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Where Does Marvel and DC Go from Here?

 It’s no secret: the superhero movie boom we’ve been in the thick of for so long has started to plateau. While we will not fully know how far the boon has fallen until Deadpool 3 released in June* or when we see how Superman: Legacy turns out is released, but it doesn’t look good. Superhero movies in general (both Marvel and DC) have been underperforming. While there have been high points such as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 on Marvel and The Suicide Squad on DC (interestingly both directed by filmmaker James Gunn), it seems like modern audiences are not as excited about superhero movies post-Avengers: Endgame and Zack Snyder’s Justice League (box office numbers are the most obviously example, but critical response on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic to these post-Endgame movies are all over the place). Ultimately these trends do lead to an interesting - if somewhat arrogant sounding - question: where should Marvel (which is, of course, owned by Walt Disney Pictures) and DC (which is o
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Stuff and Things

 I don’t always like to have ‘things’ but I’ve clearly accumulated a lot in my lifetime.  Multiple sunglasses, watches, gifts, gadgets and trinkets that often add give my life value and create a positive atmosphere. I do not have my worth tied to this stuff and I am in no way bragging, but I have been thinking a lot about our connection to ‘stuff’ and ‘things’ and maybe I’ll come up with a more compelling post in the future. Stay tuned.  
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Reflections on Cinema in 2024 (so far)

 I haven’t seen as many movies as I have in the past few years but I have a long list to get through. Until then, here are my current five favorites of 2024. 5. Dune Part 2: Dune Part Two manages to continue the story from the first movie in all the right ways. It also doubles down on the mix of different special effects types and driven themes that make the new(ish*) series worthwhile. 4. Furiosa: a Mad Max Saga: it very nearly matched the energy of Mad Max Fury Road…nearly. But that energy is absolutely worthwhile and shines in every seen. Director George Miller has done it again. 3. Challengers: it has by far the best new film score I’ve listened to in a while. Composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross absolutely kill it. The score and performances elevate what may be a pretty slight movie otherwise. Love it! 2. Maxxine: it may not appeal to traditionalists, but it doesn’t need to. X (2022) was also really good and sadly? I still need to see Pearl (2022). Maybe I’ll give you a ranking
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Gray’s Anatomy (1996) Movie Review

  In Gray’s Anatomy, a man named Spalding Gray monologues about his medical mishaps for a really long time. As he describes his journey, he showcases his neuroses and fears along the way. Gray’s Anatomy is not a typical film: a man monologues to the camera for a few hours while some visual choices are made around him to add to the story. This may not appeal to everyone, but it’s anchored by the fact that the main character is a truly impressive speaker.  Gray speaks coherently and engagingly for the whole movie, which is hard to come to terms with considering it’s pretty much all him talking. He tells the story with enthusiasm and wit, rarely ever relenting to make sure we are entertained.  The visual choices made around him (some through editing, some through lighting) truly add to this storytelling and makes it more engaging. However, there is an argument to be made that this could be distracting to some people who just want to hear him talk.  It is not a typical film by any stretch
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Sex Drive (2008) Movie Review

 In Sex Drive, a young virgin steals his brothers car to meet a girl he met online who may give him sex. However, he learns so much about himself along the way it may not inevitably be worth it.  Some standout performances aside, the film is not especially interesting. Even compared to some other teen comedies around the same time and since the 90s, the teen movie sub genre had apparently reached a breaking point long before Sex Drive.  While it’s hard to know the exact cutoff, Sex Drive’s lacking originality and sub-par humor (barring some funny moments here and there) do not do it any favors. The film feels like it’s trying way to hard to be funny, and it can be at worst insufferable.  There are some standout performances that come out of no where though (Seth Green as a sarcastic Amish man comes to mind). Ironically, they seem completely out of place in a movie of this mediocre caliber.  If you like teen comedies regardless of originality or humor, chances are you may actually enjoy
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Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) Movie Review

 In Fast Times at Ridgemont High, a series of interconnected stories among high schoolers stand out. All of them have a goal that may prove trivial in their larger life stories.  Fast Times is about as funny as one can expect from the teen comedy sub genre. All the performances are on the same wavelength: from Sean Penn as the stoner to Jennifer Jason Leigh as the young high schooler navigating her sexuality.  While some aspects are dated, it’s no doubt the character-centric humor anchors the whole thing. Even the most ridiculous ideas (like the scene in the baseball dugout or the pool fantasy) are grounded in the sense that you know these characters well enough to know that’s how they think and act.  That being said, your mileage may vary on how much you’re willing to put up with sexually or in terms of crudeness. While it is not AS crude as some of its later imitators (American Pie comes to mind) it still isn’t for everyone.  Basically, if you like John Hughes teen movies, you may lo
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The Flood (2023) Movie Review

 In the food, a group of prison guards and prisoners are at the center of a gigantic flood. As they try to navigate that, a horde of monstrous alligators comes after all of them.  The gore and camp are among the best parts of this horror movie. Unfortunately, nothing else about the film works any wonders on me or its intended audience audience.  The CGI alligators look ugly as opposed to scary, and I doubt I’d ever understand the choice to have the alligators lean into the uncanny valley of bayou animals, This isn’t helped by a cast of characters that is undercooked and reductive at best.  None of the performances (even the most sympathetic one; Starship Troopers veteran [pun partially intended] Casper Van Dien) are on an effective wavelength; clearly it had to be a paycheck job if anything at all. This also isn’t helped by a script that does none of these ragtag characters (not even the Sheriff, who should be the center of the movie) any justice.  This movie wasn’t very effective for
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