Cindy Prascik's 2018: My Year in Movies

Dearest Blog: 2018 was a strange year for movies, as it was a strange year in many, many ways. I only saw 70 new movies during the year that's winding down, which is 20-30 off my normal total. At fault were two main factors: First, there were fewer movies that felt like imperative viewing, and, secondly, the behavior of movie audiences has become so bad that I'm less inclined to get out and see something just to see it, or merely to have content for the blog. I've become much more likely to seek out something I can watch at home than to brave the talkers, texters, seat-kickers, and smuggled-candy rattlers at the cinema.

Normally, year's end finds me trying to whittle 20-25 favorites down into a top-ten list, but this year only 13 movies earned final consideration. This year also may mark the greatest divergence yet between my list and the lists of people who get paid for their movie opinions. As usual, that's due in part to many awards contenders not getting screen time locally until they rack up a pocketful of major nominations, but mostly paid film critics and I just don't agree on what makes a good movie. I hope you'll consider both of our opinions, then get out to the movies and form your own.

Disclaimer: As usual, repeat viewings or the lack of opportunity for same may result in a film's original Weasley rating not being reflected in its year-end position.

Without further ado, my top ten best/favorite movies of 2018:

10. Black Panther (original Weasley rating 9/9) Black Panther is a superhero whose time has come. Marvel once again hits the casting jackpot with Chadwick Boseman, who fronts a compelling tale fleshed out by vibrant visuals and an amazing score. It burns me just a little that Black Panther will be the first of its genre to earn serious awards consideration, an honor deserved by The Dark Knight and/or Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but that's the system's problem and can't be held against the movie. Two claws way up!

9. Sherlock Gnomes (original Weasley rating 8/9) Sherlock Gnomes took a beating from critics and fans alike, but I loved it for its bright colors, boppy tunes, extremely reasonable runtime, and, of course, Johnny Depp. If there hadn't been much good said about it before, upon the release of Holmes and Watson, at the very least it became the best big-screen Sherlock Holmes of 2018.

8. Aquaman (original Weasley rating 8/9) DC's big-screen Aquaman takes a long-ridiculed, B-list hero and makes him a box-office juggernaut, thanks to a well-crafted film and Jason Momoa's effortless coolness. It's not as dark as past DC offerings, nor as silly as garden-variety Marvel; instead Aquaman makes its own niche and is better for it.

7. Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (original Weasley rating 8/9) I love the Hotel Transylvania franchise for its ability to bring a little bit of creepiness into any season. The third installment in the series is colorful, bouncy fun, and, as always, benefits from limiting Adam Sandler to just one stupid voice, as opposed to his usual array of MANY stupid voices. Long live Drac!

6. Green Book (original Weasley rating 9/9) Green Book is an "inspired by actual events" story that, if it takes some liberties with real life, its message is no less timely or important for it. Magnificent performances from Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen make Green Book one of the year's true must-see movies.

5. Hunter Killer (original Weasley rating 8/9) Quit laughing, will ya? Hunter Killer is an epic two hours of enormous effects, steely glances, and male posturing, all the things that bring me to the big screen regardless of any other considerations. Throw in my fave, Gary Oldman, and Gerard Butler doing his best meathead hero, and you've got a guaranteed new classic that I'll watch hundreds of times once it hits cable.

4. Darkest Hour (original Weasley rating 9/9) Oscar says this is last year's film, but I didn't see it 'til January, so it makes my 2018 list. An everything-winning turn by Gary Oldman heads a picture that keeps you on the edge of your seat despite knowing how it all turns out in the end.

3. Bohemian Rhapsody (original Weasley rating 9/9) Another based-on-a-true-story that takes some cinematic license with the facts, Bohemian Rhapsody is an uplifting biopic that proves the old saying: a happy ending depends on where you end your story. A star-making turn by Rami Malik makes Bohemian Rhapsody a top contender as we cruise through the heart of Awards Season.

2. Paddington 2 (original Weasley rating 9/9) Paddignton 2 is a delight. The charming and thoroughly-English continuing adventures of an endearing teddy bear and his family boasts a top-notch cast, with a standout performance by Hugh Grant as its villain. Paddington 2 is movie-making at its finest, not to be missed by anyone of any age.

1. Den of Thieves (original Weasley rating 8/9) From its first trailer, I started calling Den of Thieves my number-one movie of 2018. If we're being honest, along the way I truly expected some big-budget superhero epic or favorite actor's awards bid to unseat it, but...here we are, and here it is. I re-watched it again the night before last just to be sure this was where I wanted it, and, yeah, it is. Shootouts, car chases, Gerard Butler's chest-thumping anti-hero, and an unexpectedly terrific ending make Den of Thieves the kind of movie that will always draw me to the cinema. (For the record, I noticed upon preparing this list that I saw my number-one and number-two movies on the same day, way back in January, and that about sums up the kind of year it’s been at the cinema.)

So, dear reader(s), another year draws to a close. Many thanks to everyone who reads this blog, who takes the time to like, comment, and share, and especially to Daniel, for letting me be a part of his first-class movie page. Best wishes to everyone in 2019, may it be a better year for us all. Happy New Year!

PS: Where's my Cats trailer??

Cindy Prasick's Reviews of Early Man & Black Panther

Dearest Blog: After a two-week hiatus, yesterday it was back to Marquee Cinemas for what I thought was a promising pair: Early Man and Black Panther.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

First up: Early Man.

The fate of a pre-historic tribe rests on a soccer game. Yes, you read that right.

Well, dear reader(s), it hurts me to say it, but Early Man just plain stinks. I wanted the wacky premise to be as funny as it sounds. I wanted the voice cast to be as amazing as it looks on paper. I wanted to love this movie, and I had every reason to believe I would, but it didn’t give me a chance.

Early Man is populated with forgettable characters who lack any charm.  The premise is improbable enough that it could have been hilarious, but instead it's just idiotic. The film doesn't even run a full hour and a half, but I lost count of the number of times I nearly nodded off. I can't imagine Early Man holding anyone's attention, nevermind the young audience at which it is directed. The few good laughs don't half make it worth your time.

Early Man clocks in at 89 minutes and is rated PG for "rude humor and some action."

If you were thinking of seeing Early Man, I'd suggest you save your money and watch Wallace & Gromit again instead. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Early Man gets three, including one bonus Weasley for having an actual Weasley (Mark Williams) among the cast.

Fangirl points: Richard Ayoade!

Next on my agenda, Black Panther.

Following the death of his father, new challenges face T'Challa both as king of Wakanda and as the Black Panther.

My usual disclaimer: I'm a DC girl through and through, so generally I find Marvel product enjoyable but forgettable. My notable exception has been Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but now I have two exceptions.

You. Guys. Black Panther is SO good. Other than being just a hair too long, it gets everything right. Chadwick Boseman carries the mammoth blockbuster with all the ease of the best A-lister. He's been so good so often it shouldn't be a surprise, but this is a very, VERY large stage and he owns it. His supporting cast is extraordinary to a person, with special mention to Danai Gurira--often the only watchable thing about the Walking Dead--and the always-remarkable Andy Serkis. The film boasts striking visuals with nifty tech, solid effects, majestic costumes, and glorious scenery. The humor is spot-on, never Iron Man-forced; in fact, one of the best things about Black Panther is the lack of intrusion by the other Avengers. The film reflects and respects African culture without so much as a hint of patronizing, and does an incredible job of planting everyone on equal footing. Characters in Black Panther aren't written to do things just because they're black or white, male or female; they're complicated people with complicated feelings and motives. The film bears important messages about our obligations to one another and those commitments that don't change with circumstances or our feelings. Black Panther has plenty of action, smart performances, layered interpersonal connections, and even a touch of romance, a little something for everyone.

Black Panther runs 134 minutes and is rated PG13 for "prolonged sequences of action violence, and a brief rude gesture."

Black Panther is that rare Marvel offering that is truly something special. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Black Panther gets nine.

Fangirl points: Don't wanna spoil anything but STICK AROUND FOR THE SECOND POST-CREDITS SCENE!

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: BLACK PANTHER

After the death of his father, T'Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T'Challa's mettle as king -- and as Black Panther -- gets tested when he's drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people.

Director: Ryan Coogler

Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Andy Serkis

Release Date: Feb 16, 2018

Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for prolonged sequences of action violence, and a brief rude gesture

Runtime: 2h 14 min

Review:

Black Panther is a bit of a watershed moment for Marvel films for a variety of reasons.  First and foremost, the cast and director are primarily people of color and it carries over on screen.  The film has a decidedly strong theme of African Heritage running throughout all within the trapping of a superhero story.  Ryan Coogler does an impressive job of giving his film a visual distinctiveness that’s missing from most of Marvel entries.  As such, Black Panther has a strong identity and it uses it to its advantage by telling an emotionally engaging and thoughtful story.  Chadwich Boseman leads the film with an easy charisma that’s hard to resist.  Boseman has an effortless way about himself all the while maintaining a sense of nobility in T’Challa.  The supporting cast is probably one of the best assembled for any of the Marvel movies.  Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright and Martin Freeman all leave lasting impressions on the film.  Their characters aren’t simply throwaway supporting players but instead feel like well rounded characters equal to the lead.  Michael B. Jordan makes for a fine villain.  He’s a strong counterpart to Boseman’s T’Challa in every manner of speaking.  The character’s motivations actually make sense and pose some interesting questions.  Unfortunately, the film doesn’t spend nearly the amount of time it should fleshing him out which could have made him iconic.  It’s a minor issue compared to the whole.  Black Panther, much like last year’s Wonder Woman, elevates the super hero genre and forces future entries to raise their game.   

A