Martial-arts master Shang-Chi confronts the past he thought he left behind when he's drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization.
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Cast: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Meng'er Zhang, Fala Chen, Florian Munteanu, Benedict Wong, Michelle Yeoh, Ben Kingsley, Tony Leung
Release Date: September 3, 2021
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and language
Runtime: 2h 12min
Review:
Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings, much like Black Panther, expands Marvel's ethnic make by delivering a fun and colorful comic book exploration of heritage, destiny and legacy. Director Destin Daniel Cretton film is a kinetic experience right from the start pausing only here and there for quieter character moments. His action set pieces are wonderfully staged and choregraphed allowing you to see every bit of the impressive action. Those moments, especially in the first two acts, are the highlights of the film. Cretton uses inspiration from old school Kung Fu films while adding his own modern sensibilities. Simu Liu leads the almost exclusively Asian cast with relative ease. Liu is instantly likeable and magnetic even amongst the coordinated comic madness around him. He and Awkwafina make for a fun onscreen duo since they share excellent comic chemistry. Meng'er Zhang though is the scene stealer as Shang's sister, so much so that you wished the film spent a bit more time with her. Asian acting legends Michelle Yeoh & Tony Leung add just the right amount of gravitas to the proceedings with each getting ample time to leave their mark on the film. While the film works on visceral level the story does feel like it's lifted from the original Star Wars in that inside all the fantastical elements, it's ultimately a family drama between siblings and their father whose chosen the wrong path. As such, there aren't a ton of surprises in store with each beat being fairly predictable. Additionally, those who have complained about superhero films turning into CGI fest in their final acts will have the same issues here as this film turns heavily into fantasy action to the point of attrition. Small complaints asides, Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings is one of the more enjoyable cinematic entries in the Marvel monolith that actually brings something new to the table.
Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for Now You See Me 2 and Warcraft...except I couldn't bring myself to face Warcraft and ended up catching up on The Jungle Book and Angry Birds instead.
Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers. (I'm assuming everyone knows Warcraft is terrible from the trailers?)
First on the docket: The Jungle Book.
When the vicious tiger Shere-Khan threatens his life, Mowgli, a boy raised by a wolf pack, is forced to flee his jungle home.
The Jungle Book is a gorgeous film, and a vote of confidence for CGI at a time when, let's face it, even the biggest-budget CGI is starting to look a little dodgy. The movie is probably eighty-percent jungle and jungle animals, and the only time you can tell most of it is fake is when the bear starts singing. I've never seen a real one sing.
Then again, my experience with bears is somewhat limited. Outside its technical virtures, the movie's main plus is some great voice work from the likes of Idris Elba, Ben Kingsley, Bill Murray, Lupita Nyong'o, Christopher Walken, and Scarlett Johanssn.
Unfortunately, it's merely a silver lining on what's ultimately a pretty boring picture. The movie tiptoes around its brutality, with most of it played out off screen. It would have served no one's purpose for a kids' film to be a total bloodbath, but the impact of losses is certainly diminished. There are chases and plenty of other action, but the movie is plain dull in its execution.
The second half, in particular, seems to drag on forever.
The Jungle Book clocks in at 106 minutes and is rated PG for "some sequences of scary action and peril."
Worth a look for its technical prowess alone, 2016's Jungle Book sadly falls short of the animated feature on which it's based.
Of a possible nine Weasleys, The Jungle Book gets five.
Fangirl points: Giancarlo Esposito. Again!
Next up: The Angry Birds Movie.
An island of peaceful, (mostly) happy, flightless birds faces a threat from neighboring green pigs.
Whoa. Trippiest. Synopsis. Ever.
Dear Reader(s), I have not even a passing familiarity with video games.
Luckily, The Angry Birds Movie is pretty cute, and I don't think I missed out on anything for not having spent hours with my nose in my phone, playing the Angry Birds game.
Angry Birds is a great-looking picture, full of gorgeous animation and bright colors. The film boasts an impressive array of voice talent, including Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Peter Dinklage, and Sean Penn.
The plot is pretty thin, but the film keeps moving and doesn't bog down. There's some charming humor alongside some that's truly disgusting...at least for grownups...as well as a lovely score by Heitor Pereira.
The Angry Birds Movie runs 97 minutes and is rated PG for "rude humor and action."
It's no game-changer, but Angry Birds is a bright, colorful, quick-moving film that's fun for the whole family.
Of a possible nine Weasleys, The Angry Birds Movie gets six.
Fangirl points: Angry Birds was created in Finland. This movie kicks off with a Black Sabbath song. (I'm not joking.)
Finally, the closer on yesterday's agenda: Now You See Me 2.
After hiding out for 18 months, the Horsemen resurface to perform their greatest heist yet.
When the first Now You See Me was released into a summer of prequels, sequels, and reboots, I recall lauding it as a breath of fresh air in a sea of franchise installments. Of course, then Hollywood had to go and commission a sequel because...Hollywood.
The good news is, if the sequel wasn't entirely necessary, it is a great time nonetheless.
NYSM2 raises the stakes from the Horsmen's first outing, meaning even more incredible stunts that require even more suspension of disbelief.
I mean, faking one's death can't possibly be as easy as depicted here (more than once) or everyone who has a crazy ex or owes on a credit card would be doing it! Still, the movie doesn't take itself too seriously, so playing along isn't a problem. Some of the illusions are spectacular, in particular, the rain-manipulation trick hinted at in the trailers, and the plot has plenty of twists and turns to hold your attention.
The cast is terrific from top to bottom, with Jesse Eisenberg again the standout. Lizzy Caplan's character is a somewhat brash replacement for Isla Fisher, but she's great fun and will grow on you quickly. Daniel Radcliffe continues to distance himself from his Potter past with a funny, quirky performance as the film's baddie.
The movie gets a bit preachy here and there, but it's mostly a thrilling, layered ride.
Now You See Me 2 clocks in at 129 minutes and is rated PG13 for "violence and some language."
That rare sequel that is as good as, and perhaps even better than, the original,
Now You See Me 2 is great fun and (still) something a little different for the summer blockbuster season.
Of a possible nine Weasleys, Now You See Me 2 gets seven.
Fangirl points: DanRad in *another* movie about magic!
The newest trailer for Iron Man 3 is out and it looks pretty impressive. The Avengers kind of made you forget about the overstuffed 2nd film.
This new trailer looks like it really ups the ante and gives us hope we’ll have a better entry this go around. Lots of wonderful tidbits offered throughout, check out the trailer and enjoy.
First trailer for Iron Man 3 has been released and it looks to take the series in more serious and darker direction.
Shane Black takes over the directorial reigns and these early bits of footage look more impressive than expected.
Since Iron Man 2 fell into a lot of the traps that big sequels suffer from, including the extended set up for The Avengers, so it’d be nice to see a more focused entry from Marvel.
Mark Ruffalo and Leonardo DiCaprio team up as a pair of U.S. Marshals who travel to a secluded island off the coast of Massachusetts to search for an escaped mental patient, uncovering a web of deception along the way as they battle the forces of nature and a prison riot in this Martin Scorsese-helmed period picture. Laeta Kalogridis adapts Dennis Lehane's novel of the same name, with Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures splitting production and distribution duties. Ben Kingsley co-stars as the head of the institution where the patient resided, while Michelle Williams portrays Leonardo DiCaprio's deceased wife, whose memory haunts him during the investigation. Max von Sydow, Emily Mortimer, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, and Jackie Earle Haley round out the supporting cast. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow.
Release Date: Feb 19, 2010
Rated R for disturbing violent content, some nudity and language
Runtime: 2 hr. 18 min.
Genres: Action, Thriller
Review:
Martin Scorsese’s visually stunning Shutter Island is a mind bending trek through heady themes that leave you asking yourself questions long after you’ve finished watching it. Scorsese’s visual flair is apparent from the start and his creativity truly shows during the classic dream sequences that pepper the film. He creates a visual landscape that is unsettlingly and unnerving. He accomplishes this with such flair that I’d be hard pressed to find any diehard movie fan who finds faults with its construction. Scorsese does a wonderful job of channeling Hitchcock’s style and music but making it distinctively his at the same time. The director’s go to guy, Leonardo DiCaprio, is more than up to the challenge as well. DiCaprio is appropriately intense and conflicted throughout, adding another layer to the performance as the film heads into its finale. He does a wonderful job of showing the characters inner struggle throughout without going over the top. Mark Ruffalo is engaging and steady, providing a nice anchor point for DiCaprio’s character. Ben Kingsley is stoic throughout. The remainder of the supporting players Max von Sydow, Emily Mortimer, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, and Jackie Earle Haley all make the most of their small but impactful parts. Shutter Island’s plot and central mystery are best left to be discovered on your own even if it’s fairly obvious from a healthy dose of Easter eggs dropped throughout the film. Admittedly, this type of story has been done before but what makes Shutter Island special is talent in front of and behind the camera.
