Avengers: Endgame

A wonderfully, crafted finality for what have been in the works since the first Captain America movie and most recently, from the Infinity War where a stinging, awful bite of loss and defeat has just freshly been delivered, I can safely say that this was satisfying and then some. It’s emotional without going over the top, it’s sentimental at the right places and it is again a feast for the eye to behold the beauty of the cinematography and creation of different worlds made by Marvel is marvelous for a better word. The fight scenes were thrilling. And the storyline, although not the most original in the world, worked well due to the entertaining script written that never dragged in the 3 hour and 1 minute long juggernaut that will be remembered as not only a blockbuster of a film but a truly great film in general that delivered in multiple levels. Combined with Avengers Infinity War, it is a classic.

Captain Marvel

A so-so edition to the Marvel franchise that is first to be headlined by a female, Bree Larson told in an entertaining enough fashion, I guess, but barely because the main problem is that we’ve seen it all before, and much better. The storyline felt strained as well as the acting, it didn’t feel like there was much rapport between the cast except for Bree Larson and Samuel L. Jackson, whose interactions was solid. Sure, there were a few fun moments but because the script just was not at the highest level, it was difficult to be entertained in a script that felt more like answering the blanks on who Captain Marvel is rather than forgetting what it’s meant to do, to entertain. The orange cat (Goose) stole the show. Every time that cat has the screen, it grabs my full attention.

Shazam!

An uninspired, extremely juvenile superhero flick that felt unoriginal, mediocre while dragging at many parts throughout the film. The actors were fine, I guess. It’s the awful script that doesn’t know what sort of story it wants to tell and proceeds to be all over the map comprising of rethreads that’s been seen ad nauseum. It’s chaotic, it’s not funny (there were a few bits) and it doesn’t have a heart. It’s like it wants to be Deadpool but doesn’t know how to write and land a decent joke or story for that matter. Yeah. And the ending? Oh, boy. No.

Escape Room

A clever mind twister that starts off by enticing six strangers to complete a puzzle without knowing that each puzzle is meant to kill. It’s a classic set up but done properly using interesting characters with wonderful, extravagant puzzles that gets the audience to engage. The ending was also well thought out and interesting to say the least. All in all a surprisingly entertaining piece of work.

Berlin, I Love You

Comprising 10 different stories happening simultaneously in the City of Berlin and how they may or may not intersect throughout the movie is a rough breakdown of the film. Some of the stories are a bit trite and may come out as ordinary to most however I believe after watching the movie, the stories are not the point. It’s the City of Berlin (the real star) and how it affects and brings out all these stories that involve a tourist, citizens and characters from different walks of life. The cinematography is breathtaking showcasing the city in all her majestic splendor as well as glimpse of the interesting nightlife available. As a whole, one can’t help but fall in love with Berlin and maybe experience the magic. As a bonus, one storyline involves two actors from the Game of Thrones series with a storyline that is a pseudo modern take on GOT. How’s that for a bit of magic in this modern world? If anything, the film entertains and opens the possibility of love which in my book is never a bad thing.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

I don’t get the adulation on this one either. The graphics were the best I’ve ever seen, that is crystal and as I was salivating on its beauty and intricacy, I was also waiting for the story to get good. It never did and after twenty minutes or so, the graphics got old really quick. It feels like everything has been dumbed downed and we are shoved the same sort of lame, comedy scenarios and sort of jokes that are not only predictable but cringe worthy when compared to the high standards of let’s say, a “Toy Story” that make both adults and children laugh because the material is clever and works both ways. Sadly, this one only works if you’re basically a juvenile (under 12) in age because this film is mediocre at best. There were a handful of wonderful pieces like the multitude Spidermen from different universe, especially Peter Parker who is excellent. But the lead, Miles Morales was an annoying character along with the plot, storyline and character development that were all pedestrian and nowhere as interesting or as wonderful as watching an episode of “Beware The Batman” cartoon. Apples to apples or should I say spiders to bats.

Creed II

I guess there is only so much story one can create when the topic is boxing, especially since it falls under the Rocky umbrella so, maybe that’s why Creed II was already at a disadvantage from the start. As much as I enjoyed the first Creed, the second one feels more like a paint by number story that’s been rehashed and given a bit of shakeup by giving a disability to one of the leads. Sylvester Stallone was in top form and so was Michael B. Jordan but the script was nowhere near as dynamic as the first and as a viewer, it did not entertain. It was great to see Dolph Lundgren reprise his role and his scenes with Sylvester Stallone was everything! All in all, a very average flick that has an ABC movie of the night special feel to the production.

Green Book

A film that has been done before and yet still feels fresh in execution thanks partly to the wonderful acting chops of the two leads: Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali (winner of Best Supporting Actor). Oscar winner for Best Picture as well as Best Original Screenplay is highly questionable since it’s been told before and nothing about it is original however it plays out real smoothly and although it’s 2 hours long, it doesn’t drag at all. Wonderful scenery and a few really good lines here and there but again, it’s been done before so there’s a feel of deja vu in the viewing although it’s your first viewing of the film.

Mortal Engines

If you are looking to kill 2 hours and want to escape the world and immerse yourself in a dystopian future world where cities are mobile and consume each other for survival then this flick may be a good distraction. It is not perfect, there are holes in the plot but when the movie entertains like this one does with really cool visuals and a fast moving story line with characters that at first are pesky as flies but later on, you find yourself rooting for them, then this is a welcome alternative compared to the troves of garbage action films that peppers the cinema. Switch off your brain, get your popcorn and soda and sit back and enjoy the ride that is Mortal Engines. It’s gonna be a bumpy ride.

Mary Poppins Returns

Nowhere as charming, wonderful or mesmerizing as the original and falls flat in what matters most: uninspired music, a lead actress that was a bit too stiff in the role (sorry Emma Blunt) and an ending that was too neatly tied and if the characters had a brain, none of the dilemma they face would have happened. The script was just lazy, unimaginative and an insult to the original Mary Poppins. The best part of the movie was Meryl Streep. Her number was vastly enjoyable and I guess if push come to shove, the kids were okay.