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May 30, 2018

Solo: A Star Wars Film (2018) --- “Never Tell Him The Odds, He May Get A Good Feeling About It.”

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Plot Summary
Young Han Solo finds adventure when he joins a gang of galactic smugglers, including a 196-year-old Wookie named Chewbacca. Indebted to the gangster Dryden Vos, the crew devises a daring plan to travel to the mining planet Kessel to steal a batch of valuable coaxium. In need of a fast ship, Solo meets Lando Calrissian, the suave owner of the perfect vessel for the dangerous mission -- the Millennium Falcon. (1)


Review
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Hello, Movie Buffs! 
     While I am not a “true” Star Wars fan, I have a great love for the characters and films, even the prequel trilogy despite the flaws. Now with the most recent Star Wars addition, I can easily say that I have never seen anything like this before. Solo (2018) is an incredible addition to the Star Wars saga and its a fresh start to the saga. I hope that this is not the last we have seen of individual Star Wars Stories that follows other subplots throughout the Star Wars timeline.

May 28, 2018

2001: Space Odyssey (1968) --- "Embark On A Mysterious And Awe-Inspiring Exploration From The 60's"

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Plot Summary
An imposing black structure provides a connection between the past and the future in this enigmatic adaptation of a short story by revered sci-fi author Arthur C. Clarke. When Dr. Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea) and other astronauts are sent on a mysterious mission, their ship's computer system, HAL, begins to display increasingly strange behavior, leading up to a tense showdown between man and machine that results in a mind-bending trek through space and time. (1) 


Review
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Hello, Movie Buffs! 
    I watched this film for the first time a few days ago and this is what I was left with. Writing an objective review about 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) is as difficult as understanding and contemplating the film’s story; it’s almost impossible. Whether you love it or hate it, 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) is one of the most iconic science fiction films of all time. It’s thought-provoking, insightful, and frustrating. The most endearing quality of the film is that it dares to ask deep questions about life: Who are we? What’s out there? Where did they come from? And what do they want? Nonetheless, those who love the film understand why people don’t and vice-versa.

May 25, 2018

Lost in Space (1998) --- “Get Ready To Get Lost On An Adventure Like Nothing On Earth”

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Plot Summary
The space family Robinson is on a journey to Alpha Prime in the hopes of establishing a colony there and thereby saving humanity from extinction. Their plans are foiled by the evil Dr. Smith (Gary Oldman) and they find themselves curiously enough, lost in space. (1) 



Review
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     I would like to start by saying that I am too young to remember the original 1965-1968 TV series, so this review is strictly based on the film with only some minor comparisons to the recent Netflix TV series.
     Lost in Space is one of the best sci-fi stories of all time, and while this 1998 film is not perfect by any means it is still entertaining for its time. There is a lot to like about this film. It’s a sci-fi film with impressive special effects for the 90’s, exciting action sequences, cool set designs, and good character performances. The story is simple enough for all ages but adds some serious drama for older audiences. Like the recent Netflix series, small details become important points later and a buildup of tension and suspense make certain revelations that much more daunting.

May 23, 2018

Deadpool 2 (2018) --- “Be Prepared For The Second Coming”

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Plot Summary
Wisecracking mercenary Deadpool joins forces with fellow mutants - Vanisher, Zeitgeist, Bedlam, Shatterstar and Domino - and non-mutants - Peter and Dopinder - to protect a boy, Russell, from the all-powerful time-traveling guy named Cable. (1)


Review
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     In 2016 Fox gambled on Deadpool 1, an R-Rated ‘superhero’ film with a surprisingly low budget, and after the film proved a success the studio decided to come back with Deadpool 2 (2018),  an R-Rated sequel with a slightly bigger budget, a new director, and an ensemble cast – both new and old.

May 21, 2018

Deadpool (2016) --- "He's Not Your Typical Superhero But His Reason For Wearing Red Is Genius. Find Out To Why."

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Plot Summary
Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is a former Special Forces operative who now works as a mercenary. His world comes crashing down when evil scientist Ajax (Ed Skrein) tortures, disfigures and transforms him into Deadpool. The rogue experiment leaves Deadpool with accelerated healing powers and a twisted sense of humor. With help from mutant allies Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), Deadpool uses his new skills to hunt down the man who nearly destroyed his life. (1) 


Review
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Hello, Movie Buffs! 
WARNING: This film is Rated R for strong violence and language throughout, sexual content and graphic nudity
     At first glance, Deadpool (2016) seems like your typical Marvel superhero film but after the first 30 minutes, it becomes clear that this is NOT your typical Marvel film. Deadpool is a unique and huge gamble for Marvel. Deadpool is an artistic vision and hilariously entertaining film that plays off of Ryan Reynolds great comedic skills.

May 18, 2018

Daredevil (2003) --- "Guy Goes Blind As A Kid And Now Uses His Super Heightened Smell To Track Criminals. Find Out How He Uses Blindness To See."

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Plot Summary
Attorney Matt Murdock (Ben Affleck) is blind, but his other four senses function with superhuman sharpness. By day, Murdock represents the downtrodden. At night, he is Daredevil, a masked vigilante, a relentless avenger of justice. When Wilson Fisk (Michael Clarke Duncan) hires Bullseye (Colin Farrell) to kill Daredevil, Murdock must rely on his own senses and search out the conspirators against justice -- which may include his own girlfriend, Elektra (Jennifer Garner). (1) 



Review
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     A lot of audience members were dissatisfied with the theatrical version and it is clear that director Mark Johnson, who loves this material, was also disappointed with the theatrical release. So it’s great that he made an effort to rectify the film by releasing a Director’s Cut. Daredevil (2003) the Director’s Cut is a more complete version and elevates the film overall.

May 16, 2018

Son of God (2014) --- "Their Empire, His Kingdom. Find Out How 13 Men Change The World."

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Plot Summary
In the Holy Land, the Roman occupation has produced a cauldron of oppression, anxiety and excessive taxes levied upon the Jewish people. Fearing the wrath of Roman governor Pontius Pilate (Greg Hicks), Jewish high priest Caiaphas (Adrian Schiller) tries to keep control of his people. That control is threatened when Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, performing miracles and spreading messages of love and hope. Those who fear that Jesus will inspire a revolution to decide that he must die. (1


Review
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Hello, Movie Buffs! 
     Son of God (2014) is an adaption of History Channel's miniseries The Bible (2013), and while some viewers said the film was a bore I found it to be a pretty engaging film. It is unrealistic to expect every Bible-based film to 100% accurate as there will always be haters; then again Jesus has always had that effect on haters. The biggest issue with the film is the artistic liberties taken with the story, that certain facts were wrong in accordance to scripture: the manner in which Lazarus is resurrected is different, and the time that Peter denounces Jesus and the time Jesus destroys the money transactions inside the temple is not accurate. There is also the omission of the enemy confronting and tempting Jesus. Instead, the film underscores the evil of mankind and adds extra scenes with Pilate’s wife for no real reason. However, there are always risks in adapting any great story, especially when it is the greatest story ever told.

May 14, 2018

Samson (2018) --- "Biblical Hero With Supernatural Strength Kills 1,000 Soldiers With A Donkey Jawbone. Find Out His Full Story."

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Plot Summary
When his youthful ambition leads to a tragic marriage, the all-powerful Samson embarks on a quest for vengeance that brings him into direct conflict with the Philistine army. As his brother mounts a tribal rebellion, Samson's relationship with a Philistine temptress and his final surrender to God will help turn imprisonment into a final victory. (1)



Review
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     Samson (2018) is a great film that is surprisingly accurate to the Biblical tale about the strongest man in the Old Testament. The scope of the film is epic with more character depth and realistic fight scenes that did not disappoint. The story of Samson is historically recorded in scripture, Judges 13, so while most people know the details of his story, this film takes the story takes it to a whole new level.

May 11, 2018

Overboard (2018) --- “A Riches To Rags Kind Of Story, If Only ‘Prince Charming’ Could Remember It. Watch What Happens Next”

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Plot Summary
Leonardo, a selfishly rich playboy, falls off his yacht and wakes up to find himself in the hospital with amnesia. Seeking retribution for all the times Leonardo treated her poorly, one of his employees, Kate, decides to retrieve him from the hospital and convince him he's her husband. As a single mother to three daughters and struggling to make ends meet, Kate could use a little help around the house. (1)



Review
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     Helmed by debut director Rob Greenberg; written by Leslie Dixon, Bob Fisher, and Greenberg; and stars Eugenio Derbez, Anna Faris, Eva Longoria, and Mel Rodriguez. Overboard (2018) is a remake of the 1987 romantic comedy by Gary Marshall, and starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.

May 9, 2018

Overboard (1987) --- "Rich Heiress Gets Amnesia After Falling Off A Boat. What Happens Afterwards Will Leave You Laughing."

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Plot Summary
Snobbish and wealthy Joanna Stayton (Goldie Hawn) is living a life of leisure with her husband, Grant (Edward Herrmann), when she falls off their yacht and suffers amnesia. Grant takes the opportunity to rid himself of the demanding Joanna -- but Dean (Kurt Russell), a widowed carpenter with four kids who once worked for Joanna, arrives and claims she's his wife. Joanna can't remember her past identity, but has trouble believing that she was ever meant to be a working-class mother of four. (1)



Review
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     Directed by Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman; Princess Diaries) and starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, Overboard (1987) is a classic rom-com (romantic comedy) about a rich heiress with amnesia who is coned into think that a blue-collar dad with no sense of responsibility is her husband. This is a great example of an innocent and yet trashy 80’s rom-com that will leave audiences in a good mood. The plot concept was unique and funny with a nice visual contrast between high-class and mid/low-class lifestyles. Although the story is a bit predictable this is still an entertaining and hilarious film to watch. Anyone who can appreciate talent in a good-natured comedy will find that this is a feel-good kind of film.

May 7, 2018

Megan Leavey (2017) --- "They're Unique Bond Will Save Countless Lives, Including Each Other. This Is They're Story."

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Plot Summary
When Marine Cpl. Megan Leavey (Kate Mara) is assigned to clean up the military K9 unit after a disciplinary hearing, Leavey identifies with a particularly aggressive dog, Rex, and is given the chance to train him. Due to their unique bond over the course of their service, Megan and Rex complete more than 100 missions, saving countless lives during their deployment in Iraq. However, their fate is put in jeopardy when an IED explosion injures them during one of their mission. This is their story.

  
Review
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     Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite; screenplay written by Pamela Gray, Annie Mumolo, and Tim Lovestedt; and starring Kate Mara, Ramon Rodriguez, Tom Felton, Common, Edie Falco, and Bradley Whitford. Megan Leavey (2017) is a true story drama about Marine Corporal Megan Leavey, the bond she shares with her military K-9 Rex and her pursuit to bring him home. Cowperthwaite, who also directed BLACKFISH (2013) – a critically acclaimed documentary about the inhumane treatment of captive killer whales – is the perfect person to helm this film because she has some experience with making films that highlight the animal characters.

May 4, 2018

Max (2015) --- "Retired Military Dog And His New Owner Go On A Hunt For His Late Owner's Killer. See How They Do It."

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Plot Summary
After U.S. Marine Kyle Wincott is killed in Afghanistan, Max, his highly trained service dog, is too traumatized to remain in service. Back in the U.S., Kyle's family adopts the dog, but teenage brother Justin (Josh Wiggins) has problems of his own and doesn't want the animal. However, Max may be Justin's only chance to learn what really happened to his brother. With the help of a dog-savvy friend, Justin and Max begin to bond and set out to unravel the mystery of Kyle's death. (1) 



Review
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     Director and writer Boaz Yakin (Remember the Titans) and co-writer Sheldon Lettich (Rambo III) created a touching family film with serious subject material that is sentimental, patriotic, and plenty of heartfelt moments that will tug on heartstrings.  Max (2015) is about a retired military dog that helps people in special ways, specifically a young boy who has trouble dealing with his brother’s death. The film enlightens the audience on the effect that war can have on humans and animals, and teaches children in a way that is easy to understand. The film also teaches the audience the power of truth and honesty, and that it is important to open your heart to the people closest to you.

May 2, 2018

Avengers: Infinity War (2018) --- "6 Stones Of Infinite Power Hold The Key To Either Saving Or Destroying The Universe. And This Is Only The Beginning Of The End."

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Plot Summary
Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk and the rest of the Avengers unite to battle their most powerful enemy yet -- the evil Thanos. On a mission to collect all six Infinity Stones, Thanos plans to use the artifacts to inflict his twisted will on reality. The fate of the planet and existence itself has never been more uncertain as everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment. (1)


Review
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     Over the past 10 years or so Marvel Studios has released over 18 films as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and each new film has proven to be better than it’s predecessor in one way or another. Now with the release of its 19th film, Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Marvel has once again released an amazing film that has far exceeded audience’s and Box Office expectations.

May 1, 2018

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) --- "An Avenger Built A Genocidal AI And Now Must Commit An AI Genocide To Stop Him."

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Plot Summary

When Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) jump-starts a dormant peacekeeping program, things go terribly awry, forcing him, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and the rest of the Avengers to reassemble. As the fate of Earth hangs in the balance, the team is put to the ultimate test as they battle Ultron, a technological terror hell-bent on human extinction. Along the way, they encounter two mysterious and powerful newcomers, Pietro and Wanda Maximoff. (1)



Review
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     Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) is an amazing sequel to The Avengers (2012) and is an equally impressive eleventh addition into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) – part of MCU’s Phase Two1. Director and writer Joss Whedon (Avengers) delivered everything he said he would in a sequel, it has all the elements of the first film but everything has been given an upgrade – the script, the action, and the characters.
     The humor, angst, and drama in this film are remarkable for a superhero film; it makes the dialogue witty and impactful. The action is immediate, mind-blowing, and orchestrated beautifully. The action holds your attention from beginning to end and it also helps that the set designs have been amped up considerably; they’re immaculate. The characters have also upped their game since the last film.
     The cast all play their roles perfectly with a new level of development that we have yet to see from them. Robert Downey Jr starts to show us that there is more to Tony Stark than meets the eye. Chris Evan always brings honesty and heart to the film as Captain America but there has been an awakening to his character that we don’t see until Civil War. Scarlet Johansson (Black Widow) reveals a side to here we have yet to see and I can’t wait to see more. And her relationship with the Hulk has grown even more. Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Samuel L Jackson (Nick Fury), Cobie Smulders (Agent Hill), Don Cheadle (War Machine), and Anthony Mackie (Falcon) all reprised their roles wonderfully and add something new to their characters. The newcomers Andy Serkis (Ulysses), Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch), and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Quicksilver) were all great additions to the cast and I can’t wait to see more from them. Two cast members stole the show with strong performances. First, James Spader is my favorite villain as of yet. His intimidating and suave voice brings Ultron to life with a sense of realism in an easily clichéd character. The second character to steal the show is Paul Bettany as Vision. I can’t wait to see him in Infinity War (2018).

     Overall, Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) is an entertaining sequel film that easily exceeded my expectations. The humor, angst, and drama are impressive; the action is mind-blowing, and the characters both new and old are developed nicely. The villain was most impressive, way better than Loki, who was more of a minor minion in the first Avengers film. Age of Ultron can be enjoyed by all ages and any fans of Marvel should most definitely see it. I can’t wait to see Infinity War (2018) tomorrow.


"Well, I was born yesterday."
- Vision

*****I recommend watching the following Marvel movies in this order:
Captain America (2011)
Iron Man (2008)
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Incredible Hulk (2008)
Thor (2011)
Avengers (2012)
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (2017)
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Ant-Man (2015)
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Doctor Strange (2016)
Thor: Ragnork (2017)
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)


Final Vote
Worth Seeing:  9.5 of 10 stars
Worth Buying:  9.5 of 10 stars

I hope you liked this post, subscribe to my blog via email HERE, send in your comments, and watch Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015).




Movies Similar 
Ant-Man (2015)
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
Avengers (2012)
Avengers 3: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers 4: Untitled film (2019)
Black Panther (2018)
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Captain Marvel (2019)
Doctor Strange (2016)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (TBA)
Hulk (2003)
Incredible Hulk (2008)
Iron Man (2008)
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Spider-Man: Homecoming 2 (2019)
Thor (2011)
Thor: Dark World (2013)
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)