"Nobody" Review

 

 

 Bob Odenkirk is the last person you think of upon hearing the story of the newest action film "Nobody" about a former CIA assassin turned family man brought back into the business but man does he do his damnedest to prove himself capable. The film comes from the writer and producers of the highly acclaimed "John Wick" series and fans of those flicks will see the similarities right away but the slight recycle of certain action set-pieces and story beats mean that "Nobody" is a simple retread. It stands alongside that series with some great action, over the top violence, and some nice added humor to make this one of the best films of 2021 so far.

Odenkirk, who most would know as Saul from the popular "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" series shows off some impressive stunt work given his advanced age. His knack for comedy writing over the years also helps him deliver some great lines throughout and most importantly his connection to his family and the struggles of adapting to a 'normal' life give the film some heart and really invests you in his character. The supporting cast does a great job as well although Christopher Lloyd and RZA probably could've had some more screen time as they work off Odenkirk really well.

Where "Nobody" probably falters most is with its central villain, which like "John Wick" and many recent action pictures is your usual generic Russian gangster who seeks revenge after his brother is killed by our hero. This is also where I'd say the film lazily recycles "Wick" the most, with very similar plot points but thankfully they do manage to change enough throughout to mostly get away with this. 

Ultimately, while it does retread on familiar beats seen in previous works "Nobody" still gives you some bloody, explosive action but with some deeper character development and humor thrown on top. It comes highly recommended.

A

 

Zack Snyder's Justice League Non-Spoiler Review

2017's "Justice League" was a huge mess to say the least, with a rushed & troubled production that saw the early departure of the original director Zack Snyder replaced with Joss Whedon, the constant re-writes which essentially threw out the film's original vision and cobbling together a cookie cutter byproduct that failed to impress fans or critics.

The movie would soon be forgotten as just another mediocre superhero film until a few years back when the fandom began an online campaign requesting for Snyder's original cut to be restored and released. The hashtag #SnyderCut would go on to become the most shared hashtag ever in social media and fans were rewarded for their passion and it was soon announced that the long-awaited 'Snyder Cut' would be released on March 17th 2021.

 

 

Now that we got that little history lesson out of the way, we'll get into the film itself. Does it live up to all the hype? Probably not. Is it a much better movie than before? That's a definite yes from me. Is it the perfect superhero film we've always wanted? That's a bit more complicated to answer, but here we go. The story for those unaware sees Batman (Ben Affleck) assembling a team of meta humans after the heroic death and sacrifice of Superman (Henry Cavill) during the climax of "Batman v. Superman". He recruits the mythical Aquaman (Jason Mamoa), Amazonian Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Barry Allen a.k.a The Flash (Ezra Miller) and Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and together they unite as one to take down Steppenwolf, who seeks to open a portal from our world to his and allow the big bad of the DC Universe Darkseid to rule all of earth.

The story is of course much more dense than that, as this new cut runs 4 hours in length and gives the film plenty of room to develop these characters better with special mention going to Ray Fisher's Cyborg who was infamously side-lined during the re-shoots. Here, he becomes integral to the film as a whole and as quoted directly by Snyder himself is "The Heart of The Film". The rest of the team get a bit more added to their arcs as well but some are far less than others. I would say Wonder Woman gets the raw end of the deal here, providing little more than exposition during her big scenes. Her fight scenes are by far the best however, with her being able to unleash her fury thanks to the 'R' rating and unleashing some brutal moves.

 

 

Aquaman also gets a bit more here but his extended scenes bring up various plot holes and creates huge continuity problems when connection to the 2018 "Aquaman" film. The Flash remains the comic relief and his jokes land more often than not but we also get some better insight into what motivates him to become a hero. The scenes with his father while brief help with the character immensely. Funny enough, Batman/Bruce Wayne's role remains largely the same as the theatrical cut but there was little to complain about him there anyway so this doesn't change anything major. Even the big bad Steppenwolf gets some development to his motivations and he actually has a clear goal beyond just being an evil villain. 

Superman as you may have guessed is largely absent from the film but his influence and symbolism for good is felt throughout and it was awesome seeing him return to help his friends. For the most part this all results in an obvious change in quality and the "Snyder Cut" is a better movie overall. Even with its length it moves quick and though I had to take a break between viewings, I had already gone through 3 hours before I even realized it. 

 

 

This is probably Zack Snyder's best looking film of his career. He usually has a tendency to go a bit over the top with the look and sound of his work which has divided fans over the years. While a lot of that over the top nature remains here the film also goes for a much darker, earthy look with a heavy use of orange and fiery color schemes that helps add to the bleaker tone. The film takes a different route and keeps its aspect ratio at 4.3 which was first met with skepticism from myself and others. This choice was done to keep the vision of Snyder intact and while unusual after you get into the movie you start to notice how detailed it is despite not being presented in widescreen. The 4K visuals are striking and one the best films I've seen in that format to date. Overall, it seems Snyder had a much more focused idea for this film than others he's done. 

 

Now that I've singed the praises of the film, I sadly must get to the things I didn't enjoy so much. The special effects work has been improved from the theatrical cut for the most part such as the impressive look of Steppenwolf's shifting armor and Cyborg's body. Other times the computer effects either look unfinished or rushed and I know this is due to various outside issues but it's a flaw and it has to be addressed. Junkie XL produces yet another superhero score that feels bland and overall forgettable. His Wonder Woman theme is the only real standout here which luckily gets used often. I don't really enjoy Junkie's work in the superhero genre and really miss those days of Jerry Goldsmith and John Williams taking the reigns. On that topic, why doesn't any Superman movie ever use Williams' score anymore? That could've really elevated the soundtrack.

 

 

I'm also not a big fan of the film's Epilogue, which suffers from "Lord of the Rings" syndrome. It tacks on a happy ending, the post-credits from the theatrical cut, a shoehorned in scene with Jared Leto's Joker that really goes nowhere, and finally it reaches the proper end scene which is cool and I won't be spoiling here but it really just needed to stick with this and possibly the happy ending. "Zack Snyder's Justice League" is a vast improvement that shows the power and passion of the fans and those who respected the director. It runs a bit too long, its music is generic, and it has one too many endings but for comic book fans, it's well worth the $14.99 I spent on it. The 2017 film is dead. Long live the "Snyder Cut".

B+

"Zack Snyder's Justice League" is now available on HBO Max. New users get a 7 day free trial. The film is rated 'R' for violence and language. All photos, services, and film rights belong to Warner Media.

'Venom 2' Officially Delayed to September

 

No less than 2 hours after discussing the film's fate with a family member, news has dropped that "Venom: Let There Be Carnage" has officially been delayed by Sony Pictures. Originally set to release back in October 2020, the film was then delayed to June of this year before today where its now set to release on September 17th filling yet another slate for the fall, which already is filled to the brim with major releases such as "Candyman", "Resident Evil", "Halloween Kills", and "Malignant".

The announcement shouldn't come as a surprise considering Sony would only have two months to market and make merchandise available before the film's release. On top of that, we've yet to even see a behind the scenes peek or even a teaser trailer. Recent rumors suggest we'll be getting that trailer sooner than expected but take that with a grain of salt.

The film was directed by Andy Serkis and is the follow up to 2018's hit film. Tom Hardy will be reprising the role of Eddie Brock/Venom. The film also stars Woody Harrelson as Carnage, Michelle Williams as Anne, and Naomi Harris as Shriek. The story is still currently under wraps.

'The Batman' Officially Wraps! Director Shares Set Photo to Celebrate

 

 

"The Batman" has officially wrapped production. The long delayed new film in Warner Bros' DC universe has now entered post-production and director Matt Reeves has taken to his Instagram & Twitter to celebrate. Showing off the final scene shot along with some props and other goodies some of which we've seen before in the trailer. We hope this means another look at the film is on the way sooner rather than later.

 

Not only did Reeves celebrate the end of production, but Jeffery Wright also took to his social media.

"Gordon out...for now", Wright posted today. The actor is also set to star as Jim Gordon in the HBO Max spin off show Gotham PD which is also currently in production. Needless to say for those following the film's production, it was quite the struggle getting it in the can. The film began shooting all the way back in January 2020 but was quickly shut down amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Production would soon start back up but rumors of on set drama and even the possibility of star Robert Pattinson testing positive for the virus. Thankfully, most of these proved false and the film managed to smooth things out and the film has now been scheduled for a 2022 release.

"The Batman" takes place in year two of Batman’s crusade against crime. Robert Pattinson stars as the Caped Crusader himself, Bruce Wayne/Batman, leading a cast that also includes Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman; Paul Dano as The Riddler; Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon; John Turturro as Carmine Falcone; Peter Sarsgaard as Gil Colson, Gotham’s district attorney; Jayme Lawson as Bella Reál, a mayoral candidate in Gotham; Andy Serkis as Alfred; and Colin Farrell as the Penguin. 

The film will release March 4, 2022.

New Sneak Peek of Disney's 'Cruella' Revealed!

 

 

The first trailer for Disney's retelling of Cruella DeVil made quite the stir a couple weeks back. The Emma Stone vehicle has been subject to a multitude of articles, criticisms, and internet memes liking the film's look and tone to 2019's 'Joker' and 2020's 'Birds of Prey' due to its seemingly darker look and tone than the usual House of Mouse fare.

Today, we've been given another quick look at the film and this one is a bit more on the humorous and lighter side. The trailer can be seen below and seems to give us a better idea of the overall story, which seems to be a rivalry between Cruella and a still unknown fashionista played by the wonderful Emma Thompson with some great shots such as the one above and some lighting-paced action set to Nancy Sinatra.

Overall, the issue seems to stem from Disney themselves as to who exactly this film is supposed to be for. Is it for adults? preteens? or is it more family friendly than it's marketing suggests? 'Cruella' will be released on May 28th for Memorial Day. Be sure to stay tuned for more news and eventually the final verdict on the film itself.

'Mortal Kombat' Officially Rated 'R' & Kabal Confirmed!

 

 

As if the recently released trailer of the upcoming Mortal Kombat wasn't enough to convince you the newest entry in the series wasn't skimping out on the gore or fatalities, the James Wan-produced film has today been given a certified "R"...

"STRONG BLOODY VIOLENCE AND LANGUAGE THROUGHOUT, AND SOME CRUDE REFERENCES."

On top of that happy news, we also got a brand new bus shelter poster which displays the current roster we've seen before. However, we now have confirmation of fan-favorite KABAL hanging out in the corner of the poster which you can see below. It makes one wonder just how many fighters we'll be seeing in the final cut and April 16 cannot come soon enough.

 

 

 Mortal Kombat will release both in theaters and HBO MAX on April 16th, 2021.

 

In Mortal Kombat, ”MMA fighter Cole Young, accustomed to taking a beating for money, is unaware of his heritage—or why Outworld’s Emperor Shang Tsung has sent his best warrior, Sub-Zero, an otherworldly Cryomancer, to hunt Cole down. Fearing for his family’s safety, Cole goes in search of Sonya Blade at the direction of Jax, a Special Forces Major who bears the same strange dragon marking Cole was born with. Soon, he finds himself at the temple of Lord Raiden, an Elder God and the protector of Earthrealm, who grants sanctuary to those who bear the mark. Here, Cole trains with experienced warriors Liu Kang, Kung Lao and rogue mercenary Kano, as he prepares to stand with Earth’s greatest champions against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe. But will Cole be pushed hard enough to unlock his arcana—the immense power from within his soul—in time to save not only his family, but to stop Outworld once and for all?”

 The ensemble includes Lewis Tan (“Deadpool 2,” Netflix’s “Wu Assassins”) as Cole Young; Jessica McNamee (“The Meg”) as Sonya Blade; Josh Lawson (“Bombshell”) as Kano; Tadanobu Asano (“Midway”) as Lord Raiden; Mehcad Brooks (TV’s “Supergirl”) as Jackson “Jax” Bridges; Ludi Lin (“Aquaman”) as Liu Kang; with Chin Han (“Skyscraper”) as Shang Tsung; Joe Taslim (“Star Trek Beyond”) as Bi-Han and Sub-Zero; and Hiroyuki Sanada (“Ringu”) as Hanzo Hasashi and Scorpion. Also featured are Max Huang as Kung Lao; Sisi Stringer as Mileena; Matilda Kimber as Emily Young; and Laura Brent as Allison Young.

 McQuoid directed from a screenplay by Greg Russo and Dave Callaham (“Wonder Woman 1984”), from a story by Oren Uziel (“Mortal Kombat: Rebirth”) and Russo, based on the videogame created by Ed Boon and John Tobias. Richard Brener, Dave Neustadter, Victoria Palmeri, Michael Clear, Jeremy Stein and Larry Kasanoff served as executive producers.

 

 

Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) Review

 

 

'Raya and the Last Dragon' is the latest animated film from Walt Disney Pictures and features the voice talents of Kelly Marie Tran and Awkwafina. The story tells the tale of a land divided into various factions whose distrust and anger lead to a dystopian era and the release of hideous creatures who turn all they touch into stone, including the mystical dragons that once protected mankind. Several years later, we follow the titular character as she travels through the world in an attempt to save it, meeting Sisou who is the last living dragon and key to salvation.

Whatever problems I may personally have with Disney as a company, I can't deny that their recent animated features have been high quality and 'Raya' is no different. What is now known as Disney's Second Renaissance is still on a roll here with the quality you'd expect by now. The animation is a beautiful mixture of various cultures of Asia and each land is unique and memorable. The music by James Newton Howard is another masterpiece, though a bit quiet in places. The film has some big action set pieces not seen in a Disney animation in quite a while, with the high quality choreography seen in live-action films.

Overall this is a much darker story than usual with only a few moments of the typical comic relief thrown in. The story's themes of trust, revenge, and redemption are strong ones not usually seen enough of in Disney or even modern animated films and it's cool to see the studio tackle a more mature film like this. My only real drawbacks are with the usual kids film trappings such as the previously mentioned comic relief and the story feels too similar to previous films and shows like 'Moana' and 'The Last Airbender' but these really are little more than personal nitpicks.

'Raya and the Last Dragon' is an excellent film to usher in the recent reopening of theaters nationwide. I highly recommend seeing it in theaters if at all possible. It's beautiful, dark, fun, and action-packed with really positive messages to teach kids that's been sorely lacking in family films lately. And props to the opening short, which is a sweet little cartoon that tells its story in song and dance that's likely up for an award.

A+

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