MOVIE REVIEW: SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS

 

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.  

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: DOCTOR STRANGE

After a car accident leaves him with nerve damage that ends his career as a New York neurosurgeon, Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) travels to Kathmandu in the hope of finding an otherworldly cure for his injuries. There, a powerful mystic known as the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) accepts him as her pupil and trains him in the art of sorcery. Eventually, Strange must use his new powers to stop a rival (Mads Mikkelsen) from causing chaos by accessing the Dark Dimension. Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Benedict Wong co-star in this entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Directed by Scott Derrickson (Sinister). ~ Jack Rodgers, Rovi

Director: Scott Derrickson 

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benedict Wong, Tilda Swinton

Release Date: Nov 04, 2016

Rated PG-13 for Sci-Fi Violence and Action and an Intense Crash Sequence 

Runtime: 1 hr. 55 min. 

Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy 

Review:

Doctor Strange is a visually impressive origin story that’s better than it should be most due to its cast.  That’s not to say that director Scott Derrickson doesn’t do some impressive cinematic gymnastics because he does.  Its just that when you peel back all visual flourishes its plot feels incredibly familiar with magic taking the place of superhero powers.  Thankfully, the film is a generally enjoyable thanks to some strong turns by Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton.  Benedict Cumberbatch feels perfect for the roles and he’s clearly having a great time throughout.  The real stand out though is Tilda Swinton who’s generally the most interesting actor on screen throughout.  It’s a bit of a disappointment that the other great actors assembled aren’t given much to do.  Mads Mikkelsen, Rachel McAdams and Chiwetel Ejiofor are all saddled with some terribly underwritten and generic characters.  It’s a shame because they are all excellent actors and with better material this film could have been something truly special.  As is, the film is a solid addition to the ever expanding Marvel Cinematic universe.

B

Cindy Prascik's Reviews of Doctor Strange & Hacksaw Ridge

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for Doctor Strange and Hacksaw Ridge, two movies that I anticipated about as much as a fork in the eye. (Any 80s metal fans guess what I'm listening to as I write?) Fortunately, one of them had the decency to be better than expected. 

 

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

 

First on the agenda: Marvel's latest cinema smash, Doctor Strange. Following a car accident that cost him his career, an arrogant doctor is awakened to a whole new world. Ladies and gents, if I had to describe Doctor Strange in one word, that word would be "trippy." 

 

Of course I'm gonna use a lot more words than that, but...yeah...trippy. I saw it in 2D, but I'll go on record as recommending the 3D unreservedly; I'm entirely convinced it's worth-the-upcharge spectacular. Inception-Meets-Pink-Floyd-Laser-Show special effects are Doctor Strange's primary virtue, but Marvel has hit it out of the park on casting again, as well. 

 

Benedict Cumberbatch is mesmerising as Strange, and make no mistake, he HAS to be. 

 

Strange is the Dr. House of comic books; he's abrasive and needs the right portrayal for fans to warm to him. In Cumberbatch, he's got it. Chiwetel Ejifor and Mads Mikkelsen lead a supporting cast that is almost uniformly terrific. 

 

The movie could have done with more Rachel McAdams and less Tilda Swinton, but Benedict Wong nearly walks off with the whole thing anyway. Michael Giacchino's epic score provides perfect accompaniment to the huge set pieces and fantastic action. 

 

The movie features the requisite Stan Lee cameo and a couple quick reminders that you're supposed to love it because it's from the people who gave you the Avengers. Guys...THE AVENGERS!! 

 

Don't forget now! Marvel's trademark humor occasionally seems shoehorned into situations where it feels awkward, ill-fitting, and inappropriate, but it mostly hits the mark. Story-wise, Doctor Strange is a generic origins tale that dwells too long on certain bits, making it seem bloated even though it's not really that long. It's a movie with some great elements, but hardly a great movie. Doctor Strange clocks in at 115 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sci-fi violence and action throughout, and an intense crash sequence." Doctor Strange never fails to entertain, but, ultimately, it's nothing special. 

 

And if that's not Marvel's corporate slogan...well...it should be. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Doctor Strange gets seven. 

 

Fangirl points: Benjamin Bratt! Michael Stuhlbarg! 

 

Next up: Hacksaw Ridge. A young man whose faith keeps him from carrying a weapon hopes to serve as a combat medic in World War II. (A.K.A. "War is Hell. Literally.") 

 

Hacksaw Ridge is an inspiring tale that, in someone else's hands, might have made a great movie. In director Mel Gibson's hands, it's two hours of being clubbed over the head with an agenda. Andrew Garfield heads a magnificent cast with zero weak links. 

 

I'd hoped this might be Garfield's step up to a long-deserved Oscar nod, and I'm not sure it's that, but he is brilliant nonetheless. Hugo Weaving is heartbreaking in a scene-stealing turn that'll have you digging for the Kleenex, and Luke Bracey, Sam Worthington, and Vince Vaughn (you heard me) flesh out a memorable supporting cast with excellent chemistry. Sound mixing and editing are spectacular as well. That's the good news. 

 

The bad news is, Hacksaw Ridge has little else going for it. An excessive runtime exacerbates the feeling that it never gets anywhere. The terrible physical toll of war is detailed in such up-close, prolonged excess that it strays into Tropic Thunder territory. War = Bad. We've got it. No need to spend half the film focused on men you can't tell from lunchmeat. 

 

The faith angle gets full marks for its earnestness, but, again, is so unsubtle as to be comical. If I'd rolled my eyes any harder, I'd be writing this out the back of my head. Ultimately, you can't help feeling such an extraordinary story deserved better. Hacksaw Ridge runs 131 minutes and is rated R for "intense, prolonged, realistically-graphic sequences of war violence, including grisly, bloody images." 

 

Hacksaw Ridge is an inexcusably pedestrian telling of an amazing tale. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Hacksaw Ridge gets four. 

 

Until next time...

Movie Reviews: MOON

Sunday, February 07, 2010
Movie Reviews: MOON
ON DVD

MOON

An astronaut miner extracting the precious moon gas that promises to reverse the Earth's energy crisis nears the end of his three-year contract, and makes an ominous discovery in this psychological sci-fi film starring Sam Rockwell and Kevin Spacey. For three long years, Sam Bell has dutifully harvested Helium 3 for Lunar, a company that claims it holds the key to solving humankind's energy crisis. As Sam's contract comes to an end, the lonely astronaut looks forward to returning to his wife and daughter down on Earth, where he will retire early and attempt to make up for lost time. His work on the Selene moon base has been enlightening -- the solitude helping him to reflect on the past and overcome some serious anger issues -- but the isolation is starting to make Sam uneasy. With only two weeks to go before he begins his journey back to Earth, Sam starts feeling strange: he's having inexplicable visions, and hearing impossible sounds. Then, when a routine extraction goes horribly awry, it becomes apparent that Lunar hasn't been entirely straightforward with Sam about their plans for replacing him. The new recruit seems strangely familiar, and before Sam returns to Earth, he will grapple with the realization that the life he has created may not be entirely his own. Up there, hundreds of thousands of miles from home, it appears that Sam's contract isn't the only thing about to expire. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide


Cast: Sam Rockwell, Kaya Scodelario, Benedict Wong, Matt Berry, Malcolm Stewart.


Director: Duncan Jones


Release Date: ..Jun 12, 2009..


Rated R for language


Runtime: 1 hr. 37 min.


Genres: Drama, Thriller


Review:


Duncan Jones feature film debut is the type of film that makes life long science fiction fans feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Recalling Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 with its look and the ever present computer assistant, Jones creates an atmospheric and engaging film that is more about concepts and philosophical musing than the actions on screen. While 2001 is the first thing that comes to mind, its themes and ideas are closer to Solaris, the Soviet sci-fi classic. Jones eye and pacing are very measured and he allows the audience to get a sense of the silence and isolation the story’s main character is experiencing and feeling. Sam Rockwell is on full display here as the film is pretty much a stage for him to show off his entire range of talent. Rockwell is fascinating and intriguing throughout, playing the character at the start and end of his life is daunting challenge but he pulls it off with ease. Kevin Spacey provides the voice for Rockwell’s automated co star Gerty. Spacey’s monotone and disarming timber gives Gerty an artificial yet compassionate voice. That coupled with Gerty’s wide array of smileys that mimic the conversation make for an interesting counterpart to Rockwell’s character. Jones debut makes a strong impression but lacks tension or mystery throughout. The plot feels like it plays its hand a tad too early as there’s very little suspense in the final act. Personally I was left expecting a bit more from the actual story. Still its themes and questions are fascinating food for thought especially for life long science fiction fans who don’t need massive FX or invading aliens to intrigue the mind.


B+