action and Halle Berry kickin’ butt! Movies of this genre usually end up going straight to video. But the John Wick franchise has proven that action movies of this caliber can be great hits on the big screen, just like its glory days back in the 80s and early 90s. FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY I love wrestling. Sure, it hasn’t been as good as it used to be back when I was growing up. But I still watch from time to time. Fighting With My Family brings me back to my childhood when I first got into wrestling. Watching athletes tell their stories both physically and mentally as they perform in front of a crowd, whether big or small. Their blood, sweat, and tears all laid out in the squared circle. Fighting With My Family is inspired by the true story of Saraya-Jade Bevis - better known to the wrestling world and WWE fans as Paige. The film follows Bevis who comes from an independent wrestling association run by her family of wrestlers as she struggles to make her mark in the big leagues (WWE). The film does a great job portraying the downfalls, the challenges and the hardships wrestlers face on a day to day basis. Not everybody makes it and only a few can cut it. Beyond wrestling, Fighting With My Family is about self discovery and self worth. TOY STORY 4 Just when I thought the Toy Story series concluded at part 3, in comes part 4 with more tear jerking moments. It seemed like an unnecessary sequel, yet Disney and Pixar made it worth seeing. We say hello to new friends, and reconnect and say goodbye to old ones. FORD v FERRARI Ford v Ferrari tells the amazing true story of legendary car designer Carroll Shelby and Motorsports Hall of Famer Ken Miles teaming up with Ford to build a car fast enough to beat Ferrari at the 24 hour endurance race in Le Mans, France in 1966. With strong performances by Matt Damon and Christian Bale, you couldn’t have asked for a better duo to portray these two icons of the racing world. Featuring fast paced, adrenaline pumping racing sequences, director James Mangold goes the extra mile by making audiences feel like they’re in the driver’s seat. Funny, witty, dramatic and entertaining, Ford v Ferrari is a thrill ride even non car enthusiasts can appreciate. Simply one of the best films I’ve seen this year. Also if you don’t mind spending a little extra, definitely worth seeing in IMAX. JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL Jumanji The Next Level is hilariously entertaining. It’s downright fun for the whole family and came out at the best time of the year - around the holidays! The film definitely ups the ante and brings our beloved characters into the next level of gameplay where there are more puzzles and challenges that awaits them. The cast has great chemistry together and we even say hello to some new faces. What I love most about this film is how they swapped avatars in the game, which made their portrayals feel new and refreshing. Highly recommended! MARRIAGE STORY Marriage Story is a sad tale of the reality of separation and divorce. No one ever truly wants things to go that far, but unfortunately, the sad truth is that it does. And no matter what you lose or gain, it’s the children that suffer most. Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver give strong award worthy performances - possibly the best of their careers. KNIVES OUT Knives Out is a fun and entertaining whodunit of a tale which keeps the viewers guessing till the very end. To quote the late great Rowdy Roddy Piper, “Just when you thought they got the answers, I change the questions.” It’s entertaining and serious when it needs to be. Daniel Craig gives a memorable performance as well as all the A-list actors in roles where they get to have some fun with.
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By Jake Ramos 2018 has come and gone. And with it were a lot of great movies. Here are my top ten movies of 2018. 10. BLACK PANTHER Black Panther is a unique entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From the thrills, the fun and humor, the beautiful Wakandan backdrop, the hip soundtrack and the fusion of technology, culture and heritage, Black Panther is a triumph. Not only was it entertaining and featured a talented cast and great director. But it's the timely, smartly executed and very important message the movie delivers that encourages us to examine certain issues facing our world today which makes this a must see. 9. SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE I was absolutely swept away by how good Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse was. Merging a variety of Spidey characters into one movie was a brilliant move. Fun, humorous and quite emotional at times. Also, seeing Stan Lee’s cameo in this after his passing made my eyes well up a bit. The after credits scene was quite hilarious! 8. AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR After ten years of build up, it all comes down to this. Marvel finally pulled it off… with just a snap of the fingers. It was quite hard at times watching our beloved heroes fall, and even “die” on screen. What Marvel has built over the years on screen is what other studios should look to as the pinnacle of creating a cinematic universe out of their franchises. 7. BLACKKKLANSMAN Another great joint by Spike Lee! Blackkklansman is a reflection of our society today. Set in the late 1970s, the clothes, the music and the hair may have been different. But the same issues still exists today, unfortunately. Spike Lee does a great job showcasing the contrast and similarities between both perspectives. At times it’ll make you laugh. At times it’ll make you shake your head, and in some cases make you angry. No matter which side of the political climate you're on, Blackkklansman is a powerful must see story. John David Washington and Adam Driver give great performances. 6. BUMBLEBEE Finally, a Transformers movie with a lot of heart and soul. No stereotypes, no racist jokes, no unnecessary cleavage and booty shots (seriously Michael Bay, what’s wrong with you?). A Transformers movie the whole family can truly enjoy. And the best part, it takes place in the 80’s featuring G1 designs! Why couldn’t we have had this to begin with? Hopefully, the rest of the franchise continues from here on out. Is it a prequel or a reboot? Honestly, I hope the latter. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed the previous Transformers films but The Last Knight left a really bad taste in my mouth and I almost gave up on future films. But Bumblebee definitely brought back that “AllSpark” in me. 5. CRAZY RICH ASIANS Featuring an all Asian cast, Crazy Rich Asians breaks barriers in Hollywood and proof that Asian actors can be just as profitable and just as successful as their A-List caucasian colleagues. Not just the typical sidekicks or the martial arts experts we usually see them in. But leading men and women that can garner a new generation of films. 4. A QUIET PLACE A Quiet Place is a unique entry into the horror/sci-fi genre. A film that relies more on creating tension whilst trying to be absolutely silent. It brought me back to classics such Alfred Hitchcock films and Ridley Scott’s Alien in how they create tension and terror that’s very unsettling. Despite not having much to say, everyone, including the child actors, had great performances. 3. AQUAMAN Aquaman was an epic, fun and wild ride into the Seven Seas and beyond! James Wan pulls no stops in creating a whole new world underwater. It’s zany and quite bizarre at times but it absolutely works in this swashbuckling action adventure that takes you on a hero’s journey. Part Indiana Jones, part Sword In The Stone, Aquaman is a treat for comic fans and proof that the character can be badass and no longer the butt of jokes. 2. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: FALLOUT Talk about impossible missions! Tom Cruise outdoes himself in this high octane, adrenaline rush of a movie. From one action scene to the next, it sets the bar very high for films in this genre. The highlight are the stunts, and there are many to choose from, which Tom Cruise gladly took part in - one even causing an injury. Definitely one of the best action films I’ve seen in a long time. 1. CREED II Creed II brings back old and new in this strong follow up to the 2015 hit that earned Stallone a Golden Globe. Though I like the first one just a little bit more, Creed II still has a lot of heart and soul. There were moments where I was getting into the matches and even, subconsciously, felt those punches! A must see for fans of the Rocky franchise and boxing fans in general.
by Jake Ramos I love action films. If you look at my early work, most of my films consisted some sort of action and stunts. Here's my list of top ten action/adventure films of 2017. 10. JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE Jumanji is back, but this time we’re going to the jungle. The Rock leads an all star cast featuring Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan and Nick Jonas. Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle serves as both a loose sequel and soft reboot that cleverly references the 1995 Robin Williams classic. Even though I love the Rock, both Kevin Hart and Jack Black were the highlights for me and are hilarious together. The only downside was that I felt there weren’t too many animals or wildlife in the movie. I mean, we are in the jungle after all. You’d expect it to have more animals than the previous film. Just saying! 9. BABY DRIVER Baby Driver is fun and entertaining with very likeable characters. The editing of this film compliments the storytelling with an awesome soundtrack to go with it. Also, car chases. Who doesn’t love car chases? 8. KONG: SKULL ISLAND Beautifully shot reboot featuring the King of Skull Island set in the backdrop of the Vietnam war. Kong: Skull Island features awesome monster battles and a heartfelt ending with John C. Reilly’s character. If you stay after the credits, surprise! Kong may be king of Skull Island, but Godzilla is the King of all monsters! 7. ATOMIC BLONDE Based on the graphic novel by Antony Johnston in the Cold War espionage genre, Atomic Blonde stars the beautiful Charlize Theron as the ass-kicking MI-6 agent Lorraine Broughton. The story revolves around Broughton who is tasked to find a list of double agents who are being smuggled into the West, on the eve of the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Stunt coordinator and John Wick director David Leitch directs this action packed espionage thriller. Theron has clearly put a lot of work into getting herself physically capable of handling the fight choreography. Oh, and did I forget to mention how beautiful Charlize Theron is? 6. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: VOL 2 These little rascals are at it again! The Guardians are back and this time they take on the rest of the galaxy consisting of a band of Ravagers, a genetically advanced galactic race, and an entire planet. Volume 2 was a lot of fun - although at times I think they had a bit too much fun and kind of went off the rails with the humor. But overall quite entertaining with a great message about fatherhood. 5. LOGAN Hugh Jackman’s swan song as the titular character. Logan was action-packed, gritty, and very emotional. A mix between an old school western and a dystopian noir film. It’s going to be hard to say goodbye to a character Jackman has portrayed for 17 years. I honestly can’t think of a better actor to fill in his shoes. Logan was a beautiful way to hang up the claws. But now that Disney has bought Fox and the rights reverting back to Marvel, is it truly over for Jackman’s Wolverine? Only time will tell. 4. WONDER WOMAN Gal Gadot's inner and outer beauty charms the screen in Wonder Woman. It's fun, emotional and action packed. Director Patty Jenkins (Monster, The Killing) captured the true essence of the character from a naive princess of Themyscira to an inspiring superhero tasked to save what's left of humanity in the midst of a "War To End All Wars". The tone and feel was very reminiscent to Christopher Reeve's Superman The Movie, Christian Bale's Batman Begins, and Chris Evans' Captain America: The First Avenger - all films led by male superheroes portrayed by actors whose names start with Chris (Whoa!). But Gadot truly stands triumphant as she makes this character her own in the very first BEST female led superhero film. Themyscira was beautiful, the Amazons are fierce, and Chris Pine was funny and had great chemistry with Gadot. After 3 attempts (Man Of Steel, Batman Vs Superman, Suicide Squad), DC finally has a hit in their first superheroine outing. The Amazonian Princess' time has come. 3. THE FOREIGNER I love Jackie Chan. I’ve been watching his movies ever since I was a little kid and I oftentimes try to emulate what he does… well not to the extent that he does. But seriously, I idolize him. It was so great seeing Jackie Chan back on the big screen in The Foreigner. However, he’s a different kind of Jackie Chan. Gone is the humorous, fun lovable character. Here, you get a dark, gritty and lonely man out for revenge. It’s definitely worth seeing Chan take on more serious roles but still keeping up with the action elements. 2. JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 John Wick is back and this time he’s going global. With a bounty on his head, every assassin is after him. Keanu Reeves shows no signs of slowing down and puts out all the stops in this follow up to 2014’s breakout action hit. 1. THE VILLAINESS The Villainess is a mix between Kill Bill, John Wick and Hardcore Henry in terms of visual style, storytelling and fight choreography. It’s insanely brutal and the most kick-ass film I’ve seen since The Raid films. This South Korean action film is great homage to female assassin thrillers. Be sure to check out my main top ten list of 2017 here.
by Jake Ramos 2017 has been a great year for comic book movies. With hits from Marvel and DC and far in between, here's my list of the top ten comic book movies of 2017. 10. GHOST IN THE SHELL One of the most visually stunning films I've ever seen. The Neo-Tokyo/Dystopian-Punk set pieces played well in IMAX 3D. If there is one thing the movie got right, it's the look. Unfortunately it lacked the heart and soul of its source material. The film would have benefited from a longer running time that could be used to flesh out the story and character development. There was some controversy regarding the casting of Scarlett Johansson. Many felt an Asian actress should have been casted. I didn't mind so much and I get the studio chose to go with a bigger name to cater to a western audience. But I do feel that it's time for Hollywood to break out of their shell and give others a chance. There are many talented Asian actors and actresses that are leading role material that Hollywood can capitalize on. As far as Scarlett's performance goes as the Major, she actually did pretty well given the material she had to work with. She shined even more during the action sequences. With better direction and a better script, she would have been amazing. Speaking of action, I wished there was a bit more of it. I'm a huge fan of the original anime (1995) and I did appreciate some scenes being shot for shot. If you’re wondering why this film is on the list, it’s because Ghost In The Shell was originally a Manga (Japanese comic book) first published in 1989. 9. JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK Even though NBC cancelled Constantine, it’s still great to see Matt Ryan return to the role whether it’d be a cameo in the Arrowverse or in animation. Justice League Dark sees Batman team up with Constantine and his band of supernatural misfits to take on a dark threat. It’s refreshing to see the mystical and supernatural side of the DC universe and here’s hoping we get to see a live action version in the near future. 8. ATOMIC BLONDE Based on the graphic novel by Antony Johnston in the Cold War espionage genre, Atomic Blonde stars the beautiful Charlize Theron as the ass-kicking MI-6 agent Lorraine Broughton. The story revolves around Broughton who is tasked to find a list of double agents who are being smuggled into the West, on the eve of the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Stunt coordinator and John Wick director David Leitch directs this action packed espionage thriller. Theron has clearly put a lot of work into getting herself physically capable of handling the fight choreography. Oh, and did I forget to mention how beautiful Charlize Theron is? Despite all the make up to make her look battered and bruised, she still manages to look so stunningly gorgeous. 7. JUSTICE LEAGUE Justice League was fun, entertaining and had heart, but not without flaws - don't get me started on the underwhelming CGI! The film definitely fixed some issues established in the previous films. However, it could have also benefited with a slightly longer running time. At just a little under 2 hours, certain scenes needed some more time to breathe. The team dynamic was good. Everyone had their moment to shine. Ezra Miller's Flash and Henry Cavill's Superman were the highlights for me. YES, the REAL SUPERMAN is finally here and not Kal-El the god-like alien messiah that everyone either fears or are unsure of - and NO, that's not a spoiler, we all knew the world's greatest superhero was coming back. This may not be the Justice League movie I dreamed of as a kid. It's far from perfect, but a step towards the right direction. The film starts and ends with HOPE. And here's hoping the films get better from this point on. Please give us a Man of Steel sequel already! Supes deserves it. 6. SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING Spiderman Homecoming breathes new life into the Spiderman franchise. A nice blend of fun, excitement, and a good dose of teenage angst. The film stays true to its title - Spiderman is finally home (with Marvel Studios!) Looking forward to seeing Peter Parker growing into the web slinging hero he was meant to be. 2004's Spiderman 2 is still my favorite. 5. THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE Who doesn’t love Batman? Who doesn’t love Legos? The best of both worlds collide in this fun, entertaining and action packed film about family and friendship. If you loved The Lego Movie, you’ll love The Lego Batman Movie. 4. THOR: RAGNAROK Thor Ragnarok was a fun and colorful adventure that had me laughing and cheering for joy from beginning to end. It’s definitely the best of the Thor trilogy in terms of story but I was a bit let down certain characters important to the Thor mythology either met their doom or were a no show. It also featured surprising and humorous cameos by Sam Neill and Matt Damon. 3. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: VOL 2 These little rascals are at it again! The Guardians are back and this time they take on the rest of the galaxy consisting of a band of Ravagers, a genetically advanced galactic race, and an entire planet. Volume 2 was a lot of fun - although at times I think they had a bit too much fun and kind of went off the rails with the humor. But overall quite entertaining with a great message about fatherhood. 2. LOGAN Hugh Jackman’s swan song as the titular character. Logan was action-packed, gritty, and very emotional. A mix between an old school western and a dystopian noir film with a breakout performance by Dafne Keen. It’s going to be hard to say goodbye to a character Jackman has portrayed for 17 years. I honestly can’t think of a better actor to fill in his shoes. Logan was a beautiful way to hang up the claws. But now that Disney has bought Fox and the rights reverting back to Marvel, is it truly over for Jackman’s Wolverine? Only time will tell. 1. WONDER WOMAN Gal Gadot's inner and outer beauty charms the screen in Wonder Woman. It's fun, emotional and action packed. Director Patty Jenkins (Monster, The Killing) captured the true essence of the character from a naive princess of Themyscira to an inspiring superhero tasked to save what's left of humanity in the midst of a "War To End All Wars". The tone and feel was very reminiscent to Christopher Reeve's Superman The Movie, Christian Bale's Batman Begins, and Chris Evans' Captain America: The First Avenger - all films led by male superheroes portrayed by actors whose names start with Chris (Whoa!). But Gadot truly stands triumphant as she makes this character her own in the very first BEST female led superhero film. Themyscira was beautiful, the Amazons are fierce, and Chris Pine was funny and had great chemistry with Gadot. After 3 attempts (Man Of Steel, Batman Vs Superman, Suicide Squad), DC finally has a hit in their first superheroine outing. The Amazonian Princess' time has come.
by Jake Ramos 2017 is coming to a close and that means it’s time for my annual TOP TEN MOVIES OF THE YEAR! But this time I’m doing things a little different. Because I’ve seen so many movies this year - a total of 34, there were a lot of great ones to choose from. So I added some subcategories with a top ten list of their own. You can check them out here: TOP TEN COMIC BOOK MOVIES | TOP TEN ACTION/ADVENTURE MOVIES. And now without further ado, here are my top ten movies of 2017. Warning: Spoilers ahead! 10. Get Out Get Out marks Jordan Peele’s (of Key and Peele fame) directorial debut, and boy was it a great one! Taking on society’s issues of racism and turning it into a satirical horror film is a great way to make a bold statement. Peele has succeeded in where other experienced directors fail in getting a message to resonate with audiences. Get Out is witty and a different kind of scary. 9. SPLIT James McAvoy gives one of his best performances as a disturbed man suffering with 23 different personalities. After a series of duds at the box office, Split was an unexpected surprise from director M. Night Shyamalan. But the biggest surprise was the ending (SPOILER ALERT!) featuring a cameo by none other than Bruce Willis, who portrays the character David Dunn from Shyamalan’s 2000 hit Unbreakable. Yes, Split and Unbreakable are in the same cinematic universe and Glass, the third film of this trilogy, is well under way. 8. THE GREATEST SHOWMAN The Greatest Showman is spectacular and mesmerizing. A feel-good movie and fun for the whole family with catchy tunes that make you want to sing along and dance. Hugh Jackman can do it all and big props to Zac Efron, Zendaya, Michelle Williams, Keala Settle and the rest of the amazing and talented cast. 7. LOGAN Hugh Jackman’s swan song as the titular character. Logan was action-packed, gritty, and very emotional. A mix between an old school western and a dystopian noir film with a breakout performance by Dafne Keen. It’s going to be hard to say goodbye to a character Jackman has portrayed for 17 years. I honestly can’t think of a better actor to fill in his shoes. Logan was a beautiful way to hang up the claws. But now that Disney has bought Fox and the rights reverting back to Marvel, is it truly over for Jackman’s Wolverine? Only time will tell. 6. WONDER WOMAN Gal Gadot's inner and outer beauty charms the screen in Wonder Woman. It's fun, emotional and action packed. Director Patty Jenkins (Monster, The Killing) captured the true essence of the character from a naive princess of Themyscira to an inspiring superhero tasked to save what's left of humanity in the midst of a "War To End All Wars". The tone and feel was very reminiscent to Christopher Reeve's Superman The Movie, Christian Bale's Batman Begins, and Chris Evans' Captain America: The First Avenger - all films led by male superheroes portrayed by actors whose names start with Chris (Whoa!). But Gadot truly stands triumphant as she makes this character her own in the very first BEST female led superhero film. Themyscira was beautiful, the Amazons are fierce, and Chris Pine was funny and had great chemistry with Gadot. After 3 attempts (Man Of Steel, Batman Vs Superman, Suicide Squad), DC finally has a hit in their first superheroine outing. The Amazonian Princess' time has come. 5. THE VILLAINESS The Villainess is a mix between Kill Bill, John Wick and Hardcore Henry in terms of visual style, storytelling and fight choreography. It’s insanely brutal and the most kick-ass film I’ve seen since The Raid films. This South Korean action film is a great homage to female assassin thrillers and will leave you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. 4. THE DISASTER ARTIST Arguably one of the best movies of the year based on the true story behind one of the worst movies in cinema history. James Franco gives one of the best performances of his career! THE ROOM was one of those movies that was sooo bad but yet sooo good. What's more intriguing is the man behind the "Citizen Kane" of bad movies and the best friend that stuck with him to achieve their dreams. As a filmmaker, I can appreciate this story because it definitely strikes a chord with me and my own experiences trying to break into the industry. It's ironic that I find it inspiring given the fact that I hated The Room when I first saw it. The Franco bros and co. did an absolutely tremendous job on capturing the highs and lows of chasing your dreams. 3. STAR WARS EPISODE VIII: THE LAST JEDI The Last Jedi may have left some fans divided but as for me, I truly enjoyed it. The fanboy in me was saying “no, why’d you have to do that? I would have done it this way!”. But the filmmaker in me says “yes, I can appreciate the director’s decision to progress the story forward by ending another. It strayed away from the typical Star Wars formula and shook and broke the ground of what was familiar.” If there’s one thing both sides of me can agree with, it’s that I would have saved some decisions made in this film for the next and last one of the trilogy (Episode IX). 2. BLADE RUNNER 2049 A visually stunning, captivating, thrilling and breathtaking movie experience. A beautiful desolation of sorts where the story and characters are driven by its awe inspiring moments and set pieces. The art speaks for itself. With the trend of flashy, fast paced CGI-frenzy blockbusters nowadays, the tone and pacing is a breath of fresh air as it allows the story to unfold naturally. It's an intelligent film with an acquired taste for some which leaves us with more questions than answers compared to its predecessor. Blade Runner 2049 provides a glimpse into the not so distant dystopian future where one can no longer tell the difference between human and artificial intelligence. We're on that course... and it's scary. 1. DUNKIRK DUNKIRK is one of the most thrilling, suspenseful experiences I've had at the movies in a long time. Director Christopher Nolan does an outstanding job capturing the gripping tale of survival and building tension, most without words, as 400,000 soldiers struggled to get home... until home came for them. Hans Zimmer's score is haunting in this World War II epic and Hoyte Van Hoytema's cinematography is beautifully projected on IMAX 70MM film. It is truly and beautifully immersive and I wish more big scale movies would go this route rather than digital and 3D. Dunkirk is epic and meant for a gigantic screen!
2016 will be over in a few hours and before we kick in the new year, here is my list of top 10 films of the year. (This list is in no particular order) ARRIVAL If there is one word to describe Arrival, it's "haunting". Amy Adams gives a great performance as a linguist expert brought in by the U.S. Government to learn how to communicate with aliens who have touched down across the globe. The film serves as a reflection of ourselves and leaves us thinking about how simple words can be misinterpreted, causing division within our own society. THE JUNGLE BOOK The Jungle Book stands out, out of the live action remakes of Disney's animated classics. Neel Sethi does an excellent job playing Mowgli considering he is the only human character (minus the flashbacks) interacting with CGI animals. And speaking of CGI, I think they did a pretty good job at it too. The Jungle Boom is fun for the whole family. ZOOTOPIA Zootopia is witty, charming, full of energy and teaches a great lesson on unity - a lesson our own society needs to learn. Featuring a great and talented voice cast including Jason Bateman, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Idris Elba. DOCTOR STRANGE An absolutely mind-bending experience worth watching only in IMAX 3D. No other format will do it justice. Benedict Cumberbatch was an absolute treat to watch. Looking forward to seeing where Dr. Strange fits in throughout the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR The third installment of the Captain America series pits the Avengers against each other over their disagreement on the Sokovia Accords - an agreement that any member of the Avengers can only operate under the regulations of the United Nations. This particular Marvel film does what another verses film that came out earlier this year failed to do - give our heroes a good reason to fight. Both sides make good points as to why they are for and against the Accords. And even though team Iron Man may have the newly introduced Spider-Man, I'm team Captain America all the way. DEADPOOL Deadpool is everything you could ever ask for in a Deadpool movie. It's funny, action packed and a parody of itself. Ryan Reynolds was born to play the titular character. The film was a big risk but fans would be happy it stayed true to the character. DEEPWATER HORIZON Deepwater Horizon tells the true story of the largest oil spill in U.S. History. The film is intense, gripping and full tension. It showcases the bravery of the men and women that worked on the oil rig and how one mistake can change their lives forever. THE NICE GUYS The Nice Guys is hilarious. Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe have great chemistry playing off each other in a film set in 1970s Los Angeles. A good mixture of slapstick and action. All the elements you would expect from a Shane Black movie and just downright fun. ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY Rogue One takes place "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." Actually it takes place between Episodes III and IV. As a matter of fact, its ending takes place moments before Episode IV starts. Rogue One is the first of several Star Wars spin offs coming our way. The tone is different compared to other Star Wars films and I think that's a good thing. It's not perfect, and I'm sure not everyone will like it, but there's enough in this movie to satisfy even the most casual of Star Wars fans. LA LA LAND La La Land follows the classic formula of boy meets girl, they fall in love, get torn apart and find their way back to each other (or do they?)... No, it's a classic tale of two dreamers chasing their passion but unprepared for the struggles and the unknown that go with it... No, it's about jazz! No, acting! As a matter of fact, it's all of the above set in a modern musical but very reminiscent of a bygone era where the likes of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly danced through the screen and into everyone's hearts. Is Hollywood going back to the Golden Age? I highly doubt it, but La La Land is a love letter to that era and a breath of fresh air amidst the big budget blockbusters this year. The cinematography and choreography go hand in hand as we are graced with many song and dance numbers, most within a single take. Given that this is their third movie together, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone's chemistry continue to grow and blossom into something very beautiful. Having them communicate their thoughts, feelings and emotions through song and dance is icing on the cake. Emma Stone's performance really stood out and is the best I've seen her in and I couldn't help but fall in love with her.
We are excited to announce that our film LAST BREATH has been accepted into the Director's Chair Film Festival, Headline International Film Festival and Urban Action Showcase. So far, the Director's Chair is the only confirmed screening date and details can be found below.  The Director's Chair Film Festival Saturday September 17 | 8:45pm HUB17 73 Wave Street Staten Island, NY 10304 http://www.thedirectorschairfest.org Last Breath, which premiered last year and won for Best Short Film Director at the International Film Festival of Manhattan has been accepted to a total of six film festivals so far. More festival news and updates should be coming in the next few weeks. Stay tuned and thanks for supporting us! Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, the greatest gladiator match in the history of the world!  I was lucky enough to be invited to a free fan screening to see the movie in IMAX before anyone else. Boy, was it an experience. What can I say without spoiling anything? First off, these are my opinions of the movie. The giddy fan in me would be jumping for joy proclaiming it to be the greatest comic book movie ever. As fans, we all say that after watching a big movie like this but over time our views slightly or drastically change. I said that about The Dark Knight, The Avengers, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. But as a filmmaker and one who is very passionate about the movies, I have to give my unbiased view of the movie. So here goes.
Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice is a great, complicated, visual spectacle as well as an emotional roller coaster with many surprises. Many, not all, fans will appreciate what has been done. The tone of the movie - the look and feel of it, is a bit different from what Man Of Steel established. It definitely goes into darker territories and this was a very hard PG-13. So parents use discretion when bringing your children. Now before some of you conclude that it's just another movie that goes dark and gritty to be relevant (it worked for Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy), there is a reason for the darkness, but that doesn't mean there isn't any light. There is, and plenty of it. Just like its predecessor Man Of Steel, the movie will be divisive among fans, critics and general moviegoers alike. And most of it for the wrong reasons. For starters, the fact that Zack Snyder directed the movie doesn't sit well with some people considering his previous work being hits and misses. Some just don't like his style of filmmaking. I loved Dawn Of The Dead, 300, Watchmen and Man Of Steel. But I can't say the same about his other films. Not every director, no matter how great they are, will have a hit. Secondly, the movie has a disadvantage because many feel DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures are very late in the game of establishing a comic book movie universe. Marvel has done a marvelous (oh look, a pun!) job with their cinematic universe and to that extent, Fox has had success with their new and former X-Men universes colliding. In most cases moviegoers will have certain expectations because of what has been established in other cinematic universes. Marvel films are lighter in tone and have humorous moments and are colorful. DC Films are darker and humorless and bland. As a result, people become closed minded and feel Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice or any other DC Film that follows needs to be the former and not the latter. If not, they will hate it or rate it at a lower score. The comparisons need to stop in this ongoing fan war between Marvel and DC. It's unfair to the movie to have this kind of mindset because you end up basing your views on what you're already familiar with rather than keeping an open mind to what the movie could be and could mean for you. Now, moving on to the characters. When Ben Affleck was first announced to take over the role of Batman, it caused a firestorm of outrage from die hard comic book fans. The guy who played Daredevil? Really? That movie was over a decade ago. Get over it! Since then Affleck has had successful hits as an actor and director in movies like The Town and Argo. Ben comes with a bit of weight behind him. Being a two time Oscar winner, he comes with a bit of legitimacy as an actor and director. I was okay with his casting. I wasn't upset nor was I excited. But I was very curious and interested in what he can bring to the role. While he wouldn't be my first choice, he is the right choice to play Batman in this new universe. It is the actual comic book character come to life and very reminiscent of Batman The Animated Series and the Arkham video games. It's nothing like the Nolan Batman played by Christian Bale. And I love those movies! Here's a quick fun fact: Ben Affleck is the only actor to play Batman and Superman. If you don't believe it, check out the movieHollywoodland. Henry Cavill reprises his role as Superman from Man Of Steel. Here we see the character struggling to fit in a world whose views are so divided (kind of like people's views of Superman in real life). Is he our savior, or is he here to destroy us? Many people died. There was a lot of destruction. These were the many complaints of Man Of Steel. In this movie, he is facing the consequences. He's Superman, but he can't save everyone. To me, that's what makes Superman relatable. Yes, he's a powered being from another planet but he can also be very vulnerable with very human characteristics. Afterall, he is not God. All I can say is that whatever you thought of the character in Man Of Steel, whatever doubts you have, your views might change this time around and hopefully for the better. He is Superman! Jesse Eisenberg's take on Lex Luthor is definitely different from what I'm used to. He's the Lex Luthor for the millennials. A Mark Zuckerberg-type character running an online conglomerate. It was a fresh and risky take on the character. And finally, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. Another casting many were worried about. Well, I can happily say that everyone needs to put their worries to rest. She's the right choice and she totally stole the show. Once again, my opinion! Some may feel the movie is too crowded with many iconic characters. But I felt the movie was well balanced. Batman may have a little more screen time but when you think about it, Superman had his own movie three years ago and next year Wonder Woman will have hers. This is an introduction to the new Batman and an introduction to an extended universe of iconic characters and iconic worlds. Wait, did I just hint at something? The subtitle is called Dawn Of Justice for a reason, so go figure. While I enjoyed the film overall, it's not perfect. There were some things I didn't like and some things I felt could have been done differently. But it was an experience I'll never forget. I look forward to what Warner Bros. and DC has in store for us. For those who haven't seen the film and are skeptical about it, keep an open mind and don't expect it to be like a Marvel movie. It doesn't have to be the same for everything and for everyone. Stop the comparisons and conjure up your own views based on what you saw and not what you think it should be. Don't let other's views alter your way of thinking about the movie. That goes for any movie of this genre. Us fans are getting all these movies with all our favorite characters come to life. We are living in the golden age of comic book movies. Whether it's Marvel, DC, or any other franchise, let's stop this flame war and just enjoy the ride together for the next several years. Can't we just love both? As for Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, it's not for everyone but it's action packed, thrilling, and filled with several easter eggs hinting an extended universe. I give it a 4.5 out of 5. Can't wait to see it again. It's that time again where I round up my top ten movies of the year. 2015 had a lot of great memorable movies. Some even broke box office records. But before we go to the list, here are some honorable mentions that I enjoyed but didn't quite make the cut.
THE HATEFUL 8 (Directed by Quentin Tarantino) SICARIO (Directed by Denis Villanueve) SPECTRE (Directed by Sam Mendes) INSIDE OUT (Directed by Pete Docter and Ronnie del Carmen) BRIDGE OF SPIES (Directed by Steven Spielberg) THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (Directed by Joss Whedon) ANT-MAN (Directed by Peyton Reed) Which ones made the list? See my picks below! 1. CREED Director: Ryan Coogler Writer: Ryan Coogler, Aaron Covington Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson Studio: Warner Bros., MGM Stallone returns to the role that made him a household name. But this time his Rocky Balboa serves as a supporting character to the film’s lead, Adonis Creed, played by Michael B. Jordan. With powerful performances by Jordan and Stallone (who just got nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance as an aging Rocky), very well choreographed boxing matches and top notch directing, it's one of the best movies I've seen this year. It's not about winning in boxing, it's about winning in life. A great way to continue the Rocky legacy is to embrace the legacy of his greatest opponent and closest friend, Creed. 2. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Director: George Miller Writer: George Miller, Brendan McCarthy, Nico Lathouris Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron Studio: Warner Bros. George Miller returns to his beloved franchise that gave Mel Gibson his breakthrough role. This time around, Tom Hardy takes on the role of Max. But what stood out the most was Charlize Theron’s performance as the ass-kicking Imperator Furiosa. Even with one arm and battle damaged, Theron still manages to look as beautiful as ever. Mad Max was a nonstop roller coaster ride of pure adrenaline rush. "What a lovely day!" 3. STAR WARS EPISODE VII: THE FORCE AWAKENS Director: J.J. Abrams Writer: J.J. Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan, Michael Arndt Starring: Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson Studio: Disney, LucasFilm Already breaking box office records, this movie is filled with nostalgia, familiar faces, a new generation, epic set pieces and the force is still strong with this one. Seeing it with a crowd on a large format screen (IMAX) is the best way to appreciate and experience the magic of Star Wars. Looking forward to see what happens next in this new saga. 4. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION Director: Christopher McQuarrie Writer: Christopher McQuarrie Starring: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Fergusson, Ving Rhames Studio: Paramount Pictures The Mission Impossible series always manages to stay fresh with each new installment and Tom Cruise manages to outdo himself every time. This time we see Cruise pulling off much crazier stunts like hanging off the side of a plane during take off. But the breakout performance came from Rebecca Ferguson’s Ilsa Faust. Hope to see more of her in the next one. 5. EX MACHINA Director: Alex Garland Writer: Alex Garland Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac Studio: Universal Studios, DNA Films Alicia Vikander plays the seductive Ava, an artificial intelligence housed inside the body of a beautiful girl who interacts with the film’s lead played by Domhnall Gleeson. Ex Machina was terrifying. Not in a horror movie type of way, but terrifying in a subtle, psychological and mental way that makes me wonder if artificial intelligence is really such a good idea, let alone to put inside a body. 6. JURASSIC WORLD Director: Colin Trevorrow Writer: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Derek Connolly, Colin Trevorrow Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D'Onofrio, B.D. Wong Studio: Universal Studios, Amblin Entertainment, Legendary Pictures We’re back in Isla Nublar, the home of Jurassic Park, or in this case, the new Jurassic World. The park is finally open and this film brought me back to a lot of fond memories when I was a kid watching the original. This new installment shows how far scientific technology has come and how it’s used to be an advantage and disadvantage to the world, especially when it comes to enhancing prehistoric DNA. When are they going to learn that they should never, ever open the park, ever again! 7. THE MARTIAN Director: Ridley Scott Writer: Drew Goddard Starring: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Pena, Kate Mara, Sean Bean, Sebastian Stan, Chiwetel Ejiofor Studio: Scott Free Productions, 20th Century Fox Once again, the world is looking for Matt Damon in this film based on the novel by Andy Weir. But this time, he’s on a distant planet. I love space exploration and astronomy. Afterall, Interstellar was my favorite film of 2014, which Matt Damon was also a part of. But what I enjoyed about this movie is how much science and technology plays a vital role into the plot of the film. Very well directed with a star studded cast. 8. THE WALK Director: Robert Zemeckis Writer: Robert Zemeckis, Christopher Browne Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Kingsley, Charlotte Le Bon, James Badge Dale Studio: TriStar Pictures Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives one of his best performances as Philippe Petit, the man who walked a tightrope between New York City’s Twin Towers back in 1974. What I love most about this movie is how beautiful the Towers were portrayed and had a life of their own. It felt like a subtle tribute to 9/11. What an experience in IMAX 3D. 9. THE REVENANT Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu Writer: Mark L. Smith, Alejandro G. Iñárritu Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hard, Domhnall Gleeson Studio: 20th Century Fox Leonardo DiCaprio gives a performance of a lifetime in this beautifully photographed film. Give the man an Oscar already. Enough said! *By the way, this is the third film on the list starring Domhnall Gleeson. This guy's been keeping busy! 10. KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE Director: Matthew Vaughn Writer: Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn Starring: Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Taron Egerton, Michael Caine, Sofia Boutella, Mark Strong Studio: 20th Century Fox This movie was pure awesomeness! Great fight choreography, action packed and a lot of fun. An overall enjoyable movie from the spy genre with a breakout performance by Taron Egerton. This movie makes me want to buy a well tailored double breasted suit with matching tie and shoes. “Manners maketh man.” So that's my list for 2015. So many great movies and I know 2016 will have even more. On behalf of Eternal Lion Studios, Happy New Year! |
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